Larry Johnson has completed his suspension, but is he worth starting this week?

Week 11 is an important milestone in the fantasy football season — no more bye weeks. Going forward depth is less of an issue. Injuries will happen, but you have more room to maneuver without the byes. Plan ahead for your league playoffs and start picking up players with favorable match-ups in weeks 14 through 16. 

 

The NFL Network features another Thursday night game this week. This is something I hate with a white-hot passion.  Thursday games should only be allowed on Thanksgiving.  Make your early decisions on all your Jets and Patriots before they kickoff Thursday night.

 

Snap

 

Neither Sammy Morris (knee) nor LaMont Jordan (calf) were ready to play last week against the Bills. That left the New Enlgand running game in the hands of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk. Green-Ellis had a career-day with 26 for 105 and a TD.  The Jets have one of the better run defenses in the league, so neither Green-Ellis, Faulk nor Morris (if he plays) are good selections.  LB Adalius Thomas, one of New England’s better IDP options, broke his arm last week and is probably done for the season.

 

The Cowboys lost two of three since Tony Romo broke a pinkie in week 6. The Cowboys are at 5-4, which ties them with the Eagles for last place in the super-competitive NFC East.  Dallas can’t risk another week of Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger, so expect Romo to play against Washington, ready or not. Romo’s favorite target, TE Jason Witten, played two weeks ago with broken ribs and was ineffective against the Giants.

 

The Cowboys need help, and they might catch a huge break if the Redskins are without Clinton Portis.  The NFL’s no. 2 rusher sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and is “50-50” for Sunday according to coach Jim Zorn. If Portis practices on Friday, consider him a “go”.  Pick Ladell Betts up as insurance for Portis if available on waivers.  The news is not all bad for Washington, however.  DE Jason Taylor and CB Shawn Springs should both return Sunday against Dallas and be in your IDP lineups.

 

Steelers RB Willie Parker is expected to play against the Chargers, which would be only his second appearance in the past seven weeks. Pittsburgh will probably ease him back in, splitting time with Mewelde Moore.  Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder is less than 100% (considerably less) and his status for Sunday could be in doubt. Have backup Byron Leftwich ready to start if Big Ben can’t go. Against the Chargers defense, Leftwich would be an attractive option. Steelers TE Heath Miller is likely to sit due to an ankle injury.  Matt Spaeth gets the start against San Diego.

 

The Seneca Wallace era is over in Seattle.  QB Matt Hasselbeck is practicing and on target to make his first start since October 5th. Rust makes Hasselbeck a risky play versus the Cardinals, but he is worth plucking off of waivers nevertheless.  The Seahawks have a soft schedule late in the season and Hasselbeck will be worth having for your fantasy playoff run. WR Deion Branch should also make his return this week.

 

Bears QB Kyle Orton practiced Wednesday so it appears that we will be spared another Rex Grossman start.  Orton faces the Packers defense, ranked third against the pass.

 

Denver RB Selvin Young could only muster one carry last week, his first game in over a month. He is questionable again with a groin injury.  The Broncos already have three running backs on Injured Reserve and are desperate enough to sign castoff Tatum Bell. Bell will back up Peyton Hillis against the Falcons.

 

The Buccaneers activated RB Cadillac Williams (knee) from the PUP list. Williams will have to compete with Warrick Dunn and Earnest Graham for carries, depending on who is healthy. Both Dunn (back) and Graham (knee) are questionable for Sunday’s game at Minnesota. 

 

Keep an eye on for the Saints’ Friday practice report. RB Reggie Bush is close to returning from his knee injury and this could be the week. If he practices, then Bush is a must-start against the terrible Kansas City defense.

 

Crackle

 

It’s a rematch of Super Bowl Super Bowl XXXV: the 8-1 Giants host the 6-3 Ravens. The game features the second- and third-ranked defenses in the NFL, so don’t expect either team’s RBBC to move the ball much. Sit Baltimore’s Willis McGahee, Ray Rice and LeRon McClain. On the Giants, Brandon Jacobs is a marginal play at best. Throwing the ball won’t be much easier, so forget about Baltimore’s Joe Flacco and consider other options if you have Eli Manning.

 

Chargers QB Philip Rivers has topped 300 yards passing in three of his last four games.  However, none of those performances were against top defenses. That changes this week when the Chargers face the league’s best defense, Pittsburgh’s.  Rivers and receivers Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers are weak plays against the Steelers.

 

I don’t like the Cowboys receivers much this week. Neither Romo nor Witten is 100%, plus the Redskins’ defense is a lot healthier. You have to start Terrell Owens and Witten, but stay away from the secondary targets like Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton.

 

Pop

 

The league reinstated RB Larry Johnson. The Chiefs have so many injuries at running back, that they have little choice but to rely heavily on the troubled Johnson this Sunday.  Jamaal Charles is questionable with an ankle injury and has little fantasy value at this point. Johnson has a nice match-up against the Saints defense.

 

Carolina QB Jake Delhomme had a nightmare game last week, tossing four interceptions and notching only 72 yards passing.  This week he gets a chance to redeem himself versus the 31st ranked defense in the league: Detroit.  Everybody in Carolina gets an upgrade this week, even lightly regarded WR Muhsin Muhammad.

 

Atlanta QB Matt Ryan is putting on quite a show. He has 9 TD in his last five games.  Ryan has worked his way into fantasy starting lineups and is clearly a  #1 quarterback.  He has a great match-up this week against Denver.  Ryan, WR Roddy White and WR Michael Jenkins all should be in fantasy lineups this week.

 

The Chiefs may have found a quarterback. Tyler Thigpen has 6 TD and no picks in his last three games. If he is still available in your league, pick him up and use him against the bad Saints pass defense.

 

Cardinals WR Steve Breaston is still producing, even after the return Anquan Boldin. Breaston had 7 receptions for 121 yards last week. He is a good WR3 against Seattle’s 31st ranked pass defense.

 

The Chargers pass defense can’t stop anybody. Regardless if it’s Roethlisberger or Leftwich, both Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are great plays against the Chargers.