Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in NFL Week 11

The fantasy football playoffs are a month away, so odds are that you're in the hunt. You may not have secured a playoff spot yet, but you're a few wins away from doing just that. Now, more than ever, you need to be at the top of your game. You can't afford to start a player who drops a goose egg, or sit a player who scores 20-plus. You need everything to bounce your way.

That's where we can help. After Week 10 was handed to anyone starting Ja'Marr Chase, Week 11 promises to offer more hotly-contested fantasy football matchups. Here are eight players to start and eight more to sit for Week 11.

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Players to start in Week 11

Quarterbacks

• Matthew Stafford, LAR

At full strength, the Los Angeles Rams have one of the deadliest passing attacks in football. If this game was happening a month ago, there would be concerns that the Rams would get out to too big a lead, forcing them to run the ball in the second half, but the emergence of Patriots' rookie quarterback Drake Maye could make this game closer than anticipated. That means more passing attempts for Stafford, and more points in your pocket.

• Russell Wilson, PIT

The Baltimore Ravens, as great a defense as they are, have had one glaring issue. They get out in front big and have trouble holding that lead in the fourth quarter. They'll prevent quarterbacks from doing damage for three quarters and then surrender 20 fantasy points to the opposing QB in the last 15 minutes.

Wilson has looked good as the team's starting quarterback so far, and his connection with George Pickens seems to be good for one or two big plays. Given the Ravens' inability to prevent big pass plays, Wilson should have a good shot at 20-plus points.

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Running backs

• Raheem Mostert, MIA

The Las Vegas Raiders are atrocious at defending the run. While De'Von Achane will certainly feast, expect Mostert to perform as well. The Dolphins should find themselves near the goal line often, and Mostert still appears to be Mike McDaniel's preferred option in the redzone.

• Nick Chubb, CLE

With the bye week behind them, the Browns will be well-rested for their upcoming matchup against the Saints. That's the same Saints team that just allowed Bijan Robinson to run for over 100 yards and two scores. That's the same Saints defense that came into Week 10 having surrendered the sixth-most non-PPR fantasy points to opposing running backs.

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Wide receivers

• Calvin Ridley, TEN

Without DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley has emerged as a serious threat in the Titans' passing attack. He's now had three straight games with double-digit fantasy points, and in Week 11, he'll face a Vikings' secondary that entered Week 10 having surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

• Marquez Valdes-Scantling, NO

The Cleveland Browns have been horrendous defending wide receivers this year, and frankly, the Saints don't have many wide receivers to spare any more. If any wideout is going to have a big day against Cleveland, which tends to happen against the Browns, MVS is the guy.

Tight ends

• Jonnu Smith, MIA

Heading into Monday Night Football, Smith had earned at least six targets in four straight games. He'd scored at least six PPR fantasy points in each of those games as well. The Las Vegas Raiders have been one of the worst teams in the NFL at defending the tight end position. Smith has a solid floor with upside this week.

• Sam LaPorta, DET

LaPorta has started re-emerging as a top tight end option lately. He's had double-digit PPR fantasy points in three of his last five games, and that number should increase in Week 11 when the Lions take on a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has struggled mightily against tight ends all year.

Players to sit in Week 11

Quarterbacks

• Joe Burrow, CIN

As great as Joe Burrow was on Thursday Night Football, we can't expect such a performance two weeks in a row. Week 11 will see the Bengals take on the Los Angeles Chargers, who love to control the clock. They'll run the ball down Cincinnati's throats, which could prevent Burrow from throwing the ball more than 30 times. With fewer pass attempts and facing a very solid Chargers' defense, Burrow's floor is fairly low this weekend.

• Patrick Mahomes, KC

Although Mahomes has looked better in recent weeks, a matchup against the Buffalo Bills is difficult for anyone. The Bills' defense entered Week 10 allowing just 16 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and that was all while averaging fewer than one interception per game. Week 10 saw the Bills' defense record three interceptions. Perhaps they've figured something out.

Running backs

• Travis Etienne Jr., JAX

With Tank Bigsby battling injury, Etienne should be handed a huge workload in Week 11 if Bigsby can't play. That doesn't mean Etienne is due for a monster performance though. Facing a Lions' defense that just held Joe Mixon to less than two yards a carry, Etienne will have trouble getting anything going on the ground.

• Chase Brown, CIN

Even with backfield mate Zack Moss likely out for the rest of the season, Chase Brown will have a tough time producing against a Chargers' defense that has allowed the second-fewest non-PPR fantasy points to opposing running backs all season. Furthermore, with wide receiver Tee Higgins expected back any week, the Bengals could lean very heavily on the pass against Los Angeles.

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Wide receivers

• Drake London, ATL

It's no secret that the Denver Broncos have been great at defending wide receivers all year. London will draw a matchup against Patrick Surtain, which could make him irrelevant in Week 11.

• Jayden Reed, GB

Much like the Broncos, the Chicago Bears have been phenomenal at defending wide receivers this year. While Jayden Reed has the explosiveness to break through for a 40-plus yard reception at any moment, the Bears will make a focused effort to limit his impact.

Tight ends

• Evan Engram, JAX

The Detroit Lions are one of the worst matchups for tight ends. No matter who starts for Jacksonville, they will have a tough time getting the ball to their big man in the middle.

• Zach Ertz, WSH

The Philadelphia Eagles have not been good at defending against wide receivers, and they've been mediocre against running backs. However, their lack of success against those positions has prevented tight ends from doing much damage against them. Although Ertz is more involved in Washington's offense than your typical tight end, the Commanders will likely lean on Terry McLaurin and Austin Ekeler/Brian Robinson more than Ertz this weekend.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Week 11: 16 NFL players to start, sit in your league