Fantasy football Week 11 rapid recap: Jonathan Taylor stars in ‘Run, Score, Repeat’
Of course, this week, the No. 1 story is undoubtedly the Indianapolis Colts’ rout of the Buffalo Bills. Since starting the season 1-4, the Colts have won 5 of 6 games, increasing their playoff chances from 29% to 53% in the process. Jonathan Taylor almost single-handedly defeated Buffalo with five touchdowns and won many a fantasy matchup all by himself with a total of 53.4 fantasy points. The Bills came into Sunday having allowed only five total touchdowns to running backs all season.
Taylor became just the fourth player in NFL history to have 200 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns in a single game on the road. After contact, he rushed for 96 yards, the second-highest total of any player this season. This coming week, everyone will certainly be watching to see how Taylor does against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense behind a Colts offensive line that ranks 12th in run block win rate.
All stats are courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information, except where noted.
Here’s a quick look at some of the standout stats from Sunday’s action:
Since Week 8, WR Brandon Aiyuk has led the San Francisco 49ers with 26 targets and 111 routes run. On Sunday, he had 85 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars despite the fact that the 49ers ran the football 42 times. There’s no doubt that Aiyuk has gotten out of Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse. This week, he’ll be a solid WR2 against a Minnesota Vikings defense that allows the third-most WR fantasy points per game to receivers.
New York Jets WR Elijah Moore had 14 targets, 10 receptions and 128 receiving yards during Weeks 9-10. Yet, prior to Sunday, it seemed like his team was still reluctant to provide the rookie with a full amount of snaps. However, against the Miami Dolphins in Week 11, Moore played on 81.6% of offensive snaps, catching 8 of 11 targets for 141 receiving yards and a touchdown. It was the best day by a Jets rookie receiver since Rob Moore had a 175-yard outing back in 1990. Moore is on the WR3/flex radar against a Houston Texans defense allowing the ninth-most WR points per game.
In his Detroit Lions debut, Josh Reynolds saw only three targets and failed to catch any of those passes. Still, I’d argue that the Lions have found themselves a No. 1 receiver in Reynolds. Starting QB Jared Goff was out with an oblique injury, and Tim Boyle‘s first career start went horribly wrong. Even so, Reynolds played on 89% of offensive snaps and tied TE T.J. Hockenson for the team lead with 22 routes run. The Lions have a favorable upcoming schedule, facing the Chicago Bears and Vikings, who both rank among the sixth-highest WR points allowed per game. Stash Reynolds to see if he immediately gels with Goff.
Amari Cooper (COVID-19) and CeeDee Lamb (concussion) will both miss the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving Michael Gallup as the team’s top receiver. While he only caught 5 of 10 targets for 44 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs, Gallup did lead the Cowboys in both routes run (46) and targets. He has a great matchup ahead against a beatable Raiders secondary.
Adam Trautman has been targeted a team-leading 30 times over his past five games for the New Orleans Saints, turning those looks into 19 receptions. Against the Philadelphia Eagles, Trautman had a season-high 58 receiving yards and his first touchdown of the season. Although Trautman injured his leg early in the fourth quarter, he should be fine going forward. The tight end will be a viable fantasy option, regardless of whether Trevor Siemian or Taysom Hill ends up calling the plays in the New Orleans huddle.
Cam Newton did not end up splitting snaps with P.J. Walker. Why would you want to take out a guy on his way to 26 fantasy points? Newton threw the ball well, completing 20 of 25 passes, and his rushing ability makes him one to watch for the remainder of the season. Next up is the Dolphins defense (19.3 QB points per game allowed) ahead of the Panthers’ bye. With matchups against the Atlanta Falcons (20.3), Buccaneers (18.6), and Saints (18.4) after the week off, this well-rested QB option shouldn’t be overlooked by fantasy managers.
Devonta Freeman‘s performance against the Bears was not negatively impacted by Latavius Murray‘s return to the Baltimore Ravens’ backfield. Freeman played on 58% of offensive snaps and finished with more opportunities than Murray (18-12). Baltimore’s offensive line has the third-highest run block win rate, and it certainly helped Freeman gain 80 yards and score a touchdown. Fantasy managers can trust Freeman as a flex option going forward.
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Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth has now had five consecutive games with six-plus targets and has scored four touchdowns over his last four games. A knee injury forced Eric Ebron to leave the game in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers. Freiermuth and Ebron typically split snaps, which ends up reducing the value of both players. However, with Ebron out, Freiermuth would be a TE1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Texans rank next to last in run block win rate. That’s a big reason why, despite having 18 rushing attempts, Rex Burkhead averaged only 2.2 yards per carry against the Titans. The fact that Burkhead is getting far more opportunities than his only legitimate backfield competitor (David Johnson) is encouraging. This week, he’ll face a Jets defense that has allowed the most RB points per game — and there could have even more upside for Burkhead if the Texans decide to use him more as a receiver out of the backfield.
Both A.J. Brown (chest, hand) and Marcus Johnson (hamstring) were injured against the Texans. There’s no guarantee that either Titans receiver will be active this week against the New England Patriots. With Julio Jones currently on IR and not expected to return until after their Week 13 bye, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine could well emerge as Tennessee’s No.1 receiver.
Laviska Shenault Jr. of the Jaguars had 50 receiving yards against the 49ers, his most since Week 6. His move to the slot was unexpected, but on a slow offensive afternoon for Jacksonville, Shenault ran 20 routes and was targeted five times. Shenault has been perceived by fantasy managers as a bust, but if he’s given a chance to work solely from the slot, that might change. This season, Shenault has caught 20 of 29 targets for 191 yards in the slot. Next up are the Falcons, who have allowed the 11th-most WR points per game.