Tastefully Curated Every Wednesday by LineStar Fantasy Experts.

Week 11 Top Plays - Tunnel Vision 🎯

QB:

• Derek Carr, OAK (vs NE) [CASH]Derek Carr is the perfect fit for a cash game quarterback this week. The Patriots are giving up 22 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, allowing 299 yards passing, and 1.9 passing touchdowns per game on average. Oakland are 6.5 point underdogs to the Patriots in what Vegas has as the highest scoring game of the slate at 52.5 points. The Raiders will likely be playing catch-up with Tom Brady and the Patriots most of the day, requiring the ball to be in the air early and often.

• Alex Smith, KC (@NYG) [TOURNAMENT]Alex Smith has had a great season, yet still goes under-owned most weeks. He's got a prime matchup against the Giants who are near dead last in most pass defense categories, allowing 277 passing yards and 2.2 passing touchdowns per game, and have been even worse over the last 4 games. The risk here, is that the Chiefs could easily get an early lead and not need to throw the ball. It's a home game for the Giants so there may be a little extra incentive to keep this game close.

• Joe Flacco, BAL (@GB) [CONTRARIAN]If you want a super low owned Quarterback this week, look no further than the most overpaid Quarterback in the NFL. Flacco has been indicating that they want to start taking more chances downfield, and this could be a good week to start. The Packers have been allowing 257 passing yards and 1.3 passing touchdowns per game. Over the last 4 games, without Aaron Rodgers and the offense to keep the defense off the field, the Packers have been giving up 307 yards per game.

Other QBs to consider:

• Tom Brady, NE (@OAK): Brady is an option most weeks, this week in the highest scoring game, Brady will likely need to throw it downfield more than last week.

• Jay Cutler, MIA (vs TB): Hard to trust the most unfun player in football, but it's a great matchup, and he has legitimate weapons to target if this team can figure it out.

• Eli Manning, NYG (vs KC): KC is allowing 270 yards passing and 1.8 passing TD's a game. Eli should do OK here at home.

RB:

• Melvin Gordon, LAC (vs BUF) [CASH]Philip Rivers could potentially miss this week while he recovers from a concusion. With or without Rivers, Melvin Gordon is going to be a big part of the game plan for the Chargers this week. The Bills run defense has been non-existant, allowing 108 rushing yards and 1.2 TDs per game to running backs. He just laid a big dud against the Jaguars, but he's bounced back with big games following his other 2 dissapointing games this season, and is in a good spot to do so once again.

• Kareem Hunt, KC (@NYG) [TOURNAMENT]Hunt may have the highest ceiling for a running back this week, with the Chiefs being favored by 10.5 points. They're likely going to have the lead most of the game, giving the opportunity for Hunt to see a lot of touches. The Giants defense is allowing 108 yards rushing, and .6 touchdowns a game to running backs on the season. Stud running backs Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, Ezekiel Elliott have all had big games against the Giants, and Hunt should be able to add his name to that list after this game.

• Doug Martin, TB (@MIA) [CONTRARIAN]After 2 hugely disappointing weeks, Doug Martin is sure to be low owned this week. The muscle hamster is in line for a bit easier matchup this week against the Dolphins who are allowing 103 yards and .8 touchdowns per game to running backs on the season. Martin saw 20 carries last week, with a backup quarterback under center, and without their #1 wide receiver available. This week the gun slinger Fitzpatrick will have Evans available to help clear the box for Martin to find some holes.

Other RBs to consider: 

• Jamaal Williams, GB (vs BAL): If Ty Montgomery can't go, Jamaal Williams will be the main show in town, and the Ravens are allowing 110 yards per game to RBs.

• Jordan Howard, CHI (vs DET): Howard is getting 19.7 carries per game, and costs quite a bit less than running backs with similar carry totals.

• Rex Burkhead, NE (@OAK): The Patriots were super high on Burkhead to begin the season, but injuries forced him out but he's back and it appears they still love him.

• Sterling Shepard, NYG (vs KC): As the defacto WR1 on the team, he's a lock for 8+ targets each week. The Chiefs pass defense has been terrible.

• Michael Crabtree, OAK (vs NE): Crabtree has suffered a bit as more targets have gone to Cooper, but there should be plenty to go around in this game.

• Tyreek Hill, KC (@NYG): He's been a monster on the road, scoring 27 FPPG away from home.

• Dontrelle Inman, CHI (vs DET): In his first game he saw 8 targets and had 6 receptions. The Bears may have a new WR1.

TE

• Jared Cook, OAK (v.NE) [CASH]Cook has had 5+ targets in each of his last three games and 100+ yards in two of those. He has no touchdowns in that span and only two redzone targets over the last 4 games. The Pats allow .6 TDs per game to TEs, so this will be a good opportunity for Cook to get on the board. If he can combine that with another 100+ yard display against this weak pass defense, he should find himself in the optimal lineup again. As a part of the highest over/under on the weekend, Cook is a relatively safe option and much cheaper than most of the other safe options at TE.

• Travis Kelce, KC (@NYG) - On fire and coming off of a bye, Kelce faces one of the worst defenses against TEs. A potential blowout and likely high-ownership are the downsides.

• Evan Engram, NYG (v.KC) - On the flip side, Engram's squad will likely be down and throwing. He should have yet another high-volume game. The Chiefs don't allow many touchdowns to tight ends, however, limiting his upside.

DEFENSE:

• Jacksonville Jaguars (@CLE) [CASH]The best fantasy defense against the most turnover-prone offense. The Browns were able to put up some points last week against the Lions, and they have been trending upwards, but they’re still the Browns. The price on Fanduel may be a little too inflated relative to some other good options this week, but they are well worth it on Draftkings and Yahoo. This can be a tournament team as well considering they have a good shot at being the highest scoring defense, but the ownership will not be desirable.

• Baltimore Ravens (@GB) [TOURNAMENT]The Ravens defense has as high of an upside as anyone. This week they’ll be facing Brett Hundley who has gone from throwing 1 TD and 4 INTs in his first two games to 1 TD and 0 INTs in his last two. Although an improvement, those numbers still aren’t intimidating. The Packers will be down to their third-string running back in Jamaal Williams, so Hundley will likely be forced to be more aggressive if they want to score. The Ravens lead the league in interceptions, so I like their chances of taking advantage of the added opportunities and intercepting a few, and hopefully scoring on one or two as well.

• Denver Broncos (v.CIN) [CONTRARIAN]I’m still a believer in this Broncos defense, and they’ll have a great chance to show out with a home matchup against the Bengals. Denver has struggled to force turnovers this year as they are second-to-last in that category, but the Bengals have the third most turnovers this year, and I’m going to bank on Denver’s ranking being more of a fluke than Cincy’s. Denver’s past three games have come against top 5 offenses in New England, Philadelphia and Kansas City, so Cincinnati’s bottom 3 offense should be a piece of cake in relation.

Other DEF to consider:

• Houston Texans, (v.ARI) - Could be facing Drew Stanton or Blaine Gabbert, but both are rather tasty. This D is banged up, but they still have some playmakers that can help rack up fantasy points.

• LA Chargers/Buffalo Bills, (@LAC) - The Chargers will be at “home” against a rookie quarterback making his debut. They’re unlikely to throw much, but if the Chargers can get a lead, I like their chances to put up good numbers. The Bills will also make a great play if Philip Rivers is held out due to his concussion forcing Kellen Clemens to start.

INJURIES TO WATCH:

• Philip Rivers, LAC - Concussion, limited at practice, likely to play

• Drew Stanton, ARI - Knee, limited at practice, appears OUT presently

• Isaiah Crowell, CLE - Shoulder, limited at practice, likely to play

• Devonta Freeman, ATL - Concussion, doubtful to play

• Ty Montgomerey, GB - Ribs, didn’t practice, unlikely to play

• Jarvis Landry, MIA - Chest, would’ve been limited, likely to play

• Chris Hogan, NE - Shoulder, didn’t practice, unlikely to play

• Allen Hurns, JAX - Ankle, didn’t practice, doubtful to play

• Jordan Reed, WSH - Hamstring, didn’t practice, questionable to play

• Jeremy Hill, CIN - Moved to IR on Saturday, out

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