Who to start? Week 11
by Josh Gaier
No matter your ranking with just three weeks left until the playoffs, here is a list of sleepers and the top projected fantasy players for the week to either prevent your buddy from making the postseason or steer you in the right direction so you can find your team playing in Week 14.
Quarterback: Tyle Thigpen, Kansas City Chiefs
The name, his college team, and his professional team will make any fantasy owner weary about starting this former Coastal Carolina quarterback. Nevertheless, Thigpen has been playing lights out since he replaced the two injured quarterbacks ahead of him on the opening day depth chart. During the past three weeks, and against solid defenses — the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Diego Chargers –- Thigpen has thrown for 710 yards and six touchdowns. Still not satisfied? Thigpen faces the New Orleans Saints secondary, which is ranked 27th against the pass. Thigpen has quickly installed confidence all over the Chiefs offense and has them playing well even without Larry Johnson at running back. Give Thigpen the start this week as his sleeper potential is quickly dying out. Even if you don’t plan on starting him, you should pick him up in your league if he’s still floating around in the free agent pool.
Runner-Up: Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers
Running Back: Steve Slaton, Houston Texans
Slaton couldn’t do much against the Ravens’ stingy defense last week, but he goes up against a much lighter run defense of the Indianapolis Colts Sunday. With the exception of last week’s game, Slaton has received at least 15 carries every week since Week 5. In addition, Slaton’s best game of his young career came against the Colts in Week 5 where he racked up 93 yards and two touchdowns. Slaton is a speedy, shifty back that should be able to maneuver his way through the Colts’ defense. If you have Slaton on your roster, he isn’t a bad choice this week to start as your No. 2 back.
Runner-Up: Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins
Wide Receiver: Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
Curtis has been injured the majority of the season, but he is three games into his return since his injury, and he had his first touchdown of the season Sunday. This week, Curtis goes into an extremely favorable match-up against a Cincinnati Bengals defense. McNabb is still playing at his extremely high level and should have a field day against the Bengals’ woeful defense, and that spells a good day for Curtis. Curtis hasn’t had an impressive game in the three games he’s played this year, but now that he’s fully recovered, he should start getting back on track. Curtis is a risk-or-reward type player for Sunday, but he has potential to rack up a touchdown and at least 100 yards.
Runner-Up: Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals
Tight End: Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Davis finally recorded his first touchdown of the season last week against the Cardinals, but his season has still been disappointing. We all know about his exceptional physical tools, and fantasy owners are still waiting for them to be put to use. The match-up for Davis this week is favorable as he goes up against the St. Louis Rams who let a similar tight end, Dustin Keller, tear them apart. Davis has the skills to provide a mismatch against any defense in the NFL, it’s just a matter of time until he explodes.
Runner-Up: Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
Defense: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been one of the more surprising teams of the season. Pennington and the wild cat formation has perpetuated the offense, and, although the defense isn’t get the hype, they are quietly playing very solid. This week, the Dolphins face the most chaotic franchise in the NFL, the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have been horrible since the firing of Lane Kiffin, and the maturation of JaMarcus Russell hasn’t gone as planned. Add in the fact the Raiders are traveling across cross country for this game and it has Dolphin win written all over it. If you have the Fins’ defense, give them the go ahead this week against the most offensively challenged teams in the NFL.
Runner-Up: Minnesota Vikings
Top Five Players at Each Position
Quarterbacks
1. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
3. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
5. Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos
Running Backs
1. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
5. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Wide Receivers
1. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
4. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
5. Brandon Marhsall, Denver Broncos
Tight Ends
1. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
3. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns
4. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
5. Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins
Defenses
1. Tennessee Titans
2. Carolina Panthers
3. Miami Dolphins
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. New York Giants