NFL Week 11 Fantasy Musings: Tom Brady’s “Mediocrity” + Favorable Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Week 12 is up, as is the impending food coma as we watch games this weekend.

Week 12 is up, as is the impending food coma as we watch games this weekend.

NFL Week 11 Fantasy Musings: Tom Brady’s “Mediocrity” + Favorable Fantasy Playoff Schedules

NFL Week 11 Fantasy Musings: Tom Brady’s “Mediocrity” + Favorable Fantasy Playoff Schedules
_Episode 53 of the Fantasy Sports Collective Podcast, hosted by Jay Dubb, covers the weekly discussion on fantasy…_share.transistor.fm

Week 12 is up, as is the impending food coma as we watch games this weekend.

What are the storylines this week?

Tom Brady — why do retired players love to say that “back in my day” or Brady’s version, which is “the quality of play is mediocre today”, which is rich given he retired THIS YEAR. Seriously it’s hard to take him seriously…he’s learned some bad media habits. What he should have said is can we all put to rest the “Was it Belichick or Brady?”, because we all now know it was “me”. He would have data on his side as well. Belichick is 82–98 without Tom Brady, and that includes multiple seasons where he had the Brady roster (2000 with Drew Bledsoe, and 2008 when Matt Cassel started 15 games after Brady tore his ACL).

Justin Jefferson — this made smaller waves unless you’re a heavy X (aka Twitter) user but JJets, as he’s known on that platform tweeted that he doesn’t care about your fantasy team and only cares about his health. This got me thinking about what that means and whether Jefferson is demonstrating a break in his commitment as a professional athlete making millions of dollars. His team is 6–5, and they’ve actually been much better this year w/o him on the field (5–1 vs. 1–4 with him), so maybe his impact is overstated. Obviously, he shouldn’t play if he’s still injured but aren’t all players bumped and bruised by this part of the season?

Aaron Rodgers — He’s saying he’s 2 weeks away from practicing, and that he’s targeting mid-December for a potential return. If he does actually play, that will be incredible. The most incredible recovery ever? Jerry Rice tore his ACL in week 1 and returned a bit more than 3 months later to play in week 16, where he caught a TD but also cracked his kneecap. However, if Rodgers does return, particularly before week 16, and can be a competent contributor, then this would indeed be a remarkable achievement.

What players have favorable fantasy football schedule down the stretch?

QB Dak Prescott + WR CeeDee Lamb — These guys have 2 hugely plus matchups (Mia & Detroit), 1 decent (Phi) and 1 bad (Buffalo), but Prescott has been dealing and Lamb is finally emerging as a legitimate WR1.

QB Kyler Murray — he faces the 49’ers in week 15 but he has plus matchups vs. Philly and Chicago. And don’t forget Murray has played well vs. the 49’ers during his career, so while it’s a tough matchup on paper, he could shock. He’s not a sure fire QB1 but in superflex, he’s a great QB2.

RB Jaylen Warren — Some will say it’s Najee Harris b/c the Steelers have a great slate (Ari, Ind, Cincy & Sea). Throw in the fact Harris has scored 14+ points in 3 of the past 5, so there is some momentum building. But this is Jaylen Warren time IMHO. Warren has scored 13, 18 & 28 the past 3 weeks. He’s the better runner who should get a greater share of touches under the new OC.

RB Bijan Robinson — not sure if he’ll explode but he does play Carolina, Chicago and Indy, in what could be 3 straight big games for the rookie.

WR DK Metcalf — this is a bit of a mixed bag as he plays the Steelers in week 15 but that’s sandwiched with matchups versus the Eagles (6th easiest for fantasy WRs) and the Titans (11th easiest).

TE’s T.J. Hockenson & Jake Ferguson — I mentioned the Cowboys finish up above mentioning Dak and Lamb, Ferguson will benefit from healthy passing offenses. Hockenson is benefitting from Joshua Dobbs being TE-friendly and matchups vs. Cincy & Detroit.

Lukewarm Recommendation:

RB Derrick Henry — Henry plays Houston 2x who he has absolutely owned the past few years. But this isn’t the same Texans, Titans, or Henry. Does he still have juice left? I’m not convinced but he’s worth a mention.