By Ryan Lester, LestersLegends.com
Before we get started, click here for my Week 11 NFL Picks.
I’m going to look at the matchups each week and pick some fantasy starters that could be in for a tough week. Here’s a look at players who could struggle this week.
Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Matt faces the Giants on the road this week. The G-Men are coming off a bye and will be trying to stop the bleeding of a four-game losing streak. Ryan will likely be without Michael Turner to keep the Giants honest. It could be a long day for Ryan, who historically has struggled against the NFC East.
Games against NFC East: 3
QB Rating: 70.4 (lowest against any division)
Yards per game: 203.3 (second lowest behind NFC North)
TD/INT: 5-5
Fantasy Points per game: 13.36
Thomas Jones, RB, New York Jets
Jones travels to New England to take on the Patriots following their embarrassing loss to Indianapolis on Sunday Night Football. Bill Belichick almost always takes away a team’s best weapon, and Jones is that. They held him to 54 yards on 14 carries in their first meeting. In his last five meeting against the Patriots, Jones has averaged just 65.4 total yards and scored just one TD.
Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis Colts
With all of the RB injuries this past weekend, you probably don’t have the luxury to sit a guy like Addai, even if he faces Baltimore’s tough run defense on the road. I know it won’t make up for the Colts leaving Baltimore, but the Ravens would like nothing more than to spoil the Colts’ quest for a perfect season. He’s had mixed results against the Ravens over the past couple of years. In two games he has three total TDs, but just 33.8 total yards and averaged just 2.3 yards per carry.
Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver Broncos
With Kyle Orton (ankle) either out or limited as the Broncos collide with the Chargers for first place this weekend, Marshall’s value takes a huge hit. Chris Simms is a big step back from Orton, and San Diego has been better than average against the pass. It’s not like Marshall has a good track record against the Broncos, even with a capable QB. In his last five games against them he has a solid 83.4 yards per game against them, but just one TD. Four of those games came with Jay Cutler at the helm, who is an upgrade over Orton, let alone Simms. In his earlier game against the Chargers he was held to 49 yards on five catches.
I originally had Dwayne Bowe on this list, but thanks to his failed drug test, he’s out a month (click here for some possible replacements).
