Week 11 fantasy roundup

By RotoExperts.com, Special to SI.com

Brady Quinn was efficient in leading the Browns over the Bills and persuasive in forging relationships with his teammates. Rick Stewart/Getty Images

The Rotoexperts.com staff reviews the Week 12 action from fantasy perspectives.

Cleveland at Buffalo

There were a lot of other predominant storylines from the pure football perspective on Monday Night, but the one that jumped out most at many fantasy players was the fact that Lee Evans was shut out. There must have been countless Evans owners who confidently headed into Monday Night needing just a few points for a victory -- and didn't get it!

Evans delivered another stinker, after catching only two passes for 22 yards in Week 10. He has not scored in four consecutive games. One can easily link Evans' lack of production to quarterback Trent Edwards, who may have played his worst game of the season in terms of throwing the ball. He threw three interceptions, often struggling to locate open receivers and to make decisions quickly. Edwards threw one TD pass and rushed for another, but it was apparent that he was having problems going through his progressions and anticipating throws. Edwards hasn't thrown more than one TD pass in a game this season and should not be on fantasy rosters for the playoff push.

Evans owners might actually be pining for the return of J.P. Losman, and there were times Monday that you had to wonder if Edwards was going to get pulled in favor of the erratic former "future franchise QB." Losman has great skills but lacks on-field smarts. Yet, the one thing he does right is get the deep ball to Evans. If the Bills don't make a switch, though, you can't start Evans with any regular confidence. Josh Reed has not been worth much in fantasy leagues, but he has been a dependable target for Edwards on key downs. His loss only makes the Bills easier to defend in the passing game. With Reed sidelined, Evans has no real help to draw even a bit of defensive attention away from him.

While Edwards had possibly his worst game of the season, Marshawn Lynch came through with his best performance of 2008. He rushed for 119 yards and a score, catching 10 passes for 58 yards, including an 18-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. Lynch is versatile and tough, and he runs equally well in short and open spaces. He hasn't played up to expectations this season, but there is no way you can bench him if you have fantasy playoff aspirations. Fred Jackson rushed for a career-best 60 yards on 12 carries, and he remains a must-have handcuff for Lynch's owners. Jackson has good vision and hits holes quickly before taking off for extra yards.

It was a night for reserve running backs to showcase their talents, as Cleveland's Jerome Harrison scored on a 72-yard run. Some fantasy leaguers may be moved to add Harrison, but I would resist the urge unless you need him as a handcuff to Jamal Lewis. Harrison simply isn't going to get enough touches to consistently post quality numbers, as he had not rushed for more than 48 yards in a game prior to this week. Even if Lewis were to go down, Harrison might struggle to provide anything more than adequate fantasy totals as a regular ball-carrier.

Brady Quinn managed the game well overall for Cleveland. He didn't make costly mistakes despite being pressured often, especially by a blitzing Kawika Mitchell. Quinn finished with 185 passing yards, no TD passes, and no interceptions. Even though Quinn helped them win by not hurting the team, such performances indicate that you are better off with a more productive backup QB on your fantasy roster for the playoffs.

The best thing Quinn did was firmly establish a better on-field relationship with Braylon Edwards, who caught eight passes for 104 yards. Quinn did a nice job of threading the ball to Edwards, sometimes in tight windows. While the ultra-talented WR has been inconsistent this season, it's now apparent he'll have some good outings in the weeks ahead, even though he is working with a young QB. Edwards will have some off games, but you don't want to miss out on the quality outings, so keep him active as a WR3. Kellen Winslow Jr. caught three passes for 40 yards, but at this point of the season, you should expect anything most tight ends produce to be bonus additions to the output of your true core players.

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-- Scott Engel

New York Jets at New England

You would've thought Brett Favre had his way with the Patriots defense, as he completed 78.8 percent of his passes. However, Favre had only one completion for more than 20 yards, as the Patriots gave him the short routes, hoping to contain his receivers. Favre did finish with 258 yards and two touchdowns. The receivers were paced by Jerricho Cotchery, who nabbed five balls for 87 yards and one touchdown. Laveranues Coles was held to 38 yards on five receptions. Dustin Keller grabbed eight balls for 87 yards, and now has 14 receptions, 194 yards and one touchdown over the past two games. He only had 13 receptions in the first eight games. If you need tight end help, Keller is finally getting some looks, and depending on your depth, is a decent start. Thomas Jones now has four 100-yard games this season. Jones finished with 119 total yards and one touchdown, and has scored in four straight games. Leon Washington totaled 35 yards, and scored one touchdown on a 15-yard pass from Favre. Washington's only value is as a handcuff to Jones, as his production is too inconsistent to be in your lineup.

Matt Cassel had his best game, passing for 400 yards, rushing for 62 yards and throwing three touchdown passes. While his stock will rise after this effort, you should wait for another impressive performance before inserting him in your lineup. Wes Welker continues to catch balls at a prolific rate, as he had seven more receptions, which accounted for 108 yards. Randy Moss was reined in, and grabbed only three balls for 26 yards and one touchdown. The biggest beneficiaries of Cassel's big day were Ben Watson, who hauled in eight balls for 88 yards and a touchdown, and Jabar Gaffney, who reeled in seven balls for 86 yards and a touchdown. Neither of them are worthy of your starting lineup, although they may be worth a bench spot depending on your depth. Four different New England running backs received at least two carries. Kevin Faulk paced them with eight carries for 38 yards. BenJarvus Green-Ellis finished with nine yards, and saw his consecutive touchdown streak end. Green-Ellis' value takes a hit if the Patriots will be rotating running backs.
-- Matt Wirkiwoski

Oakland at Miami

JaMarcus Russell finished with 156 passing yards. With Oakland's offense on life support, Russell has no fantasy value. Ronald Curry led the team with six receptions for 73 yards. Coming into the game, Curry had eight receptions in eight games. Javon Walker did not play due to an ankle injury, and was quoted as saying "I'm done for the season". With Walker out for the year, Curry may be worth a flier to add to your bench. Zach Miller added four receptions for 67 yards. Although Johnnie Lee Higgins didn't catch a pass, he did score the Raiders only touchdown on a 93-yard punt return. Justin Fargas led the Raiders with 17 carries for 57 yards, while Darren McFadden returned to action for the first time in four weeks, but ran the ball only three times for 13 yards. No Raider should be in your starting lineup.

Chad Pennington was 16-of-22, but only threw for 174 yards. Pennington has three touchdown passes in the past five games, and remains a backup quarterback for fantasy purposes. Ted Ginn Jr. had four catches for 51 yards, but really dazzled on an end-around that went for a 40-yard touchdown. Davone Bess pitched in with three catches for 50 yards, while Greg Camarillo finished with 34 yards on two receptions. Camarillo has only had two games in which he has scored or had 100 yards receiving. The Dolphins ran their Wildcat formation 10 times in 60 plays, which helped the running game amass 222 yards. Ronnie Brown ran for 101 yards, while Ricky Williams totaled 49 yards. Patrick Cobbs scored the Dolphins other touchdown, and finished with 39 total yards.
-- M.W.

Detroit at Carolina

Daunte Culpepper looked better in his second game, but it was apparent he's still learning the system and the players. Culpepper finished with 207 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, and added a rushing touchdown. Calvin Johnson caught a 29-yard touchdown in the first quarter, but was double-teamed often the rest of the game, and finished with six catches for 65 yards. Shaun McDonald chipped in with three catches for 30 yards. John Standeford had his first career reception, and finished with two catches for 48 yards. Standeford has no fantasy value. Kevin Smith ran the ball 24 times for 112 yards and now has back-to-back games of at least 90 rushing yards. He's had at least 10 carries in three of the last four games. Smith is a good play at your flex position, as it looks like the Lions have committed to getting him the ball.

Jake Delhomme failed to reach 100 passing yards in the second consecutive game, although he did throw one touchdown pass. While last week's dearth of passing yards could be blamed on his four interceptions, this week's lack of passing yards was a result of the game plan, as the Lions could not contain DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart. Stewart had 130 rushing yards and one touchdown, while Williams had 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Stewart is a good flex play depending on the matchup, but Williams is a must-start. Steve Smith had six receptions for 59 yards, while Muhsin Muhammad had one catch for 16 yards. Jeff King had two receptions, including the lone touchdown through the air. Even though Smith has had consecutive poor outings, he should remain in your lineup. Muhammad should not be in your lineup.
-- M.W.