Week 11 capsules (cont.)

By RotoExperts.com Staff

Washington at Dallas

It's hard to tell which Dallas Cowboys team will show up this week against their division rival, but chances are this will be another defensive battle similar to the tilt in Green Bay last week. Starting Tony Romo is a no-brainer unless you're in a shallow league or have another QB with a Top 10 matchup. If anything, he'll try to establish a connection with formerly reliable target Jason Witten and get Miles Austin more looks instead of trying to appease the unappeasable Roy Williams. Consider Witten a low-end TE1 and Austin a WR2 with WR1 upside, with Williams as a replaceable WR3. The running game is similarly difficult to peg, although Marion Barber remains the goal line back and has the best chance to score over 10 fantasy points. It's worth considering Felix Jones as a FLEX play with the Dallas offense searching for playmakers and facing a defense that's been tough to crack. Maybe it'll take a huge Jones scamper to break the game open, and the Arkansas back is certainly a talented runner in space. For Washington, the options are limited to Ladell Betts and Santana Moss, with Clinton Portis still hurt. Jason Campbell is such a long shot to produce multiple scores, and none of the other receivers have established a rapport with their QB. -- A.D.

Standout Starts: Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Ladell Betts

Banish to the Bench: Redskins WRs other than Santana Moss

Arizona at St. Louis

This should be a fantasy smorgasbord. Over the past three weeks, Kurt Warner is the third-highest scoring fantasy QB, and Larry Fitzgerald is the third-highest scoring WR (in most standard-scoring and PPR leagues), while Steve Breaston is ninth among fantasy WRs over that same span, benefiting from the injury to Anquan Boldin. If they're active, all three Cards receivers should be starting in just about every format. Arizona now offers multiple RB threats as well, with Beanie Wells coming on the past few weeks including a monster day versus Seattle last week. He's technically not the feature back, but is a hard runner in the red zone and is worth a start along with PPR standout Tim Hightower, who is still a Top 15 back in those formats. The Rams are starting to throw the ball more and have a couple of inexperienced but explosive receivers in Donnie Avery and Brandon Gibson. Both should be considered in deeper leagues as a WR3 and WR4, respectively. QB Marc Bulger might also finally have Ruvell Martin (hamstring) active, along with recently signed former Seahawks practice squad WR Jordan Kent, but Martin needs some time to get back to speed and Kent will play mostly on special teams. Neither should be fantasy factors this week. Steven Jackson should have a huge day and allow Bulger to post respectable numbers in the second half. -- A.D.

Standout Starts: All Cards starters except TE, Steven Jackson, Donnie Avery

Banish to the Bench: Tim Hightower (in non-PPR formats)

Cincinnati at Oakland

While this game has a shot at being a big upset if the Raiders defense can force turnovers, there's not much to like about the Raiders offense. Carson Palmer should have a big day throwing to Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles, and with Cedric Benson likely out, they'll turn to rookie Bernard Scott to handle most of the rushing duties. Itinerant RB/special teams player Brian Leonard will be more involved in the offense as well. Scott should finish with about 100 total yards and a score while Leonard  a deep sleeper this week who could pay dividends on third downs -- contributes in the 50-60 yard range. The Raiders -- who rank 30th in passing -- finally pulled the plug on former No. 1 NFL draft pick JaMarcus Russell but only have fourth-year journeyman Bruce Gradkowski to turn to. That won't make things any easier for their receivers, but should mean an improvement on last week's numbers for TE Zach Miller. The committee format at RB makes it hard to guarantee one guy will stand out among Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. It's best to just stay away from anything Oakland at this point, but if Miller's your main TE, you might not have better options. -- A.D.

Standout Starts: Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco, Bernard Scott

Banish to the Bench: All Raiders except Zach Miller

N.Y. Jets at New England

Mark Sanchez has scored 10-plus fantasy points in seven of nine games this season, but against an angry New England defense, double-digit points will be hard to come by. Both Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery will still prove useable, but don't trust them in anything more than a WR3 role. Dustin Keller has caught 14 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown over the last two games. Five catches and a score are a reasonable expectation. Thomas Jones is averaging 127.5 rushing yards a game since Leon Washington went down. He's a no-brainer must-start regardless of the matchup. As always, uncertainty makes it hard to start any New England running back, but if you're in desperate need (maybe as a Ronnie Brown owner?), Laurence Maroney isn't a terrible option. Kevin Faulk was used extensively on draws and screens last week against the Colts, but the Jets defensive scheme isn't nearly as conducive to those types of plays. With Sammy Morris' status still up in the air, Maroney -- who's scored in four straight weeks -- is a lock for at least 15 touches in what promises to be a high scoring game. -- Chris Ryan

Standout Starts: Dustin Keller, Laurence Maroney

Banish to the Bench: Mark Sanchez, Kevin Faulk

San Diego at Denver

LaDainian Tomlinson showed a renewed burst last week. He won't hit 100 rushing yards, but with the Chargers averaging over 28 points a game during their current four-game win streak, he's an excellent scoring option. Make sure you have him in your starting lineup. Despite their high ranking, Denver's pass defense has been subpar in their past three contests, making Phillip Rivers, Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates top-tier options at their positions. Both Legedu Naane and Malcom Floyd are intriguing, high-upside players, but until one distinguishes himself, neither should be started in anything other than extremely deep leagues. With Kyle Orton sidelined with a bum ankle, Chris Simms played the second half of last week's game, completing 3 of 13 passes with an interception. The Broncos gained just 34 yards over the last two quarters. Orton's status is still uncertain, but if he's unable to go, all receiving options but Brandon Marshall should be benched. Consider Marshall a borderline WR2 if Simms is quarterbacking. Same goes for Knowshon Moreno (RB2). He had 44 yards on 18 carries in his first matchup with the Chargers. Expect a slight bump in numbers this time around. -- C.R.

Standout Starts: LaDainian Tomlinson

Banish to the Bench: Legedu Naane, Malcom Floyd, anyone catching passes from Chris Simms

Tennessee at Houston

Steve Slaton spent the bye week working on fumble prevention in hopes of regaining his starting role. Ryan Moats did nothing to suggest he should be the full-time back when he was given the opportunity against the Colts (38 rushing yards and a fumble), and Slaton's clearly the more explosive of the two. He'll not only take back his starting gig this week, but also look for him to put up over 100 total yards. Jacoby Jones is an incredible deep threat who could give the Titans secondary some issues. Consider him a better play than Kevin Walter this week. Vince Young offers little in terms of yardage production, but he'll mix in rushing yards and a touchdown on his way to 15 fantasy points against the Texans. His lack of passing attempts (he's throwing 20 times a game), coupled with the dominance of Chris Johnson limits the Titans to only two relevant fantasy players. -- C.R.

Standout Starts: Steve Slaton, Jacoby Jones, Vince Young

Banish to the Bench: Kevin Walter, Ryan Moats

Philadelphia at Chicago

Donovan McNabb's in store for another big game against a Bears secondary that's been sliced for five passing touchdowns twice in their last four games. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin will be the obvious beneficiaries, and both are candidates to top the 100-yard mark. Stay away from Jason Avant. He had all of seven catches in his previous six games prior to last week's eight catch, 156-yard explosion. With Brian Westbrook out, LeSean McCoy has the ability to flirt with 100 total yards. He's a great play against the Bears -- especially in PPR leagues. Jay Cutler is averaging 290.4 yards over his last five games. He'll hit that number against the Eagles, but Philadelphia is third in the league in interceptions, meaning Cutler owners can count on him adding to his 17 picks on the season. Matt Forte's re-emergence in the passing game (14 catches and 194 yards in the last two games), makes it hard to rely on either Johnny Knox or Earl Bennett, even in a WR3/Flex role. Look for a combination of Forte, Devin Hester and Greg Olsen to accumulate nearly all the fantasy points delivered by Cutler's arm. -- C.R.

Standout Starts: Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy

Banish to the Bench: Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, Jason Avant