Today's article is going to focus on a few different players that you would normally consider starting, but should definitely take a long look at benching in Week 11. Fantasy football is all about statistics and trends. These players seem to be on the wrong side of both entering this week.
Of course, you should already have your starting lineup set at this late point in the season, but if you have any other viable backup options look there.
Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has been beyond horrible away from home this season. Its offense, led by Flacco, simply cannot be counted on to make a serious impact against a solid Pittsburgh Steelers defense. For his part, Flacco has thrown just three touchdowns compared to four interceptions in four road games this season. He is also averaging less than 10 fantasy points in those outings.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is giving up just 145 passing yards per game at home this season. I don’t envision a scenario where this changes on Sunday. In fact, Flacco probably won’t even hit the top 20 in terms of fantasy production from the quarterback position this week.
Alex Smith, Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
I am pretty sure there were some fantasy owners that were secretly hoping that Colin Kaepernick would get the start on Monday night. After all, he nearly matched Tom Brady in fantasy points last week. However, that isn’t going to be the case as it seems Smith will be cleared to play following a concussion in Week 10.
While Smith’s availability should help the 49ers against a tough Chicago Bears defense, he won’t make a solid fantasy impact. San Francisco is going to attempt to control the clock with the running game. I just don’t see Smith being able to actually get the ball to the outside consistently against this elite defense. It really is that simple.
Philip Rivers, Quarterback, San Diego Chargers
It is hard to believe that Rivers is currently the 23rd ranked fantasy quarterback in the NFL through 10 weeks, right behind the aforementioned Smith. If you would have told me that at the start of the season I would have literally banned you from fantasy football. Yes, I have that power.
You just cannot rely on Rivers to be a consistent fantasy performer with the issues that he has turning the ball over. This isn’t going to change with San Diego having to go into Invesco Field to take on a red hot Denver Broncos team.
Sam Bradford, Quarterback, St. Louis Rams
Bradford might have been one of the best fantasy quarterbacks last week, but that was a result of horrible San Francisco 49ers defense. In short, the 49ers couldn’t tackle to save their lives. Prior to last week, Bradford was an afterthought when it came to fantasy football. Expect him to revert back to that form against a tough New York Jets pass defense.
Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, Running Backs, Carolina Panthers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might rank dead last against the pass this season, but they have held opposing running backs to an average of 80 rushing yards per game this season. More pressing of a concern for individuals that own these two players is the fact that Stewart and Williams just aren’t impact fantasy players right now.
They are on pace to combine for just barely over 900 rushing yards this season and are averaging under four yards per pop. That is simply amazing considering where they were just two seasons ago.
Matt Forte, Running Back, Chicago Bears
The San Francisco 49ers have been uncharacteristically pedestrian against the run over the course of the last few weeks, but that seems to be more of a mirage than anything else. They still have one of the most dominating defensive fronts in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Chicago will be without the services of Jay Cutler Monday night. Expect San Francisco to stack the box and not show a tremendous amount respect for Jason Campbell and the passing game. I just don’t see Forte doing much here.
Josh Gordon, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
This rookie from Baylor has been somewhat of a wildcard thus far this season. While he hasn’t done much in PPR leagues, Gordon has definitely come through with some big plays for Cleveland. He is averaging 22 yards per reception and has four touchdowns in just 19 catches.
Don’t expect Gordon to get downfield against a Dallas Cowboys pass defense that ranks eighth in the league and has only given up nine touchdown passes.
Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
I really don’t like this matchup for Fitzgerald. Arizona has to go into The Georgia Dome to take on what has to be a pretty upset Atlanta Falcons team coming off their first loss of the season. He also has to line up against Asante Samuel, who has played damn good football in his first season with the Falcons.
More importantly, I don’t envision John Skelton getting the time to pass in order to get the ball to the outside against Samuel.
Mike Wallace, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Baltimore Ravens might be struggling against the pass this season, but Ben Roethlisberger’s absence from this game is going to be huge in terms of Pittsburgh’s receivers being able to put up solid fantasy numbers. Byron Leftwich, who will be starting in place of Big Ben, is going to struggle getting the ball to the outside. His windup and throwing motion in the backfield is a recipe for disaster against what has been a solid Ravens’ front. This is going to hurt Wallace a great deal.
Heath Miller, Tight End, Pittsburgh Steelers
Same here. While Leftwich might look in Miller’s direction a great deal early on, I don’t see the veteran tight end making much of an impact. He has been far too inconsistent to be relied on and is missing the quarterback he works with the best. Definitely look in another direction.