As fantasy football enthusiasts gear up for Week 11, expert insights from Liz Loza, a prominent writer at ESPN, provide valuable guidance on player performances and matchups. Loza’s success extends beyond the virtual field into the women’s basketball court and betting universe. She’s a regular on shows including Fantasy Football Now and the Fantasy Focus Football podcast. Her in-depth coverage lifts the curtain on some important names, how they could figure into fantasy rosters moving forward.
This week, fantasy managers’ focus will be primarily on rookie players who have shown some impressive performance data—especially in red zone work. Even on potential, many of these rookies have failed to convert opportunities into scores. Established players such as Jonnu Smith are throwing cold water on fantasy players’ parade. They’re putting their footprint on the game even with new team chemistry and matchups every single game.
Rookie Performances and Red Zone Opportunities
Perhaps the most surprising part about Week 11 so far, though, has been the rookie-led trumpets on all sides. One particular rookie has really stood above the rest! He is one of the top 10 players at his position in red zone targets per route run. However, for all of these opportunities, he has only been able to cross the goal line twice so far this season. The chasm between expected and real-life scoring raises concerns about the player’s impact. It also calls into question the broader offensive strategy being used by his team.
Loza’s crystal ball wisdom—as in all rookie players—cautions against expecting immediate consistency, but it’s critical to look past that and see the potential. Mortgage managers need to balance the risk of plugging all these rookies in with chasing that potential breakout game. Once we get in-season though, adjusting your strategy according to the trends in player performance is key for success in fantasy.
The rookie is having a difficult time adjusting to the game. The vaunted replacement player shines through with exceptional numbers, his 4.8 yards per carry as RB15 clear proof. This year’s long streak of victories reminds us that there is a real need to recognize the unsung heroes. These folks provide prime opportunities to strike gold on your fantasy roster.
Matchups and Game Dynamics
Matchups are one of the most important factors influencing expectations for player performance. In fact, Jones is set up perfectly in Week 11 against the Bears. He has demonstrated reliability by running 28 routes compared to Mason’s seven and has recorded five red zone snaps compared to Mason’s three. These statistical advantages provide Jones a pathway to a competitive edge. Managers who want to take advantage of the best matchups possible view him as a shrewd play.
Though a tough Titans’ defense will be a different challenge, as they’ve surrendered the third-most rushing yards to quarterbacks this season. This statistic indicates that mobile QBs might be able to take advantage of this persistently exploitable weakness to give a huge boost to fantasy scoring. The last problem is the Browns’ D. Their rush has been downright scary this season. Their hidden stat on defense is the 3.7 yards they allow per carry, the third stingiest in the NFL. This trend further underscores the need to pay attention to defensive matchups when constructing lineups.
In addition to this, Dowdle and the Panthers’ rushing attack will need to step up this week in a big way. Managers need to keep a close eye on how this strategy fares against other defenses. Yet they must consider how it could affect Dowdle’s fantasy value in Week 11.
Veteran Players Making an Impact
Outside of the rookie performances and favorable matchups, there are plenty of veteran players still living up to big fantasy value. A player who stood out as a potential playmaker was Jonnu Smith. Although he’s rostered in only 83% of ESPN Fantasy leagues, he’s third on the Steelers roster for routes run and second for total targets. That under-the-radar status may make him an ideal late-round gem for fantasy managers seeking tight-end depth or flexibility.
In addition to Zay Flowers, Jacoby Brissett becomes one of the better quarterback streaming options this week. Injuries have ravaged the 49ers’ defense. His sharp play could present an opportunity for Brissett to impress, putting him in a good spot for a team looking for quarterback help.
Jeudy’s last two matchups proved just how talented he is when given the right opportunities. He finished with six catches for 78 yards—season high in both—and added a touchdown. Those numbers show he is becoming a dependable option in his offense.
Finally, Geno Smith’s been a popular target of criticism, overshadowed by the failure of Vegas’ entire offense to live up to expectations. So, as a result, Bowers’ fantasy value will be affected by these dynamics. Smart managers will start trying to predict the balance of how these different factors will shake out during Week 11.
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