Fantasy football advice, Week 11: Who to start/sit for Raiders vs. Lions
Oakland needs to string some wins together to make a playoff run.
Two sub-.500 teams face off Sunday in Detroit, though the respective fates of the Oakland Raiders and the Detroit Lions are more disparate than that. The Raiders are 4-5, but are only a game back of the AFC's second Wild Card slot and, considering the struggles of the Denver Broncos, could still have an eye on the AFC West title. The Lions, meanwhile, are 2-7 and probably already setting their sights on 2016.
The Raiders come into Sunday's game basically healthy from a fantasy perspective, with none of the team's fantasy contributors on the weekly injury report. The Lions have running back Joique Bell (shoulder) and wide receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle) both on the report, though both are expected to be a full go for Sunday.
The Lions will host the Raiders Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
RAIDERS
Start ‘em: Over his last four games, Derek Carr has averaged almost 24 fantasy points a game. He's going really well. ... Latavius Murray hasn't been a monster of late — 7.5 fantasy points a game since Week 3 — but he's still getting starter work. He's an RB2, not an RB1, but a starter. ... Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper have been a formidable 1-2 punch at receiver all year long.
Start ‘em?: After a strong stretch earlier in the season, Sebastian Janikowski has cooled of late, but this has the makings of a big-offense game.
Sit ‘em: The last four weeks, Clive Walford has six-plus fantasy points three times. He has some marginal upside, but that's about it. ... The Raiders' defense has not shined like its offense.
LIONS
Start ‘em: It’s not vintage Calvin Johnson, but the star still has eight-plus fantasy points in four straight games and is averaging 11.6 since Week 4.
Start ‘em?: After an early hot stretch, Eric Ebron has cooled a bit of late, with exactly two points in three of his last four games, but you still love a tight end against Oakland. ... Matt Prater hasn't been strong this year, but has at least been average-plus.
Sit ‘em: Take out his monster game in Week 6 against the Bears, and Matthew Stafford is averaging fewer than 12 fantasy points a game. Even against a rough pass defense, he's not exciting. ... Joique Bell is the best of a bad lot that includes Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick, but best to avoid the whole group. ... Golden Tate has a floor of a handful of points, which is nice, but there's just no ceiling there. ... The Lions' defense has had one good game this year, with a bunch of garbage around that.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Derek Carr, Latavius Murray, Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper, Calvin Johnson
Start if you're desperate: Sebastian Janikowski, Eric Ebron, Matt Prater
Bench: Clive Walford, Oakland defense, Matthew Stafford, Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Golden Tate, Detroit defense
