Guest of the League
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FFL: Week 11 | NFL: Week 11

The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home

Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer

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There is nothing better than winning your fantasy football league. Whether you’re playing against your friends in a home league or gearing up to take down the $500,000 grand prize in The Fantasy Championship, that euphoric feeling hits you in such a way that sometimes words can’t even describe. But it takes work. It takes tenacity. You don’t just stumble into a championship. You earn it. And that starts with your research here in July. Scouting talent is a top priority for you right now and it’s not just about the NFL players on the field. It’s also about which fantasy analysts you choose to trust each season.

Back in 2011, the folks here at RealTime Fantasy Sports led the way in premier scouting. During a raucous after-party following the FSTA Conference (currently the FSGA) in San Francisco, two of RTSports’ finest made their way to the bar and struck up a conversation with the guy slinging drinks. As it turned out, he also happened to be an aspiring fantasy analyst, freelancing for a couple of sites and looking for more work.

The conversation was light and friendly but intensified when opinions on players and teams came into play. The Giants had just won the World Series and baseball talk was buzzing in the Bay Area. The Green Bay Packers were in mini-camp looking to defend their Super Bowl championship and as we witness every year, the football frenzy was already taking over. With every lager and IPA that hit the bar, the men of RTSports also received formidable opinions, spicy hot takes, boatloads of sarcasm and some pretty entertaining jokes. By the end of the evening, a business card was handed across the bar with a firm demand: “We need a fantasy article written every week with these thoughts, these opinions and this kind of attitude.” With smiles all around and firm handshakes given, “The Weekly Bender” was born.

Yes, all of this, just to re-introduce myself to the community here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. What’s going on, everyone? I am over-the-moon with excitement about being back. In some ways, I never left. Though I was soon offered a full-time position at Fantasy Alarm and the Weekly Bender came to a close, I have remained very active on this website. For years, I hosted the Mock Draft Army here on RTSports and provided fantasy owners an opportunity to mock draft alongside dedicated fantasy players and industry analysts from all over. I’ve hosted numerous best ball drafts here for my audience at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and until my return today, have been logging plenty of time turning a profit in the RTSports DFS Pick ‘Em contests.

Yes, I am still over at Fantasy Alarm and you can find all of my fantasy football player rankings, cheat sheets (coming this Monday, July 8), draft strategies and my coaching scheme breakdowns in our Fantasy Football Draft Guide. The community over there is spectacular and I am sure that some of you reading this right now may already be over there. But RTSports has always been a home for me and now that I am back, I cannot wait to jump in.

In addition to the Weekly Bender, an article dedicated to providing winning strategies and picks with a hefty serving of snark, I will also be joining Jeff Paur on his weekly podcast/livestream, sharing videos with DFS Pick ‘Em contest picks, hosting mock drafts to get everyone ready for the 2024 NFL season and even setting up some “Beat Howard Bender” contests so that we can not only play against each other but also give you the opportunity to serve some of that smack-talk back to me.

When Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he was referring to the way nostalgia has us viewing the past in an overly-positive light. For those of you who remember the original Weekly Bender, you know we don’t look back at those pieces with rose-colored glasses. We crushed the research together, we ruled the waiver wire together and we shared championships together. It all comes full circle today and if Wolfe was sitting with me here right now, I’d let him know that you truly can go home again.

Here's to a spectacular 2024 season!

Bender, out!

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11

Player Notes
Justice Hill Nov 17 6:10pm ET
Justice Hill

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill wasn't able to put together much of a fantasy-relevant week against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The pass-catching specialist registered two carries for 13 yards and caught four of his seven targets for 28 yards. He would have had one more catch for a good chunk of yards, but the Steelers took the ball right from his hands for an interception. Hill has only posted two relevant weeks so far this season, but he'll try to get going against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Nov 17 6:10pm ET
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled nine carries for 41 yards and caught all four of his targets for 27 yards in a Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Warren was given double-digit touches for a fourth consecutive game but still failed to make much of an impact for fantasy purposes. Although he did earn a season-high of four opportunities through the air, he was out-targeted and outgained by Najee Harris in the passing game. Warren is yet to score a touchdown in 2024 and will likely continue to offer limited upside so long as Harris stays healthy. He can be stashed as a handcuff but should remain out of starting lineups in most formats heading into a Week 12 meeting with the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Nov 17 6:10pm ET
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs put up a excellent day en route to the Packers squeaking by the Chicago Bears 20-19 in Week 11. On the ground, Jacobs paced the Packers with 76 yards plus a seven-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Jacobs not only paced the Packers in the rushing department, but also led the team in targets (5) and was second on the team with 58 receiving yards on the afternoon. With Jacobs' prowess on the ground and through the air, he should be looked at as a low-end fantasy RB1 for the Packers' next test against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Dustin Hopkins Nov 17 6:00pm ET
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed both of his field-goal attempts and did not try an extra point in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Hopkins misfired on attempts from 51 and 27 yards out in the second quarter when the game was still close. The veteran kicker has now made 14 of his 20 field goals and added 10 extra points through 10 games. He will look to bounce back against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Nov 17 6:00pm ET
Taysom Hill

The Cleveland Browns defense allowed 35 points while notching one sack and forcing two turnovers in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Cleveland's defense played well until the fourth quarter when they allowed the Saints to score three unanswered touchdowns to ice the game. They had no answer for Taysom Hill, who ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns while tacking on eight catches for 50 yards. Cleveland's defense will be challenged again in Week 12's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Mark Andrews Nov 17 6:00pm ET
Mark Andrews

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews took a backseat in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran saw fewer targets than Isaiah Likely in his first game back. Andrews finished the game with two receptions for 22 yards on three targets compared to Likely's five targets and four receptions for 75 yards. Whenever Likely and Andrews are both healthy, they're difficult to predict. This marks Andrews' seventh week with less than nine fantasy points which is two more than he had all of last season. He'll try to bounce back against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Nov 17 6:00pm ET
Lamar Jackson

The Pittsburgh Steelers held the Baltimore Ravens to 16 points while recording two sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries in a Week 11 win. Baltimore has been a must-avoid matchup for fantasy DSTs this season, but Pittsburgh's defense proved itself against its toughest opponent yet. While the Steelers did allow running back Derrick Henry to find the end zone in the first half, MVP candidate Lamar Jackson was held scoreless until just over one minute remained in the fourth quarter. Former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen led the Steelers in tackles while star EDGE T.J. Watt tallied two QB hits and a sack. Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson made the defensive play of the game with an impressive interception in coverage with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. The Steelers DST should be rostered in all formats and considered a must-start against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Chris Boswell Nov 17 5:50pm ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled all six of his field-goal attempts in an 18-16 victory over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. This contest was projected to be a relatively high-scoring affair, and while it didn't quite live up to expectations, Boswell saw plenty of action. The Ravens limited Pittsburgh's offense in the red zone, forcing the Steelers to lean on Boswell time and time again. Fortunately for the team and fantasy managers alike, he answered each call. Boswell nailed long kicks of 50, 52, and 57 yards as easily as he converted on three chip-shots. The 10th-year veteran is on pace for a career-best campaign and has solidified himself as a fantasy asset. He'll face another AFC North opponent in the Cleveland Browns next week.

From RotoBaller

Zay Flowers Nov 17 5:50pm ET
Zay Flowers

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers salvaged his week with a late touchdown during the 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He ended the game with two receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown on six targets. The Steelers' pass rushers did a good job at making Lamar Jackson uncomfortable and they consistently had Flowers blanketed no matter where he went. On the plays where Jackson scrambles looking for an outlet, Flowers usually finds a way to get to the ball, but he was double-covered in some of those situations as well. He'll go up against another tough pass defense in the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Nov 17 5:50pm ET
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku caught all nine of his targets for 81 yards in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Njoku wound up first on the team in catches while finishing behind only Jerry Jeudy in targets and receiving yards. He also caught a two-point conversion from Jameis Winston in the third quarter. Njoku has now drawn at least seven targets in five straight games while notching two touchdown catches over that span. He has solidified himself as a top-six fantasy tight end going forward and should remain in lineups for Week 12's Thursday night matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Nov 17 5:50pm ET
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed was able to salvage a quiet day on the stat sheet with a touchdown in the Packers' 20-19 victory in Chicago against the Bears. Reed only earned two targets on the afternoon from quarterback Jordan Love, but he caught both of them for 23 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown that kicked off the scoring for the Packers. In addition to the receiving work, Reed also had a rushing attempt but lost five yards. With the Packers set for an NFC showdown with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Reed is more of a mid-range WR2 for fantasy football, as he has to compete with several other players for targets and attention from Love.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Likely Nov 17 5:50pm ET
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely led the team in receiving yards during their 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. In his first game back, Likely registered four receptions for 75 yards on five targets. He saw more targets and had a more successful day than his counterpart Mark Andrews. With Likely healthy again, the Ravens' tight end room remains the most difficult one to predict each week. They'll go up against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Addison Nov 17 5:40pm ET
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison caught 3-of-8 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The eight targets matched a season-high for the second-year wideout, and the score was his third on the season and second in three games. Addison's touchdown was a 47-yard catch-and-run in which he burned Tennessee's defense up the left sideline. It was a nice effort from the 22-year-old, who has had trouble building on his spectacular rookie season. However, seeing him match superstar Justin Jefferson's team-high of eight targets in the contest was encouraging. The former USC Trojan will get another staunch test next weekend when the Vikings square off against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Leading up to Week 11, the Bears had allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards per game to opposing offenses (190.4).

From RotoBaller

Jordan Love Nov 17 5:30pm ET
Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love put up a solid line for the Packers as the team escaped with a 20-19 victory against the Chicago Bears. Love was 13-of-17 passing for 261 yards and tossed his only touchdown pass on the afternoon to wide receiver Jayden Reed. Love's 15-yard touchdown to Reed capped off the opening drive of the game. The Packers took the lead for good thanks to Love's rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to put them up 20-19, as Love also added 18 rushing yards on the ground to his ledger. With an NFC showdown looming at Lambeau Field against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Love should be considered a low-end QB1 option for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Justin Jefferson Nov 17 5:30pm ET
Justin Jefferson

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reeled in 6-of-8 targets for 81 yards in the team's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. Ho-hum. It was another solid day for the fantasy stalwart, as he's now registered at least six receptions and 81 receiving yards in seven of his last eight outings. The only thing missing from his line was a touchdown. Still, it was yet again a strong effort from the former LSU Tiger as he continues to be a source of consistent production for fantasy managers. Jefferson will be a top-flight WR option in Week 12 when the Vikings line up against the Chicago Bears on the road in a divisional clash.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Nov 17 5:30pm ET
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hauled in eight of 12 targets for 89 yards in an 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Although this was far from a career-best performance for Pickens, the 23-year-old did set new single-game highs for himself in both targets and receptions. His most memorable play of the contest came on a beautiful deep ball from quarterback Russell Wilson for a 37-yard gain late in the third quarter. He was targeted in the end zone multiple times but could not score a touchdown as Pittsburgh was forced to settle for six field goals. Fantasy managers who are slightly disappointed in Pickens' output given the favorable matchup should be encouraged by the elite usage he continued to see with Wilson under center. He'll have another opportunity for a big showing against the Cleveland Browns next week.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Nov 17 5:20pm ET
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones rushed for 39 yards on his 15 carries in Week 11's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. He added four yards receiving on his lone target. Tennessee's defense was as advertised, holding the 29-year-old to 2.6 yards per carry -- his least efficient outing of the season. Additionally, his receiving output was his lowest total of 2024. There are better days ahead for the eighth-year veteran, and they could come as soon as next weekend when he lines up against Minnesota's in-division rivals, the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Chicago let up 4.8 yards per rush attempt to their opponents heading into Week 11 -- the fifth-highest mark in the league -- and have been tough to beat through the air thus far. Jones will be a strong RB2 play for the contest.

From RotoBaller

Derrick Henry Nov 17 5:20pm ET
Derrick Henry

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry posted one of his worst weeks of the season in the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The good news is that Henry did find the end zone while accumulating 65 yards on 13 carries. He also registered his third fumble of the season, however, which brought his total to just barely hitting double-digits. Since the offense was kept in check the entire game, the Ravens also had to abandon the run late in the game. Henry's next opportunity to break off some bigger runs will be against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Nov 17 5:10pm ET
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson completed 23 of 36 pass attempts for 205 yards and an interception while adding one rushing yard on four carries in an 18-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This battle of two AFC North contenders was not the shootout many had hoped for, and although Wilson did just enough to get the win, he failed to lead a single touchdown drive for the first time this season. Both defenses stepped up in the red zone as nine total field goals were attempted in the contest. Wilson will still be worthy of fantasy consideration in the right matchups going forward, but he is best viewed as a solid QB2 rather than a locked-and-loaded QB1. That said, there are likely better streaming options available for Week 12 when Wilson and the Steelers go on the road to face the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Nov 17 5:10pm ET
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris turned 18 carries into 63 yards and four receptions into 30 yards on five targets in a Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens. While Harris only managed 3.5 yards per rush attempt against a stingy Baltimore defense, he ran hard and demonstrated great vision numerous times. He saw an uptick in utilization through the air as his four catches were his most in a contest since Week 3. Jaylen Warren continued to serve as a nice change-of-pace back, but there is no doubt at this point in the season that Harris is the player Pittsburgh leans on in the running game. The 26-year-old has been a consistent fantasy option recently and should be viewed as a volume-based RB2 heading into a Week 12 bout with the Cleveland Browns.

From RotoBaller