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The Big League 3 (est. 2011) Est. 2010
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!

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 11

Player Notes
Jake Ferguson Nov 14 6:40pm ET
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (illness) was under the weather and unable to practice on Thursday, the team's first session of the week. Ferguson has an extra day to recover in Week 11 with the team's contest falling on Monday night versus the Houston Texans. He still has two more days to return to practice, and we think there's a good chance he'll play against the in-state rivals. If for some reason the 25-year-old is questionable to play on Monday night, fantasy managers may be in a quandary at the position. On top of it, the 25-year-old's fantasy stock will be down the rest of the year with quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) done for the season. In his first game taking passes from Cooper Rush, Ferguson caught four of five targets for 24 yards. Luke Schoonmaker is the backup in Dallas if Ferguson is too ill to play by Monday.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Nov 14 6:30pm ET
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (quadriceps) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week after coming off the team's bye. In addition to Jacobs, rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd (ankle, hamstring) has practiced on a limited basis twice this week after the team opened his 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve. We should have a better idea of Jacobs' status for the Week 11 divisional game against the Chicago Bears after Green Bay releases their final injury report on Friday, but it would be a surprise if Jacobs wasn't active. Lloyd could be a threat to Jacobs' volume down the stretch, but only an injury would supplant the former Raiders RB from top-dog status in the Packers' backfield. As long as Jacobs is active, consider him a high-end RB2 against a Bears defense that has been more vulnerable to the RB position in recent weeks.

From RotoBaller

Brian Thomas Jr. Nov 14 6:30pm ET
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder) were both limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Thomas suffered a chest injury in the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots and has been limited in practice ever since, but he hasn't missed a game. Davis, meanwhile, has been on the injury report for most of the year with various ailments. Neither wideout is expected to be in danger of missing the Week 11 game at the Detroit Lions, but both Thomas' and Davis' fantasy floor will remain low for however long quarterback Mac Jones is running this offense -- Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) was ruled out for a second straight game in Week 11. Thomas has been Jacksonville's leading receiver in his first year in the NFL and is the better fantasy option, but his stock has fallen to WR3/flex value.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Nov 14 6:20pm ET
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (foot) was able to get in a limited practice on Thursday after being listed as a non-participant on Wednesday. In Tyjae Spears' return from injury in the Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Spears played 54% of the offensive snaps to Spears' 46% and handled 13 touches for 63 yards. Spears had 10 touches for 51 yards. The 27-year-old Pollard continues to deal with a foot injury but hasn't missed any time because of it. He had a season-high 28 carries for 128 yards in the overtime win over the Patriots on Nov. 3, but immediately after that game, the Titans coaching staff said they'd likely to reduce Pollard's workload moving forward. Pollard should play this Sunday against the Vikings, but Spears is going to take valuable touches away, setting him up as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Nov 14 6:10pm ET
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) had his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday and put in a second straight day with a limited showing on Thursday. However, the Chiefs don't expect Pacheco to come off Injured Reserve to face the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, and fantasy managers may not want to expect his return until later in November. Remember, the 25-year-old suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 and hasn't played since, so it's going to take him some to get back up to speed before the Chiefs trust him in game action. In the meantime, he should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues while Kareem Hunt continues to serve as the lead back. When Pacheco does return, the Chiefs could ease him back in alongside Hunt, who has been a game-changer for fantasy managers that scooped him up off the waiver wire earlier this season.

From RotoBaller

JuJu Smith-Schuster Nov 14 6:10pm ET
JuJu Smith-Schuster

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday but was upgraded to full participation for Thursday's session, putting him on track to return in Week 11 to face the Buffalo Bills on the road. Head coach Andy Reid already said earlier this week that it's likely that Smith-Schuster would make his return against Buffalo after missing the previous three games with a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old wideout was a popular waiver-wire target after going for 130 receiving yards on seven catches in the win over the Saints on Oct. 7, but he was injured on Oct. 20 against the 49ers, and the Chiefs have since acquired DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Titans. At best, Smith-Schuster will probably be quarterback Patrick Mahomes' No. 3 target behind Hopkins and tight end Travis Kelce, making him a boom/bust WR4/flex in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Trey Hendrickson Nov 14 5:52pm ET
Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck) is not at practice on Thursday after logging a limited session on Wednesday. The 2023 first-team All-Pro is dealing with a neck injury that could affect his Week 11 availability for Sunday night's contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, his Friday practice status and game designation will tell us whether he's at real risk of being inactive. The 29-year-old has 11 sacks in 10 games this season after logging 17.5 sacks in 2023. Needless to say, he's a critical piece of the Bengals' struggling defense, and his absence against Justin Herbert's ascending offense would be significant.

J.J. McCarthy Nov 14 5:52pm ET
J.J. McCarthy

Dynasty | Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy had a second surgery to repair damage in his knee. Dynasty Analysis: While this may sound terrible, it really isn't that concerning as it won't affect his timeline much. The bigger concern for McCarthy managers is the fact Sam Darnold has played really well this season, making McCarthy more of a luxury at the moment. Regardless, he should get his chance to start next season on time unless Darnold really sets the league on fire here over the second half of the season and forces Minnesota to change course. His dynasty value is stable.

Josh Reynolds Nov 14 5:43pm ET
Josh Reynolds

Denver Broncos WR Josh Reynolds (hand) fully participated in practice Thursday, Nov. 14.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should monitor the situation to see if Reynolds will be activated from the Reserve/Injured before the Week 11 game. He will see a few targets if he is cleared to play and could be a possible flex option in deeper leagues.

From TheHuddle

C.J. Uzomah Nov 14 5:43pm ET
C.J. Uzomah

Philadelphia Eagles TE C.J. Uzomah was elevated from the practice squad for Week 11 on Thursday, Nov. 14.

From TheHuddle

Trey Hendrickson Nov 14 5:33pm ET
Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals LB Joe Bachie (hip), OG Alex Cappa (illness), DE Trey Hendrickson (neck) and WR Charlie Jones (groin) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 14. OT Orlando Brown (leg, knee), DT B.J. Hill (knee) and LB Logan Wilson (quadriceps) were limited during practice.

From TheHuddle

C.J. Stroud Nov 14 5:30pm ET
C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (hand) was listed on the Week 11 injury report with a right-hand injury, but he was able to practice in full and should be fine to play in the Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys. Stroud had a disappointing finish to the Week 10 loss to the Detroit Lions, ultimately going 19-for-33 for 232 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. However, he's set to get top wideout Nico Collins (hamstring) back from Injured Reserve this week and has a fantastic bounce-back matchup against the disappointing Cowboys defense on tap. Dallas' defense has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the QB position this year, giving Stroud clear QB1 upside this weekend for his fantasy managers. Overall, Stroud has been a disappointment after taking the league by storm in 2023. He's averaging 14.6 fantasy points per game, which ties him for 23rd among QBs with Aaron Rodgers.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Nov 14 5:30pm ET
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (ribs) was limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week. Jones missed almost a quarter of action in the Week 10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a rib injury, but X-rays came back negative, and he was able to return to the contest. The 29-year-old may have to deal with some pain, but all signs point to him suiting up in Week 11 on Sunday to face the Tennessee Titans on the road. If for some reason Jones was limited or out this weekend, the Vikings would likely split their backfield with Cam Akers and Ty Chandler. Jones only has two rushing touchdowns in his first year with the Vikings, but he also has rushed for 653 yards on 142 carries while catching 28 passes for 258 yards and another TD in nine games. If active this weekend, he should be locked into fantasy lineups as an RB2.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Nov 14 5:23pm ET
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) was limited at practice on Thursday, Nov. 14, after not taking part the day before.

Fantasy Spin: The upgrade in participation puts Hill on track to play, but we'll be keeping an eye on Friday's practice report just in case. Between playing banged-up and the injury to Tua Tagovailoa earlier in the season, it has been a nightmare campaign for Hill, who has just two scores and one single 100-yard game all season. He's more of a low-end WR2 option with elite upside at this point, and that's really only because of his reputation. In reality, his production is that of a flex option.

From TheHuddle

Kyle Van Noy Nov 14 5:23pm ET
Kyle Van Noy

Baltimore Ravens S Kyle Hamilton (ankle), DT Travis X. Jones (ankle) and CB Arthur Maulet (calf) were limited during practice Thursday, Nov. 14. CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (knee), DE Brent Urban (concussion) and LB Kyle Van Noy (illness) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Denico Autry Nov 14 5:23pm ET
Denico Autry

Houston Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), DE Denico Autry (rest), DT Folorunso Fatukasi (foot), CB Kamari Lassiter (concussion) and CB Derek Stingley Jr. (hip) did not take part in practice on Thursday, Nov. 14. Also, LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), WR Nico Collins (hamstring), OT Blake Fisher (concussion), LB Jake Hansen (ankle), RB Dameon Pierce (groin) and OT Laremy Tunsil (knee) were limited and CB Jeff Okudah (quadriceps) and QB C.J. Stroud (hand) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

Eric Kendricks Nov 14 5:13pm ET
Eric Kendricks

Dallas Cowboys CB DaRon Bland (foot), CB Caelen Carson (illness, shoulder), CB Jourdan Lewis (neck), FB Hunter Luepke (calf), OG Zack Martin (shoulder), QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) and LB Nick Vigil (foot) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 14. OT Chuma Edoga (toe) and OG Tyler Smith (knee) were limited during practice. CB Trevon Diggs (calf), OT Tyler Guyton (shoulder), LB Eric Kendricks (shoulder), LB DeMarvion Overshown (knee), DE Micah Parsons (ankle), S Juanyeh Thomas (concussion) and S Donovan Wilson (hip) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Calais Campbell Nov 14 5:13pm ET
Calais Campbell

Miami Dolphins OT Terron Armstead (rest, knee), TE Jack Stoll (rest), DE Calais Campbell (rest) and CB Kendall Fuller (concussion) did not practice on Thursday, Nov. 14. Also, WR Tyreek Hill (wrist), OG Rob Jones (knee), S Jordan Poyer (rest), FB Alec Ingold (calf), OG Isaiah Wynn (knee, quadriceps), TE Julian Hill (shoulder) and CB Jalen Ramsey (knee) were limited and LB Tyus Bowser (knee, calf), S Jevon Holland (hand, knee), CB Kader Kohou (knee), S Patrick McMorris (calf) and WR Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

Lamar Jackson Nov 14 5:13pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (knee) was limited during practice Thursday, Nov. 14.

Fantasy Spin: Jackson probably is receiving some time off and does not appear to be in any danger of missing the Week 11 game. He has not posted great numbers against the Pittsburgh Steelers during his career but is still a must-start option in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Lamar Jackson Nov 14 5:10pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee, rest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice while being rested due to a minor knee injury. There's really nothing to see here. Jackson will be just fine for a big divisional contest this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team he has struggled against in his career. The 27-year-old is coming off a 290-yard, four-touchdown performance in the one-point win over the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals last Thursday night. Jackson is currently the front-runner for a second straight MVP award and is the QB1 in overall fantasy scoring through 10 weeks. In his last four games, Jackson has thrown 14 touchdowns and no interceptions, and he's had three games with at least four touchdown passes. The matchup isn't great against Pittsburgh, but Jackson needs to be locked into all fantasy lineups in Week 11.

From RotoBaller