Trapasso’s Finest Fantasy Matchups: Week 11

Before I start this week’s column…man was I terrible in Week 10. And it’s my duty to own it. A.J. Green vs. Browns? Dud. Reggie Bush back from injury at home against the Dolphins. Dud. Jay Cutler. Basically a dud. It was Jordan Matthews, not Jeremy Maclin, who had a monster game against the Panthers. After that putrid predictive performance from me, thanks for coming back to read this week. It can only get better, right?

Thursday Night Football

Robert Woods vs. Dolphins secondary

The Sammy Watkins vs. Brent Grimes matchup is a juicy one, but don’t overlook Robert Woods. Yes, I’ve been on the Robert Woods train since July, but my strong opinion about Woods as a great sleeper in fantasy was mainly based on his value and the connection with EJ Manuel.

Then again, he’s not having a dreadful season. He has 34 catches for 346 yards and two scores heading into this prime time matchup.

The Dolphins will be without No. 2 corner Cortland Finnegan tonight, which leaves a backup on the precise route-running Woods. He’s not a nine-catch, 150-yard, two-touchdown type of receiver, but he’ll piece together a solid outing against Miami this evening.

Prediction

Robert Woods: 6 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD

. . .

Cam Newton vs. Falcons defense

Everyone’s down on Cam Newton after his Panthers were totally dismantled against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in Week 10. Sure, Carolina may have the worst offensive line and worst tackle tandem in football, but the Falcons pass-rush isn’t exactly the Eagles’ pass-rush.

Atlanta’s registered just 11 team sacks on the season — only Oakland has registered fewer with eight.

Because of what should be more time in the pocket throughout the game, Cam will get into a groove on a few possessions. And though he’s not 100 percent healthy, he’ll find some open real estate as a runner.

Like my predictions last week, it can only go up from the MNF disaster for Newton.

Prediction

Cam Newton: 23 for 33, 270 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 4 rushes, 24 yards

. . .

Arian Foster vs. Browns run defense

EDITOR’S NOTE: Since time of publish, Arian Foster has been ruled out for Week 11 with a groin injury. The obvious beneficiary of Foster’s absence in Week 11 will be Alfred Blue.

Arian Foster running in Houston’s zone-blocking scheme is poetry in motion, an artform, a gridiron ballet. That a little too profound and descriptive for a fantasy football article? Yeah, definitely.

Anyway, the former undrafted free-agent has experienced a career resurgence at 28 in 2014, as he averages a hefty 5.1 yards per carry. Also, he’s caught 26 passes for 229 yards with three touchdowns.

Despite all the publicity the Browns and their defense have received of late, they allow 4.7 yards per rush, the second-highest figure in football. Sure, head coach Mike Pettine will look to “sell out” against the run with Ryan Mallett making his first-career start on Sunday, but with DeAndre Hopkins and Andre Johnson out wide, Cleveland won’t be able to stack the box throughout this contest.

I like Foster to have a big day at home.

Prediction

Arian Foster: 17 carries, 80 yards, 2 TDs, 3 catches, 50 yards

. . .

Cordarrelle Patterson vs. Bears secondary

This is it. This is the game Cordarrelle Patterson shows us the “breakout” performance we’ve all been waiting for in his sophomore campaign. The Vikings are coming off the bye week, which should have provided ample time for Vikings coaches to create ways to get this dynamic athlete the ball in space to make life easier for Teddy Bridgewater.

Only the Jets allow a higher passing rating to opposing quarterbacks than the Bears, and although I don’t expect this game to be a blowout like we saw last week against Green Bay, Patterson should be able to exploit Chicago’s weak safeties down the field.

Although Kyle Fuller is a stud rookie cornerback, Patterson’s bigger and will be able to break free on some screen plays as well, as the Bears’ linebackers don’t have much sideline-to-sideline range.

Prediction

Cordarrelle Patterson: 5 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD

11 Comments

  1. Looking for a flyer RB for the stretch – all three of these guys are ranked fairly high on the waiver wire tool. Who do you like the best for potential the last half the season? Brown, Crowell, Cunningham? Thanks for the input!

  2. Standard league TE, Kyle Rudolph, or Coby Fleener? Thanks

    1. cant trust rudolph yet but love the matchup – it’s not like Fleener’s a great option either though. Fleener seems a little safer but Rudolph has more upside. GL

  3. Standard league flex, Ben Tate, or Alfred Blue?

    1. Blue, less ambiguity in Houston about who will get carries.

  4. Ppr pick 1, Tre Mason, Ryan Matthews,or Jerrick McKinnon?

    1. csb01-

      Matthews, good luck!

      -Byron

  5. 12 man PPR.. Need an RB and a flex between Shady McCoy, Terrance west, Duane Allen, Harry Douglas

    1. M240-

      Shady McCoy + Terrance West. Good luck.

  6. Need advise of standard scoring league for my flex player. I have AJ Green in lineup already. So flex play Sanu or CJ Anderson? Or I could leave in Sanu and flex play CJ or Jordan Mathews? Thanks!

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