Welcome to the 8th 2022 edition of Fantasy Football: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Ems. Many students here at BHS are involved in fantasy football leagues. Many also fail to receive guidance on the important weekly decisions that may change the outcome of their matchups. I, along with guest analysts, will break down a handful of players at each position weekly and give you advice. Any readers with specific players they would like covered are encouraged to email me (address at the end of this article) or other analysts. 

Here’s last week’s results: 

My Previous Starts:

QB: Daniel Jones, T-QB11 (23 Points). A rare good pick on my pick this week, and this was barely a good pick. In a loaded week for QBs, Jones continued his strong and safe play to lead the Giants to another win, especially one in which he put up a sufficient 23 points. Small win for me, but still a win. 

RB: D’Andre Swift, T-RB31 (7 Points). I tried to get fancy, and it backfired. Because Dan Campbell hates D’Andre Swift. In a week where Swift found the endzone, he was still out snapped by the likes of Justin Jackson. 

WR: Jerry Jeudy, WR-∞ (0 Points). Jeudy was injured very early in the game. So early, that he was unable to earn a stat prior to his injury. So instead of this being an N/A and not counting for a player who was ruled out before the game began, he gets an L because he was active and got injured midgame. 

TE: Cade Otton, T-TE18 (6 points). I was torn between Saints TE Juwan Johnson and Cade Otton for my TE start this week. Unfortunately, Johnson played great this week and Otton didn’t, and I picked the wrong one. Another L. 

My Previous Sits: 

QB: Dak Prescott, T-QB5 (26 Points). After going 1/4 on the starts, I followed it up with Dak who went off. Just wasn’t my week.

RB: James Conner, T-RB3 (22 Points). And…another awful pick. Oh boy. Conner was wildly inefficient, but did the only thing that keeps him relevant in fantasy: found the endzone. Twice. No bueno for me.

WR: Curtis Samuel, T-WR55 (5 Points). Hooray back in the win column. Samuel, my least confident pick, was my best by far of the week. Samuel reverted back to normal form and creates a complicated situation for fantasy managers heading into the trade deadline. But for me, it’s simple. It’s a win. 

TE: Dallas Goedert, T-TE8 (10 points). Goedert got injured midgame and still produced a top tight end performance this week. Oy vey! Betting against one of the best tight ends in the NFL wasn’t a smart decision in hindsight. L for me.

I’m a harsh critic of myself, but I’d say I was absolutely abysmal at 2/8 (25.0%) for last week, and a mediocre 29/53 (54.7%) on the year. 

So now, heading into Week 11, here’s my advice:

Start ‘Ems (Who you should START this week)

QB: Justin Fields (Chicago)

Fields is my first player to be picked as a start/sit twice so far this season. He was picked as a sit a few weeks back, and he played well. Now, coming off two near-50 point performances, I’m making what seems like an obvious pick. Fields has been the highest performing fantasy football player of the last month by an astronomical margin, and I would only hope his reign of terror would continue against a Falcons defense which is the fourth most. If you’re not starting Fields, trade him or quit fantasy football, because he is a must-start at this point. 

RB: Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City) and Brian Robinson Jr. (Washington)

Double rookie special at running back this week. Both of these guys have shown promise, and will have big weeks as a fill in RB2/FLEX. Pacheco seems to have taken over Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s portion of the three-headed Chiefs backfield and seems destined for a big week where the Chiefs top receivers are all dealing will ailments. Robinson Jr., on the other hand, is facing the worst rushing defense in the league, Houston, which has been continually run over. Coming off his best game of his career, Robinson is primed to get the rock 20+ times and produce in volumes in those carries. 

WR: Tee Higgins (Cincinnati)

In what has been a somewhat disappointing season riddled with injuries, Higgins looks to rebound against the lowly Pittsburgh secondary. With the Bengals top receiver Ja’Marr Chase still injured, Higgins is once again lined up to be a top dog in this Cincy offense. Joe Burrow is gonna be slanging that thang a lot this week, and Higgins will be a big beneficiary, with a TD and over 100 yards. Don’t think twice: Higgins is an easy WR2 this week. 

TE: Cole Kmet (Chicago)

[Note: this player is limited in practice for Week 11 as of Thursday evening with an thigh injury, and is likely considered questionable for Sunday’s game]

It’s a scary thing to start a guy after a seemingly one-hit wonder week where he scored 2 TDs. But then he followed it up with another…in the last two weeks, Fields favorite target has 4 TDs. And I am all in on Justin Fields, so by default, I gotta support top Week 11 waiver wire add Cole Kmet against the inferior Falcons defense, and hope his hot streak doesn’t freeze here. 

Sit ‘Ems (Who you should SIT this week)

QB: Derek Carr (Las Vegas)

Although unable to lead the Raiders to a win, Carr has been a fine fill-in QB for fantasy reasons. He rarely turns the ball over and usually finds Davante Adams for a lucky heave over the top of the defense. But this week, with Adams clamped up by Pat Surtain II, and other weapons Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow on the IR, Carr will struggle in this AFC West showdown. Avoid Carr as your QB this week in standard leagues. 

RB: Michael Carter (New York A)

If you were planning on starting Carter as a RB2/FLEX this week, change your plans. Against an elite run defense in New England, the three down Jets’ back will struggle. He has been a good option this year, but there are other avenues that will lead to more success. Carter shall be sat.

WR: Parris Campbell (Indianapolis)

If you told me at the beginning of the year I’d be thinking about Parris Campbell by Week 11, I’d call you crazy. By this point, he has usually gotten injured for the year already. But, he is still healthy and producing big numbers in a struggling Colts offense. Against the angry 8-1 Eagles, who sport an elite secondary, the popular waiver add Campbell will struggle with any productivity and provide you with little points, but instead an easy sit this week. Hold off on starting him if you just grabbed him. 

TE: Tyler Higbee (Los Angeles N)

The Rams tight end has been a consistent top performer at the tight end position across 2022, even with Los Angeles offensive woes. Now, with Cooper Kupp injured indefinitely, this floundering offense will be even less able to move the ball downfield, leaving Higbee stranded in a talent-less offense. Higbee will simply be unable to assemble a good performance when given little opportunity against a good Saints defense. Bench him as long as Kupp is down. 

Thank you for tuning in. If you have requests for next edition, email me at [email protected]. Good luck this week to all!