Fantasy Roundup: Week 11
Graphic by Annelise Fisher
With the Colts and Saints sitting out, this week was packed with National Football League action. Only seven weeks remain, and the playoff window is closing for some teams. Injuries forced unexpected players onto the field: Aaron Rodgers left the Bengals game in the third quarter, replaced by Mason Rudolph. Kirk Cousins played briefly after Michael Penix Jr.’s knee injury in the Falcons’ loss to the Panthers. Shedeur Sanders replaced Dillon Gabriel from the Browns but struggled, contributing to a loss despite Baltimore’s poor quarterback play. The 1-9 Titans now hold the league’s worst record. See Week 0 for full team rosters.
First and Lowell (5-5) vs Kirkland Cousins (3-7): 158.64-79.62
Top performers: Tetairoa McMillan (33.0) | Stefon Diggs (19.5)
Underperformers: Saquon Barkley (10.0) | Kyle Pitts Sr. (3.4)
The Inn-Zone (4-6) vs Bring it Dome (6-4): 114.22-143.78
Top performers: Steelers D/ST (22.0) | Josh Allen (42.68)
Underperformers: Ladd McConkey (4.3) | Ja’Marr Chase (6.0)
Pfirst Down (8-2) vs The Ball Currier (4-6): 126.4-103.74
Top performers: Christian McCaffrey (35.1) | Kenneth Walker III (20.1)
Underperformers: Emeka Egbuka (9.0) | Justin Jefferson (11.1)
Standout Games:
In their only regular-season matchup, only one team could add to its win column. While Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers’ first drive resulted in a punt, Josh Allen immediately gave the ball back. Pressured in his own end zone, Allen chest-passed the football downfield to avoid a safety; his pass was intercepted, putting Tampa at the Bills’ 7-yard line. Even then, the Bucs couldn’t score a touchdown, settling for a field goal.
The Bills answered back, beginning with a 62-yard kick return, followed by a smooth drive for a touchdown. From there, the two teams exchanged scores. Baker scrambled for a rushing touchdown, and Allen maintained composure in the pocket, opening up a deep 43-yard touchdown pass. The Bucs scored another rushing touchdown, this time a 43-yard run by running back Sean Tucker. Allen would end the streak of scoring drives by throwing yet another interception, but Tampa did not capitalize, instead having to punt. At the end of the first half, the Bills led the Buccaneers by one point at 21-20.
In the third quarter, Tampa was forced to punt, but after the Bills’ returner fumbled, the ball was recovered by the Bucs and eventually converted into a rushing touchdown by Tucker. The next time the Bucs got the ball, they turned it over with an interception by Mayfield. Like their opponents, Allen and the Bills were successful on the resulting drive, making the score 26-31 in favor of the Bills.
With three minutes remaining in the game on third-and-four and down by five, Tampa made a huge stop and forced a field goal. However, the rookie Jacob Parrish, responsible for Allen’s first interception, was called for pulling on an opponent’s facemask, thus giving the Bills the first down. Allen then scored yet another rushing touchdown, sealing the game away.
Despite his two interceptions, Josh Allen had a great game: 317 yards on 19 completions, alongside three receiving and three rushing touchdowns. However, the Bills’ run defense continues to be their biggest weakness, allowing the Buccaneers to gain 202 yards on the ground.
As for Tampa Bay, this is their second straight loss after losing to the Patriots last week. While Baker has played well, the injuries sustained are beginning to show, particularly receiver Mike Evans’ absence. Rookie Emeka Egbuka has slowed down from his electric start, but that is to be expected as coaches begin to build defensive plans around shutting him down.
The Seahawks and Rams both entered with a 7-2 record. With two quarterbacks that aren’t afraid to throw deep and two star wide receivers, these teams are similar; while the score was close, it was a game of defenses than offenses.
Immediately, the Rams looked hot with a 30-yard run by Kyren Williams, followed by a Matthew Stafford pass that was short of a first down. As such, the Rams would throw for it on fourth, which was incomplete, turning over the ball on the Seattle 8-yard-line. On just the third play of Seattle’s drive, Sam Darnold’s pass was intercepted, returning the ball deep into Seattle territory.
The Rams scored a touchdown this time, and Seattle was forced to kick a 57-yard field goal. Kyren Williams had yet another long 34-yard rush, followed by a 1-yard receiving touchdown by Davante Adams. Adams, who was injured last week against the 49ers, would have just one yard, one reception, and one touchdown in the game.
In the second half, Seattle’s offensive woes continued as Darnold threw another pick for his second of the afternoon. However, Seattle’s defense recovered a Puka Nacua fumble. Struggling to convert on third down, Seattle settled for another field goal, followed by an exchange of touchdowns.
To end the third quarter, Darnold threw his third interception, so the Rams entered the fourth quarter leading 14-12. The Rams capitalized on this turnover, scoring a touchdown to start the fourth, their last points of the game. On the sixth play of a three-minute drive, Darnold threw yet another interception for his fourth and final of the game. The two teams again exchanged punts before the Seahawks finally scored their first touchdown behind a one-yard rush by Kenneth Walker with just two minutes remaining.
The Rams were forced to punt again, giving Seattle 1:41 and one timeout to score a field goal and win the game. Somehow, the Seahawks were able to call a timeout with exactly one second on the clock, but the field goal from 61 yards was wide right as the Rams walked away with the win.
For the Rams, this was Matthew Stafford’s worst game this season in terms of completion percentage and yardage, with only 53% and 130 yards. In fact, this is the first game below 180 yards all season. However, Kyren Williams and the defense both had fantastic games. Williams rushed for 91 yards and one touchdown on just 12 carries. The defense was responsible for four interceptions.
As for the Seahawks, this was easily Darnold’s worst game despite decent yardage. Four interceptions are inexcusable for a quarterback with a receiving corps such as his: Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp (albeit old), and newly acquired Rashid Shaheed. The fact that the game was still so close despite Sam Darnold is a huge testament to the Seattle defense.
Looking Ahead:
Next week, the Broncos, Dolphins, Chargers, and Commanders all take their bye. Some games to look out for are the Colts-Chiefs game (KC -3.5) and Buccaneers-Rams game (LAR -6.5). The Chiefs are now five games back from leading the AFC West and are currently outside playoff contention. If Kansas City continues to lose, this would be the first time since 2015 that the Chiefs miss the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Colts hope to continue their dominance behind Jonathan Taylor. Indianapolis is coming off its bye and an overtime win the week previous against the Falcons.
As for the other game, the Buccaneers need to have a resurgence or risk falling behind the Panthers in their division. The Rams, however, want to maintain their form (even with a down game this past week) and be considered in the top tier of NFL teams.
As for games you’d be forgiven for missing, the Giants visit the Lions (DET -10.5) and the Jets match up against the Ravens (BAL -14). The Giants are injury-ridden, with Jaxson Dart and Cameron Skattebo both out. Meanwhile, the Lions will have another game to show that Dan Campbell, being both the head coach and primary play-caller, can work for the team. In the other game, the Jets have been unable to find any real consistency offensively, while the Ravens are recovering from their poor start on account of Lamar Jackson’s early injury.
Tyler Dang ’28 (tylerdang@college.harvard.edu) cannot believe that the Titans will get even worse now.