Fantasy Football Week 11: Unlocking Matchups and Exploit Strategies
Get ready to dominate your fantasy football league with strategic insights for Week 11! This week's matchups offer exciting opportunities, especially for those who understand the concept of funnel defenses and how to exploit them.
What's a Funnel Defense?
A funnel defense is a defensive strategy that forces opponents into a high-risk, high-reward situation. It's like a funnel, guiding the offense into areas where the defense can capitalize. In this article, we'll explore how to identify these defenses and maximize their weaknesses.
Pass Funnel Matchups
Chargers vs. Jaguars
The Jaguars are currently facing the highest neutral pass rate (66%) and the highest pass rate over expected (7%) in the league. This means they're giving up a lot of passing yards. The Chargers, known for their pass-heavy approach, are a perfect match. With a neutral pass rate of 61%, they're even more pass-oriented than the Jaguars. This creates a favorable environment for Chargers receivers like Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Keenan Allen.
If Oronde Gadsden II is out, Allen could see a significant boost, as he's been running fewer routes lately. Even with Gadsden playing, Allen is a strong play due to the Jaguars' high tight end target allowance (9.5 per game).
Texans vs. Titans
The Titans' defense is a pass funnel, allowing the second-highest pass rate over expected. This makes Dalton Schultz and Nico Collins excellent targets for the Texans, who have been surprisingly pass-first this season. With a neutral pass rate of 60%, they're among the top-ten teams in the league. C.J. Stroud's performance against the Titans in Week 4 was impressive, throwing for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Jaylen Noel and Jayden Higgins are also worth considering for deep league purposes.
Run Funnel Matchups
Bucs vs. Bills
This game features an extreme pass funnel defense (Tampa) against an extreme run funnel defense (Buffalo). The Bills' defense has struggled against the run, allowing a league-high 3.2 yards after contact per rush since Week 6. Tampa Bay, with a top-8 neutral pass rate, might opt for a run-first approach, especially if Bucky Irving returns. However, the Bills' low air yards per game (5th fewest) could limit targets for Bucs receivers.
Bears vs. Vikings
The Bears and Vikings both have weak defenses against the deep ball, creating a fun fantasy environment. The Bears have become a run-first team, with a 50% neutral pass rate since Week 5. The Vikings' defense is vulnerable to the run, allowing the 10th lowest rush yards before contact and 12th fewest rush yards after contact. D'Andre Swift is likely to see plenty of touches, and Kyle Monangai could be a deep-league flex option.
Remember, these insights are just the beginning. Stay tuned for more detailed rankings and evaluations of Week 11's top plays across all positions!
