It’s Week 11!
The fantasy football gods have been cruel this season. Injuries have been embracing their inner Thanos in 2022 in a bad way.
Pour one out for Cooper Kupp, who will, at worst, be on the short-term IR after a nasty high-ankle sprain that required surgery to remedy. A few other key injuries like Ja’Marr Chase and Breece Hall have really taken some of the air out of the fantasy sails this season.
Regardless, the fantasy community is nothing if not resilient. Time to roll up our sleeves, dig our heels in, and finish the season strong!
FAVORABLE WR MATCHUPS
Brandin Cooks vs Washington secondary
Cooks found himself on the injury report early this past week with a hip and wrist issue. However, he was not on the week’s final injury report so it appears as though there are no medical concerns affecting his status or ability to perform.
What is affecting his ability to perform is Davis Mills and this awful Houston Texans team.
Cooks has yet to finish as a WR1 this season and only finished in the top 24 twice… weeks one and four.
Since then, Cooks has averaged a middling 8.5 fantasy points per game; a flex-worthy WR at best.
So why is Cooks a favorable play this week? Opportunity and game script.
The Texans are, wisely, not playing for anything this year and knew they weren’t coming in. Dameon Pierce has been and will continue to be the heartbeat of the offense.
Since Taylor “Yolo” Heinicke has taken over for Washington the offense has looked more potent. Heinicke has frequently thrown yeet bombs to Terry McLaurin or anyone else in the offense. With Houston’s rush defense being historically bad, ranking 32nd in attempts and yards, the Commanders’ offense should have no trouble marching up and down the field both through the air and on the ground.
With favorable matchups across the board, Mills and the Texans’ passing offense should be able to make plays, even with limited pass attempts. Cooks should be able to capitalize on his 0.32 fantasy points per route and return low-end WR2 numbers and a chance at a touchdown.
Other favorable matchups: Darnell Mooney vs Atlanta Falcons, Gabe Davis vs Cleveland Browns
AVOID THESE WR MATCHUPS
Rondale Moore vs San Francisco secondary
Moore has been on a tear lately. He’s recorded one WR1 week and two WR2 weeks in the last three weeks while averaging 18.9 fantasy points.
He’s been feasting in the yards after catch category, averaging 6.9 YAC per reception, good for 10th among WRs. He’s also seeing 23% of the teams’ targets. A lot of his work has been coming close to the line of scrimmage though, averaging 5.5 air yards per target (98th among WRs).
Moore will likely see a healthy dose of Jimmie Ward, who allows only 0.29 fantasy points per route. In fact, opposing offenses have tended to shy away from throwing in Ward’s direction. He’s only been targeted on 12.4% of his routes in coverage.
Pay close attention to the status of Kyler Murray this week. If Murray sits Moore likely lacks any flex appeal at all.
Other risky matchups: Garrett Wilson vs New England Patriots, Michael Pittman Jr. vs Philadelphia Eagles
