1. Brian Westbrook (PHI) – He has posted monster fantasy numbers of late, especially in the passing game. Look for him to do it on the ground and as a receiver in week 11 against the Dolphins 30th ranked run defense. If his knee can hold out, Westbrook is a lock. (Check injury report: knee)2. LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) –Although he continues to struggle by L.T. standards, he is still one of the best fantasy backs in the NFL. He has tough match up against the Jaguars in week 11, but he is capable of dominating any defense, and remains a must start. Tomlinson is well overdue for a huge game.
3. Joseph Addai (IND) – After a poor week 10 showing against the Chargers, expect Addai to bounce back in a big way against a mediocre Chiefs run defense. He should be confidently placed in your starting line up for week 11.
4. Willie Parker (PIT) – If Parker were the goal line back for the Steelers, he would be the top fantasy back for week 11, hands down. The fact that he only has 2 rushing TD’s on the season is the only thing limiting Parker’s fantasy value. On the bright side, he may not even need to be the goal line back to find the end zone this week against the Jets 32nd ranked run defense. Expect a ton of yards, and a long TD run is not out of the question. (Check injury report: hip)
5. Willis McGahee (BAL) – He enters Sunday’s game riding a 4 game TD streak. McGahee has a great match up against a horrible Browns run defense, and his TD streak is very likely be extended to 5 games, with over 100 yards rushing being a strong possibility as well.
6. Reggie Bush (NO) – Whether it’s on the ground or through the air, Bush always seems to find a way to keep fantasy owners happy on a weekly basis. He should have no problem extending those smiles in week 11 against the Texans 24th ranked run D.
7. Edgerrin James (ARI) – While James has not performed up to expectations of late, he should be able to right the ship in week 11. He faces a pathetic Bengals run defense, a defense in which James has torched for 5 TD’s in 3 career games.
8. Steven Jackson (STL) – Jackson appears to be back to full strength, and 2 TD’s in 2 games since returning from injury is a good indication of just that. He should handle the 49ers 25th ranked run defense with ease as the Rams offense also appears to be back on track as a whole.
9. Brandon Jacobs (NYG) – With a 5.3 yards per carry average, even the Lions 8th ranked run defense will have a lot of trouble slowing this bruiser down. Jacobs is one of the more consistent and reliable fantasy backs in the league, and he should be in your starting line up this week.
10. Chester Taylor (MIN) – With all the hoopla surrounding Adrian Peterson this season, Chester Taylor became little more than a fading memory to most fantasy owners. With Peterson out with a knee injury, Taylor will be thrust back into the spotlight. He should have a game worth remembering in week 11 against the Raiders and their 29th ranked run defense.
11. LenDale White (TEN) – Despite the return of Chris Brown this week, White will remain the premier back for the Titans. With the exception of last week, he has been a very solid fantasy back throughout the season. Expect White to bounce back with a nice effort against a Denver defense that gives up an average of 151 yards per game on the ground.
12. Clinton Portis (WAS) – In his last 2 games Portis has accumulated 333 rushing yards and a score. While Portis has a tough road to hoe against a stingy Cowboys run defense, he is playing at the top of his game right now, and is worthy of a starting spot in week 11.
13. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC) – You never know exactly what Jones-Drew will give you any given week, but he is versatile and talented enough to have a big game against any opponent, including the Chargers and their 21st ranked run defense.
14. Ryan Grant (GB) – While he still has a ways to go before proving himself to be an elite fantasy back, Grant is off to a great start, and quickly headed in that direction. After two 100 yard games in 3 career starts, including a 119 yard, 1 TD effort last week against the Vikings 3rd ranked run defense, Grant is already making a strong case for himself. He should be able to continue the trend against a mediocre Panthers run defense.
15. Marion Barber (DAL) – After a poor week 10 showing, Barber should bounce back at home against Washington. He is a key member of the Cowboys offense, and will likely be a big part of the game plan against the Redskins in week11. Barber is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has 6 TD’s in 9 games this season.
16. Frank Gore (SF) – Even though Gore has had a less than stellar ’07 campaign, he does have a very strong track record against the Rams. Gore has scored at least 1 TD in his last 4 games against them, totaling 6. He was able to find pay dirt twice against the St. Louis defense back in week 2. Despite the tough season, Gore should be able to conquer the Rams again given his rich history against them. (Check injury report: ankle)
17. Earnest Graham (TB) – Graham rushed for 124 yards and a score in his last game, and has a great match up against Atlanta’s 23rd ranked run defense. He may lose a few carries this week with the return of Michael Pittman, but he is still the main man in the Bucs running attack. (Check injury report: ankle)
18. Kevin Jones (DET) – Despite rumors that Jones is still bothered by a foot injury he sustained against the Cardinals last week, he is not listed on the injury report, and appears ready to go against the Giants on Sunday. It will be a tough match up, but Jones has proven to be a worthy fantasy RB. Barring any setbacks with the foot, he should be able to continue his solid play, which includes 5 TD’s in 7 games played.
19. Selvin Young (DEN) – It is once again unclear what the status of Travis Henry will be on Monday night, but as of right now, you should anticipate that Young will get the start. Despite what looks to be a scary match up for him, the Titans will be without run stuffing DT Albert Haynesworth, which by the looks of last week, really affects their ability to stop the run. If Young is in fact the starter, he could have another strong game, but be sure to check on Henry’s status before giving Young the nod.
20. Laurence Maroney (NE) – Maroney has had a very disappointing season to those of you who drafted him and had such high hopes. While he has been plagued by injury, he has yet to produce much even when healthy. Maroney has a good match up against Buffalo this week, but his value all depends on how much the Patriots need his services. To this point that has been very little, although Maroney did rush for 103 yards against the Bills in an earlier meeting this season.
21. Jesse Chatman (MIA) – Since replacing Ronnie Brown, Chatman has done a pretty good job filling his shoes. He is coming off of a 124 yard game, and has pieced together 3 solid fantasy efforts in a row. Chatman will have his hands full this week against the Eagles 12th ranked run defense, but with the return of Ricky Williams eminent, he will be playing extra hard to maintain his starting role.
22. Warrick Dunn (ATL) – Everyone had pretty much given up on him, but with the absence of Jerious Norwood, Dunn has come alive with full force. He has posted 2 great fantasy performances in a row, and a 3rd appears very possible against a Tampa Bay run defense that ranks 18th. While he remains a risk given his stat line for the season as a whole, Dunn is on a roll, and you may end up kicking yourself if you pass him over in week 11.
23. Maurice Morris (SEA) – He may not be the stud that Shaun Alexander once was, but he has proven to be an effective fantasy back. Morris rushed for 87 yards and a score last week, and he will more than likely get his second straight start this week. The match up bodes pretty well against the Bears 26th ranked run defense. Be sure to check on Alexander’s status before starting Morris.
24. Priest Holmes (KC) – As expected, Holmes looked very little like the super star we are all used to seeing, but he did manage to produce 79 total yards, which is not too bad for a guy that has not played in 2 years. He will face a middle of the road Colts run defense in week 11 that will be without Dwight Freeney and Anthony McFarland. While you should not expect a lot from Holmes in week 11, he should muster up a decent effort.
25. Rudi Johnson (CIN) – While Johnson has done little to nothing for fantasy owners this season, this could be the week he turns it around. He faces an Arizona run defense that ranks 13th in yards allowed, but they do not play well on the road, and give up a lot of TD’s on the ground. He is still a very risky start until he proves himself worthy.
26. Cedric Benson (CHI) – Despite the fact that Benson was able to find the end zone last week, he struggled to gain yards on the ground. He faces Seattle’s top 10 run defense in week 11, so keep expectations low, or look for a better option if you are afforded the luxury.
27. DeShaun Foster (CAR) – He has struggled throughout much of his ’07 campaign, only sporting a couple of nice fantasy performances. Things will likely get worse for Foster this week as he matches up against the Packers 7th ranked run defense. Do not expect much.(Check injury report: toe)
28. Justin Fargas (OAK) – He has proven to have great potential with a couple of great fantasy outings to show for it, but with all of his upside, Fargas will likely be held in check this week against one of the league’s best run defenses in Minnesota.
29. Jamal Lewis (CLE) – In an earlier meeting against Baltimore, Lewis rushed for 64 yards and a TD. While he did have that monster 4 TD game in week 9, he has struggled to gain yards. Expect that struggle to continue against his former team in week 11. If you choose to start him, pray for a touch down, because yards will not come easy.
30. Fred Taylor (JAC) – Taylor managed to hit pay dirt for the first time this season in week 10. In spite of the nice week, Taylor has failed to gain significant yardage all season, and is not reliable enough to be considered anything more than an emergency fill in against the Chargers. 31. Thomas Jones (NYJ) – The only thing keeping Jones in the rankings this week is the fact that he is a starter that gets the vast majority of his team’s carries. With a horrible week 11 match up against the Steelers top ranked defense, he should be given little consideration when setting your starting line up.
32. Ahman Green (HOU) – (update: out for week 11) Despite only 8 carries and a bum knee, Green managed to find the end zone last week. While he should start this week and see more than 8 carries, he will likely give up a large number of carries to Ron Dayne. He will face a decent Saints run defense, and with his health still in question, Green is a very risk start for week 11. (Check injury report: knee)
33. Julius Jones (DAL) – Jones is nothing more than an emergency fill in against Washington this week.
34. Chris Brown (TEN) – He will be back after missing 4 games with an ankle sprain. While he will be limited to mop up duty for LenDale White, Brown has the potential to do some damage even in a limited role, especially against a run defense as poor as Denver’s. He is a risky start.
35. Anthony Thomas (BUF) – With Marshawn Lynch sidelined with injury, Thomas will be the likely starter for Buffalo in week 11. Unfortunately, they play New England, and Thomas will almost certainly split carries with Dwayne Wright. Unless you are banking on an unlikely TD or desperate, Thomas is not worth starting.
* Other potential options for consideration in week 11 include (in order of rank): Travis Henry (DEN) – start if healthy, check injury report: knee, Shaun Alexander – use caution even if he is cleared to play, check injury report: knee, Ron Dayne (HOU) - update: likely to start, Kevin Faulk (NE), Kenny Watson (CIN), DeAngelo Williams (CAR), Dwayne Wright (BUF), Najeh Davenport (PIT), Kenton Keith (IND), and Ruben Droughns (NYG)
