Fantasy Football Sleeper Picks: Week 11

Fantasy Football Sleeper Picks: Week 11

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After most fantasy owners gave up on him, Bradford showed last week in San Francisco that he's a viable starting option when he has security blanket Danny Amendola in the lineup.

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The Saints have won four of their past five games, but the defense is still giving up miles of passing yards. Last Sunday Matt Ryan became the second passer in four weeks to eclipse the 400-yard mark, a total Palmer himself surpassed two weeks ago against the Bucs.

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The rookie's first NFL start couldn't come against a better opponent, as the Redskins rank 30th with 311.8 passing yards allowed per game. They've been victimized for 20 touchdowns through the air, tied with the Titans for the most this season, but in one fewer game. Still, Foles should only be used as a last-ditch option.

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Ivory has played three games this calendar year (including the final game of last season) and has reached the end zone in each. The Raiders have allowed seven rushing scores the last two weeks and should provide Ivory with a prime opportunity to extend his personal streak.

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Once upon a time the Jets were murder on opposition runners, but that seems like a million years ago. Gang Green is fourth in rushing yards allowed and tied for fourth in most touchdowns surrendered on the ground. Richardson ripped through the Niners, one of the league's best against the ground game, for 8.3 yards per carry last week. He's in for another quality game this Sunday despite still serving as Steven Jackson's understudy.

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The diminutive Woodhead took the Bills to the woodshed last week, scoring on the ground and through the air. With Brandon Bolden suspended and Shane Vereen coming off a six-touch game, Woodhead will be a wise flex play this week against a Colts defense that yields more than 20 points to running backs every week.

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Reece looked like a seasoned vet last week against the Ravens, not like a guy starting as a featured back for the first time in his four NFL seasons. He ran 13 times for 48 yards and chipped in seven catches for 56 yards, the second time in his career he gained more than 100 total yards. He should have another big game, both rushing and receiving, against the Saints.

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Except for a hiccup in the rain against the Chiefs, Pittsburgh's offensive line has been among the league's best for weeks, with every back who's gotten a chance to run behind it going beyond the century mark of total offense. With his injured Achilles largely healed, Mendenhall is poised to reclaim his first-team status and is available in 40 percent of fantasy leagues. Confirm his status Sunday to be safe.

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The AFC's worst team will likely be playing catch-up against the AFC's best team in Houston. That will benefit Shorts, who has been Jacksonville's lone bright spot during a lost season and figures to be the target of many second-half passes.

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In his second game back from concussion, LaFell will face a Tampa Bay secondary that's surrendered six 100-yard games already this season. LaFell managed 65 yards and a score against the Bucs earlier this season.

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One common thread for most newbie starting quarterbacks is the dependence on tight ends. That bodes well for Celek, who will be playing with first-time starting quarterback Nick Foles and against a Redskins defense that has given up the third-most catches, yards and touchdowns to tight ends this season.

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Playing as Andrew Luck's top tight end the past three weeks in Coby Fleener's absence, Allen has caught 12 of the 14 balls thrown his way. Enemy tight ends are averaging six catches and 64.8 yards per game against New England this season, marks that would put Allen right around his season and career highs. Add in a touchdown and Allen will be a top 10 tight end for the week.

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Lawrence Tynes, Blair Walsh, Rob Bironas and Steven Hauschka are all on byes this week, opening up a need for someone like Barth. He goes against the team allowing 10.4 kicking points per game, the highest among all 32 teams.