Fantasy football: Sanchez to shine vs. Texans
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) fumbles the snap against the Detroit Lions in in the first quarter of their NFL football game in Detroit Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Sanchez recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya
After the few elite fantasy football quarterback options, the position has become one where you play the matchups. One of the teams you can exploit every week in the passing game is the Texans, who rank last in the NFL against the pass.
The Texans have allowed an average of 301.3 yards per game and 22 passing TDs. That makes Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez a top-10 option this week. Sanchez has attempted at least 38 passes in four of his last five games and passed for 336 yards and 299 yards in favorable matchups the last two weeks. Sanchez won't need a Hail Mary to reach 300 yards.
Other good plays in Week 11:
Jon Kitna (Cowboys, QB): Kitna is getting more comfortable and passed for at least 327 yards in two of his three starts. He has a plethora of weapons to target in a favorable matchup against the Lions.
Shaun Hill (Lions, QB): In the five complete games Hill has played, he's attempted at least 43 passes in four of them. He threw 50 passes last week and if he's going to throw that many times, he will accumulate yards. The Lions' running game is weak and Hill will continue to throw incessantly.
Fred Jackson (Bills, RB): The Bills have finally shown a commitment to the run and even though C.J. Spiller wasn't cutting into Jackson's carries much, he will not play. Jackson had 25 carries for 133 yards and six catches for 37 yards last week. Jackson has at least 23 touches in three of the last four games and showed last year he can excel behind a shaky offensive line. The Bengals are ranked 22nd against the run.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Patriots, RB): Green-Ellis hasn't scored the last two weeks as the Patriots went to the pass last week and were blown out two weeks ago. But in a tough matchup against the Steelers last week, Green-Ellis rushed for 87 yards on 18 carries and caught four passes for 36 yards. Against an undersized Colts defense ranked 29th against the run, Green-Ellis has a good chance to score.
Mike Tolbert (Chargers, RB): Ryan Mathews is unlikely to play Monday night and if he sits out, it makes Tolbert an even better play. Regardless, Tolbert should get the goal-line carries and the Broncos have allowed 14 rushing TDs. Tolbert has seven TDs.
Willis McGahee (Ravens, RB): It's hard to envision the Panthers being competitive with Brian St. Pierre at quarterback. McGahee should see a lot of second-half carries and some goal-line carries, and makes a good flex play, especially in deeper leagues.
Dez Bryant (Cowboys, WR): Bryant has 19 catches for 274 yards with two TDs the last three games and Kitna has an affinity for getting him the ball.
Santonio Holmes (Jets, WR): Holmes has seen an increase in snaps, is starting, and has 10 catches for 190 yards with a TD the last two games. Oh yeah, and he's facing the Texans, too.
Jermaine Gresham (Bengals, TE): The Bills have had a lot of trouble defending the tight end.
Sleepers: Troy Smith (49ers), Justin Forsett (Seahawks), Brandon Gibson (Rams), Jacoby Ford (Raiders), Mohamed Massaquoi (Browns), Jimmy Graham (Saints).
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