Fantasy Football Instant Reactions: Week 11

In Week 11, the cream rose to the top.

Every division leader that played so far has found a way to win. Miami (7-3), Baltimore (8-3), Jacksonville (7-3), Detroit (8-2), and San Francisco (7-3) all fought their way to victory, getting one step close to their respective divisional titles. The two remaining division leaders, Kansas City (AFC West) and Philadelphia (AFC East), will battle in a massive Monday Night Football matchup tomorrow night.

Each Sunday night, I will provide my five instant fantasy football reactions from the slate of games. What were the key performances, surprises and disappointments from across the NFL?

Let’s get into Week 11!

Reaction No. 1: Massive Injuries Continue

Another week, another list of key injuries to critical fantasy players.

On Thursday night, we lost Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews for the season to a cracked fibula and ankle ligament injury. Andrews was such a key part of this Ravens offense, carrying a league-leading 30.4% Value Above Average (VOA) per our FTNFantasy DVOA Too. This opens the door for backup tight end Isaiah Likely, who will pay off those Best Ball teams that spent a last-round pick on the athletic 23-year-old Coastal Carolina product. Other injuries from Week 11:

• Chicago running back D’Onta Foreman left with an ankle injury and did not return
• Miami running back De’Von Achane landed on the same knee that placed him on the injured reserve, but the Dolphins training staff did seem optimistic after the game. 
• Green Bay running back Aaron Jones left the game on a cart with a probably MCL injury. 
• Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp left the game against the Seahawks with an ankle injury, did not return. Likely to miss at least one week. 
• Seattle running back Kenneth Walker also left the same game with an oblique injury. He is likely to miss at least one week.  
• Chargers DE Joey Bosa left the game on a cart with a potential season-ending Achilles injury. 
• Seattle quarterback Geno Smith left the game temporarily with an elbow injury, but he did return. His status for Week 12 is questionable.  

Reaction No. 2: Brandon Aiyuk = Top 5 NFL Wide Receiver

It seems like a long time ago that San Francisco wideout Brandon Aiyuk was in the “doghouse” of head coach Kyle Shanahan. Aiyuk was brilliant in San Francisco’s 27-14 win over Tampa Bay, totaling five receptions, 156 receiving yards, and this 76-yard touchdown reception.

Aiyuk has established himself as the clear No. 1 wide receiver in this offense, and one of the Top 5 wideouts in the NFL. The 49ers have recovered from their three-game losing streak with consecutive wins at Jacksonville and over the Buccaneers.  

Reaction No. 3:  Dorian Thompson-Robinson Leads Cleveland to OT Victory

Cleveland’s fifth-round draft pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson led the Browns to a huge 13-10 OT victory over AFC North rival Pittsburgh. Thompson-Robinson didn’t light up the stat sheet, but made plays when it counted and connected with wideout Elijah Moore and tight end David Njoku for a combined 13 receptions. The Browns remained just a half-game behind Baltimore in the battle for the AFC North title, and have two big road games upcoming at Denver and at the Rams.

Reaction No. 4: Denver Continues to Roll

The Broncos won their fourth-straight game with a 21-20 comeback victory over Minnesota. Courtland Sutton caught this game-winning touchdown, his eighth of the season in the final minute of play.

After starting 1-5, Denver has now won four straight games, and have put themselves back in the playoff hunt in the AFC West.

Reaction No. 5: Tyreek Hill Continues Assault on the NFL Receiving Record

Miami wideout Tyreek Hill continued his incredible season with a magnificent 10-reception, 146 receiving yard and one touchdown performance against the Raiders. Hill now has 1222 receiving yards on the season, and is on pace to break Calvin Johnson’s record of 1964 yards back in 2012. Hill is just 743 yards away from breaking that record with seven games remaining. He needs to average just 106.1 receiving yards per game, which is short of his current 122.2 yards per game average.