Week 11 Observations

Hard to believe we are only one week away from the end of the regular season. Kind of a weird weekend of NFL action this weekend, with Denver getting beat in St. Louis, Cincy going to New Orleans and drilling the Saints, and some pretty key injuries down the stretch. But if there is one thing that is always consistent, it's the late season collapse of the PB Pandemonium. Let's get into week 11 of NFL action.

Miami Defense - The Dolphins defense is legitimate, but this isn't anything we don't know. Forget the Brent Grimes interception last week against Detroit, this team held Sammy Watkins to 3 catches for 32 yards on their way to keeping the Bills from the end zone for 60 minutes. They will face a tough test this weekend in Denver, but Denver may be without three key players this coming weekend.

Bryce Brown - Perhaps the lone bright spot for the Bills on Thursday night. Big hopes for Brown when he was acquired from Philly, just has not quite panned out yet in a Buffalo uniform. With Booby Dixon looking very Booby Dixon-esque, played his way into 13 touches in this game, doing most of his damage in the passing game. I liked Bryce Brown after the injuries to Jackson and Spiller, perhaps this is the game that vaults him to the top of the pecking order with Jackson still not healthy.

Cordarelle Patterson - Probably the biggest disappointment for me this season. Had really high hopes for this guy coming into the year. Insane athleticism, basically a larger more durable Percy Harvin. You know, except for the fact that he apparently has not been good enough to warrant the ball in his hands. Dropped him in all leagues I owned him.

Jay Cutler - Gotta give him some credit answered the bell this weekend. Been criticized all week but ripped NFC North rival Minnesota to the tune of 330 yards, 3 touchdowns. Perhaps more encouraging for Bears fans is Brandon Marshall seemingly healthy. In other news, Martellus Bennett where are you at?

Ryan Mallett - Very impressive in his first start, throwing for over 200 yards with two touchdowns and a pick (coming on a great play by Joe Haden). However the Texans absolutely ran roughshod over the Browns, with Alfred Blue tallying 156 yards on the ground in relief of Arian Foster.

Browns Backfield - Perhaps the worst backfield situation fantasy-wise in the NFL. Terrance West runs for 94 yards on 26 carries last week and still relinquishes the starting spot to Isaiah Crowell. Crowell has himself a nice day, rushing for 61 yards and 30 through the air, but loses yet another fumble. Then there is Ben Tate who was brought to Cleveland to be the presumptive starter. Your guess is as good as mine.

Jamaal Charles - Shredded the reigning Super Bowl champs to the tune of 159 yards and two touchdowns. Imagine if the chiefs actually had a quarterback?

Cincinnati Bengals - Can someone explain this team to me? I know the Saints have struggled in stretches this season, but really? Spanked the Saints at home, with Dalton pulling a complete 180 from last week and his passer rating of 2.0 against the Browns at home on national TV. Jeremy Hill with another nice game here, how much does the guy need to do to supplant Bernard as the starter?

Brandin Cooks - Promising rookie campaign may come to a screeching halt with a broken thumb on Sunday. With Marques Colston non-existent, now who does Brees throw to?

Frank Gore - Just when you think this guy is done, he puts together a string of a couple good games. Fantasy scores of 15 and 10 the past two weeks (ran for 95 yards this Sunday but did not find the end zone) you wonder if someone will take a shot on two more years out of Gore after the reigns are handed to Carlos Hyde this offseason.

Peyton Manning - Wtf happened yesterday? Obviously chalk it up to one of those games, but on paper this shouldn't have even been a contest. Guess that's why they play the game. Denver Broncos might be in for a little tough stretch if it turns out Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders will miss some time (Sanders was basically murdered Sunday).

Kenny Britt - Remember when this guy was the next big thing out of Rutgers? Yeah, me neither. Put together a nice game this weekend though, ripping the Broncos on 4 receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown. While I am not a believer in Kenny Britt because he has proven me wrong so many times, it is worth watching with Shaun Hill back under center for the Rams.

Washington Redskins - This team is laughably bad. Might as well at least stick with the QB who actually won you a game (Colt McCoy). Pierre Garcon is invisible, Jordan Reed underperforming and tweaks his hammy again, and it's only a matter of time before DeSean Jackson starts wanting off a losing team. Also lose Trent Williams in this game, this team is just painful to see on Sportscenter (won't even watch them live).

Mike Evans - One of my biggest draft regrets was not getting this kid. Was fine with it to start the year when he struggled as the Bucs were worse than the Skins, has explodedddd in the last couple of weeks. Who would have thought the rookie would make Vincent Jackson irrelevant in Tampa Bay? While they couldn't stop a pop warner football team on defense, I do like some off the offensive talent they have down there in Tampa.

Phillip Rivers - Everyone remember this Phillip Rivers? Yeah me too. It seems he has come crashing down to Earth in the past couple of weeks, having not broken 20 fantasy points since week 6. Struggled again yesterday against the Raiders, posting a 193 yards and 1TD stat line.

Latavius Murray - Got some run and looked really good in this game. Was a lot of hype around this guy in the preseason, and hey, the Raiders can't get any worse.

Drew Stanton - In the battle of two of the best defenses in the NFL, Drew Stanton might have been the best player on the field. Threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns against a very good Lions defense, the Cardinals might not be missing a step with a new man under center.

Aaron Rodgers - Wasn't sure if anyone would read this with Green Bay's D out front, so I threw Rodgers name out there instead. But the defense played very well against the NFL's 5th best offense coming into this game. Got pressure on everyone's favorite QB Marky Sanchise, and surrendered a little over 100 yards on the ground after begin run all over to begin the season. While they still gave up over 400 yards of offense, did a good job creating turnovers and keeping the Eagles out of the end zone.

Colts - Spoke about the Broncos getting hit by the injury bug, but the Colts might have caught it worse. Bradshaw goes down with a broken ankle, after putting up a great season so far. Now the Colts will rely on the likes of ...cough...Trent Richardson to anchor this team's backfield. Also, Dwayne Allen goes down with a potential high ankle sprain. Two key weapons (and a lot of touchdowns) down for the Colts in this game.

Tennessee Titans Run Defense - O wait, forgot they don't have one...

Leveon Bell - Played so well last night, had his own teammates walking off the field (looking at you Legarette Blount). Over two hundred yards and a touchdown on a little over 30 carries, solidified his status as a top 5 pick in next year's fantasy drafts. Most impressive stat of the night, 196 yards in the middle of the field. If that is not a big F U to the Titans run defense, I don't know what is.

Wraps up week 11 for me boys, let me know what I missed. Also, look out for a little "last two in, first two out" posting later this week with the playoff race being so tightly contested this season.