Streaming Quarterbacks: Week 11 Targets

Wow! Kirk Cousins! Who saw that coming in Week 10? In last week’s Streaming QB article I wrote, “Cousins will have opportunities to put the ball in the end zone,” but even I didn’t expect Cousins to be the best fantasy QB in Week 10. Our lesson continues to be: when it comes to streaming quarterbacks, demand a minimum threshold – don’t trust the dreadful ones – but then target the bad defenses that can be exploited through the air.

For the year, our optimal streaming QB is averaging 16.71 points per game, and overall our streaming QBs are averaging 16.80 points per game. That would rank them both QB17 on the season. If you waited very late to draft a quarterback – or fell into streaming after drafting Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Tony Romo or another similarly disappointing pick – you would be very happy getting nearly 17 points per game from nearly-free options at QB.

Now, on to Week 11. As always, our primary focus will be on each quarterback’s fantasy points per attempt, because of how well that correlates with fantasy production, and on aFPA for the defenses they face.

Week 11 QB Streaming Targets

Mark Sanchez (PHI) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I have been talking about Mark Sanchez all offseason, despite the Eagles addition of Sam Bradford. Sanchez is not incredibly talented, but he understands this offense and has a chemistry with Jordan Matthews. In nine games in 2014, Sanchez averaged over 15 points per game, with four games over 19 points. The fantasy potential is definitely there, even though this year’s offense lacks Jeremy Maclin. This week, his first to start in 2015, Mark Sanchez plays at home against a weak Buccaneers defense. The Buccaneers rank 24th in aFPA to QBs this year. Vegas likes the Eagles to score well this week, and Sanchez is a very intriguing option, who is nearly guaranteed to be on waivers in your league.

Sanchez is available in 99 percent of Yahoo public leagues and he is my optimal streamer of the week.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) at Houston Texans

Ryan Fitzpatrick is a highly underrated streaming option this year, having no healthy weeks with fewer than 13 points. Fitzpatrick also has scored more than 16 points in half of his healthy games. Although the Jets are on the road, I am willing to trust Fitzpatrick against the Texans this week – assuming he recovers from thumb surgery quickly enough to play this week.

Fitzpatrick is available in 77 percent of leagues.

Alex Smith (KC) at San Diego Chargers

Did you know Alex Smith is QB11 on the season, with no weeks under 13 points since Week 2? I, for one, was surprised by that. The Chiefs haven’t always been a high-powered offense, but Vegas projects them for a high-scoring game this week against the Chargers. San Diego is a middle-of-the-road defense, ranking 19th in aFPA. Smith would be my third choice among streamers this week.

Smith is available in 76 percent of leagues.