Scott Engel is in his 12th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis at The Game Day and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com.
We are starting to inch closer to playoff time in fantasy football, and every lineup decision seems to take on greater importance. We provide you with the players to lean to when making tough lineup calls, and the best guys to add from the fantasy football waiver wire to boost your outlook for the weeks ahead.
I also feature players to stick with when you might be questioning whether to still start them or not. Analysis leans to Points Per Reception (PPR) formats.
Running Backs
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Jerome Ford
Ford was clearly healthy again in Week 10 after dealing with a recent ankle injury. In Cleveland's thrilling win over Baltimore, Ford rushed for 107 yards on 17 carries. The Browns have another important divisional game coming up against the Steelers, and Ford is versatile, as evidenced by his five receptions in Week 9. Pittsburgh ranks 22nd in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to running backs over the past four weeks.
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Devin Singletary
The former Buffalo Bill exploded in a career performance last week, carrying 30 times for 150 yards and a TD. Dameon Pierce has been dealing with an ankle injury, and even when he returns, Singletary has earned his part in what could be a shared backfield. Over the past four weeks, Arizona ranks 29th in rushing yards allowed to RBs and has allowed an NFL-high five TDs to the position during that span. The Houston coaching staff has done a fine job of coaxing better-than-expected production out of many players. Singletary can be started as an RB2 fill-in or flex option.
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Ty Chandler
Alexander Mattison left in Week 10 with a concussion, and Chandler may now be needed to start this week against the Denver Broncos. The Denver defense has played better in recent weeks, but overall the unit has still allowed the most FFPG to the RB position this season. Chandler rushed for 45 yards on 15 carries against the Saints in Week 10. If you need a one-week play for adequate volume, add the second-year RB and plug him into your lineup. If he does perform well, it is possible Chandler could see a decent amount of work sharing some reps with Mattison in the weeks ahead.
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Rico Dowdle
In the Week 10 win over the Giants, Dowdle led Dallas with 79 rushing yards on 12 carries and added a late TD run. He was also involved early and displayed good burst and the ability to slip tackles. Dowdle added a spark to the Dallas running game and there is potential for him to start seeing more regular work. It is always a good move to add appealing depth at the RB position, so pick up Dowdle this week before his role possibly increases more.
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Zach Charbonnet
Charbonnet has seen his playing time increase significantly over the past three weeks (over 50 percent of the snaps in every game), and more reps can naturally lead to increased fantasy production in the weeks ahead. The Seahawks' second round rookie has impressed fans with his willingness to seek out contact, and he also can make defenders miss in short space. Charbonnet is a dual contributor as a runner and pass-catcher (four in Week 10 vs Washington) and he is a very good depth add who might deliver more fantasy output very soon.
Other Running Backs To Start in Week 11: Raheem Mostert (vs Raiders), Breece Hall (vs. Bills), Aaron Jones (vs. Chargers), Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. Giants), Keaton Mitchell (vs. Bengals).
Wide Receivers
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Rashee Rice
The Kansas City rookie has emerged as the most useful fantasy WR on the roster, and he should be started in the must-see game of the week as the Chiefs take on the Eagles. Philadelphia has allowed the most FFPG to WRs this season. Rice has caught TD passes in two of his past three games, and the Eagles have allowed an NFL-high 14 receiving TDs to the position. The Kansas City passing game may look more potent coming out of a bye week, and Rice can play a big part in more air success.
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Jahan Dotson
The second-year Commanders WR has upside, but the Seahawks shut him out in Week 10. Dotson had two promising performances before he was cooled off, and he gets a good matchup to get back on a positive path in Week 11. Prior to facing the Seahawks, Dotson had scored in consecutive games, with 18 targets and 177 yards totaled in those outings. The Giants have allowed the most receiving yards to WRs over the last four weeks and the second-most on the season, so Dotson and Terry McLaurin should both be started this week.
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Brandin Cooks
If you need WR help, Cooks should be a top priority. He busted out for his best game as a Cowboy in Week 10, catching nine of 10 targets for 173 yards and a TD. He is starting to settle in more comfortably as the No. 2 WR for the Cowboys. Cooks has caught TD passes in three of his last four games. The Dallas passing game now ranks sixth in the NFL, and as the Cowboys make a playoff push, Cooks will be featured more as an important element in the offense.
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Quentin Johnston
Johnston caught his first NFL TD pass last week in the Chargers' shootout with the Lions. The Chargers need the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder to step forward more because of injuries at WR. Patience is often required with rookies in fantasy football, and if you can add Johnston now, he might emerge as a quality option very soon. In deeper leagues, you should also consider Jalen Guyton, who was targeted six times in Week 10 and caught a TD pass.
Other WRs To Start in Week 11: Christian Kirk (vs. Titans), Chris Godwin (vs. 49ers), Marquise Brown (vs. Texans), Trenton Irwin (vs. Ravens), Jayden Reed (vs. Chargers).
Quarterbacks And Tight Ends
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Sam Howell
In his second season, Howell has blossomed into a confident and often aggressive passer. He leads the NFL in passing yardage and attempts, and if the Commanders move out to a big lead against the Giants, Howell will play a major role in establishing a cushion on the scoreboard. New York ranks 29th in passing yards allowed to QBs over the past four weeks.
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Brock Purdy
The San Francisco QB came out strong after the bye week, passing for 296 yards and three TDs in a romp over Jacksonville. The Tampa Bay pass defense performed well against Tennessee last week, but will have much more trouble handling the diverse weaponry that Purdy has to work with. The Buccaneers, even with the quality showing against the Titans, have still allowed the third-most FFPG to QBs over the past four weeks.
Other QBs to Start in Week 11: Jared Goff (vs. Bears), Kyler Murray (vs. Texans), Russell Wilson (vs. Vikings).
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Sam LaPorta
LaPorta has been targeted 22 times in his past three games. He totaled 14 receptions on 17 targets in Weeks 7 and 8 before Detroit went on a bye. The Bears have allowed the third-most FFPG to TEs this season. They have also allowed the second-most FFPG to the position (five).
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Luke Musgrave
You might have noticed that I am including a few Packers in this week's column, as Green Bay is still developing who might turn out to be its most dependable playmakers on offense. A matchup against the Chargers' pass defense, which ranks last in the NFL, can lead to good streaming production from guys like Musgrave, who caught his first NFL TD pass in Week 9 and finished with 64 receiving yards in Week 10. Los Angeles has allowed the most receiving yards to TEs in 2023.
Other Tight Ends To Start in Week 11: Trey McBride (vs. Houston), Logan Thomas (vs. Giants).
Defenses To Steam in Week 11: Miami (vs. Raiders), Washington (vs. Giants), Seahawks (vs. Rams).
Kickers To Add: Brandon McManus, Nick Folk.
For more fantasy football analysis from Scott Engel, visit The Game Day during the 2023 fantasy football season.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' Week 10 win over the Commanders. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf arrive fashionably dressed for the Week 10 game against the visiting Washington Commanders.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner signs autographs for waiting 12s during early pregame.
Newly activated running back Kenny McIntosh strikes a pose during early pregame.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams makes his way through the Tunnel Club on his way to the field.
Seahawks receivers huddle during pregame.
Seahawks father-and-son assistant coaches Carl Smith and Tracy Smith chat on the field before the game.
Seahawks mascot "Blitz" poses with members of the United States military before the game.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon strikes a pose as he heads to the locker room after pregame warmups.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith sits alone at his locker before the game.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith makes his way from the locker room to the field for kickoff.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock makes his way past fans in the Tunnel Club on his way to the field for kickoff.
Seahawks mascot "Taima" leads the team out of the tunnel during pregame introductions.
Sergeant Major James Jenner carries the American flag on to the field for Salute to Service Day. Jenner is a Bronze Star recipient who has served multiple deployments during his 26-year military career, including Iraq, Kuwait, Europe and Bosnia
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan leads the team onto the field. Rhattigan is the team's 2023 Salute to Service Nominee.
Newly acquired defensive lineman Leonard Williams greets the 12s for his first home game as a Seahawk.
Military veterans who work at Lumen Field hold the flag aloft for the singing of the national anthem.
Seahawks captains Geno Smith, Bobby Wagner, Quandre Diggs and Nick Bellore watch the opening coin toss.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba reacts after gaining a first down.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith fires a pass over the middle.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III leaps thorugh a hole in the Commanders defense on his way to along run in the second quarter.
Head coach Pete Carroll talks with officials at the end of the first half.
Members of all four branches of the U.S. military competed in a "Battle of the Branches" obstacle course at halftime.
Head coach Pete Carroll talks to his team at halftime in the team's locker room.
Seahawks edge Boye Mafe records a sack in the third quarter, setting a team record for most consecutive games with a sack.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III sneaks a peek at the video board in the south end zone looking for pursuing defenders as he breaks free up the right sideline.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III flips into the end zone at the end of his 64-yard touchdown after catching a short pass from Geno Smith.
Members of the Seahawks defensive backfield pose after Devon Witherspoon forced a fumble which was recovered by Riq Woolen. Joining them are Artie Burns and Jerrick Reed.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett salutes in honor of both active military members and veterans after he scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett in the fourth quarter.
Receiver DK Metcalf keeps his balance and looks for more yardage on the final drive of the game which put the Seahawks into field goal range.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers and holder Michael Dickson watch Myers' field goal split the uprights as time expired, giving Seattle a 29-26 victory.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers reacts after making a 43-yard field goal to win the game as time expired.
In the locker room after the game, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll recognizes kicker Jason Myers, who made all five of his field goal attempts, including the game-winner as time expired.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers smiles as he talks to the media during the post-game press conference.
