With all 32 teams playing this week (no more byes!) there's a lot to cover, so let's get right to the recommended pickups for Week 11.
Tyler Thigpen, QB, Chiefs. It's time to stop thinking that Thigpen "just had a good game" or that it was a "just a good matchup" and to recognize that Thigpen is a good quarterback. With three good targets in the passing game (Tony Gonzalez, Dwayne Bowe, and Mark Bradley), a favorable schedule, and a poor Chiefs defense, it's not crazy to think that Thigpen can keep performing like the top fantasy quarterback that he's been over the past three weeks.
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks. The Seahawks have already declared Hasselbeck their starter for this Sunday against the Cardinals after missing five games. The fact that the announcement came so early in the week bodes well, as it suggests that Hasselbeck is healthy. Playing against the high-flying Cardinals, who will put points on the board, expect Hasselbeck to throw early and often this week.
Brady Quinn, QB, Browns. It was just one game and the Broncos have one of the worst defenses in the league, but it would be very surprised if Quinn does not duplicate his line of 239 yards and two touchdowns the next two games (against the Bills and Texans). If you're skeptical based on the Bills' record or season stats, don't be. The Bills have cooled after a hot start, giving Quinn a better matchup than Brett Favre and Matt Cassel.
Shaun Hill, QB, 49ers. J.T. who? Hill's performance on Monday night makes you wonder why it took the Niners so long to make this switch.
Ladell Betts, RB, Redskins. Clinton Portis has been a beast all season, but the workload is finally catching up to him. If he is inactive this week, Betts makes for a sneaky start on a conservative, run-first offense. Don't count on Shaun Alexander unless Portis and Betts are both out, and even then, temper your expectations.
Mark Bradley, WR, Chiefs. Thigpen and Bradley are better than you think. Bradley received a lot of targets. Sure, the coverage on Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez may have had something to do with it, but if you only watched that game, you'd think that Bradley was Thigpen's favorite target and the Chiefs' best option in the passing game.
Bobby Engram, WR, and Deion Branch, WR, Seahawks. What's the difference between Seneca Wallace and Matt Hasselbeck? With Wallace under center, Engram and Branch belong on waivers in most leagues. With Hasselbeck at the helm, Engram and Branch (who seems to have recovered from a lingering heel injury) are flex options. You want to give Branch a week to prove he's healthy, but expect Engram to get plenty of targets this week as Seattle tries to keep pace with Arizona.
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Josh Morgan, WR, and Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers. Morgan and Davis were recommended in this space last week because of their chemistry with Shaun Hill. They both scored in their first game with him under center and should continue to flourish under Hill.
Kellen Winslow, TE, Browns. In the past few weeks, many of you have contemplated cutting Winslow. Don't do it. The quarterback change to Quinn clearly helped him, as Winslow was repeatedly targeted on short and intermediate routes. Against a Bills defense that has been getting destroyed by those same routes, Winslow is a must-play this week, even for leagues that treat tight ends as receivers.
Tony Scheffler, TE, Broncos. The Broncos' terrible defense, coupled with their woes at running back, are going to force them to throw more than every NFL team except maybe the Saints. Scheffler seems to be getting healthy, so in this offense, consider him a "must-add" if he's available in your league.
Billy Miller, TE, Saints. Miller was recommended here a couple of times when Shockey was hurt, but this time there's more to it than that. Plain and simple, Miller has been playing better than Shockey. Although the Saints did not seem to want to admit it (characterizing Shockey's fourth-quarter benching last week as an "ankle injury"), it doesn't really matter why Miller is playing -- he's been playing, and playing well. On a Saints offense that throws all game long, Miller is a useful tight end even if he splits time with Shockey.
Mark Stopa is writer for RotoWire. For more information, check out rotowire.com.
