The Loop Fantasy Football Report Week 11: It’s time to prepare for bye week blitz

It’s not exactly Easter in Miami, but the Dolphins’ mighty offense might be experiencing a resurrection. Tua Tagovailoa and Odell Beckham Jr. are back on the field, and the Dolphins salvaged their playoff hopes by upsetting the Rams on Monday night at SoFi. Because of Miami’s favorable schedule over the next four weeks, those two […]

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Nov 13, 2024 - 15:23

The Loop Fantasy Football Report Week 11: It’s time to prepare for bye week blitz

It’s not exactly Easter in Miami, but the Dolphins’ mighty offense might be experiencing a resurrection.

Tua Tagovailoa and Odell Beckham Jr. are back on the field, and the Dolphins salvaged their playoff hopes by upsetting the Rams on Monday night at SoFi. Because of Miami’s favorable schedule over the next four weeks, those two will be highly coveted on the fantasy waiver wires.

That’s because half of the NFL’s 32 teams have a bye over the next four weeks:

Week 11: Cardinals, Buccaneers, Giants, Panthers

Week 12: Bills, Falcons, Bengals, Jaguars, Jets, Saints

Week 14: Ravens, Texans, Commanders, Broncos, Colts, Patriots

The time to act is now. Here are other folks still on many waiver wires that are well worth grabbing and stashing on your roster:

Jaylen Warren (Steelers RB): Pittsburgh’s most talented running back has been mostly injured this season, and he has yet to reach the end zone. But he is fresh and could bust out in the next month. He had 16 touches for 95 yards last Sunday, and his workload will grow.

Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during the second half against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs RB): Kansas City’s No. 1 back broke his leg in Week 2 and was thought done for 2024. But no! He’s set to return to practice this week and could be playing in a few weeks. Could be a late, league-winning pickup for those who haven’t forgotten him.

Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Russell Wilson (Steelers QB): The stench of his past couple seasons has cleared for the still-likely future hall of famer. In three games as starter he has 737 passing yards, six TD passes and a touchdown run. And he sees Cleveland twice in the next four weeks.

Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes in the fourth quarter of a game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Bo NIx (Broncos QB): He’s clearly the runner-up for rookie quarterback of the year. Ten touchdown passes and four TD runs have gotten Denver into surprising playoff contention. And the next four weeks have no daunting defenses to slow him down.

Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos passes during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Demarcus Robinson (Rams WR): The veteran was mostly quiet against Miami, but he had a pair of TD catches in each of the two preceding games. He has earned Matthew Stafford’s trust and will be lightly covered now that Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are back in the lineup.

Demarcus Robinson #15 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Nov. 03, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Saints WR): The former Packer mostly sat on the bench in Buffalo before landing in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. But he had 109 yards and two TDs last week for the injury-riddled Saints, and he could be Derek Carr’s favorite from here out.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling #10 of the New Orleans Saints catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome on Nov. 10, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ella Hall/Getty Images)

Sitting stars

Dallas is dead, and with it, CeeDee Lamb’s status as a top five receiver. Houston will keep him in check. … Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris is starting to wear down, and he’ll look worse against Baltimore’s defense. … The Vikings will smother Tennessee RB Tony Pollard. … The Bears’ offense is such a mess that you should probably skip RB DeAndre Swift and WR D.J. Moore vs. Green Bay. … Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins has cooled off and will chill even more against Denver. … And forget about a nice homecoming for Cleveland QB Jameis Winston in New Orleans.

CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a catch during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Matchup game

Everyone runs through the Jets’ defense, as will Colts RB Jonathan Taylor on Sunday. … Cincinnati RB Joe Mixon will heat up again against lowly Dallas. … San Fran receiver Deebo Samuel is also getting warm and has a nice matchup against Seattle. … The Dolphins should roll through Las Vegas, led by their sneaky-best pass catcher this year: tight end Jonnu Smith. … Chargers QB Justin Herbert is back and will shine against a Cincy defense that is not back. … And Patriots QB Drake Maye will take another step forward against the Rams.

Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts carries the ball against Cam Lewis #39 of the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Injury watch

It’s a relatively healthy week, with only Panthers RB Miles Sanders and Bills WR Keon Coleman being ruled out. The early questionables are Vikings RB Aaron Jones, Washington RB Brian Robinson Jr., Jaguars RB Tank Bigsby, Houston WR Nico Collins, Bengals WR Tee Higgins, Seattle wideout D.K. Metcalf, Philly WR Devonta Smith, Buffalo WR Amari Cooper, Colts WR Michael Pittman, 49ers TE George Kittle, Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid, Philly TE Dallas Goedert and Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 12: Miles Sanders #6 and Jonathan Mingo #15 of the Carolina Panthers react following a preseason game against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) — CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 12: Miles Sanders #6 and Jonathan Mingo #15 of the Carolina Panthers react following a preseason game against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Deepest sleeper

His name makes you think of a Bond villain, but Broncos running back Audric Estime has emerged as a fantasy factor for the season’s final eight weeks. The rookie from Notre Dame appears to have bypassed Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin as the Broncos’ No. 1 back. He rushed 14 times for 53 yards in Denver’s near-upset of unbeaten Kansas City last Sunday, and Estime looks like he’s becoming a Sean Payton favorite.

Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime (23) is chased by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos, 16-14. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

The Thursday pick

Commanders at Eagles (-3½):
Pick: Eagles by 7

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) carries the ball for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.