Start 'Em, Sit 'Em D/STs: Week 11 fantasy football

Fantasy football is an imaginary game with real-life implications. While the players on NFL teams out of a playoff spot can choose to make business decisions to ensure they don't miss an island vacation, fantasy managers don't have that luxury. More often than not, there is no No. 1 draft pick prize attached to a season of mediocrity.

Instead it often comes with shame and punishment for finishing at the bottom of the standings. Whether that's doing some humiliating forfeit or a variety of other factors, no one wants to finish last, not even the nice guys.

Start or sit decisions become key for that very reason. With the Cardinals, Panthers, Giants and Buccaneers on bye this week, picking the best possible option of those remaining 28 teams is important. After all, no one wants to spend 24 hours in a McDonald's eating endless Big Macs to shave some time off your stay in Ronald's house. Here's a look at four defenses to start and four that are worth sitting in Week 11.

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Fantasy football start 'em: Week 11 D/STs

Detroit Lions (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

At this point in the season, you have to take the layups. The Jaguars are a bad team. The Lions are a good team. The Jaguars starting Mac Jones. That pretty much tells the entire story. If you don't want the Reader's Digest version, Jacksonville was only able to muster seven points without Trevor Lawrence under center while Jones tossed two interceptions and lost a fumble.

Detroit boasts a top-10 fantasy defense and their newest pass-rusher, Za'Darius Smith, could make his debut. Don't overthink it.

Green Bay Packers (at Chicago Bears)

The Packers might not have an official ownership stake in the Bears, but someone should check to see if they have an alias that does. Green Bay should ultimately walk away with another win to stretch their winning streak over Chicago to 11, but they'll look to continue another trend for their rivals. The Bears haven't scored a touchdown in two games. Roschon Johnson's fourth quarter touchdown run against the Commanders is the last time they found pay dirt.

That was enough for Shane Waldron to finally get the axe after just nine games, leaving Thomas Brown as the interim offensive coordinator. Brown is familiar with bad offenses, having coached the Carolina Panthers in 2023 following Frank Reich's decision to give up play-calling. It's doubtful that the Bears improve dramatically in a short amount of time, especially since Caleb Williams' struggles are the biggest reason for Waldron's dismissal. This is a mismatch both in real life and fantasy.

Minnesota Vikings (at Tennessee Titans)

Will Levis is back and fantasy managers must be salivating at this matchup. The Vikings own the top fantasy defense, averaging around 12 points per game. Levis has proven to be a meme machine, consistently committing some of the most mind-numbing turnovers on a weekly basis. While that wasn't the case in Week 10, there is always a chance for the Titans to help their opponent's defense turn in a great fantasy score. Trust Minnesota's top fantasy unit and live with the results against one of the NFL's bottom-feeders.

Miami Dolphins (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

The Dolphins got their mojo back in Hollywood with a big win over the Rams. While Matthew Stafford and the L.A. offensive line are to thank for most of that, there's no reason to believe Miami can't do it again at home. They're facing the lowly Raiders off a bye and are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Vegas fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and will now debut Scott Turner as the OC on Sunday. Regardless, the lack of talent is still present and it doesn't matter whether they opt to start Gardner Minshew or Desmond Ridder. The Raiders are a team to target and that makes the Dolphins a streaming candidate in Week 11.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 11 D/STs

Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

The Steelers find themselves on the wrong side of the fantasy spectrum once again, landing in sit territory. They were serviceable against the Commanders, but did give up 27 points. Three sacks and a fumble saved the day for Pittsburgh's fantasy score, but the Ravens high-powered offense is rested and healthy heading into Week 11.

With no shortage of weapons to defend, this is easily the toughest task for the Steelers in 2024. Mike Tomlin has some good history against the Ravens as of late, but his defense should remain on the bench if you can.

Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

From one Harbaugh to another, Jim Harbaugh's Chargers are looking to continue a surprisingly successful season under the lights on "Sunday Night Football." The bolts are still holding opponents to a league-low 13.1 points per game, but there is reason for concern. While they haven't allowed more than 20 points in a game yet this season, the schedule has been very soft. L.A. is feasting on lesser opponents, with only three of their nine games coming against teams above .500.

That's not to say that the Chargers aren't a good team, but maybe it's a sign we should pump the brakes a bit. The Bengals are fighting for their playoff lives and bring a red-hot offense to the City of Angels. Cincinnati is averaging 37.5 points per game over their last two, indicating we shouldn't stand in the way of this buzzsaw.

Chicago Bears (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Chicago's bad offense makes their defense one to avoid as well. While the unit has been respectable thus far, an offense that can't score points is going to put a strain on a defense's ability to hold up. The Packers season has felt somewhat cursed ever since Jordan Love's injury in Week 1, but a matchup with the Bears is always a good way to right the ship. History says you want to be on Green Bay's side.

New York Jets (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

It's tempting, but don't do it. The Colts admitted defeat on the Joe Flacco experiment and are handing the keys back to Anthony Richardson. Indianapolis' second-year quarterback has struggled to throw the ball, which happens to be important for someone playing that position. Richardson is completing a league-worst 44.4% of passes this season, but still possesses game-breaking rushing ability. It remains to be seen whether his two weeks on the sideline changes anything. However, the Jets have fostered a reputation of being a get-right game for opponents over the last decade and that is still the case in 2024. Don't be surprised if the former Gator lights up the MetLife Stadium skies.

The Jets have seemingly quit on the season and their defense essentially indicated that against the Cardinals in Week 10. It's hard to believe things have gone this far south for New York, but "Gang Green" is always finding a new rock bottom. Fantasy football makes it easy to play narratives and big names even when everything says to pivot away. That's why we're here to tell you that the Jets are not the team, or the defense, many thought they'd be. Another lifeless effort can't be ruled out. In fact, it should probably be expected.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 11

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Kickers are people, too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your fantasy team in Week 11.

→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 11.

→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 11 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 11.

→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 11.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 11: 8 D/STs to start or sit