Fanspeak Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Pick Ups Week 11

By Staff Writer Ryan Gerrity @RyanGerrity:

The Injury bug is out again with Jay Cutler out, Aaron Rodgers out, Mike James out, and then you have Jake Locker out for the year.  This week’s waiver wire is critical for all fantasy football owners because it is the final stretch before the playoffs start in a couple of weeks.  Be sure to look at matchups because at this point in the season, you may have to scratch the bottom of the waiver wire.
1. Matt Flynn, QB, Green Bay Packers
Flynn has made his return home to the Packers where he was once Aaron Rodgers back up.  His elbow is not 100% but Flynn played well with the Packers and he should be able to pick up the offense pretty quickly.

2. Brian Leonard and Bobby Rainey, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With rookie running back Mike James out indefinitely, Leonard got most of the carries on Monday night.  However, Rainey scored a touchdown and had more fantasy points.  I would lean towards Leonard because he is more experienced and will get more carries, but Rainey is the “change of pace” running back now and has the ability to break off big runs.

3. Rishard Matthews, WR, Miami Dolphins
Matthews, a former college teammate of Colin Kaepernick, took the NFL by storm this week with 11 receptions, for 120 yards, and 2 touchdowns.  He is a definite waiver wire priority for any owner because the targets of Mike Wallace, and Brian Hartline have both decreased over the past couple of weeks.

4. Andre Brown, RB, New York Giants
Brown surprisingly is only owned in about 25% of fantasy leagues right now, but that number will rise this week.  After carrying the ball 30 times, for 115 yards, and a touchdown against the Raiders, the Giants may have found their answer to the miserable running game they have had.  Kevin Gilbride, the offensive coordinator for the Giants, should continue to get the ball into Brown’s hands this week against the Packers.

5. New York Giants D/ST
The Giants defense the past three weeks have improved dramatically because they have been getting pressure on the quarterback.  This week the Giants play the Packers who have Matt Flynn starting after acquiring him this week.  Flynn is not 100% and if the Giants put pressure on him, he should make some bad decisions.

6. Arizona Cardinals D/ST
The Cardinals are owned in about 30% of fantasy leagues right now, even though they have been playing very well.  The reason they are on the list for waiver wire pick ups this week is because of their matchup in week 11, which is the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The Cardinals front seven will put pressure on the Chad Henne, and the secondary of the Cardinals is one of the most athletic in the league and will make some big plays.

7. Josh McCown, QB, Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler has been out with a groin injury, and McCown took his place and showed he can move the Bears offense, and get the ball to his receivers.  Now with Cutler out again this week, enter McCown again. It also helps him that he can throw the ball to Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey, who have been very productive even without Jay Cutler.