With the fantasy football playoffs approaching, every lineup decision becomes critical to your championship aspirations. This comprehensive Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet provides the data-driven insights you need to make winning decisions in Week 11, covering everything from quarterback start/sit recommendations to defensive sleepers and playoff preview analysis.
Whether you’re setting season-long lineups, building DFS rosters, or weighing prop bets, our breakdown of every positional advantage across all 32 teams gives you the edge for Week 11 fantasy football.
What Is a Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet?
A Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet is your all-in-one tool for quick, data-driven lineup decisions. The Dynasty Nerds Week 11 Matchup Chart reveals DFS, prop bet, and start/sit edges in seconds—no scrolling, no guessing. This powerful resource shows how each team performs versus positional averages, revealing matchup advantages and weak spots at a glance.
Here’s how to use it in three simple steps:
- Find your player’s team in the first column
- Follow that row to your player’s position (QB, RB, WR, TE, K, or DST)
- Check the percentage showing how much better or worse they’re expected to perform this week versus their norm
Positive percentages (green) mean a team’s opponent allows more fantasy points than average to that position. Negative percentages (red) mean the defense limits that position’s scoring. The higher or lower the number, the stronger the effect.
Quarterback Matchups: Top Plays & Fades
Favorable QB Matchups
| Player | Matchup Advantage | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Geno Smith | +40% | High-risk, high-reward QB2 against Cowboys |
| Justin Herbert | 2nd best | Prime rebound opportunity against Jacksonville |
| Jordan Love | +31% | Solid starter despite unremarkable overall matchup |
Justin Herbert ($34) gets a prime opportunity to rebound against Jacksonville, who’s surrendered the second-most fantasy points to QBs since Week 7. Before his Week 10 dud, Herbert was the QB1 overall between Weeks 7-9, making him a confident start this week.
QB Matchups to Fade
| Player | Matchup Disadvantage | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Cam Ward | -41% | Borderline unstartable even in SuperFlex leagues |
| Baker Mayfield | -33% | Faces Buffalo’s top-ranked QB defense since Week 4 |
| Mac Jones | -26% | Low floor despite coming off a big week |
Baker Mayfield faces a significant challenge against a Buffalo defense that ranks first against quarterbacks since Week 4. While he bounced back with three touchdowns against New England before the bye, this matchup makes him a risky play despite his QB1 status this season.
Running Back Matchups: Workhorses & Benchwarmers
Favorable RB Matchups
| Player | Matchup Advantage | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Rico Dowdle | +43% | Lead back in Carolina when healthy; start with confidence |
| Jaylen Warren | +37% | Best rush share among top matchups; week-winning potential |
| Rachaad White | +36% | Locked into your lineup despite not earth-shattering production |
Jaylen Warren has by far the best rush share of the top three matchups this week and has the best shot at giving you a week-winning performance. His 37% matchup advantage makes him an excellent RB2 with RB1 upside.
RB Matchups to Fade
| Player | Matchup Disadvantage | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | -32% | Start due to volume but temper expectations |
| RJ Harvey | -31% | Gets volume with Dobbins out but limited upside |
| Tyrone Tracy | -29% | Struggled in good matchup; avoid in tough spot |
RJ Harvey ranks second-to-last this week with a -31% matchup disadvantage. Despite this, you can start J.K. Dobbins this week, as he is expected to receive the majority of the rushing work. Just don’t expect a breakout performance in this difficult matchup.
Wide Receiver Matchups: Targets & Fades
Favorable WR Matchups
| Player | Matchup Advantage | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Jefferson | +34% | Ideal buy-high opportunity with playoff stretch coming |
| Rome Odunze | +24% | Coming off big week; could see increased targets with Moore banged up |
| Ja’Marr Chase | +23% | Automatic starter every week regardless of matchup |
Justin Jefferson leads the league this week with a 34% matchup advantage. Despite coming off less productive performances, he faces a favorable playoff stretch against the Cowboys, Giants, and Lions, making him an excellent buy-high candidate for the fantasy stretch run.
WR Matchups to Fade
| Player | Matchup Disadvantage | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Stefon Diggs | -25% | Implied game script not in his favor; low-end WR2 |
| Chimere Dike | -22% | Avoid with Calvin Ridley’s possible return |
| Rashee Rice | -20% | Start due to elite target share despite poor matchup |
Stefon Diggs ranks last with a matchup of -25%. The implied game script is not in his favor, and you shouldn’t see him as anything more than a low-end WR2 this week. While his talent keeps him in lineups, expectations should be tempered.
Tight End Matchups: Streaming Options & Fades
Favorable TE Matchups
| Player | Matchup Advantage | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Oronde Gadsden | +69% | Fantastic target share; locked-in starter this week |
| AJ Barner | +38% | Fluky targets but favorable matchup |
| Brock Bowers | +34% | Can’t expect Week 9 repeat but better chance this week |
Oronde Gadsden gets a very nice matchup of 69% this week. His target share has been fantastic, so despite coming off a disappointing performance, he should be locked in this week. Dynasty managers might consider throwing a later-round pick to acquire him as a buy-low opportunity.
TE Matchups to Fade
| Player | Matchup Disadvantage | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Cade Otton | -49% | Volume makes him TE1 but tough matchup |
| Sam LaPorta | -47% | Elite target share means you start him anyway |
| Johnny Mundt | -43% | Leave on waivers even in good matchups |
While Cade Otton has the worst matchup of the week at TE with -49%, his consistent volume makes him a locked-in TE1 week in and week out. This illustrates an important fantasy principle: sometimes talent and opportunity trump matchup concerns, especially at the tight end position.
IDP Insights: Top Defensive Plays
Individual Defensive Players (IDP) can be the difference in specialty leagues. Here are the top Week 11 recommendations:
Defensive Line Starts
- Micah Parsons | Packers: Facing Giants who have allowed 3.1 sacks per game this season
- Bryce Huff | 49ers: Returning to full health against Cardinals O-line allowing 5.3 sacks per game over last 3
Linebacker Starts
- Teddye Buchanan | Ravens: Consistent production (6+ tackles in all but one game) against Browns O allowing 18.6 LB tackles per game
- Dre Greenlaw | Broncos: Moving to LB1 role with Singleton out; Chiefs allow 20.3 tackles per game to LBs
Defensive Back Starts
- Jalen Thompson | Cardinals: Facing 49ers, who are the only team to allow 160 tackles to DB position
- Josh Metellus | Vikings: Strong history against Bears (8 tackles per game over last 5 meetings)
Advanced Analysis: WR Playoff Matchup Preview
Looking ahead to the fantasy playoffs, advanced metrics reveal which receivers have the most favorable schedules when your season is on the line.
Favorable Playoff Matchups
- Justin Jefferson: Faces Cowboys, Giants, and Lions—a perfect buy-high opportunity
- Eagles receivers (A.J. Brown & DeVonta Smith): Get Raiders and Commanders before potential shootout with Bills
- Packers receivers: Benefit from facing defenses vulnerable to their coverage strengths
Unfavorable Playoff Matchups
- Marvin Harrison Jr.: Tough path through Texans’ and Falcons’ stingy secondaries
- DK Metcalf: Concerns vs zone-heavy playoff defenses given below-average win rate vs zone
- Emeka Egbuka: Faces three top-8 WR defenses that limit first-read opportunities
Coverage-Specific Matchups
- Good vs Man Coverage: Demario Douglas, Brian Thomas Jr., Romeo Doubs
- Good vs Zone Coverage: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Nico Collins, Keenan Allen
- Poor vs Zone Coverage: Christian Kirk, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Stefon Diggs
Bottom Line
This Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet provides the essential data you need for Week 11 lineup decisions, but remember these key principles:
- Matchups aren’t everything: Elite players like Sam LaPorta remain must-starts despite poor matchups due to volume
- Context matters: RJ Harvey’s tough matchup is offset by increased opportunity with Dobbins out
- Look ahead: Use advanced stats to prepare for the fantasy playoffs with strategic acquisitions
Whether you’re fighting for a playoff spot or positioning for a bye, this comprehensive Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet gives you the tools to make informed decisions across all formats. Check back weekly for updated matchup charts, and may your flex decisions be wise and your stacks productive


