Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 11: Anthony Richardson, Josh Downs | Sporting News

The Indianapolis Colts (4-6) are on the road to face the New York Jets (3-7) in Week 11. 

This is a crucial matchup for both franchises, who are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive heading into the season’s final seven weeks. There is a level of excitement for Indianapolis after switching back to Anthony Richardson as their starting quarterback going forward.

This is likely New York’s last chance to salvage their disaster of a season in Aaron Rodgers’ second season with the organization.

It will be interesting to see how Shane Steichen approaches his gameplan with AR back in the lineup. Will he lean into Jonathan Taylor to take the pressure off his young quarterback while using Richardson’s legs or does he try to take it to the air like he did too often in the first stint with him this season? 

Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Anthony Richardson

AR has easily been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy football this year but can he redeem himself and finish on a high note to end his Year 2? In Week 11 he is facing a New York defense that has allowed the 14th fewest PPG to quarterbacks this season per Pro Football Reference. 

In their last four games, they have allowed two quarterbacks to throw for at least 260 passing yards, which were Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray. In those contests, they have only given up three passing touchdowns but have allowed four rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks. 

On the ground is where Richardson could thrive on Sunday. Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, and Drake Maye combined for 85 rushing yards and four touchdowns against the Jets’ defense. Even C.J. Stroud, who isn’t known for his rushing ability ran for 59 yards against their defensive unit. 

New York is tied for the most rushing touchdowns (five) allowed to quarterbacks, which all came during their last five games. 

I don’t believe Richardson is playable over a proven quarterback but if you’re dealing with Murry or Baker Mayfield on a bye or play in a Superflex league, he is worth the roll of the dice because of the success quarterbacks have had on the ground against New York over the last month of football.

Verdict: Start ’Em

Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Josh Downs

With the return of AR back as the starting quarterback, there is a concern if his pass catchers are viable options for fantasy football lineups. The one Indy receiver who has been a consistent play is Josh Downs but there are reasons outside of having Richardson get him those targets he saw with Joe Flacco why you might want to hold him out in Week 11. 

One factor is that Michael Pittman Jr. is trending towards making his return after fully practicing this week so that is a player who will command his fair share of use in the passing attack. As well as rookie Adonai Mitchell, who is coming off his best game. 

He also is facing the New York defense who is tied for the third-fewest allowed PPG to wide receivers this season per Pro Football Reference. In their last four games, only two receivers finished over 55 receiving yards. Which were George Pickens and Tank Dell. 

Both went over 100 receiving yards but each was the top receiving option in their team’s passing attack. In those four contests, the Jets only allowed three touchdowns to receivers as well. 

Because of there being plenty of mouths to feed in Indy’s receiving corps, a tough matchup on paper, and that I believe Shane Steichen will lean into the rushing attack, I lean towards sitting Downs and seeing how this passing attack looks in Richardson’s return to action.   

Verdict: Sit ‘Em