Fantasy Football Frustrations: Week 11

Many fantasy football owners frustrations are boiling over and after what we experienced this week, it’s understandable.

This was a bad week for the NFL and fantasy football in a lot of ways. In fact, it was a historically bad week in some ways. Unfortunately, many owners were snake-bitten in a few different areas and now are on the brink of elimination from their playoffs.

If it’s any solace, the majority of owners are frustrated after a week like this. That probably doesn’t help too much as it doesn’t improve your record or outlook. But hey, a little commiseration never hurt anything.

Here are some of the biggest and most frustrating misfortunes of Week 11 for fantasy owners.

Brees’ Unlikely TD Targets

Well, the frustrations started early this week as owners were losing their minds on Thursday Night Football. The New Orleans Saints were going up against the Carolina Panthers and their horrendous secondary. What did that mean? Start your Saints wide receivers! The rookie Michael Thomas? Throw him in. Former first-round pick Brandin Cooks? Duh. Willie Snead? Sure, why not?

So of course, what happens?

Drew Brees goes out and throws a 9-yard touchdown to a wide receiver who wasn’t one of those three guys. Instead, he threw it to Brandon Coleman, who came into the game averaging just two receptions per game. After that, Brees threw a 8-yard touchdown to free-agent bust Coby Fleener, who ranks fourth on the team in receptions and who hadn’t caught a touchdown since Week 5.

At that point, we all should have known it was going to be, “one of those weeks”.

Robert Turbin Plays the Vulture

Frank Gore has been playing well this year and exceeded many people’s expectations at 33 years old. He totaled 121 yards against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and, most times, owners would be more than okay for that.

But not this time.

In the first quarter Gore had an opportunity to score a touchdown on first and goal from the Titans 1-yard line but he was held for no gain. Okay, no big deal. Give it to him again on second down and he’ll punch it in. Instead, the Colts backup running back, Robert Turbin, lined up as a fullback and he’s the one who punched it in for a one-yard touchdown. Turbin only averages two carries a game, but too bad for Gore owners as this one happened to be a touchdown.

Injuries Everywhere

There were so many injuries this week to significant fantasy players, it was mind-boggiling. A.J. Green owners rely on their stud WR1 to get them a lot of points every week. This week, he got you a zero spot because he was injured on the Bengals second offensive play of the game and did not return.

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy was having a nice day and even scored a touchdown. Yet, he missed the entire second-half of the game with a dislocated thumb. Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller was also having a nice day and he too managed to score a touchdown. However, he missed the entire second-half of his game with a broken foot.

Let’s not forget about Mark Ingram who was injured on Thursday Night Football after a 13-yard run in a third quarter and did not return. Players like Darren Sproles, Ryan Mathews and Robert Woods were also some players who were forced from their games and did not return.

Ware’s the End Zone?

With about three minutes left in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs game, Spencer Ware owners were licking their chops. It was first down on the Buccaneers 2-yard line and Kansas City had the ball. Ware got the ball on first down and ran for only a one-yard gain. He didn’t get in the end zone so that hurts. But hey, it was second down, so he’d get another crack at it.