The Week 11 matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears features a matchup that could be a lot closer than people think considering a certain future Hall of Fame quarterback will be sitting this one out. We've got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Denver Broncos
It has already been announced that quarterback Peyton Manning will sit out against the Bears thanks to a foot injury. That means Brock Osweiler will get the start. The fact that his experience in the NFL is limited means the Broncos may use the running game more than usual in Week 11. Fantasy owners of running back Ronnie Hillman should benefit. He's not exactly a fantasy workhorse, but Hillman did manage 13 touches against the Kansas City Chiefs last week and found the end zone on the ground for the fifth time this season. The Bears are relatively generous to running games, so maybe he's got some upside in the immediate future.
When it comes to the passing game, Emmanuel Sanders should be the team's most reliable target. He was held without a catch last week against Kansas City, but that was more a byproduct of the starting quarterback's awful day. Most people don't doubt that the backup quarterback will need a safety valve this week, and it will likely come in the form of quick slants to the slot receiver, which just happens to be Mr. Sanders.
Chicago Bears
Following three straight monster performances, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery finally came crashing back down to earth against the St. Louis Rams last week. He caught just three passes in the game for 23 yards. He should fare much better against the Denver Broncos, although the Broncos have only allowed one receiver to cross the 100-yard mark or score a touchdown this year. Perhaps if the opposing team's offense sputters with Peyton Manning on the sidelines, Jeffery can wear out a tired defense in the second half of the game.
Jay Cutler is probably hoping for the same thing. Nobody has given up fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks this season and the Denver Broncos, so if Cutler is going to follow up on his outstanding numbers last week, he's going to need Lady Luck on his side. Throwing for more than the 258 yards and three touchdowns he totaled last week is going to be a tall order against a stout defense. Hopefully for the sake of his fantasy owners, Cutler finds a way to beat the odds.
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SB Nation presents: NFL Week 11 start/sit fantasy advice