Let’s kick off Week 11 of the NFL season with a bang!
This Thursday night we will see a duel of the NFC East, featuring the Washington Commanders squaring off against the Philadelphia Eagles. As both teams are vying for the division title, this game will be pivotal in that hunt. The Commanders currently hold a 7-3 record and the Eagles with 7-2. Coming off a tough Week 9 loss 27-28 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Commanders are looking to rally in this fight. On the other side, the Eagles just whomped the Dallas Cowboys 34-6. Will they be able to hold on to that kind of dominance?
Meeting of Elite Quarterbacks
In this game, we will see a meeting of two elite quarterbacks right now in the NFL. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is the QB2 on the season so far, averaging 23.9 fantasy points per game. Nothing to snooze at, rookie Jayden Daniels with the Commanders is currently sitting at QB6 and averaging 18.8 fantasy points per game. Unfortunately last week, the Steelers had his number, and Daniels took a dip in fantasy production. Only giving fantasy managers 8.6 fantasy points, Daniels also had his lowest completion percentage of the season at 50%. He only completed 17 out of his 34 passing attempts. From facing the second-toughest defense when it comes to allowing fantasy points, Daniels is now going to battle against the fourth-toughest. In this short turnaround to Thursday, Daniels will need to get ready to fight.
On the other side of the ball, Hurts has improved in his production since the beginning of the season. After the first four games, Hurts’ quarterback passer rater went from the mid-80s to way over 100. In Week 10, he had a passer rating of 115. Across his last three games (Weeks 8-10), Hurts has averaged 222.6 passing yards, 53.3 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. He is proving to be dynamic and a force to be reckoned with. With that being said, one of my favorite Tootsie’s Picks for TNF is Jalen Hurts: MORE than 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs.
Eagles Big-time Playmakers
Aiding Jalen Hurts with his fantasy production of being the QB2 is the arsenal of offensive weapons he has at his disposal. Star receiver A.J. Brown has contended with injury this season but still has averaged 16.9 fantasy points per game. His counterpart in the receiving room, Devonta Smith, is averaging 13.7 points. In the backfield, pummeling the ground, has been new addition to the Eagles this season, Saquon Barkley. Barkley is currently the RB4, and so far this season has rushed for 991 yards, had 158 receiving yards, and saw a total of eight touchdowns. The Commanders’ defense is the fifth-easiest in giving up rushing yards to the running back position, so Barkley is going to feast this Thursday.
Rounding out the Eagles offense is tight end Dallas Goedert. Though he’s only played six games this season due to injury, Goedert is averaging 10.8 fantasy points. With a position as volatile as the tight end this season, Goedert is a serviceable option to plug in this week. Due to the bye, fantasy managers who roster Trey McBride or Cade Otton may be looking for a streaming option, and they can find that in Goedert.
Commanders Big-Time Playmakers
Flipping over to the Commanders playmakers, this has been a rebound year for wide receiver Terry McLaurin, also known as “Scary Terry.” Coming into Week 11, McLaurin is currently the WR6 and is averaging 15.4 fantasy points per game. Having 711 receiving yards and six touchdowns, McLaurin is on track to surpass his stats from 2023. Over that entire season, he only had five total touchdowns and 1,002 receiving yards. This season isn’t over. The difference maker for 2024 has been the connection McLaurin has with his quarterback Daniels and the plays orchestrated by new head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. With the Commanders needing to be explosive in this game, my next favorite Tootsie’s Picks for TNF is Terry McLaurin: MORE than 62.5 Receiving yards. The over has hit five out of ten times this season, so I’m smashing this pick.
Outside of McLaurin, notable receiving options for Daniels include tight end Zach Ertz and receiver Noah Brown. Ertz is sitting at TE12 on the season and averaging 8.1 fantasy points per game. That being said, the Philadelphia defense is third-toughest in allowing fantasy points to the tight end position, only giving up 7.58 fantasy points on average. It may be best to bench Ertz this week if you have a better option to start at tight end. Over the last three games, receiver Noah Brown has gotten six or more targets and is averaging 11.2 fantasy points per game. Brown has been showing flashes and could be considered a deep flex option this week.
Commanders Backfield
Serving up the backfield for the Commanders have been running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. Both of these players have contended with injuries this season. Though he’s only played seven games, Robinson Jr (WR31) is averaging 14.1 fantasy points per game and has six touchdowns on the season. Robinson can be considered a solid RB2 this week or flex option. Being a dual threat with both rushing and receiving, Ekeler (WR27) currently averages 11.7 fantasy points per game. Though he holds less fantasy value, Ekeler adds to the weapons Daniels has and adds strength to the Commanders offense.
Who Will Come Out on Top
Thursday night game will be a heater for the two NFC East teams. With a point total set at 48.5, this is expected to be an action-packed night. We have two elite quarterbacks, one rookie and one veteran, and a field full of big-time playmakers. Daniels, coming off of a close loss, will need to come out guns blazing to finish the night ahead. Though the Eagles are favored to win at -180, there is no reason Daniels and the Commanders can’t flip that script.
Anticipating a big McLaurin night with a lot of passing, my last Tootsie’s Picks for TNF to highlight is Jayden Daniels: LESS than 41.5 Rush Yards. Comparable players versus the Eagles have hit the under of their respective props five out of nine times. To drive this point further home, the Eagles defense has only given up an average of 11.6 rushing yards to the quarterback position. Daniels will be needing to use his arm, not his legs, for this spicy matchup.
We shall see which team will rise to the occasion and top the NFC East division after Thursday night. Get your fantasy teams set, build your DFS lineups, and place your prop bets. Week 11 is here. Let’s go.
Here are my favorite Tootsie’s Picks for TNF Week 11 placed on PrizePicks!
