Week 11 of the 2024 NFL season kicks off on Thursday night with the 7-2 Philadelphia Eagles hosting the 7-3 Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.
Ahead of this highly anticipated NFC East showdown, who are the best players to plug in your DFS lineup? Using DraftKings’ prices, let’s build a fantasy football lineup that could win big on Thursday!
Week 11 TNF DFS Picks
- CAPTAIN: Saquon Barkley, $15,900
- FLEX: A.J. Brown, $10,000
- FLEX: DeVonta Smith, $8,600
- FLEX: Zach Ertz, $5,600
- FLEX: Jake Elliott, $5,200
- FLEX: Eagles DST, $4,400
DFS Strategy: Captain Saquon Barkley Leads the Way
Saquon Barkley has been a perfect fit in the Eagles’ offense. He’s currently the overall RB3 in fantasy football, averaging 20.7 PPR points per game.
Barkley’s 991 rushing yards are second most in the NFL behind only Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry (1,120). Also, his eight total touchdowns rank fourth among running backs, trailing only Henry (14), Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams (10), and Buffalo Bills RB James Cook (nine).
The Commanders are allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game to running backs (116.8) and the seventh-most rushing touchdowns per game to the position (0.9), so Barkley has a chance to have a monster performance on Thursday night.
Selecting Both Eagles Star Wide Receivers
Both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith could light up this Washington secondary. After all, the Commanders are allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers (21.0) in large part because they are giving up the fifth-most receiving touchdowns per game to the position (1.2).
This season, Brown has caught 28 passes for 553 yards and three touchdowns in just six games. Meanwhile, Smith has racked up 37 receptions, 487 yards, and four touchdowns through eight contests.
OH MY DEVONTA. ON 3RD AND 22. UNBELIEVABLE CATCH.
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/N2wD3Nlfxf— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
While our recommended lineup is certainly quite Eagles-heavy, Brown and Smith have the best matchup among the pricey options.
Commanders running backs Brian Robinson Jr. ($8,200) or Austin Ekeler ($8,000) might seem appealing at first glance, but the Eagles are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs (11.11) this season. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is expensive ($10,400) and Philly is giving up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs (14.0).
Zach Ertz As a Bargain Option
The Eagles have also been very good at slowing down tight ends this season, allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to the position (2.7). Philly hasn’t allowed a single tight end to score a touchdown this season. So, why are we inserting Zach Ertz into our lineup?
Well, it’s worth noting that they have faced a very easy schedule when it comes to opposing tight ends. Solid tight ends who have a significant role in their respective offense have produced decent numbers against the Eagles.
- Mike Gesicki: 7 receptions, 73 yards (12.3 PPR points)
- Evan Engram: 5 receptions, 45 yards (11.5 PPR points)
- Cade Otton: 6 receptions, 52 yards (11.2 PPR points)
- David Njoku: 5 receptions, 31 yards (8.1 PPR points)
Ertz is essentially the Commanders’ WR2, as he ranks second on the team in receptions (37), targets (54), receiving yards (381), and receiving touchdowns (one, tied with four others). This season, Ertz has 37 receptions (eighth most among tight ends) and 381 yards (ninth most among TEs).
Daniels and Ertz clearly have chemistry, and even if he doesn’t get in the end zone on Thursday night, he should be able to catch enough passes and rack up enough yards to return value on his $5,600 price tag.