With just two teams on bye, Week 11 was a crazy one, but overall not the highest scoring, despite some boom performances by the running backs, besides two wide receivers that surpassed 30 PPR points. Three tight ends went over 20 PPR points, while there was just one quarterback over 40 and one over 30 fantasy points; the rest were 21 and under points.
As Week 11 wraps up, fantasy managers are either celebrating unexpected heroes or lamenting underwhelming performances. Let’s break down the biggest surprises and disappointments from this week’s action in Week 11.
Surprises of Week 11
- Bryce Young (QB) and Tetairoa McMillan (WR), Carolina Panthers
Fantasy Points: 31.82 (Young) and 33 (McMillan)- PPR
Why It’s Surprising: Finally, the Tetairoa McMillan breakout week, as he was always on the cusp of 20 PPR points but never broke it, till now. In a big spot, he and Bryce Young smashed and were the top two at their respective positions for fantasy this week. Even against a “tough” Atlanta Falcons defense whose secondary has been hard to throw on, Young broke Cam Newton’s record for passing yards in a single game with the Panthers.
Fantasy Impact: Although Young suffered an injury, he came back in and is now on the radar as a streaming option on the waivers at quarterback (going against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night in Week 12).
McMillan is now a trusted wide receiver two starter who already had a high floor and now boasts a high ceiling that can be attainable with the Young-McMillan connection, which was finally displayed in Week 11.
- Michael Wilson (WR) Arizona Cardinals
Fantasy Points: 33.5 PPR
Why It’s Surprising: This came out of nowhere, as with Marvin Harrison Jr. out due to appendicitis, it looked like Jacoby Brissett would just feed Trey McBride. While he did, Michael Wilson achieved something Harrison Jr. never did: 18 targets and 15 catches for 185 yards and somehow no touchdowns, which is the most receiving yards out of any player this season in a single game. Brissett also completed an NFL record 47 passes out of 57 attempts against the 49ers in catch-up mode.
Fantasy Impact: If Harrison Jr. is out again against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12, Wilson has to be a start, but if he is in, he could be a flex consideration at the very least with the Cardinals passing so much.
- Bonus Surprises: Sean Tucker (RB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (34 PPR) and Kenneth Gainwell (RB) Pittsburgh Steelers (31 PPR)
Disappointments of Week 11
- Ja’Marr Chase (WR) and Joe Flacco (QB), Cincinnati Bengals
Fantasy Points: 6- PPR (Chase) and 9.86 (Flacco)
Why It’s Disappointing: Like their first matchup, this was supposed to be a shootout, but the Pittsburgh Steelers at home had other plans. Joe Flacco had his worst game, and Ja’Marr Chase had his second-worst outing this season, besides Week 1. Tee Higgins got the bulk of the receiving volume, and the Steelers locked down Chase, catching only 3 passes out of 10 targets. Higgins finished decently with a touchdown, but only caught 3 passes out of 8 targets for 63 yards, vs. Chase’s 30.
Fantasy Impact: With Joe Burrow coming back potentially in a week or two, this could be the end of Flacco’s starting reign for now, as they play the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens next. It will be interesting to see how the dynamic changes with Burrow back in with the passing volume, as Flacco was benefiting this offense prior to this game.
- Lamar Jackson (QB) Baltimore Ravens
Fantasy Points: 4.72
Why It’s Disappointing: This was by far his worst game this season, as Lamar Jackson has struggled against the Steelers and Cleveland Browns in the past, but not to this extent. He was shut down as a runner while they didn’t call for many scrambles and designed quarterback runs. This was the first game in 2025 where he did not throw for a touchdown, as it’s his second game this year with at least a turnover (had 2 interceptions tipped off the receiver’s hands).
Fantasy Impact: Expect him to bounce back against the New York Jets, as I expect Jackson to air it out early, like their matchup back in 2023, completing multiple deep passes for touchdowns.
- Bonus Busts: Justin Herbert (QB) 3.34, Ladd McConkey (WR) 4.3, Quentin Johnston (WR) 0, and Kimani Vidal (RB) 4.7- Los Angeles Chargers
