Honestly, if you told me in August that by mid-November we’d be arguing about Joe Flacco as a top-tier fantasy play, I would have laughed you out of the room. Yet, here we are. It’s Week 11 of the 2025 season, and the quarterback landscape is basically a fever dream. Between rookie sensations like Drake Maye hitting a wall and seasoned vets like Aaron Rodgers looking every bit of 42, finding a reliable signal-caller is getting messy.
Most people are just looking at the names. They see Josh Allen at the top and click "start." Easy. But if you want to actually win your league, you've gotta look at the movement under the surface. This week is defined by weird matchups, a game in Madrid, and a few "elite" names who are actually trap plays in disguise.
The Unquestionable Elite for Week 11
Josh Allen is the 2025 fantasy cheat code. Period. Even when the Bills lose, like that ugly Week 10 slip-up against the Dolphins, Allen still manages to scrape together 20+ points. He’s facing Tampa Bay this week at home. The Bucs' secondary is essentially a revolving door right now, and Allen is averaging nearly a rushing touchdown per game over his last eight starts. He is the clear QB1 in week 11 fantasy rankings qb lists across the industry for a reason.
Then there’s Jalen Hurts. He had a rough go against the Packers’ "nerf" defense on Monday night, but Detroit is a different animal. The Lions want to track meet. They want to score 35 points and dare you to keep up. In an open, flowing game script, Hurts’ rushing floor is basically a safety net made of gold. If the passing efficiency dips, he just runs for two scores and calls it a day.
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The Top 10 Reality Check
- Josh Allen (BUF) vs. TB: High floor, astronomical ceiling.
- Lamar Jackson (BAL) at CLE: He missed practice Wednesday with a nagging injury, which is slightly worrying. Cleveland's defense is still stout, but Lamar is Lamar.
- Dak Prescott (DAL) at LVR: The Cowboys are coming off a bye and mourning the tragic loss of Marshawn Kneeland. Expect a high-emotion, high-volume passing day against a Raiders team that can't stop the deep ball.
- Jalen Hurts (PHI) vs. DET: The "Brotherly Shove" is still alive and well, much to the chagrin of the rest of the NFC East.
- Matthew Stafford (LAR) vs. SEA: Stafford is on an absolute heater. Since the Rams traded for Davante Adams to pair with Puka Nacua, Stafford has been the QB2 in points per game since Week 7.
- Patrick Mahomes (KC) at DEN: He's coming off a bye, but Denver's defense is no joke. They’re allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to QBs. However, Mahomes with Rashee Rice back in the lineup is a different beast.
- Justin Herbert (LAC) at JAX: Jacksonville’s pass rush is non-existent. Herbert should have all day to pick them apart.
- Jordan Love (GB) at NYG: He looked terrible on Monday Night Football last week. Truly. But the Giants' defense is the ultimate "get right" spot.
- Sam Darnold (SEA) at LAR: Darnold has turned into a legitimate efficiency king in Seattle. His connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the real deal—JSN is leading the league in targets for a reason.
- Baker Mayfield (TB) at BUF: It’s going to be a shootout in Buffalo. Mayfield is going to throw 40+ times.
Why Joe Flacco is the Week 11 X-Factor
Let’s talk about the "Elite" one. Since Joe Flacco took over the Bengals' starting job in Week 6, he hasn't just been "good for a backup"—he's been a fantasy monster. He’s averaging nearly 25 fantasy points per game. That is better than Mahomes. Better than Stroud. Better than almost everyone not named Allen or Maye.
He’s facing the Steelers this week. Now, normally, "Steelers defense" sounds like a death knell for a QB. But look at the data. Pittsburgh has actually allowed the second-most passing yards in the league over the last month. They are getting shredded by veteran QBs who can handle the pressure. Flacco threw for 342 yards and three scores against them earlier this year. If you're an owner of Daniel Jones (who is on bye with the Colts), Flacco isn't just a streamer; he's a potential week-winner.
The Madrid Factor and Streaming Desperation
The NFL is in Spain this week. Miami and Washington are squaring off in Madrid, and it’s going to be weird. Tua Tagovailoa has been a fantasy afterthought most of the year, but the Commanders' defense is a gift. They've allowed more passing yards and touchdowns than almost any other unit in 2025.
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If you’re desperate, Marcus Mariota is an interesting play on the other side of that Spain matchup. He has that rushing floor that fantasy managers crave, and the Dolphins' pass rush has been surprisingly quiet lately. It’s a risky "superflex" play, but the upside is there in a game that could turn into a high-altitude track meet.
Avoid the Rookie Wall?
Bo Nix and Caleb Williams are entering that classic November slump. Nix "crashed back to earth" against the Raiders recently, and now he gets a rested Chiefs defense. I’m fading Nix this week. Caleb Williams is a bit more tempting against Minnesota, but the Vikings’ defense is the definition of "bend but don't break." Williams has the ceiling of a top-5 QB, but his floor is a single-digit disaster. Proceed with extreme caution.
Actionable Strategy for Your Lineup
Stop chasing last week's points. If you see Matthew Stafford on your waiver wire—though he's likely gone in competitive leagues—you grab him immediately. The Rams' offense is finally healthy and clicking at a legendary rate.
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For the week 11 fantasy rankings qb landscape, your move should be to exploit the "bad defense, good volume" matchups. This means starting guys like Jordan Love despite his recent struggles and trusting Joe Flacco even if your gut says he's too old.
- Check the Weather: Buffalo and Cleveland are looking windy. If the gusts top 20 mph, downgrade the deep threats and look for the rushing QBs to carry the load.
- Injury Reports: Monitor Lamar Jackson’s status. If he’s truly limited, his rushing upside vanishes, and he becomes a mid-tier QB2.
- The Bye Week Hole: With the Colts and Saints out, you lose Daniel Jones and Derek Carr (or whoever the Saints are trotting out). Don't panic-buy a low-tier rookie; look for the veteran "revenge" narrative or a dome game.
Final thought: trust the volume. In the 2025 season, efficiency has been a roller coaster, but the guys throwing 35+ times a game are the ones keeping fantasy teams afloat as we push toward the playoffs. Focus on the passing attempts and the red zone targets, and you'll find your way to a win.