Fantasy Football Week 11 Quarterback Start Decision: Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Russell Wilson and More

It’s nearly time for another NFL regular season week to kick off, so it’s time to put together a quarterback start decision story.

We’ll include the two Thursday night quarterbacks (Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels) and pit them against Brock Purdy, Bo Nix, Joe Burrow, Jordan Love, C.J. Stroud, Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford and Geno Smith.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Season Stats

Hurts has 1,976 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions so far this season. He’s completed 69.8% of his passes and rushed for an additional 378 yards and 10 scores. Hurts has scored over 30 fantasy points in three straight games, and hasn’t finished under 20 points since week 4.

Daniels has completed 68.7% of his passes for 2,147 yards, nine touchdowns and two picks. He’s also got 464 rushing yards and four scores. Last week, Daniels failed to reach double digits for just the second time, but he’s scored over 20 points in seven of 10 weeks.

Purdy has 2,454 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and seven picks on 65.1% passing. He’s also got 227 rushing yards and three scores. He has 20 or more fantasy points in two straight games and three of the past four outings.

Nix is up to 1,968 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions on 63.6% passing. He’s also got 290 rushing yards and four scores to his name. He has 14 or more fantasy points in six straight contests.

Burrow has completed 68.7% of his passes for 2,672 yards, 24 touchdowns and four picks. He has 123 rushing yards and a score. Burrow has scored 63 fantasy points over the past two games, and has scored in double figures in every game since week 1.

Love is up to 1,820 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 61.3% passing. He’s only rushed for 28 yards while dealing with knee and groin injuries. Love has only scored 17 points over his past two games, but had a bye last week to heal up a bit.

Stroud has tallied 2,371 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He’s completed 62.9% of his passes and rushed for an additional 148 yards. 

Herbert has completed 66% of his passes for 1,889 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception. He’s got 117 rushing yards and a score as well. Herbert has 14 or more fantasy points in five straight games, and has combined for 63 points over the past three.

Goff has accumulated 2,080 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions for the season. He’s completed 71.8% of his passes and rushed for just 18 yards.

Mahomes has 2,208 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and nine picks this season. He’s also got 167 rushing yards and two more scores. Mahomes has scored in double figures every game this season, and has 17 or more points in three straight. 

Wilson is up to 737 passing yards, six touchdowns and one interception on 58.8% passing across three starts. He has 10 rushing yards and another score. Wilson has scored at least 14 fantasy points in each game.

Stafford has completed 66.5% of his passes for 2,262 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s added nothing as a runner. Stafford is coming off a 10-point performance, but had 43 fantasy points the two games before that.

Smith has 2,560 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on the season. He’s rushed for 193 yards and a score and completed 68.1% of his passes.

Week 11 Matchups

Hurts and Daniels square off on Thursday night. It’s a pretty average matchup for Hurts, with Washington allowing opposing fantasy quarterbacks to score 16 points. It’s a tough matchup for Daniels, with Philly only giving up 13 points.

Purdy and Smith also play in the same game. It’s an average matchup for Purdy, with Seattle giving up 16 fantasy points a week. The Niners are a bit tougher matchup, allowing 14 points per contest.

Burrow and Herbert are another pair in the same contest this week. It’s a favorable test for Herbert, with Cincy allowing 20 fantasy points to opposing QBs. LA’s defense gives up 15 points, making them a pretty average matchup.

Nix takes on the Falcons. It’s a favorable matchup, as Atlanta gives up 20 points per week. Love faces the Bears. That’s the toughest fantasy matchup for a QB on paper, with Chicago surrendering only 10 points a week.

Stroud battles the Cowboys in week 11. That’s a favorable matchup, as Dallas gives up 21 points per week. Goff squares off against the Jaguars, which is even more favorable. Jacksonville gives up 22 points a week.

Mahomes faces the Bills this week, with Buffalo allowing only 14 fantasy points per game. Wilson has a test against the Ravens, who allow 22 points a game (the second-worst mark overall). Stafford will battle the Patriots, who allow 14 points per game.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

Hurts is projected for 20 fantasy points this week, the highest mark amongst these quarterbacks.

Burrow and Purdy are both set at 18 points. Herbert checks in at 17 points. Mahomes, Stafford, Nix, Goff, Stroud, Wilson, Daniels, Smith and Love are all projected for 16 points.

For the top spot on my starting recommendations, I’m going with Hurts. He’s a must-start fantasy player regardless of matchup, and the matchup is not hard enough to even consider having him below anyone else.

I like Purdy next. He’s got more offensive weapons around him now and should be a good/great weekly starting option.

I’m taking Stroud here. I know he’s struggled of late, but I think he gets back on track with Nico Collins back on the field. I expect a breakout game for Stroud.

I’d then take Wilson. He’s performed well in his starts, but the super favorable matchup is what I’m looking at here. I expect Wilson to be a top-10 fantasy QB, and think he could challenge for a top-five spot.

Give me Herbert next. He too has a favorable matchup, and he’s been trending up in his offense of late. I think he shreds the Bengals’ defense.

I’ll grab Burrow here. I don’t like the matchup, but think he’ll do enough to post a better-than-average fantasy score. 

I got Mahomes here. The matchup is tough for him too, but I still like Mahomes to keep up his positive play and deliver for his fantasy owners.

I’d take Stafford here. He’s a bit of a risky option coming off a five-interception game, but I think he posts at least average numbers against the Jaguars. 

I’d take Nix next. The matchup is good and he can post a big fantasy score with his arm and legs. I think the rookie gets the job done again this week. 

I’d finally take Daniels here. I still like the idea of starting him because of his upside, but the Eagles’ defense is no joke and will make life tough on him. The others ranked ahead of him are simply safer options.

I’d take Stafford here. Anytime he has Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to throw to, I’m a fan of playing Stafford - even in a slightly below-average test.

I’d take Love here. I’d like to take him higher, even in his tough matchup, but I’m not sure if he’s completely past his injuries yet. I still wouldn’t mind starting him in week 11.

Smith is last on my list, and the only QB here who I’d try to avoid with a fantasy starting spot. The Niners are a tough matchup, and Smith hasn’t thrown multiple touchdowns in back-to-back starts all season. There’s better options out there, and I’d do what I could to avoid Smith this week.