Browns Fantasy Football: Start / Sit Advice in Week 11 vs. Houston

My regular fantasy advice for Browns players is below, but first, I'd like to announce that Dawgs By Nature has its own FanDuel league this week, with cash prizes for the top winners! Here is the link to enter.

If you're not familiar with how to play, you pick a 1-week fantasy lineup with a starting salary of $60,000. A player like QB Peyton Manning may be real expensive, but you might be able to get QB Brian Hoyer at a relative bargain. With the right combination of picks, you could win the top prize, especially in a smaller subset of players (the DBN community). The cost is $5 to join -- I've been playing every week and have won and lost, but it's been a blast and a nice refresher to the usual, season-long fantasy format. Let us know in the comments section too if you joined.

Now, let's take a look at which members of the Cleveland Browns should you start or sit heading into your Week 11 fantasy football match-ups as the Browns take on the Houston Texans.

(Key: Start / Sit / Enticing)

• QB Brian Hoyer - The Browns took a run-heavy approach last week against the Bengals, and it's a formula they'd like to repeat if they can get a lead early in a game. Considering Houston's offensive situation (first-time QB and possibly a rookie RB), Cleveland could have great field position early and often. Even if Hoyer throws a touchdown or two, it won't be good fantasy-wise.
  
  
• RB Ben Tate - Tate only has 10 carries in each of his last two games and hasn't gone over 36 yards rushing in over a month. He is still being utilized near the goal line and now a little as a receiving back with 6 catches over the past 2 games. He is a tempting start because he'll want to put up a big day against his former team.
  
  
• RB Terrance West - It's tough to pick any of the Browns' three running backs as "starts" due to the split reps, but West was the starter last week and finished the game with 26 carries. The week before that, he had 15 carries. He's getting the biggest workload for the Browns right now and the Texans allow the 10th most fantasy points to running backs.
  
  
• RB Isaiah Crowell - He had a season high 12 carries last week, but the fact that it's a season high continues to mean that he isn't a lock to be included in the gameplan. Last week, Cleveland's big lead allowed for the Browns to distribute the load. This week, they may not have that same luxury when ball security will be at a premium.
  
  
• WR Andrew Hawkins - Hawkins had a full day of practice on Friday and is expected to play after missing one game to injury. The Texans have given up the second most points to fantasy receivers this season, and they'll also be without their best cornerback this week. A healthy Hawkins will be able to do a lot of damage after the catch this week.
  
  
• WR Miles Austin, Taylor Gabriel, Travis Benjamin - If you are considering one of these players, I'd pick Benjamin. T.Y. Hilton and Jeremy Maclin, both deep threats, posted 28.3 and 27.8 fantasy points, respectively, against the Texans' defense.
  
  
• TE Jim Dray, Gary Barnidge - The Browns don't target their tight ends much when Cameron is out, and the Texans are giving up the 6th fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Stay away from Dray and Barnidge.
  
  
• K Billy Cundiff - Cundiff had the wind take one of his kicks last week against the Bengals, but wind shouldn't be much of a factor this Sunday in a stadium he's become familiar kicking in. Houston doesn't give up a lot of field goals, but Cundiff has proven to be a mediocre start this year if you really need him.
  
  
• DEF/ST Cleveland - Defenses playing Houston are only averaging six fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, which isn't very attractive. However, QB Ryan Mallett is making his first career start this week, and RB Arian Foster is out, meaning RB Alfred Blue will get the start. The Browns' defense is averaging 11 fantasy points per game over their past five games, so this is a great matchup for them.
  

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Editor's Note: Dawgs By Nature is hosting a 1-week fantasy challenge on FanDuel with a guaranteed prize pool this week. Here is the link; challenge your fellow DBN'ers now!