Quarterbacks

Cutler picked off five times in loss
Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler completed 29-of-52 passes for 307 yards, no TDs and five INTs in Thursday's Week 10 loss at San Francisco. Cutler also ran once for two yards. He was picked off twice in the red zone, including once by DB Michael Lewis in the end zone on the final play of the game.

Analysis: Cutler was picked off four times in the red zone with the Broncos, leading the NFL in the category. He has been picked off five times in the red zone this season, also leading the league. Despite those awful stats, Cutler remains a solid low-end No. 1 fantasy QB heading into Week 11 against Philadelphia.

Alex Smith does very little in win
San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith completed 16-of-23 passes for 118 yards, no TDs and one INT in Thursday's Week 10 victory against the Bears.

Analysis: Smith won his first home start since re-claiming the starting QB job, but he was anything but helpful to fantasy owners hoping to get a quick start on the week. He is not worth using in Week 11 at Green Bay in even the deepest of fantasy leagues.


Running backs

Gore runs for 104 yards, TD
San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore carried a season-high 25 times for 104 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's Week 10 win against the Bears. He also hauled in four receptions for 21 yards.

Analysis: The 100-yard performance was Gore's first since Week 2 against the Seahawks. He has found the end zone in three straight games. He remains a must-start in all fantasy leagues heading into Week 11 at Green Bay.


Forte struggles rushing, not catching
Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte carried 20 times for 41 yards in Thursday's Week 10 loss at San Francisco, but he was able to pull down a game-high eight receptions for a season-high 120 yards. However, he was unable to find the end zone for the fourth time in five games.

Analysis: Forte has been a huge disappointment for fantasy owners, but he has totaled more than 100 yards from scrimmage in three straight games. He remains a useful fantasy option heading into Week 11 against Philadelphia, but more so as a low-end No. 1 RB or must-start No. 2.


More carries coming for LT2
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Chargers head coach Norv Turner said he thinks RB LaDainian Tomlinson is doing a good job and he wants to run the ball more.

Analysis: Tomlinson has 91 carries through the first nine weeks (he was out Week’s 2 and 3), so more carries would be a benefit to LT2 fantasy owners. Unfortunately with a tough Philly defense up next, Tomlinson is a flex position player for Week 10.
 

Westbrook practices for Eagles
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported RB Brian Westbrook went through the Thursday morning walk-through and will practice indoors.

 

Analysis: Westbrook’s status for Sunday is still unknown, so hopefully you have a nice backup you can plug into your fantasy lineup.
 

Wide receivers

Hester manages seven receptions
Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester hauled in seven receptions for 48 yards in Thursday's Week 10 loss at San Francisco. However, he was held out of the end zone for the third consecutive game.

Analysis: Hester has managed six or more receptions in five straight games since the team's bye in Week 5. He remains a solid No. 3 or 4 fantasy WR or 'flex' option in most formats heading into Week 11 against Philadelphia.


Crabtree leads 49ers with 48 yards
San Francisco 49ers rookie WR Michael Crabtree had team-highs of four receptions and 48 yards in Thursday's Week 10 win against the Bears.

Analysis: Crabtree led his team in receiving for the second time in three games, although that's not saying much here. He remains more of a No. 3 or 4 fantasy WR or 'flex' option in most formats heading into Week 11 at Green Bay.


Bennett, Knox do little for Bears
Chicago Bears WR Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox did little in Thursday's Week 10 loss at San Francisco. Bennett posted three grabs for 27 yards, while the rookie Knox posted just two catches for 20 yards.

Analysis: 16 of QB Jay Cutler's 29 completions were spread among his RBs and TEs, so that's not good for fantasy owners of the team's receivers not named Devin Hester. Neither is worth using as anything more than a No. 4 WR or 'flex' option in Week 11 against Philadelphia.


Isaac Bruce inactive in Week 10
San Francisco 49ers WR Isaac Bruce (ankle) was inactive for Thursday's Week 10 win against the Bears.

Analysis: With Bruce sidelined, Josh Morgan got the start opposite rookie Michael Crabtree. Bruce has a couple of extra days to recover before Week 11 at Green Bay.


Josh Morgan totals 24 yards
San Francisco 49ers WR Josh Morgan got the start opposite rookie Michael Crabtree in Thursday's Week 10 win against Chicago in place of the injured Isaac Bruce (ankle). Morgan finished with three grabs for 24 yards.

Analysis: Even as a starter, Morgan did not do nearly enough to warrant using on a regular basis in fantasy leagues. The 49ers travel to Green Bay in Week 11.

Collie practices on Wednesday
The Indianapolis Star reported WR Austin Collie (neck) practiced Wednesday and is expected to play on Sunday against the Patriots.

Analysis: Collie hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 7 and is in a tough matchup with one of the best overall defenses in the league. QB Peyton Manning spreads the ball around, so Collie’s value is good at the Flex position and possibly No. 3 WR.
 

Chilly doesn’t want to overload rookie
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Vikings head coach Brad Childress said he is wary of overloading rookie WR Percy Harvin. Harvin has 64 touches so far this season and Childress seems more concerned with the mental side, not physical side.

Analysis: The Vikings play the lowly Lions this week, so Harvin has solid value at the Flex position or No. 3 WR.
 

Broncos get Marshall back
The Denver Post reported Broncos WR Brandon Marshall returned to practice on Thursday.

Analysis: The Broncos face a tough pass defense in Washington this week, but Marshall is a legit No. 1 fantasy WR.
 

Rookie Nicks expects to practice
The New York Daily News reported Giants rookie WR Hakeem Nicks is fully expected to practice next week when the Giants come out of their bye.

Analysis: Nicks has had a decent rookie season and will likely be the Giants No. 3 WR in Week 11 against Atlanta. Keep an eye on how Nicks feels coming off the bye, and see if he is worth starting at the Flex position.


No practice for Tate
The Boston Globe reported Patriots WR Brandon Tate (knee) was not at practice Thursday.

Analysis: Tate hasn’t caught a ball all season and is unlikely to get many looks in that deep Patriots lineup. Bottom line is he has on fantasy value this week.
 

Jets B. Smith a ‘long shot’ for Wk 10
The New York Daily News reported Jets WR Brad Smith (quad) was limited in practice Thursday and ‘looks to be a long shot’ for Week 10 against the Jaguars.

Analysis: A long shot for a player who is far down the WR deep chart and a Wildcat type player, Smith holds little fantasy value this week.
 

Tight ends

Olsen has another solid outing
Chicago Bears TE Greg Olsen racked up seven receptions for 75 yards in Thursday's Week 10 game at San Francisco, although he did not get into the end zone.

Analysis: Olsen has a total of 146 receiving yards in the past two weeks to go along with his three TDs from Week 9. He has emerged as a must-start in all fantasy leagues heading into Week 11 against Philadelphia.


V.D. has three receptions
San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis posted three receptions for 16 yards in Thursday's Week 10 loss against Chicago.

Analysis: Davis has 20 or fewer yards in two of the past three games and he hasn't found the end zone in two starts. Despite the slow period, he remains a solid No. 1 fantasy in all leagues heading into Week 11 at Green Bay.


Desmond Clark injures neck
Chicago Bears TE Desmond Clark was forced to leave Thursday's Week 10 game at San Francisco due to a neck injury. He finished with one reception for seven yards.

Analysis: Clark is way more valuable to his real team than to fantasy owners, unlike Greg Olsen who has really started to come on. The Bears host the Eagles in Week 11, but Clark is not a recommended fantasy option.


Finley absent again from practice
According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette TE Jermichael Finley (knee) missed Packers practice again Thursday.

Analysis: Finley hasn’t been medically cleared to play so it fantasy value is very minimal. 

Panthers Rosario upgraded
The Charlotte Observer reported Panthers TE Dante Rosario (knee) was upgraded to full participation on Thursday.

Analysis: Rosario is a free agent in most fantasy leagues and was ineffective in his last three games played before missing two weeks with his injury. He’ll likely get a few catches, but isn’t worth starting in most leagues. If you start two TEs his value does increase.


Kickers

Gould boots a pair of FGs
Chicago Bears K Robbie Gould did not attempt any extra points in Thursday's Week 10 loss at San Francisco, but he was successful on field goals from 50 and 38 yards out.

Analysis: Gould made the most of a weak offensive performance by the Chicago offense. He remains a solid low-end No. 1 fantasy kicker heading into Week 11 against Philadelphia.


Nedney misfires on FG attempt
San Francisco 49ers K Joe Nedney made one of his two field goal attempts and he added an extra point in Thursday's Week 10 win against the Bears.

Analysis: Nedney is only worth a look in the deepest of fantasy leagues or when your primary option has a difficult matchup. The 49ers meet the Packers on the road in Week 11.


Defense/special teams

49ers D hold Bears without TD
The San Francisco 49ers defense allowed just two field goals in Thursday's Week 10 victory against the Bears. The 49ers also yielded just 350 total net yards while picking off QB Jay Cutler five times. LB Patrick Willis led the way with eight solo tackles and three assists.

Analysis: The 49ers DST helped out their fantasy owners tremendously. Even after the huge performance, the 49ers are only worth a look in the deepest of fantasy formats heading into Week 11 at Green Bay.


Bears give up just 10 in loss
The Chicago Bears defense allowed just 10 points in Thursday's Week 10 loss at San Francisco. They also allowed just 216 total net yards while posting two sacks and an interception. LB Lance Briggs led the way with six solo tackles and six assists, while Hunter Hillenmeyer had five solo stops and three helpers.

Analysis: The Bears DST did a tremendous job for their fantasy owners, but they'll have their hands full in Week 11 against Philadelphia.

 

If you have any specific fantasy questions, please add ATTN: Daniel E. Dobish in your subject line and email it to fantasycontent@opensports.com. Please know that due to the volume of e-mails, we might not be able to personally respond to each inquiry, but we'll certainly try our best!