Cole Frederick’s fantasy football picks for Week 11

Best Matchups
Quarterback — Alex Smith, 49ers (vs. Cardinals) — Smith has been a game-managing quarterback thus far. Although he hasn’t done anything spectacular this season, he hasn’t made any critical mistakes in close games.
Running back Frank Gore has been banged up, so the 49ers may have to air the ball out a little more than usual against a bad Cardinals secondary.
Look for coach Jim Harbaugh to attempt to establish some confidence in Smith as his 49ers approach an important part in their schedule.
Running Back — Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks (at Rams) — Lynch hasn’t necessarily been a great running back this season, but he has scored at least one touchdown in five of his last six games, and he has also put together back-to-back 100-yard rushing games.
The Rams have been below average in rush defense this season, so look for Lynch to have another solid day on the ground.
Wide Receiver — Laurent Robinson, Cowboys (at Redskins) — Robinson has emerged as one of Tony Romo’s favorite targets, and his role has increased due to the absence of Miles Austin. Defenses still have to focus heavily on Dez Bryant and Jason Witten so Robinson has had more opportunities to get open lately.
The Redskins have allowed big games to Brandon Marshall and Larry Fitzgerald, so look for Robinson to have a big day as well.
Tight End — Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (vs. Chiefs) — Gronkowski has registered back-to-back 100-yard games against two solid defenses (Jets and Giants).
He has also caught three touchdown passes in the past two weeks.
Kansas City has no one who can match up with him so expect Gronkowski to have yet another big day.
Team Defense/Special Teams — 49ers (vs. Cardinals) — The 49ers have the best defense in the NFL. There. I said it.
Week after week, this group continues to stifle opposing offenses, and this San Francisco front seven is the best in football.
Led by Ole Miss alum Patrick Willis, the 49ers have yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season. This week, the 49ers face a Cardinals team that has struggled all season to run the ball, and they only have one receiving threat in Larry Fitzgerald.
Look for the San Francisco defense to smother the Arizona offense at home this week.
Other Good Matchups
QB — Tony Romo, Cowboys (at Redskins), Tom Brady, Patriots (vs. Chiefs)
RB — Steven Jackson, Rams (vs. Seahawks), Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (at Browns)
WR — Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs (at Patriots), Anquan Boldin, Ravens (vs. Bengals)
TE — Jermichael Finley, Packers (vs. Buccaneers), Jason Witten, Cowboys (at Redskins)
Team D/ST — Jets (at Broncos), Lions (vs. Panthers)
Worst Matchups
Quarterback — Philip Rivers, Chargers (at Bears) — For Rivers, this has arguably been his worst season as a quarterback in the NFL.
The Chargers are 4-5 and Rivers has thrown 15 interceptions to just 13 touchdowns.
To make things worse, the Chargers are traveling to Chicago this week, and the Bears have been a quarterback’s nightmare the last three weeks.
Rivers has consistently been a Top-10 quarterback in the NFL so he might just be in a slump, but this is not the week to take a chance that he will turn his season around.
Running Back — Ray Rice, Ravens (vs. Bengals) — Against Seattle, Joe Flacco threw the ball over 50 times, and Ray Rice touched the ball only six times. Six!
While I fully expect Rice to get more touches this week against the Bengals,
Cincinnati has been very good in stopping the run this season.
Rice hasn’t had a 100-yard rushing game since Week 6 so don’t expect him to turn things around against a solid Cincinnati Bengals defense.
Wide Receiver — Eric Decker, Broncos (vs. Jets) — Decker has been Tim Tebow’s best option at receiver, and his lone catch against the Chiefs went for a 56-yard touchdown.
However, with the New York Jets coming into town, Decker will likely be the latest receiver stranded on Revis Island. Don’t expect Decker to have much success Thursday against Darrelle Revis and the rest of the Jets’ secondary.
Tight End — Jermaine Gresham, Bengals (at Ravens) — Gresham had a receiving touchdown versus the Steelers on Sunday (his third of the year), but he has been inconsistent and hurt all year.
The Bengals are going up against a tough defense in Baltimore so look for the Ravens to limit Gresham’s effectiveness.
Team Defense/Special Teams — Buccaneers (at Packers) — The Packers have been unstoppable on offense thus far, and the Bucs were just picked apart by the now-injured Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans.
It’s hard to imagine Tampa Bay being able to slow down Aaron Rodgers and the high-powered Green Bay offense.
Other Bad Matchups
QB — Michael Vick, Eagles (at Giants), Josh Freeman, Buccaneers (at Packers)
RB — LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers (at Packers), DeAngelo Williams/Jonathon
Stewart, Panthers (at Lions)
WR — DeSean Jackson, Eagles (at Giants), Vincent Jackson, Chargers (at Bears)
TE — Greg Olsen/Jeremy Shockey, Panthers (at Lions), Fred Davis, Redskins (vs. Cowboys)
Team D/ST — Redskins (vs. Cowboys), Eagles (at Giants)