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The Cleveland Browns defense has been mediocre for much of this season. That had four interceptions over the course of two weeks earlier this season, but no other picks since. They have four fumble recoveries, but have secured only one over the past three weeks. They have consistently gotten to the quarter, with at least three sacks in six games, but they have been regularly blasted on the scoreboard. The past five weeks they have not exceeded six fantasy points. All in all, not good.
This week, the Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football to open Week 11. The Steelers welcome back running back James Conner, which provides much-needed depth at the position. They lost Benny Snell to injury as well, so the past two weeks has been a lot of Jaylen Samuels. He’s a solid PPR option, but as a between the tackles back he is relatively ineffective.
Conner is a big upgrade, and it’s needed with Mason Rudolph quarterbacking this team. Rudolph has not been awful in replacing an injured Ben Roethlisberger, but he has had extended stretches of mediocrity. He focuses on passes underneath rather than going deep, and has struggled to find the end zone with regularity.
This could be a week to stream the Browns, but this week that only makes sense in deeper leagues. Rudolph is an average at best quarterback right now, but he also does a decent job avoiding turnovers. His three fumbles lost aren’t great, but he only has four interceptions in seven games.
Start/Sit Recommendation
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