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Welcome back for Week 11 of the 2015 NFL season. The San Francisco 49ers are back from their bye week, and are up in Seattle facing the Seahawks. This marks Blaine Gabbert's second straight start for the team. Of course, with Colin Kaepernick now on injured reserve, Gabbert will remain the starting quarterback barring an injury.
The 49ers face some bad defenses over the rest of the season, and there could be some decent fantasy performances to be had. Unfortunately, Week 11 is probably not one of those weeks. The Seahawks defense has taken a significant step back this season. But if they get their pass rush going, it could be a long day for Gabbert and company. That doesn't mean there are no fantasy options on the 49ers, but they are fairly limited.
49ers
Start 'em: Nobody
Maybe start 'em: 49ers D/ST, RB Shaun Draughn - The 49ers defense actually did a pretty decent job against Russell Wilson and company a month ago. They got sacks and forced turnovers, but the 49ers offense could not get anything done. The Seahawks put up big numbers on offense last week against Arizona, but if you are streaming defenses, the 49ers have some upside ... I suggest Draughn only if you are dealing with injuries and/or bye week issues. In one league, I am dealing with both, and am rolling out Draughn. He got the starting work in Week 9, so he is likely to continue with the bulk of the carries against the Seahawks. It won't be a huge performance, but he is an option.
Sit 'em: Everybody else - I wouldn't even start Phil Dawson. The 49ers could surprise us, but this strikes me as a game where Dawson potentially ends up with only a couple field goals. I don't expect a shutout, but there is just not a whole lot there ... Beyond that, I can't see any reason to think the 49ers passing game gets anything going.
Seahawks
Start 'em: Seahawks D/ST, K Steven Hauschka - I gotta think sacks and interceptions are potentially an option. I don't see how you sit the Seahawks defense this week ... Even if the Seahawks offense stumbles, I expect a decent showing from Hauschka
Maybe start 'em: RB Marshawn Lynch, QB Russell Wilson, TE Jimmy Graham, WR Doug Baldwin - It is rare that you sit Marshawn Lynch, but that abdomen injury is concerning. Even if he is active, we saw him get limited work last week. I think you lean towards starting him, but be wary ... Wilson has been wildly inconsistent, but there is still the threat of his legs. He is not a great start by any means, but he is an option ... Graham has been inconsistent as well, and the 49ers contained him fairly well a month ago. However, the middle of the 49ers defense is susceptible to the pass, so we'll see if the Seahawks attack that.
Sit 'em: RB Thomas Rawls, WR Jermaine Kearse, WR Tyler Lockett, TE Luke Willson - Rawls would be a great start if Lynch was inactive, but if Lynch is active, it is not worth rolling the dice that Lynch is limited in the game.