Every Friday throughout the NFL regular season I will be sending you this lineup helper that I like to call: Tough Decisions. In this article I will breakdown players with similar value, ranking and projection heading into this coming week.

Since this piece does come out on Fridays, injury news may pop up after posting time. Make sure you’re checking all your sources so you have up to date information regarding injuries, playing status, etc. Once again, if you want your lineup question featured in this piece, just hit me up on Twitter and your question could be featured. Anyways, let’s get into it.

Let's take a look at the TOUGH DECISIONS for Week 11:

QUARTERBACKS

Blake Bortles (@DET) or Tyrod Taylor (@CIN)

The Case for Bortles: Bortles hasn’t been very impressive this season, but it doesn’t matter whether he wins or loses. The only thing that matters is his stat line at the end of the game. He’s the king of garbage time and he salvages fantasy outings by racking up the yards when the game is waning. He’s throw for 245 or more yards in five straight games, scoring 10 or more fantasy points in each of those outings. He’s averaging the 11th-most fantasy points (per ESPN Standard format) per game and he gets to face a Detroit defense that trails only Atlanta for the position of being the most generous defense to opposing quarterbacks. You can trust Bortles this week for a quality fantasy outing.

The Case for Taylor: The Bengals are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season and that defense has surrendered a passing touchdown in every game but one this season. Taylor has been fine through the air this season, but Taylor’s money is made by his legs. He has at least five rushing attempts in each of his last seven games, and during that span, he’s averaged 46.1 rushing yards and 0.57 touchdowns per game. He’s recorded a rushing touchdown in each of the last three weeks and his dual-threat abilities make him a trustworthy QB1 in Week 11.

The Verdict: Taylor. Tougher matchup, but love the running ability.

RUNNING BACKS

Frank Gore (vs. TEN) or Latavius Murray (vs. HOU)

The Case for Gore: In standard formats, Gore ranks among the top 10 running backs in football. He’s recorded at least 10 fantasy points in each of the last four weeks and quarterback Andrew Luck continues to keep Gore involved in the passing attack. By no means is he a Le’Veon Bell in the passing game, but he’s averaging three receptions per game over his last three games. He’s even found the end zone twice in three weeks on passes from Luck. Gore draws an unfavorable matchup, but his steady workload (18.4 touches per game) keeps him firmly entrenched in the RB2 echelon.

The Case for Murray: His best game of the season came in his last outing, when he ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns against the Denver Broncos. He absolutely decimated them. He was lucky to get ample carries inside the five-yard line, but to his credit, he capitalized and found his way into the end zone. Murray faces the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football and the best way to beat this defense is via the ground. Houston has an excellent pass defense, but the run defense is skeptical. Murray will likely see right around 16-20 carries this week and find the end zone once on Monday Night Football.

The Verdict: Gore. Houston is going to slow down Murray.

WIDE RECEIVERS

DeAndre Hopkins (@OAK) or Stefon Diggs (vs. ARI)

The Case for Hopkins: Yes, Hopkins numbers aren’t great this season. Yes, Brock Osweiler continues to struggles and hasn’t shown many signs of progression. However, there is cause for optimism for Nuk in Week 11. He’s 13th in all of football in total targets and the Raiders have been generous to opposing receivers this season. Wide receivers are averaging nearly 14 yards per reception against this defense and when Houston throws the football, it’s likely heading Hopkins’ way. In a big game in the national spotlight against legitimate AFC contenders, Houston is going to make sure that Hopkins gets plenty of work because outside of he and Lamar Miller, the offense truly lacks that special element.

The Case for Diggs: Diggs has 13 receptions in each of the last two games. In this impeccable two-game stretch, he’s caught 26 passes for 244 yards. He hasn’t found the end zone much this season, but when you’re playing like a dominant possession receiver, you don’t need to score to be fantasy relevant. Original reports were that Arizona’s Patrick Peterson was going to shadow Diggs all afternoon. However, Tyrann Mathieu will likely be out there on Sunday, and he typically mans the slot. Will Peterson actually shadow Diggs all day? Tough to say. However, he will definitely be covered by Mathieu or Peterson all afternoon. In the past couple weeks, Diggs has been the only Minnesota player to make a substantial impact, which is exactly why Arizona will have one of its best defenders on Diggs at all times. He has the ability to put up big numbers, but it won’t come as easily as it has in weeks past.

The Verdict: Hopkins. This will likely draw some criticism, but my gut is telling me to go Nuk.

THE FLEX CONUNDRUM

Golden Tate (vs. JAX) or Jordan Howard (@NYG)

The Case for Tate: Marvin Jones was the superior receiver earlier in the season, but lately, Tate has been the one putting up the numbers. Tate has six or more receptions in each of his last four games, scoring two touchdowns in the process. Jacksonville’s Jalen Ramsey will likely cover Jones, which means Tate draws Prince Amukamara and Davon House. Either way, Tate will torch those two corners. In the last four weeks, Tate has 33 targets, while tight end Eric Ebron and Jones are the closest to him at 18 and 17 targets respectively. Tate has been playing the role of top dog of late and he’ll continue to perform like a WR2 in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s probably my favorite non-superstar play of the week.

The Case for Howard: Howard is averaging 5.3 yards per carry on the season, not to mention that he has 18 receptions on 24 targets for 177 yards. He said that he was dealing with an Achilles issue, but it’s not going to affect his availability on Sunday. Once again, let me reiterate, he’ll be out there on Sunday. He’s logging practice reps, and he’ll get a crack at a Giants defense allowing 3.77 yards per carry. While that number may not be appealing to you, consider the fact that the New York defense has allowed eight rushing touchdowns in nine games. The Chicago offense moves pretty well when Howard is handed the ball. However, when Jay Cutler decides to sling it, that’s when problems often occur. Howard is a luxury RB2 for me in Week 11.

The Verdict: Tate. Love him this week.

TIGHT ENDS

Dennis Pitta (@DAL) or Cameron Brate (@KC)

The Case for Pitta: Pitta’s 46 receptions are second most at the position, trailing only Carolina’s Greg Olsen. He doesn’t rack up the yardage like other receivers, which really dampens his fantasy value. Also the fact that he hasn’t scored a touchdown all season. Pitta continues to get plenty of looks in the passing attack, but he just doesn’t do much in the red zone. Baltimore’s tight end has four or more receptions in four of his last five games, but he’s only topped 40 receiving yards one time. In PPR formats, he’s a decent play, but in other formats, his fantasy value takes a rather drastic hit. Dallas allows roughly 62 yards per game to opposing tight ends, but considering Pitta has only topped that mark one time (Week 2) this season, I’m skeptical about Pitta’s fantasy value this weekend.

The Case for Brate: Believe it or not, Cameron Brate is tied with Antonio Gates, Delanie Walker and Kyle Rudolph for the lead in touchdowns at the tight end position. Quarterback Jameis Winston has connected with Brate for a score in each of the last three weeks. His receptions and yardage have gone up in each of the past three weeks. Kansas City has been tough against tight ends this season, allowing only one touchdown to the position on the entire season. However, that streak gets broken on Sunday and Brate scores for the fourth straight week.

The Verdict: Brate. Pitta has a low ceiling and can’t find end zone. Brate has lived in the end zone in recent weeks.

You can find me on Twitter: @colbyrconway