Trying to predict the 2021 NFL season has seemed like an exercise in futility.
It is a year that has served as a perfect illustration of the NFL being a 'week-to-week league'; upsets have been frequent, making the elite teams tougher to discern, even with 10 weeks in the books.
Only four teams in the AFC are below .500 while, of those currently outside the playoffs in the NFC, every team aside from the winless Detroit Lions is at worst a game back in the loss column of the final Wild Card berth.
It sets the stage for a fascinating stretch run in the regular season and, for fantasy purposes, can sow doubt around players who would otherwise be considered sure things.
But, in Week 11, there are some clear standouts who look primed for highly productive performances. Once again, Stats Perform has identified four offensive players and a defense that deserve starting spots this week.
Quarterback: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals @ Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders were shredded by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs last week as their commitment to playing coverage looks featuring a single-high safety backfired spectacularly.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley seems steadfast in sticking with such coverages and the evidence suggests it will prove the Raiders' downfall again versus the Bengals.
Though the Bengals enter the game on a two-game losing streak, they can afford to have confidence in Burrow flourishing in Las Vegas.
Burrow is delivering a well-thrown, accurate ball on 84.4 per cent of his pass attempts against Cover 1 robber looks and on 90.2 per cent of throws versus Cover 3 zone.
The Raiders, therefore, represent the ideal matchup as the Bengals and Burrow look to bounce back.
Running Back: A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
The Packers will be without starting running back Aaron Jones because of a knee sprain, however, Dillon has proven himself an impressive complement and should excel filling the void while Jones is on the sideline.
Dillon was not efficient in the Packers' win over the Seattle Seahawks last time out, averaging only 3.1 yards per carry while finding the endzone twice.
However, he has averaged at least 4.9 yards per rush in the three other games where he has received at least 10 carries this year.
Against a Vikings defense giving up the third-most yards per rush in the league (4.74), Dillon will have the workload and the matchup to enjoy a career day in Jones' absence.
Wide Receiver: CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys @ Kansas City Chiefs
The second-year wideout is on a tear, Lamb having racked up 378 receiving yards and four touchdowns over the last four games.
He is establishing himself as Dak Prescott's top target on a loaded offense few have managed to slow down in 2021.
The Chiefs have improved on defense of late but theirs is a unit allowing the third-most pass yards per play in the NFL (7.41). It is tough to have faith in Kansas City to slow down a receiver in Lamb's vein of form.
Tight End: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts
Returning from a fractured hand, Knox was targeted just once in the Bills' blowout win over the New York Jets.
The game script did not really call for Knox to be heavily involved as Buffalo built an insurmountable lead.
However, things are likely to be closer against the Colts, meaning Knox may need to reproduce the breakout form he delivered earlier in the season.
Knox has a touchdown in four of his seven games in 2021. Against a Colts defense allowing the seventh-most TD drives in the NFL (27), he's a strong bet to find the endzone again.
Defense: Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
Miami's ultra-aggressive defense created havoc in their stunning win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10. The Dolphins sacked Lamar Jackson four times, their commitment to relentlessly blitzing defensive backs derailing Baltimore's passing game, intercepted him once and forced two fumbles, with one returned for a touchdown.
Now they face a Jets team that has turned the ball over 22 times this season, committing 13 giveaways in their last four games.
They have turned to Joe Flacco in the belief the veteran, and not ailing second overall pick Zach Wilson or Mike White, gives them the best chance to win. However, Flacco threw an interception in each of his previous three appearances for the Jets last season. Despite the quarterback change, the signs still point to Miami's defense enjoying another disruptive day.