Analyze Marvin Harrison's matchup for week 11
Despite a quiet stretch, Harrison draws a 49ers secondary allowing top-10 WR fantasy numbers and 15 TDs to the position, making him a strong WR2/Flex play in a projected shootout.
San Francisco’s perimeter defense has regressed, ranking 22nd in passing yards per game (245.3) and giving up the 8th-most fantasy points to WRs. Arizona enters as 3.5-point home underdogs with a 48.5-point total—fourth-highest of Week 11—setting up a pass-heavy, up-tempo script. Charvarius Ward’s recent man-coverage woes plays directly into Harrison’s vertical skill-set, while Jacoby Brissett’s 258+ yard, multi-TD floor in every start keeps the offense on schedule.
Harrison’s volume has cratered—only 10 targets across Weeks 9–10—yet his per-catch explosiveness remains elite (16.5 YPR on the year). The Cardinals’ O-line issues (34 sacks) have shortened routes, but the 49ers’ pass rush could be neutralized by quick perimeter looks.
The second-year phenom’s statistical dip is usage-driven, not talent-driven; his 21% target share with Brissett under center keeps a 30% breakout ceiling alive. Against a Niners defense hemorrhaging 1.5 WR touchdowns per game since Week 6, Harrison’s route tree (slants, fades, deep comebacks) aligns with the coverage cracks on the left side where Ward has allowed 398 yards and 3 TDs in his last four games. Game script projects 36–39 pass attempts for Arizona, translating to 8–10 looks for Harrison—enough for a 6-85-1 floor and 25-point upside if the shootout materializes. Ultimately, elite YPR talent plus plus matchup plus positive game flow outweighs recent target-share volatility, making Week 11 the optimal buy-low detonation spot.