Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 7
Most of my fantasy teams are sitting at 500 right now, with several teams dealing with injuries in multiple positions. I've lost players like Nico Collins, Puka Nacua, Jonathan Taylor, and others this season, and boy, does it sting. But that's why you must keep pushing to the other side. The season isn't over just yet and getting players back at the right time is key to making a push for the fantasy football postseason. So don't get discouraged.
As always, working the waiver wire will help you out too. Bills running back Ray Davis is a perfect example of making a grab for a player off the wire to help your team out. Davis finished with 18.2 fantasy points against the New York Jets after starting running back James Cook was ruled OUT due to his toe injury. Sean Tucker was another player that went off with a player ahead of him ruled out because of injury. With Rachaad White missing the Bucs/Saints game because of injury, it paved the way for both Bucky Irving and Tucker to have good games. Tucker rushed for 136 yards on just 13 attempts and he sprinkled in a touchdown to sweeten the pot.
More opportunities will open up to make moves off the wire and setting your lineups with good matchups will keep you in the game. So Week 7 is here so let's see what we have in store.
Start 'Em
Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold vs. DET
This could be one of the best showdowns this season with the high-powdered Detroit Lions taking on the undefeated Minnesota Vikings (who would've thought?). But Sam Darnold has a chance to immortalize himself in his resurgent season. The Lions are "middle-of-the-pack" against the pass and allowing just four passing touchdowns heading into the matchup. At 17.2 FPPG allowed to fantasy QB's, Darnold still has a shot to bounce back from his down performance against the New York Jets.
Matthew Stafford vs. LVR
Fresh off the bye week, Stafford is a QB who has a favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. Not only that, but positive reports are already jumping out of Rams camp that WR Cooper Kupp could be making his way back this week after missing time with an injury. Should that be the case, Stafford could be in line for a much better game with one of his top targets back in the offense. The Raiders have allowed eight pass g touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks so far and are allowing 18.4 FPPG. Stafford is averaging just 10.4 FPPG so this could be his "get right" game this week.
Running Backs
JK Dobbins vs. ARI
Dobbins has been holding up pretty well this year and will look to keep it going in Week 7. With Gus Edwards landing on injured reserve, Dobbins will be tasked with leading the Los Angeles Chargers ground attack even more so. Dobbins is quietly averaging nearly 16 fantasy points per game and 5.4 yards per attempt. Taking on the Arizona Cardinals, a defense allowing 4.7 y/a and the ninth-most rushing yards could be a great matchup for Dobbins. Dobbins is averaging 16.2 rushing attempts per game heading into Week 7.
Tony Pollard vs. BUF
Despite the Titans not winning many games, that hasn't seemed to slow down the Titans' running back, Tony Pollard, this season. Pollard is averaging 15.2 FPPG and Sits at the RB19 spot for fantasy. Pollard already has three rushing touchdowns this season and will look for more against the Buffalo Bills this week. The Bills are allowing 140 yards per game and 5.3 yards per attempt. Pollard already has three big plays of 20+ yards and could add another one.
Wide Receivers
Mike Evans vs. BAL
Evans had a down week against the Saints. Marshawn Lattimore and Mike Evans are like oil and water these days but Evans wasn't involved in that game as the Bucs ground game took off behind Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker. Not to mention Chris Godwin is going off for 35 fantasy points against the Saints. But Mike Evans can bounce back against a leaky Ravens defense that's still allowing top-5 yards and touchdowns to opposing receivers.
DeMarco Douglas vs. JAX
Douglas was, in my opinion, an unsung hero in the fantasy world as no one has been counting on the Patriots wide receivers for weeks. Douglas emerged against the Houston Texans seeing nine targets for 92 yards and a touchdown. Now he gets the Jacksonville Jaguars defense that got cooked by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams had a career game throwing four touchdowns on the Jags defense, hooking up with Keenan Allen with two touchdowns. The Jaguars are allowing the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. I'd take the chance with the injuries to the WR position stacking up.
Tight Ends
Evan Engram vs. NE
Evan Engram has returned from the fantasy football injury wastelands! If you held onto him all this time you were rewarded with a stellar performance against the Chicago Bears. Trevor Lawrence made sure to hit his security blanket several times during the contest as Engram caught all 10 of his targets for 102 yards. Now he gets the New England Patriots defense that's allowing 10 fantasy points per game. That might not seem like a whole lot but with the kind of target share and attention Engram will get moving forward, there shouldn't be a ton of risk heading his way in this matchup. The Patriots are also allowing the seventh-most passing yards per game at 228 which should allow for Engram to be involved in the Jaguars passing attack.
Sit 'Em
Spencer Rattler vs. DEN
Rattler showed that he belongs in the NFL after facing an uphill battle against a division rival in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rattler tossed a touchdown and threw two picks but added another 27 yards rushing and 243 yards passing in his first game out. But Denver is looking to bounce back this week after losing to a division rival of their own in the Los Angeles Chargers. With Chris Olave dealing with a concussion and Rasheed Shaheed dealing with a "concerning knee injury", according to reports, this might the week and matchup you might want to skip. Denver ranks second in sacks with 22 and 10th in interceptions with five. Rattler was sacked five times against the Bucs alone.
Trey Sermon vs. MIA
Trey Sermon has been a disappointment since Jonathan Taylor went down with a high-ankle injury. Not only has he not produced but he was outperformed by Tyler Goodson against the Tennessee Titans despite out carrying Goodson 18 to 8. Goodson ran for 51 yards and added another 14 receiving but Sermon could only clock in 29 yards in the game and offered no pass catching ability. Even in a better matchup with the Dolphins returning from a bye week, Sermon can't be trusted. The hope here is Jonathan Taylor can return this week so you can safely send this guy back to the waiver wire.
Calvin Ridley vs. BUF
Whatever is going on with the Titans passing attack and it's lack of involvement of Calvin Ridley needs to change and fast. Ridley, during a post game press conference, noted his lack of involvement in the early part of the game against the Indianapolis Colts. Frustrations are certainly mounting for the wide receiver as he saw most of his targets from Will Levis in the second half of the game, particularly in the fourth quarter. That will have to change first before you can trust him in your lineups. Buffalo heads into Week 7 allowing the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. While the Titans will look to right the ship with the passing attack and Calvin Ridley, this might not be the week to test it out for your fantasy lineups.
David Njoku vs. CIN
As much as I like David Njoku, until the Browns wake up and realize that the Houston Texans fleeced them in their deal for Deshaun Watson, they may not win another game this season. Watson has been "god awful" bad this entire season, ranking in the bottom half of multiple quarterback metrics. With the Browns trading away wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills, that's one less weapon that Watson can throw to (or can't at this point). Njoku does have a plus matchup and should see more targets going forward as the likely number two pass catcher behind Jerry Jeudy now, but it's just so hard to trust Deshaun Watson going forward despite the passing volume being in his favor. Njoku is worth keeping on your bench to see what the offense will look like going forward and if you're in a tough spot at the tight end position and you have to play him go right ahead. Just temper expectations.
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