Fantasy Football Week 7: Start ’em, Sit ’em
Pop that champagne Dolphins alumni and fans, perfection is yours for another year.
Week six packed yet another flurry of injuries, most worrisome being Christian McCaffrey suffering an oblique injury during the 49ers’ first loss of the season. A recent report says HC Kyle Shanahan called the injury a “pain tolerance thing,” so even if McCaffrey pulls through and manages to play this week he likely won’t be at 100%.
Other notable injuries include Justin Fields (dislocated thumb, doubtful for week seven), David Montgomery (rib injury, probably out for a bit), Kyren Williams (ankle sprain, doubtful for week seven), DK Metcalf (hip injury – came back, but also nursing his ribs), and Deebo Samuel (shoulder – similar status to CMC, but keep an eye on 49ers injury report through the week).
Along with all these injuries, week seven brings several bye weeks for impactful players. Keep pushing through fantasy managers, showing up in the win column is becoming more and more important.
Ian’s Record: 33-16
Start ’em
Jalen Hurts (QB, Eagles) vs. Dolphins
The Eagles were one of two remaining undefeated teams left heading into week six, but they overlooked a banged up Jets defense and only scrounged up 14 points in an embarrassing loss. Hurts took the most heat, throwing three interceptions which puts him over the amount he threw all of last season.
This should be a good bounce back for him however, as the Dolphins are currently surrendering the ninth most fantasy points to opposing QBs through six weeks.
Plus, the Eagles just signed Julio Jones – who is old, but also really tall. So that’s fun.
Aaron Jones (RB, Packers) @ Broncos (if he returns)
Jones has only played in two contests on the season so far, but this matchup is simply delicious.
The Broncos currently rank dead last in fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs, which makes for an insanely high-upside game for Jones fresh off a bye week and Jordan Love struggling.
Keep an eye on his status, because if he returns Jones is a must start in all leagues.
Brandon Aiyuk (WR, 49ers) @ Vikings
With CMC and Deebo both nursing injuries throughout this week, having Aiyuk in your starting lineup should be an absolute no-brainer. Even when both are on the field, Aiyuk is receiving enough targets to be a comfortable flex play every week.
Pair the injuries with the fact that the Vikings are currently giving up the fifth most fantasy points to opposing WRs, and you’ve got a cha-ching. Aiyuk is a high-ceiling WR2 in week seven.
Mark Andrews (TE, Ravens) vs. Lions
Andrews, while usually a fantasy must-start always, has hit a bit of a lull these past two weeks, dropping a few passes and not finding the endzone. To his defense, his past two outings were against teams that are both top ten in allowing fantasy points to opposing TEs.
Managers can be confident starting him this week against the Lions, who provide a much better script than Baltimore’s last two opponents. Detroit is currently allowing the seventh most fantasy points to opposing TEs. He’ll get back in the end zone.
Sit ’em
Kirk Cousins (QB, Vikings) vs. 49ers
While the 49ers’ offense may be hurting, that says nothing for how much havoc their defense is still capable of wreaking on opposing QBs. With Justin Jefferson still sidelined, I see Cousins only as their next victim.
San Francisco is currently allowing the fourth least fantasy points to opposing QBs, and Cousins hasn’t topped 20 fantasy points since week three. Pass.
Rachaad White (RB, Buccaneers) vs. Falcons
While White hasn’t done much to prove he’s a viable starter anyway, don’t look at this matchup and think it’s favorable because it’s the Falcons.
Atlanta has actually been a nightmare for opposing RBs so far, having yet to surrender a 100 yard rusher and a touchdown by a running back this season! (I exclaim that because that is news to me, wow).
The Bucs may lean on the run game a bit with Baker Mayfield nursing his non-throwing hand after whacking a helmet last week, but the production won’t be there for White. Keep him on your bench.
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, Colts) vs. Browns
MPJ has been a somewhat safe flex play through the season thus far, but it’s safe to say there won’t be much going for him this week.
First off, Anthony Richardson is more than likely done for the year, so that alone blows for Pittman’s fantasy value – unless Gardiner Minshew can turn a new leaf.
Second, the Browns are currently surrendering the least amount of fantasy points to opposing WRs, and that’s coming from games where they faced Ja’Marr Chase, A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, DeAndre Hopkins, and the 49ers. Pass.
Sam LaPorta (TE, Lions) @ Ravens
LaPorta has definitely been a pleasant surprise to fantasy managers that took the risk and drafted him, but it’s tough to call what his target share will continue to look like now that Jameson Williams is playing again.
The discouraging stat line of eleven targets and only four catches doesn’t help either. Probably a fluke, but still worth noting.
Even if Dan Campbell can figure out how to spread the ball around efficiently, it won’t happen this week against a Ravens defense currently allowing the least amount of fantasy points to opposing TEs.
BYES: CINCINNATI BENGALS, DALLAS COWBOYS, TENNESSEE TITANS, NEW YORK JETS, CAROLINA PANTHERS, HOUSTON TEXANS
