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We are officially at the halfway point in the fantasy football season, and for some we are in the final stretch. This is the time to string some wins together and make that playoff push. News from Friday morning is that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is back, and should be back in your lineups. Fantasy owners have been waiting for this week all year long.
Without further ado, here are the starts and sits for Week 7 in fantasy football.
Keep in mind, this is not the article to be looking for if you want to know if you should start Aaron Rodgers or Calvin Johnson. Start your best players in almost any scenario.
STARTS
Quarterback
Nick Foles vs. the Cowboys
Tom Brady vs. the Jets
Jay Cutler vs. the Redskins
Any quarterback in Chip Kelly's offense has performed at a high level as far as fantasy football goes, and Foles should keep up his torrid pace so far as the starter. Tom Brady finally gets Rob Gronkowski back, and will be out to prove he can still put up huge fantasy numbers. Jay Cutler has quietly been one of the best plays in fantasy this season and should keep it up against the Redskins porous secondary.
Running back
C.J. Spiller vs. the Dolphins
LeVeon Bell vs. the Ravens
Bilal Powell vs. the Patriots
Spiller is starting to break out of his "funk" this season, and he will take the majority of the carries back before too long. Chances are you have lost trust in him, get it back and start him this week. LeVeon Bell has a tough matchup, but the Steelers want to get back to the ground and set up the play-action for Roethlisberger. Look for Bell to get 17-20 touches and every opportunity to have a big day. Bilal Powell goes against the Patriots who are without their two best players on defense in Vince WIlfork and Jerod Mayo.
Wide Reciever
Alshon Jeffery vs. the Redskins
DeSean Jackson vs. the Cowboys
Harry Douglas vs. the Buccaneers
All three of these wide outs have good matchups this week. Jackson cannot be covered one on one by anyone in the NFL, and will look to get many touches to stretch the field for the Eagles offense. Jeffery and Douglas both will benefit from the double teams on the other side of the field. Brandon Marshall and Roddy White will command a lot of attention, leaving room for Jeffery and Douglas to have big days
Tight End
Martellus Bennett vs. the Redskins
Coby Fleener vs. Denver
Rob Gronkowski vs. the Saints
Bennett and Fleener will both get multiple targets in the red zone this week, and will both be key elements to what promises to be high scoring games. Gronkowski is FINALLY back this week, and should not sit.
Defense
Miami vs. Buffalo
Kansas City vs. Anyone
The Bills are still playing quarterback roulette and the Dolphins should get a few sacks this week. If you aren't starting Kansas City every week, it has been a mistake. This is the best defense in football and the best defense in fantasy football.
SITS
Quarterback
Andy Dalton vs. the Lions
Joe Flacco vs. the Steelers
Case Keenum vs. the Chiefs
Andy Dalton had a great day last week, but the Lions defensive line will make sure he is not as comfortable as he was last week. Joe Flacco will struggle this week against Pittsburgh as his one and only target Torrey Smith goes against a fantasy football nemesis in Ike Taylor. Case Keenum gets his first start of his career, but has to face the Chiefs. Stay away from him in all formats.
Running back
Eddie Lacy vs. the Browns
Alfred Morris vs. the Bears
Lacy and Morris both have tough matchups this week against two of the best defenses in football. Look for Lacy to get a fair share of touches, but not enough yards to produce in fantasy football. Morris may be limited in fantasy this week because Roy Helu plays on passing downs. The Skins may be down early and will look to pass to get back into the game.
Wide Reciever
Jordy Nelson vs. the Browns
Torrey Smith vs. the Steelers
Nelson and Smith will go against two of the best corners in terms of limiting fantasy points this year. Nelson will face who I believe is the best corner in football in Joe Haden, and Torrey Smith goes against Ike Taylor, who has seemed to shut down some big time wide outs this season so far. If you have other options, start them.
Tight End
Brandon Myers vs. the Vikings
Jeff Cumberland vs. the Patriots
There has been a ton of press on Jeff Cumberland this week, as the Patriots struggle mightily defending the tight end. But Cumberland is no Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates. Brandon Myers has been a huge disappointment this season for many fantasy owners as Eli looks elsewhere most of the time. There are better options available on the waiver wire this week, so stay away from these two if you can help it.
Defense
Indianapolis vs. the Broncos
Dallas vs. the Eagles
The Colts have been one of the best fantasy defenses this season, but go against a near flawless offense with Peyton Manning at the helm. The Cowboys are missing their entire pass rush with Demarcus Ware being out, so Nick Foles will have time to shred the Cowboys secondary this week. It is not wise to start any defense against the Eagles.
Good luck this week, and join me on Sunday's for a live fantasy thread where I will answer your questions from 11 to Noon EST.
Any other questions, ask me on Twitter @PFF_JCollacchi.
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