NFL Fantasy Football: Start 'Em/Sit 'Em - Week 7

We are changing things up a bit! Along with a brand new This Week In Fantasy, we will be giving you our overall plays for the week. As always, bring us your fantasy football dilemmas of who to start and who to sit and we are more than happy to try and guide you to victory.

We really want everyone that plays Fantasy Football to get involved! Use the thread for all your fantasy questions & comments, use the hotline (1-267-245-6066) and we will put you on the air, but most importantly… bring some snacks, kick off your shoes and enjoy.

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QBs

by John Barchard

Start'em

Tom Brady vs. NYJ:  Pretty obvious here, the Jets are on the ropes and now they get the luxury of playing the Patriots at home on a Thursday night game with a horrible secondary. Tom will be doing some Cookie Monster level eating tonight. (See Also: Matthew Stafford)

Joe Flacco vs. ATL: For an offense that was suppose to struggle, the Ravens have had a massive out pouring of fantasy points this year (H/T to the smart Steve Smith owners). I see that continuing against the Falcons and I like Joe's chances of putting up another multi-touchdown game against this Hotlantadumpsterfire defense.

Kirk Cousins vs TEN: Despite being a reincarnation of Kevin Kolb in real life, Cousins has shown a tremendous amount of value when it comes to fantasy. Despite his interception rate, he has only has 1 unstartable game and that was on a short week against the Giants on a Thursday night. With the Tennessee Titans coming into town and having a lower third pass defense and allowing Brian Hoyer throw 3 TDs on them two weeks ago... I really like Cousins this week.

Speaking of Brian Hoyer...

Let's Get Cute Bonus: If you are streaming quarterbacks or unsure of your current starter's matchup... I like Brian Hoyer vs. Jacksonville this week. Tennessee was his only multi-touchdown game but this is a very safe play for a 20 pt game in a standard league. (See Also: Alex Smith.. Andy will have him throw a lot in San Diego usually leads to fantasy points)

Sit'em

Matt Ryan @BAL: I like Atlanta's offense for the most part, Julio Jones is one of my fantasy dreamboats but that's all I really like this week as they travel to Baltimore. Stop me if you have heard this one before... The Falcons are a bad road team and Matt Ryan averages around 14 points when he is taking a bus or a 747. Not to mention his numbers were pretty pedestrian at home against the Bears last week. There may be some great garbage time TDs this week, but I am not willing to bet on it.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. HOU: I am still unsure of what kind of team the Texans are, but I can tell you what kind of Steelers are... bad. How does Todd Haley have a job? Ben has been on a bit of down swing and they haven't been against juggernaut defenses. I am waiting another week before I feel comfortable starting him again.

Drew Brees @DET: You're going to do WHAAAT? I was going to let this be a ‘Let's Get Cute' play but Detroit's defense is the real deal. With no Jimmy Graham and no defense to help support Mr. Brees I don't think you are going to get anything else than mid-range starter numbers this week. I am breaking the golden rule here of sitting a stud, but I would strongly advise trying to sell Brees right now before his value declines. If you can grab a Flacco, Dalton or Manning plus skill position help I would pull the trigger.

RBS

by Tony Casale

Start'em

Jeremy Hill @IND

The Bengals run game still goes through Gio Bernard, but Jeremy Hill continues to be a presence in the Cincinnati backfield. He may not be an every week start, but considering the Bengals commitment to the run, your fantasy team could do worse than Hill in your flex.

Lamar Miller vs. CHI

Even before Knowshon Moreno went down, Lamar Miller carried the ball well this season. Miller's 5.23 YPC means he'll likely not cede many carries to Damien Williams or Daniel Thomas for the rest of the year.

Joique Bell vs. NO

Considering many people dropped Bell following his concussion, he once again became a waiver wire favorite when Reggie Bush went down. While Bush expects to be back as early as this week, the Lions run game should fare well against the Saints. Without Bush, Bell is a low RB1, with Bush he remains a solid flex.

Sit'em

CJ Spiller vs MIN

It's not that CJ Spiller lacks talent, it's that he lacks opportunities. Fred Jackson has looked better all season and is getting the carries and targets because of it. If Spiller ends up getting traded, as is the rumor, his value may change, but for now leave him on your bench.

Terrance West vs JAX

Apparently no one was more surprised than Terrance West at his week six benching. While he expects to play this week, the return of Ben Tate and the rise of Isaiah Crowell have relegated West to the fantasy bench or waiver wire pool.

Matt Asiata vs BUF

If last week's line, two carries for negative five yards, is any indication, Asiata's days as a starter are over. While coach Zimmer proclaimed that he wanted to get Asiata more involved in the game, it's hard to imagine a scenario, short of a McKinnon injury, where Asiata is fantasy relevant.

WR

by James Seltzer

Start'em

Reuben Randle @DAL The season-ending injury to Victor Cruz, has thrust Ruben Randle into the position of being Eli Manning's go-to option. Randle already leads the Giants in targets - 49 targets, 18th most in the NFL - which will only increase now that Cruz is lost. And while the Cowboys defense has been better than expected, it is still susceptible to being exploited through the air. Look for Ruben Randle, and the rest of the Giants offense, to do just that, as they look to erase the memory of their Sunday Night debacle in Philly.

Mohamed Sanu @IND: Sanu is coming off his best outing of season - 10 catches, 120 yards, 1 touchdown - in Week 6's tie with the Panthers. Sanu was also targeted 14 times in the tie, and is undoubtedly Andy Dalton's top receiving option while AJ Green is sidelined. It seems clear that Green will miss, at least, this upcoming week, opening the door for Sanu to be an impact performer yet again. Sanu has had double digit fantasy point totals in three of the Bengals' five games this season, and his 31 targets, over the last three games, account for more than 34% of Cincinnati's total targets over that span, which is an astounding number. Even though the Week 7 matchup with the Colts is not ideal, as Indy has played opposing receivers pretty well, between the targets and the opportunities, Sanu should be another standout fantasy receiver in Week 7.

Julian Edelman vs. NYJ: Edelman's 40 catches are tied for the fifth best total in the league, and his 56 targets are good for 8th most in the league. Edelman has become the new Wes Welker. He may not get into the End Zone very often, but he puts up consistent numbers week in and week out. Week 7 should be no exception, as the Patriots face a porous Jets' secondary that has allowed the sixth most points to fantasy wide receivers this season. Look for Edelman to continue the punishment that has been heaped on the Jets this season, and maybe even find a way to get himself a score.

Feeling Frisky: James Jones and Andre Holmes are both nice plays this week, as Arizona allows the second most points, to fantasy wide receivers, of any defense in the league. I like Jones more than Holmes, as he is the more reliable out of these two, but could see playing either in a deeper league, especially if you have a Maclin or VJax on bye this week. One other deeper league play; Brandon LaFell has been great in two of the last three weeks. With the injury to Ridley, and the matchup against a porous Jets secondary, look for New England to throw the ball, a lot, and it would not be surprising to see LaFell find his way into the End Zone for the third time in four weeks.

Sit'em

Eric Decker @NE : The Jets' passing offense has been anemic so far this season - 182.2 YPG average is the worst in the league - yet Decker has still been able to have moderate success, despite the circumstances. This will not continue in Week 7's showdown with the Patriots. Not only are the Jets playing on the road in the Thursday Night game, but New England's defense has allowed the least amount of points, of any defense, to fantasy wide receivers this season, so expect Decker to struggle in Week 7.

Keenan Allen vs. KC: Every week I expect the best out of Keenan Allen, and, almost, every week I am disappointed. That ends now. Allen has been, borderline, nonexistent in the Chargers offense this season, save for his 10-catch, 135 yard performance in Week 4's win over the Jags. Rivers spreads the ball around so much in that Mike McCoy offense, and clearly looks primarily for Gates in the Red Zone, that Allen has seemed to get lost in the shuffle. Furthermore, the Chiefs' defense has played the pass well this season, so don't expect Allen to bust out in Week 7.

Percy Harvin @STL: For some reason, Seattle hates to throw to Percy Harvin. Harvin is clearly Seattle's most talented receiver, yet Harvin has only had one double-digit fantasy performance this season, and even that came as the result of a 51-yard touchdown run. Despite his talent, Seattle seems resigned to not finding ways to get Harvin the ball. Expect this trend to continue in Week 7, as Seattle faces a St. Louis defense that has been atrocious against the run. Marshawn Lynch, and not Percy Harvin, is the Seahawk you want in your lineup this week.

TE:

Start'em

Larry Donnell @ DAL: Donnell should see a rise in targets due to the loss of Victor Cruz. Donnell was already one of Eli's favorite Red Zone targets, which should also increase without Cruz on the field. Granted, Donnell has had two down weeks since his three-touchdown breakout game, but he did have a touchdown wiped off the board, due to a holding penalty, in the loss to the Eagles, which would have made his performance far more palatable. Furthermore, Week 7's mathcup with the Cowboys, pits Donnell against the defense that allows the most fantasy points, in the league, to tight ends. Look for Donnell to get back on track this week in Dallas. - James

Jordan Reed vs. TEN: It's always scary with Mr. Reed given his concussions but I am taking the ride with him this week. As I noted with Cousin's I just don't have any faith that the Titans can really cover much of anything. With the extra attention that I am sure our old friend will receive, I think Jordan Reed is in for a nice day - John

Sit'em

Owen Daniels vs. PIT: Since his two-touchdown performance in Week 2, Daniels has been nothing more than mediocre. This is surprising, since the season-ending injury to Dennis Pitta, opened the door for Daniels to be the primary tight end option for Joe Flacco. There will certainly be another week where Daniels has a standout performance, as the Baltimore passing game has been producing at a high level, however, it won't be in Week 7. The Ravens face a Falcons team in Week 7, who, despite their many struggles on defense this season, have been dominant against tight ends, allowing the least amount of fantasy points to tight ends of any team in the league. Look for Daniels to continue to be mediocre in Week 7. - James

Travis Kelce @ SD: Kelce really came on before Kanas City went on a their bye week. 3 straight touchdowns and pretty good numbers would say keep riding that pony. As enticing as it is to keep putting Travis in your starting lineup the Chargers eat up TEs and although I have a feeling this might be a high scoring game, I have strong feeling Kelce won't be involved that much this week. - John

DEF/STs:

by John Barchard

Start'em

DET vs. NO: Saints are banged up and the Lions defense is no joke. They continue their top tier dominance. (See Also: ARI, BAL & pretty sure PHI will even register a turnover on their bye week)

BUF vs. MIN: The Bills have been up and down this season and had a tough week last week, but that doesn't happen here against the Vikings

CLE vs. JAX: It's Jacksonville

Bonus: NE vs. NYJ: This is going to be a hilariously bad game for the Jets, cash in with the Patriots DEF tonight

Let's Get Cute Bonus: I really like the Colts at home vs. the Bengals if everything on your wavier wire is taken. (See Also: Broncos)

Sit'em

CAR @ GB: Aaron Rodgers is going to tear them apart in Lambeau

SF @ DEN: I am not going to bet against Manning having an off day

SD vs. KC: Divisional matchup, blood, sweat and points in this one. Don't like either side's defense starting this week

On This Week's Show

Injures, Injuries, Injuries & Finding Replacements For...

Darren Sporles

Knowshon Moreno

Jimmy Graham

Victor Cruz

Steven Ridley

Potential Good Stashes On The Wavier Wire

Andre Holmes (OAK  - WR)

Tre Mason (STL - RB)

Jarvis Landry (Mia - WR)

Brandon La Fell (NE - WR)

Malcom Floyd (SD - WR)

Josh Hill (TE - NO)

Robert Woods (BUF WR)

Buying or Selling or Dropping or Staying?

Eli Manning

Reggie Wayne

T.Y. Hilton

Monte Ball

Mario Mailbag!

@MarioZmd

Start 2: Edelman vs. NYJ (Thursday Night), Andre Johnson @ PIT (Monday Night), M. Wallace @ CHI, K. Benjamin @ GB

And we say Happy Trails to three players that we no longer want on our roster... all that and more!