The NFL season seems to be going by fast as we are already through 6 weeks. Some people have already thrown in the towel in their leagues this year. But you know what? I believe in all of you guys that are 1-5 or 2-4 can turn it around & make a playoff push. DON’T LOSE HOPE! And don’t be one of those people that since your season isn’t going as expected you just stop paying attention to your lineup & let it go that gets annoying. Instead be like me who last year started 2-4 & ended up finishing 2nd in the league. Yes, that was a humble brag but hopefully that brings you a glimmer of hope to keep being active & try to restore your fantasy record to be at least a respectable one. Again all my start/sits are based accordingly to PPR scoring.
Top 3 Performers of Week 6:
Drew Brees (QB, Saints): 40 points
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, Giants): 40 points
Matthew Stafford (QB, Lions): 35 points
QBs to start in Week 7:
Andy Dalton (vs. Browns): Dalton has struggled so far this season but has actually looked pretty good the past 2 weeks scoring 48 points in both weeks combined. Dalton is facing a terrible Browns defense this week that just allowed 33 points to Marcus Mariota in Week 6. Dalton could have a nice week especially if his favorite red zone target in Tyler Eifert can return this week. I see a good outing for Dalton regardless with him facing the Browns who have given up the 2nd most points to opposing QBs. I like Dalton as a fill in QB if your QB is on a bye (Cam Newton, Dak Prescott) or if your QB has a bad matchup.
Philip Rivers (vs. Falcons): Rivers had a disappointing week in Week 6 scoring only 13 against the Broncos. But that was against a tough Broncos defense on a Thursday night game. The 2 previous weeks before the Broncos game Rivers scored 56 points combined. This week Rivers has a very favorable matchup against a Falcons team that has given up the 3rd most points to opposing QBs. It also looks like Rivers has a very nice red zone weapon in Hunter Henry so that increases Rivers stock going forward.
Marcus Mariota (vs. Colts): Finally, Mariota has performed as a very viable fantasy option at QB the past 2 weeks scoring a whopping 69 points combined. It seems like Mariota liked Kendall Wright in Week 6 with Wright getting 27 points. I don’t know if I see that connection continuing consistently the rest of the season. Mariota’s streak of good matchups continues this week against a Colts defense that has given up the 8th most fantasy points to opposing QBs & just gave up 20 points to Brock Osweiler which is really sad. I see Mariota having another big week this week.
My Star QB of the Week: Tom Brady (vs. Steelers): I really do feel bad for everyone who has to play Brady this season because he is on a mission to prove everyone wrong & he wants to rub every win in Roger Goodell’s face. Brady has been unstoppable in his first 2 games this season throwing for 782 yards, 6 touchdowns & no interceptions. Next team up is the Steelers who have one of the worst secondaries in the NFL & they are without Ben Roethlisberger on offense so I see the Patriots having the ball the majority of the game controlling the clock. I’m sorry Steeler fans you probably will be taking another loss this week but at least it won’t be the Dolphins right?
Under the Radar QB: Joe Flacco (vs. Jets): Flacco only had 12 points last week against the Giants but his 307 yards were still good. Flacco is going against a struggling Jets secondary that has given up the 5th most points to opposing QBs. The Jets defense has also given up the 2nd most yards per pass attempt in the NFL so that favors the Ravens who have a guy like Mike Wallace who’s a great deep threat. I like Flacco as another fill in QB this week but I’d start Andy Dalton instead of him if possible.
QBs to sit in Week 7:
Carson Palmer (vs. Seahawks): Carson Palmer has been very disappointing this season. I don’t know if it’s cause he’s getting older or if his injury is affecting him or maybe a mixture of both because he doesn’t look like the same QB that was the 5th best QB in fantasy last year. This week I’m absolutely benching him against a tough Seattle defense that has given up just 56 points all season to opposing QBs (11.2 a week). Palmer is no longer an automatic start at QB unless he shows signs pf being the QB he was last season.
Carson Wentz (vs. Vikings): It seems like Wentz has come back to Earth the past 2 weeks scoring just 27 combined points. This week he plays the Vikings who is probably the last defense I want to play this season especially as a rookie QB. The Vikings are coming off a bye so they had an extra week to prepare for this game & they have given the 3rd least amount of points to opposing QBs this season. All signs point to Wentz struggling again this week.
RBs to start in Week 7:
Demarco Murray (vs. Colts): Murray has impressed this year being the 3rd best fantasy RB so far this season only behind David Johnson & LeSean McCoy. The most impressive thing is that he doesn’t have a great offensive line & he’s actually involved in the passing game as well this season. This week Murray plays the Colts who just allowed Lamar Miller to get 31 fantasy points & have given up the most points to opposing RBs this season. I see big days for Murray & Mariota this week for the Titans.
Spencer Ware (vs. Saints): Ware has been a nice surprise in fantasy this year taking the reins as the starting RB for the Chiefs while Jamaal Charles is recovering from injury & slowly getting worked into the offense. Ware has only 8 less points this season than Lamar Miller who just had a 31 point game in Week 6. Ware is coming off a 24 point performance against the Raiders in Week 6 & I see another great game against the Saints who have given up the 3rd most points to opposing RBs. The only way Ware doesn’t have a big week is if Andy Reid is lying about “slowly” easing Jamaal Charles into getting snaps. I see Ware as the guy you start between them & I’d maybe play Charles at flex this week.
James White (vs. Steelers): With Brady at the helm for the Patriots it instantly makes guys like James White viable fantasy options in PPR formats. In the 2 games Brady has played, White has scored 37 fantasy points. Brady loves to use the running back in the passing game to create mismatches against linebackers. With an injury to a guy like Ryan Shazier I don’t see any of the Steelers linebackers being able to stop White from getting the ball. I like White as a RB2 or flex play this week.
My Star RB of the Week: LeSean McCoy (vs. Dolphins): I know the Dolphins are actually the 14th best defense against RBs allowing just 87 points this season but I’m not believing they can stop the run. I think Week 6 was just a one time thing where the Dolphins slowed down Le’Veon Bell but in Week 7 they will be going against the 2nd best fantasy back this season in McCoy. The Bills seem to have rejuvenated their season somewhat with their dynamic running game of Tyrod Taylor & LeSean McCoy. McCoy is coming off a 34 point performance & I see another huge game for Shady McCoy this week.
Under the Radar RB: T.J Yeldon (vs. Raiders): Yeldon hasn’t been a good fantasy option pretty much all season but if there is a game he could over perform it could be this one. I know he’s in a timeshare with Chris Ivory but the plus side is Yeldon gets the snaps on passing plays & is a talented back in the passing game. The Raiders have given up the 5th most points to fantasy RBs & I maybe see Yeldon scoring a touchdown this week. I only see him as a flex play in deeper leagues but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a 15-17 point performance.
RBs to sit in Week 7:
Jordan Howard (vs. Packers): Jordan Howard might be a guy you should sell high on (check out my Buy Low/Sell High article). In Week 6 Howard seemed to have a somewhat split workload with Ka’Deem Carey out touching him 17-9. We are nearing the return of Jeremy Langford so I’m expecting a timeshare between Howard & Langford. This week I’m benching Howard because he plays the Packers who have shut down everyone besides Ezekiel Elliott & have still have given up the least fantasy points to opposing RBs.
Frank Gore (vs. Titans): Let’s give props where they’re due. Gore became the first RB to rush for 100 yards for the Colts since 2012 (Vick Ballard) in Week 6 against the Texans. The most impressive thing is Gore did it behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. To me it’s likely that Colts won’t be able to repeat that 2 weeks in a row after going 3 & a half seasons without one. Gore also faces the Titans who’s strength on defense is stopping the run having the 10th best rush defense in the NFL. Gore usually isn’t a great play in PPR leagues but this week I don’t like him at all.
WRs to start in Week 7:
Allen Robinson (vs. Raiders): Robinson has been a bit of a let down this season being the 32nd best fantasy WR so far this season. Robinson was drafted late in the 1st round or early 2nd round in majority of drafts. If there’s a week he can rebound it’s this week against the Raiders who have given up the 4th most points to opposing WRs. It hasn’t really been Allen Robinson that’s struggling it’s been Blake Bortles who’s played like he did in his rookie season. If Bortles can figure it out we should see Robinson return as a WR1 this week.
Cameron Meredith (vs. Packers): Meredith seems to be Brian Hoyer’s favorite target to go to since Kevin White went down with injury. Meredith has scored 48 total points in the last 2 weeks. Unless Hoyer starts to target Alshon Jeffery more, Meredith should be a viable option the rest of the season (we’ll have to see if the Bears go back to Cutler at QB too). The Bears play the Packers who have injuries in their secondary & they just put Sam Shields on IR so I see Meredith as a solid WR2 or great flex play this week.
Mike Evans (vs. 49ers): Evans is the 10th best fantasy WR even after having a bye in Week 6. Evans plays the 49ers who have given up 10 touchdowns to WRs this season which is the 2nd most in the NFL. The 49ers surprisingly have the 9th best pass defense but I’m not buying it especially against a guy like Evans who can just out jump anyone in the league. The Buccaneers also just placed Vincent Jackson on IR so I see even more targets for Mike Evans if that’s even possible. I see Evans having one of the best fantasy weeks from a WR if not the best.
My Star WR of the Week: Odell Beckham Jr. (vs. Rams): Is Beckham Jr.’s kicking net antics getting old? Maybe so, but if he gets me 40 points every week I don’t care what he does with the net (OK lets keep it PG-13). You see what I did there? His number is 13 & I said… nevermind. Beckham Jr. finally seemed to get on the same page as Eli or it might be the other way around but I don’t care he got me 40 points! This week he plays the Rams who might be missing their starting CB & they’ve given up the 5th most points to opposing WRs this season. I see another huge outing for Odell Beckham Jr. this week & hopefully him & the net live happily ever after.
Under the Radar WR: Mike Wallace (vs. Jets): Wallace is still one of the best deep threat WRs in the NFL & he has a QB who loves to throw deep in Joe Flacco. Wallace is coming off a solid day catching 4 passes for 97 yards against the Giants in Week 6. This week he faces a Jets secondary that is struggling to cover pretty much everyone this season. The Jets have allowed the 2nd most points to WRs this season. I like Wallace as a solid flex play this week.
WRs to sit in Week 7:
Jordan Matthews (vs. Vikings): Matthews has been kind of disappointing this year. His Week 1 performance of 24 points looked promising but since then he has yet to score over 13 points. I don’t know if this because of him or if it’s because Carson Wentz has seemed to struggle a bit the past couple weeks. Matthews is facing the Vikings this week & he is playing injured so that’s not a good combination. The Vikings have allowed the 2nd least amount of points to opposing WRs so Matthews is an absolute bench for me unless you absolutely have to play him in deeper leagues.
John Brown (vs. Seahawks): Everyone thought John Brown was in for a big week this past week against the Jets but he ended the game with just 10 points. John Brown seems to be dependent on the big play downfield but it seems like the Cardinals & Carson Palmer aren’t pushing it downfield as much as last year. Brown this week is going against a tough Seattle secondary that doesn’t allow many big plays so I don’t see much happening for Brown in this game. Seattle has allowed the 3rd least amount of points to opposing WRs. Even in PPR leagues John Brown should be benched this week.
TEs to start in Week 7:
Hunter Henry (vs. Falcons): Henry seems to have solidified himself as the main TE in the Chargers offense. In the last 3 weeks Henry has scored a touchdown in each game & has scored a total of 52 points in those 3 weeks. With the TE position being so thin & hard to trust in fantasy this season Henry might be one of the more reliable TEs the rest of the season. Henry faces the Falcons who have given up the 4th most points to opposing TEs & just gave up 89 yards to Jimmy Graham in Week 6. I see another nice week from Hunter Henry. This game could become a shootout between Philip Rivers & Matt Ryan because of both teams having mediocre defenses.
Delanie Walker (vs. Colts): Walker can’t keep struggling this season can he? I hope not but I’ll keep putting him in my start column until he proves me right. Walker in Week 5 had a nice performance scoring 17 points but in Week 6 he only was able to muster up just 3 points. And that was against the Browns… Hopefully Walker is in for a nice week against the Colts who have allowed the 10th most points against TEs this year. Walker is no longer the TE that you can rely on every week like last season. He’s a matchup play guy until he shows he can be consistent.
Charles Clay (vs. Dolphins): Clay has quietly been one of the most consistent TEs the past few weeks. In the last 3 weeks Clay has caught 5 passes in each game & seems to be targeted a lot more by Tyrod Taylor lately. He has yet to get into the endzone this season but I see Clay scoring his 1st one on Sunday. The Dolphins have given up the 9th most points to TEs this season so that also helps Clay this week.
My Star TE of the Week: Rob Gronkowski (vs. Steelers): Finally Gronk looks healthy & ready to Gronk anyone who gets in his way (I’m going to start using Gronk as a verb it’s fun!). Gronk had his best game of the season in Week 6 catching 7 passes for 162 yards & a touchdown for a whole 29 points. This week Gronk faces the Steelers who’s secondary leaves a lot to be desired. Last year when the Patriots played the Steelers Gronk had 5 catches for 94 yards & 3 touchdowns. I see a nice day from Gronk & co. in this game.
Under the Radar TE: Cameron Brate (vs. 49ers): With the news of Vincent Jackson heading to the IR someone on the Bucs offense is going to have their fantasy stock rise & I believe it may be Cameron Brate. Brate was able to put up 32 points in weeks 3 & 4 combined but in Week 5 he only put up 4 points. After the bye week I think the Bucs might have game planned to get the ball out faster & maybe more ways to get Brate the ball. The 49ers have allowed the 11th most points to opposing TEs so that works in Brate’s favor.
TEs to sit in Week 7:
Zach Ertz (vs. Vikings): Ertz has been one of the most disappointing TEs this season. He was one of the first TEs taken in drafts but has only scored 20 points in the 3 games he’s played this season. There’s also the fact that he plays the Vikings this week & I don’t like the idea of playing anyone against this Vikings defense. The Vikings have yet to allow a touchdown to an opposing TE & I don’t see that changing on Sunday.
Coby Fleener (vs. Chiefs): Yes, I know Fleener is coming off his best performance of the season but besides his other 20+ point performance he’s scored a total of just 9 points in the other 3 games. It seems like Fleener is very TD dependent in this offense & with Drew Brees on the road I don’t like Fleener this week. The Chiefs have given up the 4th least amount of points to opposing TEs & with the Chiefs being at home Fleener might have another very disappointing game.
DEF/STs to start in Week 7:
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Browns): Dang what a surprise. A defense that is going against the Browns is a must start defense this week. People forget that this Bengals defense is still pretty talented. The Browns still have rookie Cody Kessler at QB so I see the Bengals forcing a couple turnovers on him & shutting down the Browns offense for the most part.
Buffalo Bills (vs. Dolphins): Now I have the Bills here just out of spite towards the Dolphins. Last week I said the Steelers defense would be a nice play against the Dolphins & what does the Steelers defense do? They score negative points & make me look like an idiot. This week the hot Bills defense gets their chance at the Dolphins & hopefully I’m right this time about someone shutting down this poor offense of the Dolphins.
DEF/STs to sit in Week 7:
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Vikings): I don’t think people have given enough credit to how good the Vikings offense has been while Sam Bradford has been the QB. He has yet to turn the ball over & this week he plays against the team who traded him after drafting Carson Wentz 2nd overall in the 2016 draft. Bradford is going to be out to prove everyone wrong & I see the Vikings blowing out the Eagles this week. Plus the Eagles has seemed to come back to Earth after allowing just 27 points in the first 3 weeks they have allowed 51 in the last 2 weeks.
Los Angeles Rams (vs. Giants): The Rams are playing the Giants in London on Sunday while Odell Beckham Jr. is coming off his best week in Week 6 where he had 40 points. The Rams could be without their starting CB in Trumaine Johnson again & if that’s the case OBJ might be running wild again against a Rams defense that has some glaring holes right now. I’m benching the Rams defense this week & I’m maybe thinking about grabbing a defense like the Ravens who are playing Geno Smith in his first start this season.
