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Week 7 is about to kickoff and we are just about at the halfway point for many fantasy seasons. The Vikes remained idle and retained the top spot. The Seahawks were victims of a bad 3rd quarter and the Broncos defense is getting into the Halloween spirit a little too intensely. As always, pay attention to matchups and use these rankings to make you feel better about that sleeper play. Let's dive in:
Week 7 Rank | Team | Opponent | Previous Week's Ranking | Notes |
1 | @PHI | -- | The word is out on Carson Wentz which is: he's exceptional against the blitz. So what should the Vikes do this Sunday? Use the athleticism of Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr to make plays away from the line of scrimmage and force Wentz to go through all his reads. | |
2 | Denver Broncos | vs. HOU | 1 | The Broncos are on a 2-game skid, but most of the team struggles are coming on the offensive side of the ball. This week, LB Brandon Marshall on Brock Osweiler coming to town: "We just want to kill him." I actually fear for Osweiler's well-being. |
3 | vs. SEA | 3 | While the David Johnson Show has been taking a lot of the headlines, Cardinals defense has quietly amassed a league leading 14 total takeaways and are 4th in total yards allowed per game. The Seahawks are starting to find their footing so forcing turnovers will be key here. | |
4 | @MIA | 2 | The Bills may have turned things around. Their defense has scored an average of 10.8 fantasy points per game, according to ESPN Standard scoring. They've also scored a league leading 3 defensive touchdowns. | |
5 | Seattle Seahawks | @ARI | 8 | Kam Chancellor may not suit up for the Seahawks this Sunday which puts their secondary depth at a disadvantage. Last week, the Falcons were able to get things going to Julio Jones, despite how great Richard Sherman has been. And in case you weren't privy to this information: Larry Fitzgerald is still very good. Worth a play because they're still Seattle, but they might not get the points you were expecting. |
6 | @PIT | 6 | Probably the best early season matchup we've been waiting for has turned into a dud. The injury to Ben Roethlisberger has hurt the game build up, but helped the Patriots defense in this matchup. The Pats have allowed 15.2 ppg, good for second best. And Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell are still monsters, but without Ben we might see more of what we saw last week when the Steelers got thumped by Miami. | |
7 | vs. MIN | 5 | One loss can't derail this defense. They're still tied for 3rd in ppg allowed (15.6). Minnesota is a good team, but a team that has been carried by their defense. Being 30th in yards allowed, the Vikings could have trouble moving the ball if Wentz doesn't commit turnovers to give them a short field. | |
8 | vs. CHI | 4 | Last week wasn't good. The flailing Packer offense wasn't able to sustain drives long enough to give the defense a rest and if a run-heavy team like Dallas gets that kind of advantage, it's not good for any defense. They were able to force some turnovers, however. Calling out Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers to do more though. | |
9 | @NYJ | 10 | Don't look now, but the Ravens lead the league in rushing yards allowed. It's not a flashy defense, but it's effective. They also play a Jets team that just switched to Geno Smith at quarterback and aren't running the ball as effectively as they were in the beginning of the year. Eric Decker on IR only offers more opportunity for the Ravens to capitalize. | |
10 | @DEN | 7 | Jadeveon Clowney has had to absorb all the double teams with JJ Watt missing, but the secondary has still hung on for 2nd in passing yards allowed (behind Denver). If Houston can turn Denver into a one-dimensional game, they not only have a chance to capitalize off Denver's offensive struggles, but a chance to make it 3 losses in a row for the Broncos. | |
11 | vs. NO | 14 | Defenses have struggled consistently at containing Drew Brees and the high-flying pass attack of the Saints. The Chiefs are tied for the league lead in picks (9), but N'awlins still has the ability to gash defenses through the air. KC gets All-Pro linebacker, Justin Houston, back soon so they're worth keeping, but I wouldn't play them this week. | |
12 | vs. CLE | 13 | In a word, the Bengals have been bad. In two words, weirdly bad. It's either bad coaching or the losses they suffered from free agency, but this squad is having trouble connecting consistently. We haven't seen the impact of having Vontaze Burfict back and given the way he behaves on the field we may not see him on it much longer. That being said, they do play Cleveland this week. | |
13 | vs. NYG (in London) | 9 | Our second trip across the pond sees the Rams playing the Giants. The Rams injury report didn't look good this week with Robert Quinn, William Hayes, Michael Brockers, and Trumaine Johnson putting up DNP's or limited practice. They also play Odell Beckham Jr. who's looking to encore his monster performance from the week prior. | |
14 | vs. IND | 11 | The Titans are still in the top-10 for yards per game allowed and play a Colts offense that can't keep Andrew Luck upright. Seriously, Pagano and Grigson, you're gonna rob us of additional playing years out of Luck because you can't fix the obvious disaster up front. We'll see if the Titans are willing to take a step toward their first division crown since 2008. | |
15 | New York Jets | vs. BAL | 15 | Did everyone else sell their property on Revis Island, too? Still a great player, but not that level that can cover the rest of the holes in this secondary. They're allowing 290 yards per game through the air and have only managed 2 INTs. The run defense is acceptable and with a hobbled Flacco, may have a chance to limit Baltimore. |
16 | @JAX | 20 | Despite showing signs of life recently, the defense is still finding itself in shoot outs against good offenses. Luckily for them, the Jaguars aren't playing good football right now. Blake Bortles has already thrown 7 picks and for OAK's secondary to contribute, they need those takeaways. Blake will give them all the opportunity to get those. | |
17 | Pittsburgh Steelers | vs. NE | 16 | According to Fantasy Football today, PIT is a respectable 16th in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Looking deeper at the stats though, and you see the best TE the Steelers have faced all year is Jordan Reed. And you could argue that both Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett are better at their respective positions than Reed. Pittsburgh is a middling defense at best at this point in the season and the NE tight end combo looks unstoppable. |
18 | Atlanta Falcons | vs. SD | 18 | What a time to be in Atlanta. The Hawks have a legitimate Eastern Conference playoff run in them, Donald Glover's Atlanta is the best show on tv, and the Falcons defense is already over halfway to their entire sack total of last year (with 2 defensive TD's). Shameless tv show plugs aside, this defense still has a lot of issues. If Phillip Rivers can keep his second-half completion percentage up, there will be plenty of points scored in this game. |
19 | @DET | 22 | During Washington's 4-game win streak, we've talked a lot about Kirk Cousins finally playing like he doesn't want to be franchise tagged. What's going under reported is that in that time, they've amassed 11 sacks and 7 forced fumbles. Sleeper potential against a bad Lions team and a Watch List candidate for those of you looking to switch things up soon. | |
20 | vs. BUF | 25 | Second to last in rushing yards allowed and are now playing without starting Safety, Reshad Jones. To be honest, I only knew who Jones was because my girlfriend watches WAGS: Miami, but that first point is inexcusable when you have Ndamukong Suh. Cameron Wake, save these fins. | |
21 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | @SF | -- | ESPN Standard Scoring has the Bucs scoring a measly 15 points over the first few games. The Niners aren't the best offensive team, but Kaepernick has a real chance to get things going in his second start of the year here. I'd look for other options unless you're really okay with your defense allowing 28.4 ppg. |
22 | New York Giants | @LA (in London) | 12 | After showing signs of life, the Giants have sputtered against the Vikings and Packers. The run defense hasn't looked as formidable as it was set to so hopefully Damon Harrison and those boys can elevate their gameplay. The secondary needs to figure out a way to come up with more than 2 interceptions as well. |
23 | Chicago Bears | @GB | 19 | All-around this is a Bears team that hasn't played terribly despite their record. They have a chance to steal one here against Aaron Rodgers who hasn't played like Aaron Rodgers in over a year. Playing on a short week, they go to Lambeau, so exercise other options if you have them. |
24 | Jacksonville Jaguars | vs. OAK | 24 | Another defense that has some pieces that might be coming together now. They're performing well in passing yards and rushing yards allowed (14th and 8th, respectively). Unfortunately, that growth may stall this week against a high-powered Oakland offense and their inability to force many turnovers. |
25 | San Francisco 49ers | vs. TB | 26 | Jameis Winston has given teams plenty of chances to take the ball away with the number of times he targets Mike Evans (29% of his attempts). Hopefully Tampa has looked at the numbers cause they shouldn't have to throw much against a team that is dead last in rush yards allowed per game (nearly 30 yards more per game than the next closest). |
26 | San Diego Chargers | @ATL | 26 | Atlanta managed to put up points against the best pass defense in the league and San Diego is far from that. Joey Bosa has provided them a little bit of a spark, but allowing nearly 28 ppg is a juicy number to Hotlanta. |
27 | Detroit Lions | vs. WAS | 21 | The Lions are stuck in the bottom half of the league in both rushing yards allowed and passing yards allowed. Washington's offense line opened up holes so large last week for Matt Jones that the actual Tom Hanks could land a plane through. Word to Captain Sully. Keep the Lions on your bench. |
28 | Cleveland Browns | @CIN | 28 | "This is Cleveland's year!" That statement only applies to the Cavaliers and maybe the Indians. The Browns are 29th in yards allowed this season and while Terrelle Pryor can play many positions, but not all of them. |
29 | Indianapolis Colts | @TEN | 27 | Future Hall of Famer, Robert Mathis, has only 1 sack this season and is still the best defensive player on this team. Their injury report is 11 players deep, just on defense, players are being cut for protesting, and the ones that are healthy just aren't good. DeMarco Murray owners are thrilled with this matchup. |
30 | New Orleans Saints | @KC | 28 | Last in points allowed, second to last in total yards allowed, second to last in picks, and last in these rankings. The incumbent basement dweller hasn't been able to shake the injury bug or drafting poorly for the past few seasons. Silver lining? Their 12th overall pick, Sheldon Rankins, was activated from IR. |
Special Teams notes: With only one kickoff return for touchdown this year, I'm kicking off my campaign to make kickoffs great again. Submit ideas in the comments for how you think we can make one of the most game-changing of plays, actually game-changing again. Kick short on purpose? Excessively celebrate after touchdowns to draw those ridiculous taunting flags to back you up on the kickoffs? Onside it every time and really stir shit up?! Every great cause has to start somewhere.
We're getting some action on punts though with Will Fuller using his 4.3 speed and Marcus Sherels upping the Minnesota defense value.