Fake Teams - Everything you need for NFL Week 7The Key Source For Incisive Fantasy Sports Analysishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50153/fake-fav.png2020-10-24T21:56:46-04:00http://www.faketeams.com/rss/stream/212923752020-10-24T21:56:46-04:002020-10-24T21:56:46-04:00Fantasy Football Rundown: Week 7
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<p>A sentence on every fantasy viable player this week.</p> <p id="wMYLp9">Welcome to the <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/fantasy-football"><strong>Fantasy Football</strong></a> Rundown. In here you will find at least one sentence on every player with fantasy value in Week 7 of the NFL. I would highly recommend using your web browsers search function to find specific players you’re curious about.</p>
<p id="EQunTL">Let’s begin!</p>
<h3 id="dPqA5s">
<a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> at <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a>
</h3>
<p id="Kn2bMI"><a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/"><strong>Steelers</strong></a><strong> </strong></p>
<p id="BkJHkI">Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a high-flying QB option this week as his now-healthy receiving corps prepares for liftoff against a <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a> pass defense that’s allowing the 5h-most passing yards per game (<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/view/defense/table/passing/sort/netPassingYardsPerGame/dir/desc">272.8</a>) to opposing aerial attacks. He’s this week’s overall <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB7</a>.</p>
<p id="jtNFcP">With Diontae Johnson (<a href="https://www.steelers.com/team/injury-report/">back</a>) returning to the lineup, a <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-pit-6.php">snap share</a> reckoning is upon us. With Johnson ailing, rookie receiver <span>Chase Claypool</span> thunderously announced his presence in the NFL, keyed by an earth-shattering <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles-pittsburgh-steelers-20201011023/">Week 5</a> performance and a stout <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/cleveland-browns-pittsburgh-steelers-20201018023/">Week 6</a> follow-up. Prior to Claypool’s explosion, Johnson was the talk of Steel Town having asserted himself over slot receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster as the team’s top dog at receiver. Claypool and James Washington had been duking it out for the rights to the team’s downfield receiver role. Johnson’s absence allowed Washington to claim the job while Claypool operated as the team’s X-receiver. For this week, fantasy managers have it easier than they may think as Tennessee is preparing enough southern comfort to show all four receivers a good time — their 20.8% pressure rate is 10th-worst in the league. Fire up Claypool as a don’t-sweat-it Top 15 option. That the team is straight up <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32719/">engineering touches</a> for him at this point (six carries for 21 yards and two rushing scores). Even with Johnson back, Claypool ain’t going anywhere. Expectations for Johnson should be mildly tempered as it’s his first real week of practice in a while. He’s a confident high-end flex/back-end WR2 though. JuJu Smith-Schuster’s up-and-down season is on an upswing this week as the Titans’ so-so slot coverage was most recently on display against Randall Cobb in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/houston-texans-tennessee-titans-20201018010/">Week 6</a>, who found the end zone from 4-yards out. JuJu is a solid flex option. With those three running wild, James Washington should have single-coverage in the deep field all night long. He’s a great bet for a long score.</p>
<p id="ftaTew">Tight end Eric Ebron has a good match-up on his hands, facing a Titans defense allowing the 8th-most .5PPR points per game to the position (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/tight-ends">13.1</a>). Unfortunately for him though, No. 2 tight end <span>Vance McDonald</span> has a sturdy <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-pit-6.php">snap share</a> of his own that continues to hinder Ebron’s box score viability. Ebron is just a Hail Mary option at the position.</p>
<p id="FU1QCD">Excluding James Conner’s ankle-induced absence in Week 1, the <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-pit-6.php">60+ percent</a> snap-share back is <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-rb.php?year=2020&start=2&end=6">.5PPR’s RB12</a> in scoring. Facing a Titans’ front that’s yielded the 11th-most .5PPR points to opposing backfield per game (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/running-backs">22.2</a>), Conner can be safely teed up as a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">rock-solid RB1</a> this week. </p>
<p id="meSJFc">Benny Snell is just a change of pace/handcuff. </p>
<p id="1Z8Z19"><strong>Titans</strong></p>
<p id="FHRrN4">The Titans’ hyper-efficient offense faces it’s toughest match-up of 2020. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has done enough this year with his <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/passing.htm#patexans%20chiefs%20fake%20teamsssing::pass_sacked">7.5%</a> touchdown rate, 3rd-best in the league, to maintain <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">back-end QB1</a> honors though. Following up his league-best 2019 Completion Percentage Above Expectation (<a href="https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/passing/2019/REG/all#completionPercentageAboveExpectation">8%</a>) with the league’s No. 4 ranked <a href="https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/passing/2020/REG/all#completionPercentageAboveExpectation">5.7%</a> CPAE, Tannehill is proving that he belongs in the upper echelon on the NFL quarterback discussion. </p>
<p id="XkFWZO">After storming back into our hearts and Titans’ box scores over the last two weeks, having battled back from multi-week a bone bruise issue, cold water’s been poured on A.J. Brown’s hopes this week as a knee injury <a href="https://www.tennesseetitans.com/team/injury-report/">kept him from practicing on Thursday</a>. This is not a good sign for his Week 7 availability. Fantasy managers need to make backup plans. Should he play, he’s a locked-in Top 15 option though.</p>
<p id="RhgYx7">Over their last three games, the Steelers’ secondary has been a bit more friendly than expected to both perimeter and slot receivers, highlighted by <span>Travis Fulgham</span>’s Week 5 showing on the outside (<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles-pittsburgh-steelers-20201011023/">10 catchers, 152-yards, and one touchdown)</a> and slot-ster Randall Cobb’s Week 3 performance (<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/houston-texans-pittsburgh-steelers-20200927023/">four catchers, 95-yards, and one touchdown</a>). Fill-in X-receiver <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20840806/corey-davis-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Corey Davis</a> would be a stout WR2, should Brown miss and a decent flex option if Brown plays. Slot receiver <span>Adam Humphries</span> is a Honda-like steady flex option with PPR upside. </p>
<p id="cokkOR">.5PPR’s overall <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-te.php?year=2020&start=1&end=6">TE4</a>, <span>Jonnu Smith</span> was hampered by an ankle injury in Week 6 but managed <a href="https://www.tennesseetitans.com/team/injury-report/">full participation</a> in Thursday’s practice. He’s a high-end TE1 option.</p>
<p id="ENTIMP">Despite Tennessee’s COVID-induced Week 4 bye, Derrick Henry sits as .5PPR’s overall <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-rb.php?year=2020&start=1&end=6">RB4</a>. Pittsburgh’s defensive-front is as good as it gets but it won’t matter for Henry. He’s an <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">elite RB1</a> play.</p>
<h3 id="CgRSPD">
<a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> at <a href="https://www.hogshaven.com/">Washington Football Team</a>
</h3>
<p id="AzyBkE"><a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/"><strong>Cowboys</strong></a></p>
<p id="uVoUjZ">The Cowboys’ offense offers pendulum-like fantasy production as the team’s offensive line—a former strength—has been <a href="https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/players-roster/">decimated</a> by <a href="https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/injury-report/">injuries</a>. The <a href="https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/injury-report/">return</a> of defensive end <span>Chase Young</span> to Washington’s already-stout defensive line bodes poorly for <span>Andy Dalton</span>’s clean-pocket potential. Washington’s leaky secondary could give way to big plays though. As such, quarterback Andy Dalton is a mid-tier <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB2</a>.</p>
<p id="f5HGlj"><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20838514/amari-cooper-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Amari Cooper</a> showed situation-proof reliability last <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-wr.php?year=2020&start=6&end=6">week</a>, posting overall WR6 .5PPR numbers. He’s a locked-in Top 12 option. </p>
<p id="GnyVxm">CeeDee Lamb’s slot receiver role should continue to produce high-floor numbers as Dalton’s No. 1 safety valve option. His shot at a ceiling game is lower than most weeks.</p>
<p id="H8tauQ"><span>Michael Gallup</span> is simultaneously the best bet for chunk gains and the best bet to bust, due to the lack of reliability that a downfield receiver brings to the table. The Washington secondary offers little resistance to his deep-field route running but their defensive line could keep Dalton from looking downfield all day long. Find him in the dictionary next to “boom/bust flex option”. </p>
<p id="16fu27">Tight end <span>Dalton Schultz</span>’ in ability to produce <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals-dallas-cowboys-20201019006/">last week</a> in a decent match-up was extremely concerning. Dalton simply cannot support the same array of fantasy-relevant Cowboys as Dak Prescott. <span>Schultz</span> is now just a high-end TE2. </p>
<p id="yMpFA5">Two fumbles derailed an otherwise decent outing for running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20841823/ezekiel-elliott-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Ezekiel Elliott</a> <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals-dallas-cowboys-20201019006/">last week</a> in a contest that saw Zeke see a team-high 11 targets. His usage is bulletproof but his offensive line is not. His <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">overall RB6</a> ranking is the lowest of the season. He’s still a sturdy RB1 option though based on his guaranteed 20+ touch workload. </p>
<p id="mNM8VN"><span>Tony Pollard</span> saw a sharp uptick in <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-dal-6.php">snaps</a> last week. It’s possible the Cowboys role him out more often to provide Dalton with more checkdown options but it’s also possible that Zeke’s fumbling issues necessitated a one-off change in personnel. Hold him has an elite handcuff. </p>
<p id="3adIbM"><strong>Football Team</strong></p>
<p id="Rhl66b">Wide receiver Terry McLaurin reassuringly saw a team-high 11 targets in backup quarterback <span>Kyle Allen</span>’s pass-happy <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/washington-football-team-new-york-giants-20201018019/">Week 6</a> outing, providing fantasy managers with the security needed to continue treating McLaurin as a back-end WR1 option. That Kyle Allen could only produce <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/qb.php?year=2020&start=6&end=6">mid-tier QB2</a> numbers after attempting 42 passes is telling though. He’s not a recommended streaming <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">option</a>. </p>
<p id="WHct6C">Dontrelle Inman and <span>Antonio Gandy-Golden</span> are far too risky to start in fantasy lineups. </p>
<p id="b5FC0U">Tight end <span>Logan Thomas</span>’ outrageous usage (hat tip to Sam Hoppen for his <a href="https://twitter.com/SamHoppen/status/1319026871183564802">stellar charts</a>) finally helped fantasy managers last week—if there were any left who started him. He’s been such an unreliable option and is difficult to trust. For those in need, chasing usage is not a bad strategy. He’s a low-end TE1 with serious boom/bust potential. </p>
<p id="UQA3Xg">As explained in Week 7’s Tiered Running Back Rankings, the WFT backfield provides two high-quality starts this week. Dallas’ run defense is dreadful—<a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/4/20937422/kenyan-drake-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Kenyan Drake</a> literally doubled his combined season-best box score against them <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/29307/gamelog">last week</a>. <span>Antonio Gibson</span>’s touch-total and J.D. McKissic’s <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/29650/gamelog">passing game usage</a> make them very fantasy-friendly with such a good match-up on tap. Gibson is a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">back-end RB2</a> and McKissic is a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">solid flex play</a>. </p>
<h3 id="wqrzzR">
<a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> at <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>
</h3>
<p id="xMJFGP"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/"><strong>Bills</strong></a></p>
<p id="jOrEKj">The <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a>’ defense is more or less schemed to allow opponents to score as much as possible against them. Start Josh Allen as this week’s <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">overall QB2</a> accordingly. </p>
<p id="lNfEZe">Wide receiver <span>Stefon Diggs</span> has a chance to produce season-highs against their division “rival” Jets. He’s in contention for overall WR1 honors this week.</p>
<p id="BYn79e">With John Brown <a href="https://www.buffalobills.com/team/injury-report/">ailing</a>, slot receiver <span>Cole Beasley</span> elevates from a reliable flex option to a studly WR2 while Gabriel Davis is a valid flex option.</p>
<p id="TJIsRw"><em>Update 10/24: Dawson Knox has </em><a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1320078822067347457"><em>tested positive</em></a><em> for COVID-19. Three of the Bills other tight ends were in close contact with him. Monitor the situation.</em></p>
<p id="OHITRs">Tight end Dawson Knox is not expected to play this <a href="https://www.buffalobills.com/team/injury-report/">week</a>. </p>
<p id="tBWu5a">The Jets’ defensive-front has yielded the 7th-most .PPR points per game to opposing backfields this season (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/running-backs">26.2</a>), setting a fanciful spread for Devin Singletary to feast on. Unfortunately for him, backfield Zack Moss has returned to the lineup after a multi-week absence. The big-bodied Moss will threaten to steal redzone work from Singletary, limiting in our fantasy trust in the latter to just a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">back-end RB2</a> ranking. Moss is a touchdown-dependent flex option. </p>
<p id="4vRMDD"><strong>Jets</strong></p>
<p id="JKbpBP">Quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to return to action this week after managing <a href="https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/injury-report/">limited participation</a> in Wednesday and Thursday’s practices. He’s <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">not a recommended start</a> though. </p>
<p id="GqsRv8"><em>Update 10/24: </em><span><em>Jamison Crowder</em></span><em> has been downgraded to </em><a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1320085442973339648"><em>doubtful</em></a><em>. Fire up Braxton Berrios as a high-end flex play.</em></p>
<p id="RSSAZA">Jamison Crowder deserves WR2 treatment against Buffalo, who he hung a seven-catch, 115-yard, one touchdown performance on in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/new-york-jets-buffalo-bills-20200913002/">Week 1</a>. Crowder’s bulletproof <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?week=&ddlYear=2020&rz=all&ddlTeam=NYJ&ddlPosition=">target market share</a>, having seen <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/28493/gamelog">double-digit targets</a> in every game this season. </p>
<p id="eZzmvx">Wide receiver <span>Breshad Perriman</span> is a boom/bust flex option.</p>
<p id="PqQYHu">Ignore all other Jets players.</p>
<h3 id="Hg9ZtP">
<a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> at <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>
</h3>
<p id="gr7uyt"><a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/"><strong>Panthers</strong></a></p>
<p id="e7ry4R">Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is back in the land of <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">viable streamers</a> this week, facing a <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a> secondary led by Janoris Jenkins and a <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeSirkus/status/1319679761837215744">struggling</a> Marshon Lattimore. Robby Anderson, <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-wr.php?year=2020&start=1&end=6">.5PPR’s WR10</a> in scoring, should keep on humming as he feasts on the temporarily washed Lattimore’s lacking coverage. </p>
<p id="YiWaYa">As <a href="https://twitter.com/friscojosh/status/1319072370024275968">humorously noted</a> on Twitter by Josh Hermsmeyer on twitter, D.J. <span>Moore</span>’s <a href="https://twitter.com/friscojosh/status/1042951482801217536?lang=en">Weighted Opportunity Rating</a> has finally pulled even with Anderson which bodes <em>extremely</em> <em>well </em>for Moore’s box score potential. He’s a high-end flex option/low-end WR2. Check out his free database for yourself <a href="https://airyards.com/airyards-2020.html">here</a>. </p>
<p id="YDLFqN">Slot receiver Curtis Samuel may <a href="https://www.rotoworld.com/football/nfl/player/1190/curtis-samuel">sit</a> this week, which could excitingly pave the way for recurring preseason all star Keith Kirkwood. Kirkwood leapfrogged the other backups last week with a <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-car-6.php">51% snap share</a>. Kirkwood is a long-shot flex option with sneaky, contrarian start-ability. </p>
<p id="JHkiEc">Tight end Ian Thomas is not fantasy-relevant.</p>
<p id="PAxh2x">Running back Mike Davis turned in the worst .5PPR performance of his starter-time in Carolina last week but still finished as the <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-rb.php?year=2020&start=6&end=6">RB19</a>. Davis’ usage continues to make him a can’t-miss option. As such, he’s this week’s overall <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">RB5</a>.</p>
<p id="T6ttgd"><strong>Saints</strong></p>
<p id="yZ1HYA">Quarterback Drew Brees will be without wide receivers Michael Thomas (<a href="https://www.panthers.com/team/injury-report/">hamstring</a>) and <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> (<a href="https://www.rotoworld.com/football/nfl/player/2378/emmanuel-sanders">COVID - Reserve List</a>) this week, making life somewhat harder in an albeit cake of a match-up. It’s possible that Brees gets game-scripted out of action, as many quarterbacks have, facing Carolina. But the odds that fill-in X-receiver Tre’Quan Smith—who typically plays the downfield role—and <span>Alvin Kamara</span> are able to house a few passes on his behalf. Count on Brees as a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">back-end QB1</a>. As for Smith, he should rocket back to being the team’s No. 1 receiver. An eight-target workload is well within his range of outcomes. Against the Panther’s Junior Varsity-like secondary, that’s good for locked-in WR2 production. </p>
<p id="lcB1oX"><span>Deonte Harris</span>, Marquez Callaway, and Austin Carr are the next men up at the receiver position. Harris will slide into the downfield role and offers intriguing upside as the team’s primary kick and punt returner. Carolina’s special teams’ defense has been a <a href="https://www.lineups.com/nfl/team-stats/special-teams">lockdown unit</a> while the Saints lead the league in punt return yards. A compelling match-up is at hand. Consider Harris a boom/bust flex option and ignore the other two.</p>
<p id="s79tXa">Pass catching tight end <span>Jared Cook</span> should inhale targets this week. Cook offers unique upside at the position, carrying New Orleans deepest average targeted air yards (<a href="https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/receiving#average-intended-yards">12.4</a>). He’s an elite TE1 option.</p>
<p id="08zt9f">Running back Alvin Kamara has served as the team’s <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?rz=all&ddlYear=2020&week=&ddlTeam=NO&ddlPosition=">No. 1 pass catching target</a> this year, with Michael Thomas having been sidelined since Week 1—Kamara’s <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/targets/rb.php">45 targets</a> leads the league at the running back position. Facing a Panthers’ defensive-front that’s allowed the 4th-most .5PPR points per game this year (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/running-backs">28.4</a>), Kamara is the no-brainer <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">overall RB1</a> this week. </p>
<p id="00WTMu">No. 2 back Latavius Murray garners <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">serious flex consideration</a> as well. Murray’s seen <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/26804/gamelog">double-digit</a> touches in all but one outing this season and with both Michael Thomas and Emannuel Sanders missing, head coach Sean Payton will engineer touches for all of his capable ball carriers. </p>
<h3 id="zg9bIa">
<a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> at <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a>
</h3>
<p id="dtdfgP"><a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/"><strong>Packers</strong></a></p>
<p id="ZcBV9L">Having failed to properly stock the pass catching cabinet in one of the deepest wide receiver drafts of all time, the Packers are reportedly resorting to a desperation-trade ahead of the November 3rd trade deadline, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronNagler/status/1319704727731437570">Aaron Nagler</a>. Fortunately for Green Bay’s current pass catchers, the potential extra mouth to feed hasn’t arrived yet and they’ve got a great match-up on tap this week. The <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a>’s secondary is allowing the 7th-most .5PPR points per game this year (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/wide-receivers">33.3</a>), setting the table for a potential Batman and Robin performance by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams. It’s worth noting that left tackle <span>David Bakhtiari</span> is doubtful to play this week (<a href="https://www.packers.com/team/injury-report/">chest</a>), which drops Rodgers to the <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">high-end QB2</a> range. Adams should pulverize the Texans’ back-end on his way to a top-flight Week 7 outing. </p>
<p id="ytBj69">Both tight end <span>Robert Tonyan</span> and running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/10/29/20938500/aaron-jones-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Aaron Jones</a> have been prominent members of Green Bay’s <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?week=&ddlYear=2020&rz=all&ddlTeam=GB&ddlPosition=">passing attack</a> this year but both closed the week as <a href="https://www.packers.com/team/injury-report/">genuinely questionable to play</a>. 4for4’s John Paulsen noted that Green Bay’s medical staff is “<a href="https://twitter.com/4for4_John/status/1319717471461335040">notoriously conservative</a>” and may opt to keep Jones, and his late-week calf injury, out this week. That Tonyan was able to get in a limited session on Friday is a good sign, but back-to-back absent days on Wednesday and Thursday are very concerning.</p>
<p id="AuuXw4">The fallout from these injuries should go as follows: <span>Marquez Valdes-Scantling</span>, typically the team’s downfield receiver, will likely see as much work as he can possibly handle. Said workload increase raises his floor to that of a safe flex option with a decently high ceiling. </p>
<p id="1HjBuM">Trends in <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-gnb-6.php">snap shares</a> of <span>Malik Taylor</span> and Darrius Shepherd indicate the team didn’t love what they were seeing out of them, which led to a bit more work for the once-promising Equanimeous St. Brown. None of the three are terribly inviting for fantasy purposes but ESB’s speed makes him a Hail Mary option. </p>
<p id="sRJGOA">Should Robert Tonyan play, he’d be a locked-in TE1. In his absence, Jace Sternberger and Mercedes Lewis would form a fantasy-unfriendly platoon. Sternberger would theoretically be the better play as he was <em>expected </em>to be the team’s top tight end this year.</p>
<p id="bbvI8p">Jamaal <span>Williams</span> immediately steps into an 18+ touch workload in an outrageously wonderful match-up. Houston’s front-seven has been eviscerated by opposing backfields all year, most recently highlighted by Derrick Henry’s <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-rb.php?year=2020&start=6&end=6">overall RB1 results in .5PPR scoring</a> that he posted against them last week. Williams is a high-end RB2. </p>
<p id="YgqKdm">Rookie bulldozer A.J. Dillon could be started in the flex as a good bet for a rushing touchdown, if not much else.</p>
<p id="VaXvvo"><strong>Texans</strong></p>
<p id="imemXm">Green Bay’s pass defense has largely held opposing signal callers in check. The game figures to be a high-scoring affair though as dueling offenses can oftentimes buck the defensive impact on things. <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841565/deshaun-watson-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Deshaun Watson</a> has shredded secondaries in the two weeks since head coach/general manager/dockey Bill O’Brien was fired, leading him to <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/qb.php?year=2020&start=5&end=6">overall QB2</a> fantasy production. He’s a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">Top 5</a> option this week. </p>
<p id="782H1F">Wide receivers Will Fuller and <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20837218/brandin-cooks-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Brandin Cooks</a>, operate as the team’s 1-2 punch in the passing game, each having seen <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?ddlPosition=&ddlYear=2020&week=&rz=all&ddlTeam=HOU">40 targets</a> on the season. Will Fuller’s usage is slightly more reliable though, as his Weight Opportunity Rating (<a href="https://airyards.com/airyards-2020.html">0.56</a>) is 0.12 higher than Cooks (0.48). Fuller’s development as a route runner has been a treat to watch and his game breaking speed puts him in an elite fantasy tier. He’s a high-flying WR1. Cooks has rebounded from a Week 4 dud by totaling the <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-wr.php?year=2020&start=5&end=6">2nd-most .5PPR points</a> at the position in the ensuing two contests. He’s a WR2. </p>
<p id="VmBGze">Slot receiver Randall Cobb carries high-floor flex appeal, having seen between <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/24851/gamelog">four and six targets</a> in every the last five games. </p>
<p id="5POcZ3">Tight end <span>Darren Fells</span> stays locked in as a high-end streaming option this week as fellow tight end <span>Jordan Akins</span> is once again unlikely to play, as he was <a href="https://www.houstontexans.com/team/injury-report/">unable to practice</a> this week. Like Cooks, Fells has produced the <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-te.php?year=2020&start=5&end=6">2nd-most .5PPR points</a> at his position during Akins’ absence over the last two weeks. </p>
<p id="k6A6Bs">Green Bay’s front-seven has been very friendly to opposing backfields, as evidenced by outings like Alvin Kamara in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/green-bay-packers-new-orleans-saints-20200927018/">Week 3</a> (197-yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns) and Ronald Jones in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/green-bay-packers-tampa-bay-buccaneers-20201018027/">Week 6</a> (121-yards form scrimmage and two touchdowns). With No. 2 running back <span>Duke Johnson Jr.</span> a complete afterthought in the minds of Texans’ coaches, lead back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20837360/david-johnson-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">David Johnson</a> can be counted of as a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">sturdy RB2</a>. </p>
<h3 id="xizEpl">
<a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> at <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>
</h3>
<p id="8w9ZhO"><a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/"><strong>Browns</strong></a></p>
<p id="fgzQPm">Cleveland’s passing game faces a get-right spot against a <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> secondary that’s allowed the 10th-most yards on the season (<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/opp.htm">1,514</a>). Browns’ quarterback <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/28/20835194/baker-mayfield-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Baker Mayfield</a> looks lost at this point in his career, though it’s fair to mention that he’s battling with an <a href="https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/injury-report/">injured rib cage</a>. Things got bad enough last week that backup QB Case Keenum — who Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski had under his tutelage in 2017 with the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> — actually saw some playing time. With the possibility of a benching if the wheels fall off, it’s tough to trust Mayfield as anything other than a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">contrarian QB2</a>. </p>
<p id="LRFLA3"><span>Odell Beckham Jr.</span> has a great match-up on his hands as the Bengals have routinely given up chunk gains, as their Weeks <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars-cincinnati-bengals-20201004004/">4</a> and <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals-indianapolis-colts-20201018011/">6</a> outings against the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a> and <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> show us. There’s cause for concern with Beckham though as he’s faced serious box score struggles during his Cleveland tenure. Dr. Edwin Porras also noted that Beckham casually shared that he’s dealing with a <a href="https://twitter.com/FBInjuryDoc/status/1318986995419344896">Grade 1 turf toe injury</a> in a recent interview as well. Beckham is a boom/bust flex option. </p>
<p id="rp6oG1">Jarvis Landry’s hip health is more of an issue than the Bengals’ slot coverage. He’s just a flex option this week. </p>
<p id="TH16LC">Rashard Higgins has been on the receiving end of two <span>Baker Mayfield</span> touchdowns over the last two weeks. His <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/29406/gamelog">meager workloads</a> make him tough to trust though. He’s a boom/bust flex option in an albeit good match-up. </p>
<p id="Pj8eEt">Just when <span>Austin Hooper</span> had <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-cle-6.php">separated</a> from David Njoku and <span>Harrison Bryant</span>, Hooper suffered a bout with <a href="https://www.rotoworld.com/football/nfl/player/473/austin-hooper">appendicitis</a> and is out for an undetermined amount of time. The Bengals have been waxed by tight ends Mark Andrews and <span>Trey Burton</span> in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals-baltimore-ravens-20201011033/">back</a>-to-<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals-indianapolis-colts-20201018011/">back</a> weeks, making both Njoku and Bryant valid streaming options. Njoku is the pass catching specialist while Bryan can both catch and block. Njoku is the preferred option of the two. </p>
<p id="mKcf6o">With running backs D’Ernest Johnson and <span>Dontrell Hilliard</span> operating strictly as seldom-used change of pace options, fill-in bellcow Kareem Hunt is set for a King Kong showing against a Bengals’ front-seven that’s allowed the 6th-most rushing yards in the league (<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/opp.htm">854</a>). Hunt is this week’s overall <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">RB2</a>. </p>
<p id="Ypjr3Z"><strong>Bengals</strong></p>
<p id="borWpb">Cleveland’s defensive-front has the potential to derail the Bengals offensive hopes, but if the Cincy O-line can performed even moderately well, quarterback Joe Burrow and Co. can take advantage of the Browns’ linebackers and secondary. The Browns have allowed both the 5th-most passing yards and passing touchdowns on the season, setting the table for Burrow to feast. With defensive end <span>Myles Garrett</span> in mind though, we’ll keep expectations for Burrow limited to the <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">high-end streaming realm</a>.</p>
<p id="0XpoUn">A.J. Green played well enough last week to throw a wrench into our fantasy aspirations. It’s tough to know if Green has found the motivation that was so evidently on lacking prior to Week 6’s contest. Given his 2020 history of quitting on plays, he’s a risky flex option. </p>
<p id="o7gjso">The ascension of Tee Higgins has impeded Tyler Boyd’s attempt to takeover as the clear cut No. 1 option in the passing game. Both players carry high floors in this one with Boyd perhaps the higher ceiling player. Cleveland has been worked over by opposing slot receivers thus far, as evidenced by <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/cleveland-browns-dallas-cowboys-20201004006/">Week 4</a>’s shellacking by CeeDee Lamb. </p>
<p id="FOSaPc">Mike Thomas and <span>Auden Tate</span> are not reliable enough for fantasy consideration. </p>
<p id="qB0MSR">Tight end Drew Sample is not a viable streamer. </p>
<p id="6bmBpt">With running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/11/20959324/joe-mixon-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Joe Mixon</a> out this week (<a href="https://www.bengals.com/team/injury-report/">foot</a>), <span>Giovani Bernard</span> is in for a heavy workload. Already operating as the team’s 2-minute/passing down back. The O-Line/D-Line match-up has the potential to nuke his day but the likelihood of <span>Bernard</span> seen 18+ touches bodes well for his potential box score success. If the Bengals are able to get the ball to him in space, Cleveland’s lacking linebacker corps will have a tough time stopping him. He’s on the <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">RB1/2 borderline</a>. Samaje Perine and <span>Trayveon Williams</span> will likely see 10-12 combined touches. </p>
<h3 id="IM2FuE">
<a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> at <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a>
</h3>
<p id="yV8HNW"><a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/"><strong>Lions</strong></a></p>
<p id="60QpvW">Fire up your Detroit Lions’ standouts this week. The <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a>’ secondary is allowing <em>the most</em> fantasy points per game to opposing signal callers (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/quarterbacks">29.3</a>), making <span>Matthew Stafford</span> and his cannon of an arm a shoe-in <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB1</a>. </p>
<p id="C2pcbd">Wide receiver Kenny Golladay’s Weighted Opportunity Rating (<a href="https://airyards.com/airyards-2020.html">0.58</a>) far outweighs any of his teammates and against the Falcons, he’s got a great shot at posting season-high marks. He’s a Top 12 option this week. </p>
<p id="PKvD5H">Slot receiver Danny Amendola offers moderate-floor flex appeal, as a role player between the 20s, but will likely be out-targeted by wide receiver <span>Marvin Jones Jr.</span> and tight end <span>T.J. Hockenson</span> who won the two highest <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?rz=redzone&ddlYear=2020&week=&ddlTeam=DET&ddlPosition=">red zone target market shares</a> on the team. It should be noted though that Golladay is hot on their heels in that department, despite missing two games due to injury. Jones is a decent flex option and Hockenson is a Top 12 TE option.</p>
<p id="LN4xqY">Rookie running back D’Andre Swift looked <em>great</em> last week but is still stuck in a <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-cin-6.php">rotation</a> with Adrian Peterson and <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20842023/kerryon-johnson-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Kerryon Johnson</a>. Fantasy manager should expect a slight increase in touches for Swift after he rocked the world with <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-rb.php?year=2020&start=6&end=6">.5PPR’s overall RB3</a> performance last week. Consider Swift a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">back-end RB2</a> and Peterson a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">high-end flex option</a> against the Junior Varsity-esque Falcons’ front-seven. Johnson is not fantasy-relevant. </p>
<p id="yX6oSR"><strong>Falcons</strong></p>
<p id="E5dLXP">The Lions’ defense offers so little resistance that opposing offenses have mostly rolled them with their run game, allowing the 6th-most .5PPR points per game to opposing backfields (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/running-backs">27.6</a>). Falcons’ quarterback <span>Matt Ryan</span> has attempted the 3rd-most passes in the league (<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/passing.htm#patexans%20chiefs%20fake%20teamsssing::pass_sacked">244</a>) though — a product of both Atlanta’s offensive system and their paper towel of a defense allowing opponents to score at will. With such a leaky secondary ahead of him, Ryan can be trusted as a locked-in <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB1</a>. </p>
<p id="KYryGe">Despite battling a nagging hamstring <a href="https://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/injury-report/">injury</a>, <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841614/julio-jones-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Julio Jones</a> posted the 2nd-highest .5PPR point total last week (<a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-wr.php?year=2020&start=6&end=6">27.9</a>). Both he and <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20839829/calvin-ridley-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Calvin Ridley</a> are elite WR1s with their dominant <a href="https://airyards.com/airyards-2020.html">Weighted Opportunity Ratings</a>. </p>
<p id="zHXFCQ">Slot receiver Russell Gage and tight end Hayden Hurst cannibalize each other’s fantasy ceilings as running interior, safety valve routes out of the slot. In such a strong match-up though, both carry fantasy relevance — Gage as a mid-tier flex option and Hurst as a back-end TE1. </p>
<p id="8s6R2a">With the aforementioned friendly front-seven, running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20842033/todd-gurley-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Todd Gurley</a> is a high-end RB2. Although Brian Hill and Ito Smith have been getting a little <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-atl-6.php">time on the field</a>, neither one is seeing much work. They mostly provide breathing room for Gurley while Matt Ryan peppers his pass catchers with targets. Hill and Smith are not fantasy-relevant. </p>
<p id="mIi0iJ">1:05-1:25pm PST: </p>
<h3 id="Q8xAzA">
<a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> at <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a>
</h3>
<p id="PDMfco"><a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/"><strong>Buccaneers</strong></a></p>
<p id="n9AiVJ">Tampa Bay heads to Vegas to take on a <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Raiders</a> squad that’s allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/quarterbacks">20.4</a>), which bodes well for Tom Brady and his <a href="https://www.buccaneers.com/team/injury-report/">now-mostly-healthy</a> wide receiver duo of Chris Godwin and <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841107/mike-evans-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Mike Evans</a>. The Raiders have allowed touchdowns to slot receivers, <span>Cole</span> Beasley and <span>Sammy Watkins</span>, in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/buffalo-bills-las-vegas-raiders-20201004013/">back</a>-to-<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders-kansas-city-chiefs-20201011012/">back</a> games. Count on slot receiver Chris Godwin to have himself a day against their lacking slot coverage. He’s a high-floor WR2. Although Mike Evans is the team leader in targets, the overall usage just hasn’t been there for him to return WR1 value. He’s <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-wr.php?year=2020&start=1&end=6">.5PPR’s WR15</a> through six weeks, a number that should be his floor though in this sweet, sweet match-up. Brady, with a plethora of passing game options keyed by his two top dogs is a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">high-end QB2</a>. </p>
<p id="tEYanI">Scotty Miller, <span>Justin Watson</span>, and Tyler Johnson are all just sporadic producers in Tampa’s spreadout passing attack. Miller is the best bet for a long score but it’s a total toss-up. </p>
<p id="8VXzPd">Tight end Rob Gronkowski has continued to be more and more involved in the passing attack, since O.J. Howard was placed on Injured Reserve. Over the last two weeks, Gronk is <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-te.php?year=2020&start=5&end=6">.5PPR’s overall TE6</a> in scoring. Count on him as a back-end TE1 option now that the receiving corps is returning to full health. </p>
<p id="bVBj8e">With running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20838791/leonard-fournette-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Leonard Fournette</a> out (ankle) over the past three weeks, Ronald Jones has stormed his way to <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-rb.php?year=2020&start=4&end=6">overall RB4 status in .5PPR</a> scoring during that timespan. <span>Fournette</span> is returning to the lineup this week, which is slightly concerning. The match-up is so good though that we can trust Jones to remain in the <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">low-end RB1/high-end RB2 conversation</a> even if <span>Fournette</span> gets 10 or so touches. The Raiders are allowing an average of <a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/running-backs">30.1</a> .5PPR points per game to the position, 3rd-most in the league. Fournette is a risky flex option. </p>
<p id="8as2BG"><span>LeSean McCoy</span> and Ke’Shawn Vaughn are not fantasy-relevant. </p>
<p id="0SeVEf"><strong>Raiders</strong></p>
<p id="Ss6IVJ">The Bucs’ defense is playing at a near-impossible level, most recently evidenced by its limiting of Aaron Rodgers to just 160 scoreless yards in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/green-bay-packers-tampa-bay-buccaneers-20201018027/">Week 6</a>. Rodgers was outscored by Joe Flacco’s <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/qb.php?year=2020&start=6&end=6">6.44 fantasy points</a>. <span>Derek Carr</span> needs to be glued to fantasy benches in for this one. He’s a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB3</a>. </p>
<p id="djzbaM">Wide receiver Henry Ruggs is just a boom/bust flex option. </p>
<p id="tvVV8b">Hunter Renfrow and <span>Nelson Agholor</span> are not recommended starts. Bryan Edwards is out (<a href="https://www.buccaneers.com/team/injury-report/">foot/ankle</a>).</p>
<p id="g55u4d">Tight end Darren Waller can stay in fantasy lineups as Carr is likely to direct a high volume of pass attempts his way. Expectations must be tempered though. </p>
<p id="X8MSZX">Running back <span>Josh Jacobs</span> has still never scored a touchdown in a Raiders loss — and they are <em>not</em> expected to win in this one. Jacobs is also <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-rai-6.php">splitting passing game work</a> with pass catching specialist backs Jalen Richard and Devontae Booker. Given the team’s commitment to giving Jacobs a high-volume of carries, he remains a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">viable RB2</a> play. But a box score of 80 scoreless yards and 2-3 catches is of a high probability. Richard, meanwhile, has a chance to pop as a flex option this week with the Raiders expected to trail for most of the game’s four quarters. He’s unlikely to see much rushing work though so fantasy managers are counting on strong production from 6-8 targets. It’s not a great situation. Booker is not fantasy-relevant.</p>
<h3 id="kwylyd">
<a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> at <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a>
</h3>
<p id="Bp1637"><strong>Jaguars</strong></p>
<p id="maEbB3">Gardner Minshew enters a suddenly difficult match-up against a <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a>’ defense that just <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2020/10/24/21532139/chargers-news-nfl-ingram-jones-lemonier-pope-bulaga">activated</a> defensive end <span>Melvin Ingram</span> and defensive tackle Justin Jones from Injured Reserve. The Bolts had been surrendering an average of <a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/quarterbacks">23.9</a> fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, 2nd-most in the league but the return of two stud defensive lineman should drastically improve things. Still, Minshew has been outrageously consistent this season, budging from the <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/qb.php?year=2020&start=1&end=6">QB1/2 fringe</a>, in fantasy scoring, just once this season. He’s this week’s <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">overall QB13</a> in our rankings at <a href="http://FakeTeams.com">FakeTeams.com</a>. </p>
<p id="iP78b3">Wide receivers <span>D.J. Chark</span> and <span>Keelan Cole</span> are in a league of their own, with respect to their teammates, in <a href="https://airyards.com/airyards-2020.html">Weight Opportunity Rating</a> and their respective 12.9 and 12.0 <a href="https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/receiving#average-intended-yards">average targeted air yards</a> shows us they are used at all levels of the field. Treat them both as locked-in WR2s this week. </p>
<p id="Jpg3ER">Slot receiver have performed well against the Chargers as of late. Scotty Miller, filling in for the injured Chris Godwin in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers-tampa-bay-buccaneers-20201004027/">Week 4</a>, caught five balls for 83-yards and a score while Emmanuel Sanders caught <em>12</em> for 122-yards in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers-new-orleans-saints-20201012018/">Week 5</a>. Laviska Shenault is worth a flex start this week as a result. </p>
<p id="1ARLVP">Downfield receiver <span>Chris Conley</span> and tight end <span>James O’Shaughnessy</span> are not likely to be fantasy-relevant at this time.</p>
<p id="pfKMy5">Running back James Robinson, the 11th-most targeted running back in the NFL (<a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/targets/rb.php">26</a>), could see even more passing game looks than usual this week as pass catching back Chris Thompson was place on the COVID - Reserve List on <a href="https://www.rotoworld.com/football/nfl/player/12710/chris-thompson">Saturday, the 24th</a>. <span>Devine Ozigbo</span> will make his 2020 debut as the No. 2 back this week but is unlikely to have much work given Robinson’s breakout performance this year. Robinson is a back-end RB1. </p>
<p id="IKUUew"><strong>Chargers</strong></p>
<p id="CCtMQh">The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense is largely talent-deficient, which bodes very well for all of Los Angeles’ prominent play-makers. Through the <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/qb.php?year=2020&start=2&end=5">four games</a> that he’s been the team’s starting quarterback, Justin Herbert is fantasy QB7 overall. The train should stay right on track this week against the Jags’ defense that’s full of JAGs. He’s the <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB8 overall</a>. </p>
<p id="vRlqUZ">For a forecast of <span>Keenan Allen</span> and <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841639/mike-williams-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Mike Williams</a>’ Week 7 outing, look no further than Jacksonville’s <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars-houston-texans-20201011034/">Week 5</a> loss to Houston in which both Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks posted respectable, touchdown-filled days. Allen and Williams are both Top 15 options this week. </p>
<p id="YZh21v">Jalen Guyton is a decent flex option with a likely capped ceiling. K.J. Hill isn’t quite seeing enough <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-sdg-6.php">time</a> for fantasy relevance. </p>
<p id="pO0kpF">Tight end <span>Hunter Henry</span> hasn’t found his ceiling yet this year but his <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/29269/gamelog">usage</a> is bulletproof and the Jaguars are averaging the 7th-most .5PPR points per game allowed (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/tight-ends">13.3</a>) to tight ends. He’s a sturdy TE1.</p>
<p id="Y8nute">Running back Justin Jackson soundly <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-sdg-6.php">out-snapped</a> expected starter <span>Joshua Kelley</span> in their most recent, pre-bye outing, giving us a blueprint for what to expect this week. Facing a Jags’ front-seven that’s average the 5th-most .5PPR points allowed to opposing backfields (<a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/running-backs">27.7</a>), Jackson deserves <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">back-end RB1</a> consideration. Lock him into your lineup and throw away the key. Kelly, meanwhile, should see <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">flex-worthy</a> usage as well. </p>
<h3 id="iffEtF">
<a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> at <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>
</h3>
<p id="28cgGh"><a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/"><strong>49ers</strong></a></p>
<p id="675lH5">Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t have a great match-up on tap here, making him tough to trust, even though the offense got back on track last week. Perhaps most notably, the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> are averaging just 6.7 .5PPR points allowed per game to the tight end position, 5th-fewest in the league — and that’s after facing Mike Gesicki, Darren Waller, and <span>Travis Kelce</span> already. <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/11/20959896/george-kittle-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">George Kittle</a> maintains TE1 status due to his talent and team-leading Weighted Opportunity Rating (<a href="https://airyards.com/airyards-2020.html">0.59</a>) but box score expectations should be lowered. Correspondingly, Garoppolo is just a mid-tier <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB2</a>. </p>
<p id="0w2RC5">Wide receiver Deebo Samuel quickly returned to full-time starter <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-sfo-6.php">status</a>, coming off of his summer Jones fracture recovery. Although the team will undoubtedly continue scheming the ball into his hands near the line of scrimmage, impending shadow coverage from Stephon Gilmore renders him just a mid-tier flex play. Deebo’s return has resulted in a lessened workload from stud rookie Brandon Aiyuk, making the latter a tough-to-count-on flex option this week. </p>
<p id="UdxMYf">Kendrick Bourne is not a fantasy option this week. </p>
<p id="dTbG2Q">Although Jerick McKinnon should take over as the lead back while <span>Raheem Mostert</span> is on Injured Reserve, beat writer Matt Barrows of The Athletic made it a point to note that rookie back <span>JaMycal Hasty</span> looked great while taking over of the 4th-quarter backfield touches last week. McKinnon, meanwhile, looked like the heavy workload he’d seen as of late may be pushing his cardio to the extreme. Hasty is a must-add player with potential standalone value as the “2” in the Niners 1-2 punch at running back. With Tevin Coleman a <a href="https://www.rotoworld.com/football/nfl/player/469/tevin-coleman">long shot to return in Week 8</a>, Hasty could provide a solid flex start next week. For this week, consider McKinnon a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">rock-solid RB2</a> and Hasty a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">low-end flex</a>. </p>
<p id="A2NypX"><strong>Patriots</strong></p>
<p id="Rmsxqg">San Francisco, hit by early-season injuries, has offered moderate resistance to opposing passing games, paving the way for a solid <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB1</a> outing from <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20837383/cam-newton-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Cam Newton</a>. </p>
<p id="pRtKFI">The Patriots wide receiver, running back, and tight end personnel features a smorgasbord of flex options and stay-aways. Leading the flex charge is veteran receiver <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20840267/julian-edelman-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Julian Edelman</a>. His usage has been solid but the results mostly lacking. Unfortunately for Edelman, it appears as though his banged up body has betrayed him. He’s now now just a high-floor flex play. </p>
<p id="3Su9V2">Damiere Byrd and his <a href="https://airyards.com/airyards-2020.html">0.49</a> Weighted Opportunity Rating is second-highest on the team but he’s been largely quite in the weekly box scores. Given that San Fran’s allowed a trio of long touchdowns in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/miami-dolphins-san-francisco-49ers-20201011025/">back</a>-to-<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams-san-francisco-49ers-20201018025/">back</a> weeks, Week 7 provides as good of an opportunity as any to find paydirt. He’s a solid boom/bust flex option. </p>
<p id="daftAP">Running back James White is the only remaining viable flex option. His safety valve passing game usage is sublime. </p>
<h3 id="bIk1XZ">
<a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> at <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a>
</h3>
<p id="t1l76R"><a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/"><strong>Chiefs</strong></a></p>
<p id="h2jneg"><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838560/patrick-mahomes-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Patrick Mahomes</a> has yet to trounce a division rival this season but Week 7’s date at Mile High gives him a great opportunity to do so. Denver’s secondary is allowing, on average, <a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/quarterbacks">20.6</a> fantasy points per game (9th-most in the NFL) which bodes very well for <span>Mahomes</span>’ box score success. He’s the <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">overall QB1</a> this week. </p>
<p id="bwaqlF">Travis Kelce, <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-te.php?year=2020&start=1&end=6">.5PPR’s top scoring tight end</a>, is viable to increase his outrageous 27-point lead on .5PPR’s TE2, <span>George Kittle</span>. He’s the overall TE1, again, this week.</p>
<p id="fxJXv0"><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20837404/tyreek-hill-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Tyreek Hill</a> is the No. 1 receiver on the Kansas City Chiefs. Treat him as a fantasy WR1 accordingly. </p>
<p id="PfryKC">Even with Sammy Watkins out last week, head coach Andy Reid opted not to unleash Mecole Hardman onto the world. With Watkins <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/injury-report/">out</a> again this week, all we can expect is another quiet outing for the play-maker in-waiting. Hardman is just a handcuff for Tyreek Hill. </p>
<p id="hpPgMi">Despite being a <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-kan-6.php">full-time</a> player at this point, Demarcus Robinson is largely capped-ceiling flex option. </p>
<p id="FQ4JUF"><span>Byron Pringle</span> is not fantasy-relevant.</p>
<p id="T75YO3">With Le’Veon Bell’s Week 7 status up in the air, it’s unclear as to what the backfield touches will look like. Should Bell be active, it’s possible he takes over the goal-line role as he’s significantly larger that the diminutive Clyde Edwards-Helaire. CEH should still be the team’s lead back though — maintaining a workload of 18+ touches every week. In the KC offense that’s enough to continue warranting <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">RB1 rankings</a>. Bell would be a high-risk/high-reward flex option, if active. </p>
<p id="HX8pTf"><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/"><strong>Broncos</strong></a></p>
<p id="kXy3Bu">Kansas City is happy to offer opponents rushing production in exchange for killing the clock, as the Chiefs run up the score. As a result, KC’s able to focus on slowing opposing passing games as much as possible. Broncos’ quarterback <span>Drew Lock</span> should find himself in a high-volume passing situation as his team struggles to keep pace in the 2nd-half, which is likely to result in some garbage time production for his pass catchers but increases his interception potential. He’s a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB3</a>. </p>
<p id="N9kInw">Perimeter receiver <span>Tim Patrick</span> has finally made good on the preseason-promise he’s shown through the years, asserting himself as the team’s No. 1 pass catcher while K.J. Hamler and <span>Noah Fant</span> recovered from injury. Patrick is now neck and neck with rookie slot receiver <span>Jerry Jeudy</span> for the team’s second-highest Weighted Opportunity Rating (<a href="https://airyards.com/airyards-2020.html">0.46</a>) and has vastly out produced him (<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/30511/gamelog">14 catches, 257 yards, and two touchdowns</a> to Jeudy’s <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32685/gamelog">nine catches, 148 yards, and one touchdown</a>) over the last three weeks. Count on Patrick to continue his high-end flex/WR2 ways this week in an albeit tough match-up. Jeudy is just a low-end flex option. </p>
<p id="0kIq5y">Speedster K.J. Hamler is a boom/bust flex option who is unlikely to “boom” this week.</p>
<p id="D0d8eq">Tight end Noah Fant managed back-to-back <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/injury-report/">full participation</a> in practice this week so he’s back on the TE1 radar. Fant looked like a game-wrecker early in the season — even though it’s a tough match-up he should be in your lineup as you likely don’t have stronger options. </p>
<p id="QvM1ut">Kansas City’s front-seven has averaged <a href="https://www.lineups.com/fantasy-football-points-allowed/running-backs">21.6</a> .5PPR points allowed to opposing backfields thus far. With 18 or so touches on tap, expect lead back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/8/20955621/melvin-gordon-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Melvin Gordon</a> to safely return <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">high-end RB2</a> value against them. Phillip Lindsay, meanwhile, performed well enough in last week’s Gordon-less game that he should maintain a solid 10-12-touch role in the offense. That’s <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">flex-worthy</a> usage, given the match-up. </p>
<h3 id="n8mTga">Sunday Night Football: <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> at <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>
</h3>
<p id="boIctS"><a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/"><strong>Seahawks</strong></a></p>
<p id="aUO03b">Russell Wilson heads to Arizona to face the Cards’ malleable defense, finding himself as our overall <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB4</a>. </p>
<p id="pVHAgy">D.K. Metcalf is playing, and scoring, like one of the best receivers in the game in just his second NFL season. He’s a top-flight WR1 in a surefire shootout. The now-Robin to his Batman, <span>Tyler Lockett</span> retains high-end WR2 value, having had a few lackluster outings as of late. Seattle’s made it a point to get more players involved in their passing game and <span>Lockett</span>’s been the one to feel it. This match-up offers can’t-miss potential though. </p>
<p id="ex5IKJ"><a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-sea-6.php">Part-time</a> players, <span>David Moore</span> and Freddy Swain offer contrarian flex appeal with Moore the easily preferred choice. Moore’s looked great this season but is victim of circumstance with Metcalf and Lockett being on the same team as him. </p>
<p id="WOjV00">Although tight ends Will Dissly and Jacob Hollister see the field <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-sea-6.php">from time to time</a>, <span>Greg Olsen</span> is the team’s TE1. With the platoon-like usage though, he’s just a TE2 streaming option. </p>
<p id="ewtYrH">With the return of <span>Carlos Hyde</span> to the backfield rotation, Travis Homer’s flex appeal is markedly lowered. One of Hyde or Homer could make some box score noise, playing behind lead back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838540/chris-carson-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Chris Carson</a>, but it’s tough to say who. Homer has the edge in the passing game, while Hyde perhaps more likely for a goal-line carry. It’s best to avoid them. Carson, however, returns from Seattle’s Week 6 bye to the overall <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">RB9</a> ranking this week. This looks to be a high-scoring affair and Carson should be heavily involved.</p>
<p id="Ou5y8c"><strong>Cardinals</strong></p>
<p id="dxm2Uy">Despite playing just five games due to their by week, Seattle’s secondary has allowed opposing teams to pass for the 2nd-highest yardage total this year (<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/opp.htm">1,852</a>). Kyler Murray is set to <em>smash</em> the Week 7 box score against them. He’s this week’s overall <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">QB3</a>. </p>
<p id="6T5KZr">After reassuringly managing a <a href="https://www.seahawks.com/team/injury-report/">limited practice session</a> on Friday, All Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is set to contend for overall WR1 honors this week against Seattle’s Jamal Adams-less secondary. </p>
<p id="ySbE2v">Although he’s not quite seeing the heavy usage he deserves, downfield receiver <span>Christian Kirk</span> has a nice three-week streak going that’s resulted in him taking <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-wr.php?year=2020&start=4&end=6">overall WR13</a> honors in .5PPR scoring formats. In what’s sure to be a high-scoring track meet on Sunday night, Kirk’s number will be frequently called upon to answer Seattle’s incoming big plays. Count on Kirk as a high-end WR2 this week. </p>
<p id="ZRVMms">Wide receivers <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span>, Andy Isabella and tight end <span>Dan Arnold</span> have been underwhelming, and sporadic, producers this year. Fitz is washed while Isabella and <span>Arnold</span> are underused. The trio is not recommended for fantasy purposes but long-shot money could be placed on an Isabella long-touchdown.</p>
<p id="dS9pNb">With the Cardinals expected to be frequenting the Seattle red zone, <span>Kenyan Drake</span> is in for another big week, having out-carried the rest of the team (eight to five) in the red zone over the <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?week=5&ddlYear=2020&rz=redzone_rush&ddlTeam=ARI&ddlPosition=">last</a> two <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?week=6&ddlYear=2020&rz=redzone_rush&ddlTeam=ARI&ddlPosition=">weeks</a>. Pass catching back <span>Chase Edmonds</span> should hear his number called between the 20s too, leading both to fruitful fantasy outings. Drake is a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">rock-solid RB2</a> with multi-touchdown upside and Edmonds is a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">flex</a> option with PPR upside. </p>
https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/24/21528915/fantasy-football-rundown-week-7-starts-sits-sleepers-busts-nflNHB2020-10-23T17:00:00-04:002020-10-23T17:00:00-04:00Week 7 bold predictions: Christian Kirk stays hot against Seahawks
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0MvaFOo1lPTr26jnzdMxJUk_0IY=/0x10:3430x2297/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67680393/7C3FAFA7_D6F9_4CBA_8A56_BFE78DF68BD4.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>USA Today/Pete Rogers Illustrations</figcaption>
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<p>Christian Kirk with back to back dominant performances</p> <p id="V36ySq">Just a refresher: I will provide five bold predictions each week. I will grade those five bold picks on the old elementary scale of grades A-D.</p>
<p id="18JIao">Here are my bold fantasy football predictions for NFL Week 7.</p>
<h3 id="T8niq7">1. <span>Teddy Bridgewater</span> is currently slotted as QB23, he finishes as a top 12 QB</h3>
<p id="DsJzxA"><strong>Justification:</strong> Bridgewater threw for two touchdowns in Weeks 4 and 5 with at least 275 passing yards before his clunker against a very tough <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> defense. He comes to New Orleans whose defense allowed at least two touchdowns from <span>Tom Brady</span>, <span>Derek Carr</span>, <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>, <span>Matthew Stafford</span> and <span>Justin Herbert</span>. Teddy has a chance to rebound against the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a>.</p>
<h3 id="dO7eZA">2. <span>Christian Kirk</span> is listed as the WR47, he finishes within the top 20</h3>
<p id="n4tis8"><strong>Justification: </strong>Kirk scored two touchdowns last week vs. Dallas and there is a chance he regresses down to his 50 yards, no touchdown average OR he could build off that against Seattle’s defense who has allowed the most points to opposing wide receivers. Week 1 Seattle allowed <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20839829/calvin-ridley-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Calvin Ridley</a> (#2 option at WR for <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Falcons</a>) two touchdowns and 130 yards; Week 3 they allowed <span>Cedrick Wilson</span> and <span>Michael Gallup</span> a combined three touchdowns; last week they allowed <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838552/adam-thielen-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Adam Thielen</a> to have two touchdowns. <span>DeAndre Hopkins</span> could be the one who thrives but I’m inclined to think it’s <span>Kirk</span>.</p>
<h3 id="Fo4OuR">3. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> vs. <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> over/under is at 54.5 points, this game goes over 59.5 points</h3>
<p id="3MjBF6"><strong>Justification: </strong>The Falcons hit the ‘over’ in five of their last seven games. Here are the totals of Atlanta’s first six games: 63, 79, 56, 46, 39 and 63. Detroit’s totals: 50, 63, 49, 64, 50. The two defenses are among the worst 10 in the NFL in points surrendered and on offense two veteran quarterbacks know how to sling the ball around.</p>
<h3 id="bdY7Uc">4. <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20841823/ezekiel-elliott-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Ezekiel Elliott</a> is slotted as the RB2, he finishes outside the top 10</h3>
<p id="IoeINk"><strong>Justification: </strong>Washington Football Team’s rush defense is no joke. Here is a list of all of the running backs who have scored a rushing touchdown against them: <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841675/nick-chubb-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Nick Chubb</a> and <span>Mark Ingram II</span>. That’s it. Here is a list of the running backs who have rushed for over 90 yards against them: <span>Nick Chubb</span>. There is a chance Elliott thrives in receptions as <span>Kareem Hunt</span> did but I think Zeke is in for a challenge against <span>Chase Young</span> with Alabama’s <span>Jonathan Allen</span> and Daron Payne as the tackles.</p>
<h3 id="GuAQ4E">5. Mark Sample has his first touchdown of the season this week</h3>
<p id="3t5jrX"><strong>Justification: </strong>Facing the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> will face a porous tight end coverage. The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> have allowed four total touchdowns to opposing tight ends including CJ Uzomah from the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> in Week 2. </p>
<div id="ovnAnL"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ltE50Fe7s4Q?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; clipboard-write; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
<h3 id="2unHfa"><strong>Week 6 Outcome</strong></h3>
<p id="1vL7Uf"><strong>1. </strong><span><strong>Davante Adams</strong></span><strong> is listed as the 2nd best WR, he will finish outside the top 10. </strong><em>Outcome: Davante had 6 receptions for 61 yards finishing 31st among WR. Grade A.</em></p>
<p id="oTLbD6"><strong>2. </strong><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20837360/david-johnson-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019"><strong>David Johnson</strong></a><strong> sets a year high in fantasy points this week against </strong><a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/"><strong>Tennessee Titans</strong></a><strong> defense. </strong><em>Outcome: David finished with the 2nd most points of this year. His 57 yards and a TD vaulted him about 10 spots above his projected spot among RBs. Grade B.</em></p>
<p id="s9w1g4"><strong>3. </strong><span><strong>Ian Thomas</strong></span><strong> is slotted as the 24th best TE, he finishes in the top 10 this week vs. </strong><a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/"><strong>Chicago Bears. </strong></a><em>Outcome: This was my clunker of the week. He finished 39th with 1 reception for 9 yards and no TDs. I knew it was TD dependent and he did not deliver. Grade D. </em></p>
<p id="NcMz9x"><strong>4. The </strong><a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/"><strong>Pittsburgh Steelers</strong></a><strong> are favored by three points vs. the Cleveland Browns this weekend, they will win by 6.5 points </strong><em>Outcome: They won by just a few more than 6 points. Grade A. </em></p>
<p id="PValYZ"><strong>5. </strong><span><strong>Philip Rivers</strong></span><strong> is slotted as the 21st best QB this week, he will finish among the top 12. </strong><em>Outcome: </em><span><em>Rivers</em></span><em> had his first two TD game of the year, he ended with three touchdowns and 370 yards. Finished 7th among QBs. Grade A</em></p>
<h3 id="nY1d3W">2020 Grades:</h3>
<p id="a7pYaV">Grade A: 11 times<br>Grade B: 5 times<br>Grade C: 3 times<br>Grade D: 11 times</p>
<p id="1wO9GK"></p>
https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/23/21530393/fantasy-football-week-7-bold-predictions-christian-kirk-stays-hot-against-seahawksMark Abell2020-10-23T15:00:00-04:002020-10-23T15:00:00-04:00DFS WR/CB Matchups: Who to target and avoid in Week 7
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Las Vegas Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SYy9G7oLWtL_k6xf1dBVaJ37cS8=/393x225:3567x2341/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67679616/1278529415.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Identifying the best and worst DFS plays at the WR position based on CB matchups for Week 7.</p> <p id="Facr90">When it comes to season-long leagues, your lineup will always feature your top wideouts. You just have to go with your best players no matter what. In DFS contests, though, you better keep an eye on some of the upcoming WR/CB matchups if you want to really identify the best and worst plays of the upcoming slate of games.</p>
<p id="7ENpWI">With wide receivers being the second-highest scoring position only behind quarterbacks, it’s critical to pick the best possible players at the position if you want to rack up big-time points every week. One important point to consider that most people forget about: different wideouts face different cornerbacks, and different cornerbacks have wildly varying defensive levels.</p>
<p id="U7KvBq">I’m here to highlight three of the best WR/CB matchups to target, and three of the worst WR/CB matchups to avoid for the Week 7 slate of games.</p>
<h2 id="GiAhzN">Top 3 WR/CB Matchups To Target</h2>
<h3 id="jCInt0">
<span>Davante Adams</span> (GB) vs. <span>Bradley Roby</span> (HOU)</h3>
<p id="NKNoQZ">I don’t think it’d take a lot to convince you of playing <span>Adams</span> this weekend—or any week, for that matter—as he’s averaging 20.1 PPR points per game (WR3), but this matchup against <span>Roby</span> is making this a must-play.</p>
<p id="K1G8jI">So far this season, Adams is generating the most (0.38) fantasy points per snap played, and the 25th-most (2.62) FP per target among receivers with 30+ targets through Week 6. He’s caught 23 of 30 of those passes for 253 yards (76.7% catch rate) and he’s the no. 1 WR—and arguable skill-position player too—of <span>Green</span> Bay’s offense.</p>
<p id="UYLxk3"><span>Roby</span>, playing his second season in Houston this year, hasn’t finished a season as a top-20 corner (per PFF Grades) since all the way back in 2015. That doesn’t mean he’s cooked for good these days. He still ranks 29th in 2020, but his performances have been far from great. He’s shadowed no. 1 receivers in the last five games, and although he didn’t start back, he surrendered 22.6 PPR points to both <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838552/adam-thielen-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Adam Thielen</a> (nine targets/seven receptions/ 96 yards/one touchdown) and <span>A.J. Brown</span> (7/5/56/2). Between Marquise Brown (W2) and <span>D.J. Chark</span> (W5) they combined for seven receptions on eight targets for 53 yards, too. </p>
<p id="uXj32N">While definitely not the worst NFL corner, Roby is allowing 71% of targets to become completions and has been scored a touchdown on three times already.</p>
<h3 id="06EscA">
<a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20839829/calvin-ridley-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Calvin Ridley</a> (ATL) vs. <span>Jeff Okudah</span> (DET)</h3>
<p id="J89PMJ">Tough career start for the rookie corner, and booming season for <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841614/julio-jones-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Julio Jones</a> future (present?) replacement as WR1 of the <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Falcons</a>. You won’t believe this, but even dropping a goose egg in Week 4 scoring <em>zero</em> PPR points, <span>Ridley</span> still leads all wideouts with 121.0 points over the season and is at 20.2 PPR per game. <span>Ridley</span> has been absolutely crazy on offense, he’s caught 35 of 57 of his targets, and is currently fourth in total yardage with 546. Oh, and I forgot to mention that he’s also third among NFL wide receivers with five touchdowns. </p>
<p id="2iD0XM">If you’re a hater and want to project <span>Ridley</span> for another putrid game, you can always go ahead. But let me tell you, Okudah won’t boost your forecast chances of becoming true.</p>
<p id="OkGdWM">While Detroit had high hopes for Okudah this past draft and entering the season, he’s been a mess through six weeks of play. He’s lucky he’s only been targeted 29 times, but that is also related to the fact that he’s been in the gridiron for just four games to this point. Of those 29 passes, Okudah allowed 22 to hit the receiver for a 75.9% completion rate against.</p>
<p id="BPcO1o">The only bright stat on his line comes from the touchdown department, as he has yet to surrender a score when targeted. Other than that, though, he’s currently allowing 13.5 PPR points per game to his receivers, and averages of 14.5 and 11.0 yards per reception and target respectively. </p>
<h3 id="YV0eHT">
<span>Hunter Renfrow</span> (LV) vs. <span>Sean Murphy-Bunting</span> (TB)</h3>
<p id="yT7zxc">Las Vegas is coming back from its bye week to face one of the strongest defenses in the whole league. That is an average statement, though, as sophomore Sean Murphy-Bunting is dragging the value of those D-corps down each passing week. With the <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Raiders</a> featuring pretty much a one-man wrecking crew (TE <span>Darren Waller</span>), Renfrow has been forced to step up as a viable secondary option behind the tight end. So far, so good for Hunter, though. </p>
<p id="MakHJq">While on a very small role, Renfrow is one of only 22 wide receivers to have been targeted 20 times and to be averaging 0.25+ PPR points per snap, and 2.75+ PPR points per target. He’s at just 9.4 points per game, sure, but there is a great chance he hits his ceiling (20.3 PPR in W3) once more facing Murphy-Bunting this weekend.</p>
<p id="yF6Sp7">Why? Well, for a start, Murphy-Bunting has surrendered the 8th-most PPR points to opponents through Week 6. He’s playing every single game, allowing a ridiculously high 85.7% completion rate against, and has already given up 338 receiving yards on the season (sixth-most among cornerbacks). All of that has translated to an impossible 127.7 QB rating from the passers he’s faced when he’s been targeted, which is the fourth-worst mark among CBs targeted 30+ times...</p>
<p id="oUD5gV"><span>Derek Carr</span> isn’t your No. 1 MVP candidate, but if he’s doing something that is completing passes at a high rate while keeping things simple. Murphy-Bunting average aDOT of 7.8 makes him a prime target for a QB with <span>Carr</span>’s profile, so Renfrow should rack up fantasy points with <em>gusto </em>this week.</p>
<h2 id="XQhgP7">Top 3 WR/CB Matchups To Avoid</h2>
<h3 id="iNcjiD">
<a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841299/allen-robinson-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Allen Robinson</a> (CHI) vs. <span>Jalen Ramsey</span> (LAR)</h3>
<p id="5pA2sB">A-Rob might be quarterback-proof, but I doubt he’s corner-proof too, much less against mighty <span>Jalen Ramsey</span>. In fact, Robinson has been shadowed three times this season, and he has finished those games with lines of 7/3/33, 11/8/62, and 7/3/35 scoring no touchdowns in any of those games.</p>
<p id="LcOf1H">Every time he’s been shadowed by a top corner (all of <span>James Bradberry</span>, <span>Carlton Davis</span>, and <span>Rasul Douglas</span> are giving up fewer than 9.0 PPR per game, or fewer than 1.5 PPR per target), he’s struggled. He also was <em>meh</em> in W1 (12.3 PPR) against top-tier CB <span>Amani Oruwariye</span>.</p>
<p id="yIGrTu">While <span>Ramsey</span> has not been tasked with shadowing any top WR this season through Week 6, he doesn’t have a problem following <em>whoever</em>, <em>wherever—</em>yes, that means including the slot. In six games, <span>Ramsey</span> has been targeted only 28 times and allowed 15 completions (53.6% catch rate against). </p>
<p id="FnCti3"><span>Jalen Ramsey</span> is limiting opposing QBs to a middling 78.9 QB Rating, has only surrendered one touchdown, and his per-game averages come down to an NFL fourth-best 1.24 PPR/Target and 5.8 PPG (min. 6 games played).</p>
<h3 id="gTpVcm">
<span>Brandon Aiyuk</span> (SF) vs. <span>Stephon Gilmore</span> (NE)</h3>
<p id="MG4cLU">This matchup might change a bit depending on how New England approaches it, and even more on how San Francisco plays around on offense trying to trick the Pats D. That means both Aiyuk and <span>Deebo Samuel</span> will get shares of Gilmore through the game, but Samuel should avoid him for the most part given his hybrid RB/WR role and schemed plays. Aiyuk, on the other hand, usually plays on the left side out, precisely where Gilmore finds his place on the field most often (right-side corner).</p>
<p id="UQX5pd">In his four games this season, Aiyuk has shown good traits. He’s caught 14 of 25 targets, sure, but the volume is there weekly with four plus targets in each of his last four games and five plus in three of them. He’s reached 44 yards or scored a touchdown in three games since Week 2, too. His only game of 14+ PPR points came in Week 3 against the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a>, though, when he faced a below-average corner in <span>Isaac Yiadom</span> and proceeded to burn him to the tune of a 21.1 PPR performance translating to an 8/5/70 receiving line and adding 31 yards and another score on three carries.</p>
<p id="bMJflV">Forget about that type of performance against Gilmore, folks. Even covering some of the best WRs of the league this season, only D.K. Metcalf (19.2) was able to hang more than 6.1 PPR points on Stephon Gilmore, with <span>DaeSean Hamilton</span> being his last victim (Week 6) in shadow coverage. Poor <span>Hamilton</span> had to be happy seeing <em>one</em> target all day... that he didn’t get to catch.</p>
<p id="i05Y27">Among corners targeted 25+ times so far this season, Gilmore is allowing the 15th-lowest PPR per game (7.6), has surrendered a shade under 200 yards (192), and quarterbacks have a shaky 52% completion rate when targeting him. Hard to project an Aiyuk explosion this week.</p>
<h3 id="CeyiAq">
<span>Tee Higgins</span> (CIN) vs. <span>Denzel Ward</span> (CLE)</h3>
<p id="5uVbeb">I hate to put Higgins in my fade side of the column, but this is how things go this weekend. Higgins has been stellar as a rookie for the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>. He has basically replaced veteran <span>A.J. Green</span> in the pecking order and is already the WR34 in PPR leagues with 69.4 points through Week 6 for an 11.6 PPG average.</p>
<p id="kw5lls">After a couple of rough outings when <span>Joe Burrow</span> was still a <span>Green</span>-Believer, Higgins has seen up to seven targets in each of the last four games catching four passes in all of them. He’s caught passes for 62+ yards three times in those four games, and he scored two touchdowns in the other one (while getting to 40 yards). Barring his 6.5 Week 2 PPR score, all Higgins games when he’s targeted have finished in the 10-to-21 clip.</p>
<p id="g0H6xB">Higgins, though, had his worst game of the season precisely when facing... <span>Denzel Ward</span>! <span>Ward</span> has not shadowed any receiver in 2020. Actually, <span>Ward</span> has been all around the place and quarterbacks have tried to pick him on weekly, only to have zero success at it. <span>Ward</span>’s 37 targeted passes so far rank as the 15th-most among CBs, which is crazy considering he’s just allowed 20 receptions (54.1% catch rate) and 250 yards over six games. The only blemish on his resume is his four touchdowns surrendered, although given his average targeted-aDOT of 12.0 yards downfield that makes sense.</p>
<p id="rB6SKS">Ward in Week 2 and <span>Marcus Peters</span> in Week 5 have already shown how they have everything to cut Higgins upside in half. While Ward isn’t the best corner around (20th-best PFF Grade in coverage), he’s been playing very sound football and he’s poised to dry Higgins up once more this weekend.</p>
<p id="PU3Rif"></p>
https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/23/21528134/fantasy-football-dfs-wide-receiver-cornerback-matchup-week-7chapulana2020-10-23T13:00:00-04:002020-10-23T13:00:00-04:00Flex On Fire: 5 must-starts for Week 7 fantasy football
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jaV328RFtINdvajAe43dZCiS0sc=/0x0:3430x2287/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67678904/sleepers_copy.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA Today/Pete Rogers Illustrations</figcaption>
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<p>Get these guys in your team and win in Week 7.</p> <p id="wPnfpN">As we approach the half way point of the season, it’s now that the astute fantasy manager can make their run as we navigate the NFL’s bye weeks. This week sees another four teams on a bye, with the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>, <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a>, <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a> and <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> all having a well-earned rest, so you will be looking for replacements for the likes of <span>Lamar Jackson</span>, <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838552/adam-thielen-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Adam Thielen</a>, <span>Jonathan Taylor</span> and top rookie receiver <span>Justin Jefferson</span>.</p>
<p id="0TA69F">In previous weeks, I’ve looked at the week ahead’s match ups looking for where the edge may lay, but I’m switching it up and from now on I am giving you the guys I’m slotting into my lineups as I navigate those bye weeks alongside you. Here are the guys I’m looking to this week to get me those all important W’s.</p>
<h3 id="zOyXP5">WR <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841639/mike-williams-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Mike Williams</a>, <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> vs <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>
</h3>
<p id="hpylyE">I really like the way <span>Justin Herbert</span> and <span>Williams</span> connected in the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a>’ last game against the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a>, where <span>Williams</span> saw eight targets and five catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Coming off a bye and facing a <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a> team allowing the 10th most points to receivers, both <span>Williams</span> and a healthy <span>Keenan Allen</span> should feast this week.</p>
<h3 id="B1cK8Q">WR <span>Cole Beasley</span>, <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> @ <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>
</h3>
<p id="4w8Guc"><span>Cole Beasley</span> is a target machine in the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a>’ offense and with <span>John Brown</span> struggling this week, <span>Beasley</span> should see an uptick in volume. <span>Beasley</span> is averaging five catches and 60 yards per game in 2020, a healthy 11 points per game in PPR leagues but increase that to eight for 80 and a touchdown against a <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a> team in free fall and you have yourself a match up winner in the flex this week. That’s what I’m banking on anyway.</p>
<h3 id="LrPhwA">QB <span>Ryan Tannehill</span>, <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> vs <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>
</h3>
<p id="F47qvI"><span>Tannehill</span> is my bye week quarterback of choice for this year and is a point scoring machine so far this season and currently sits as the QB10 in fantasy, despite already having had his bye week. The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> defense is fierce, allowing the 5th fewest points per game to quarterbacks, though <span>Tannehill</span> can mitigate this somewhat with both his mobility, and his ability to throw when under pressure. With Derrick Henry keeping the run defense honest, Tannehill should still put up points in this battle of the undefeated AFC teams.</p>
<h3 id="4N23lq">WR <span>Christian Kirk</span>, <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> vs <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>
</h3>
<p id="wFoYhP"><span>Kirk</span> has been getting more and more productive over the past three weeks, turning his three targets against the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> into 86 yards and two touchdowns. This week he faces another of the poorer pass defenses in the NFL in the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> and has the opportunity to break those big plays again in what could be a high-scoring shootout.</p>
<h3 id="lKyrUE">RB <span>James White</span>, <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> vs <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>
</h3>
<p id="LNCapv">I’m relying a lot on White this week but he is one of those guys who has such a solid floor, I’m always happy to slide him into a flex or RB2 spot to cover a bye week. He’s averaging 12.1 points per game in his three starts this season (RB30), and has seen eight and nine targets in his last two games. White is the first true pass catching back the49ers have faced so though are holding running backs to just eight receiving points per game, White’s volume should see him comfortably hit double digits this week.</p>
<div id="ukQulR"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ltE50Fe7s4Q?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media; accelerometer; clipboard-write; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/23/21529175/fantasy-football-must-starts-week-7-mike-williams-cole-beasleyPaddi Cooper2020-10-22T14:00:00-04:002020-10-22T14:00:00-04:00FTFF Mailbag: Should you sell high on Derrick Henry?
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vCGqh38Oi-iEovQ13lm3PZ2eoQ0=/0x0:2000x1333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67673388/mailbag_copy.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Getty Images/Pete Rogers Illustrations</figcaption>
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<p>Plus, start Boston Scott or Will Fuller?</p> <p id="tejrdL">Welcome to the Fake Teams’ <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/fantasy-football">fantasy football</a> mailbag! If you want to send in your questions for next week’s mailbag, here are the ways to join:</p>
<ul>
<li id="76Ck8H">tweet @petemrogers or @Faketeams using #FTFFMailbag</li>
<li id="gccsRo">email at ftffmailbag@gmail.com</li>
<li id="i1ccqd">leave your question in the comments!</li>
</ul>
<p id="zDNdUA">Onto the mailbag:</p>
<p id="jELSPG"><strong>Q: I appreciate the Swift suggestion from last week, huge boost to help me move to 5-1. In two PPR leagues I need a flex play:</strong></p>
<p id="OcsfFA"><strong>League 1: </strong><span><strong>Robert Woods</strong></span><strong>, </strong><span><strong>Travis Fulgham</strong></span><strong>, or </strong><span><strong>Anthony Firkser</strong></span></p>
<p id="6aRl1g"><strong>League 2: </strong><span><strong>Robert Woods</strong></span><strong>, </strong><span><strong>Tyler Lockett</strong></span><strong>, </strong><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/8/20955621/melvin-gordon-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019"><strong>Melvin Gordon</strong></a><strong>, or </strong><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20837360/david-johnson-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019"><strong>David Johnson</strong></a><br><strong>— @a_a_ron_att</strong></p>
<p id="vgQ9UI">League 1: Fulgham has by far the best matchup of the bunch and I have him ranked only six slots behind Robert Woods. I like Woods’ floor, think that is rock solid but the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> secondary has been extremely good this year at preventing touchdowns to wide receivers which is how Woods tends to put up his biggest points. Ride with Fulgham until he proves otherwise.</p>
<p id="LSQVlh">League 2: For me this boils down between <span>Lockett</span> and <span>Johnson</span>. Lockett is frustrating to start given his lack luster outings last couple of games but he and <span>Russell Wilson</span> are so in-sync that he could go for 100+ yards and two touchdowns any week. <span>Johnson</span> meanwhile has an AMAZING matchup against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a>, who are giving up the most points to running backs this year in fantasy. His lack of usage in the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a>’ passing game has me a little worried but that might change with Bill O’Brien no longer in the picture. I’d start DJ. He’s a rock solid RB2 this week with easy RB1 upside.</p>
<p id="5Agepk"><strong>Q: should I be worried about </strong><span><strong>Derrick Henry</strong></span><strong> with </strong><span><strong>Taylor Lewan</strong></span><strong> out for the season with a torn ACL?</strong><br><strong>— Terry P.</strong></p>
<p id="7cAVbs">Honestly, selling high on <span>Derrick Henry</span> right now might not be the worst move. His numbers will be uber inflated now with his monster game against the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a>, but prior to Week 6, Henry was the RB14 in total points and RB10 in points per game (PPR). Obviously, those aren’t terrible numbers, but they are worse than the RB5 he is now with Week 6. The loss of <span>Lewan</span> is no good, but so is the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a>’ upcoming schedule. Tennessee plays the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>, <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>, Bears, <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a>, <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>, and then <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> again. Every one of those teams, outside the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>, is top 10 in fewest points allowed to opposing running backs.</p>
<p id="ilxgJ2">You’re never going to get a bigger return for Henry than you are right now so if you are at all worried about Henry slightly regressing moving forward—which is a very valid concern—I fully endorse the move to try and find a buyer for him.</p>
<p id="xwB06Z"><strong>Q: Non-PPR: </strong><span><strong>Boston Scott</strong></span><strong>, Darrell Henderson, or Will Fuller</strong><br><strong>— @fashion_nfl</strong></p>
<p id="Wae8af">I’m going to go with <span>Boston Scott</span> here in an effort to continuously put out good vibes into the world since I too will be starting him this week as a <span>Miles Sanders</span> manager. The good thing is that <span>Scott</span> easily had his two best games last year against the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a>, totaling for 266 yards and four touchdowns. I would fully expect Scott to see the bulk of the rushing work in Philly Thursday night as well as a solid amount in the passing game.</p>
<p id="hsLOpB">Personally, I’m choosing to stay away from the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a>’ backfield and Will Fuller will likely see a lot of <span>Jaire Alexander</span> this week against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> which isn’t great for him since <span>Alexander</span> has been a top corner so far this year. Let’s put our faith in <span>Boston Scott</span> together!</p>
<p id="3hTJng"><em>Have fantasy football questions? You can email them into FTFFmailbag@gmail.com or tweet them at @petemrogers or @faketeams using the hashtag #FTFFmailbag.</em></p>
https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/22/21528605/fantasy-football-mailbag-start-sit-derrick-henry-tradePete Rogers2020-10-22T08:00:00-04:002020-10-22T08:00:00-04:00TNF preview: What to expect fantasy-wise from Giants at Eagles
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<img alt="NFL: OCT 18 Ravens at Eagles" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/r5Y8u0dE2g3bsYBwr7RInhhItGg=/0x66:5052x3434/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67670816/1229177072.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Fantasy preview of Thursday Night Football.</p> <p id="I7zsWo">Thursday Night Football is back for Week 7 with the New York Giants heading to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. Here’s how the two teams breakdown from a fantasy football standpoint.</p>
<h3 id="VGnmDx"><a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/"><strong>Giants</strong></a></h3>
<p id="fPutSA"><span>Daniel Jones</span>, fantasy’s <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/qb.php?year=2020&start=1&end=6">QB27</a> in scoring, is looking down the barrel of a generally tough outing on Thursday night. Jones’ <a href="https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/passing#completionPercentageAboveExpectation">0.5%</a> Completion Percentage Above Expectation tells us he’s completing the throws that are given to him and not much more. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett is simply incapable of scheming up open receivers while Jones develops which bodes very poorly for the quarterback’s ability to produce. Jones has made it through just <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/31838/gamelog">one game</a> this year without throwing an interception. On the bright side, Jones has seen a big uptick in rushing attempts in three of the last four weeks, which could turn him into a savvy streaming option. The downside though, is that Jones has a propensity for fumbling—he’s put the ball on the ground four times this year already, just a hair behind his 2019 pace in which he <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/31838/">totaled 12</a>. He’s <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">just a QB3</a> this week.</p>
<p id="2GHUPi">The Giants’ best receiver, <span>Darius Slayton</span> has a tough match-up on his hands as he’s likely to see quite a bit of cornerback <span>Darius Slay</span>’s <a href="https://twitter.com/Ihartitz/status/1318939936356171777">coverage</a>. Making matters worse, wide receiver <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20837288/sterling-shepard-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Sterling Shepard</a> has a shot at returning from Injured Reserve this week which would invariably hurt Slayton’s target total. Slayton is just a boom/bust flex option. <span>Shepard</span> is far too much of a risk to start. </p>
<p id="aSXPJ5">Although slot receiver’s like <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841593/cooper-kupp-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Cooper Kupp</a> (<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams-philadelphia-eagles-20200920021/">Week 2</a>) and <span>Tyler Boyd</span> (<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals-philadelphia-eagles-20200927021/">Week 3</a>) have had nice outings against the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a>’ lacking slot coverage, <span>Golden Tate</span>’s <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-wr.php?year=2020&start=2&end=6">WR75 .5PPR total</a> in the five games he’s played proves he’s an extremely risky flex start.</p>
<p id="wJpm70">Jason Garrett has been trying to force tight end <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20837312/evan-engram-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Evan Engram</a> into a Jason Witten-type role this year. Witten was one of the best two-way tight ends, capable of pass catching as blocking with the best of them. <span>Engram</span> is just a supremely talented, jumbo-sized receiver but Garrett can’t tell the defense. His usage is unacceptable.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jason Garrett is currently feeding this athletic freak the TE position's single-lowest average target depth <a href="https://t.co/wYWRL1RLMP">pic.twitter.com/wYWRL1RLMP</a></p>— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ihartitz/status/1318955984400908288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2020</a>
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<p id="2nxvAV">That said, Philadelphia’s defense has been a wellspring for opposing tight ends. <span>Logan Thomas</span> post four catches, 37-yards, and a touchdown on them in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles-washington-football-team-20200913028/">Week 1</a>. <span>Tyler Higbee</span> caught all five of his targets for 54-yards and <em>three </em>scores in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams-philadelphia-eagles-20200920021/">Week 2</a>. <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/11/20959896/george-kittle-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">George Kittle</a> <em>caught all 15 of his targets for 183-yards and a touchdown </em>in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles-san-francisco-49ers-20201004025/">Week 4</a>. The <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>’ backup tight end <span>Nick Boyle</span> even caught three of three targets for 33-yards and a score <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens-philadelphia-eagles-20201018021/">last week</a>. If you have <span>Evan Engram</span>, this is the time to start him.</p>
<p id="ey6ntB"><span>Devonta Freeman</span>’s dead legs racked up a bellcow-level <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-nyg-6.php">73%</a> snap share last week, ending all speculation as to whether or not he’s the team’s real starting running back. Philadelphia’s front-seven has given up a <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/opp.htm">league-high 10 rushing scores</a> on the year, locking <span>Freeman</span> in as a high-end flex option. </p>
<h3 id="O5vp3q"><strong>Eagles</strong></h3>
<p id="aR3mPw">Like his Thursday night counterpart, quarterback <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20842014/carson-wentz-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Carson Wentz</a> has suddenly found himself with a fantasy-friendly <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/29236/gamelog">rushing floor</a>. Although his passing play hasn’t been great, given the rushing touchdown-upside and the <a href="https://twitter.com/mike_e_kaye/status/1318964693000769539">absence</a> on <span>Miles Sanders</span>, <span>Wentz</span> has a lot of usage on his fantasy plate this week. Given his erratic passing and the Giants’ surprisingly good pass defense though, <span>Wentz</span> is just a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/20/21525322/fantasy-football-rankings-quarterbacks-for-week-7">mid-tier QB2</a> though. </p>
<p id="qxqVUe"><span>Travis Fulgham</span> has erupted as a real-deal NFL receiver since his Week 4 breakout. <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/half-ppr-wr.php?year=2020&start=4&end=6">.5PPR’s overall WR2</a> since then, Fulgham needs to be locked into fantasy lineups despite his upcoming date with the Giants’ studly cornerback, James Bradberry. In last week’s <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/17/21513412/fantasy-football-rundown-week-6-starts-sits-sleepers">Rundown</a>, we touched on Jarad Evans’ <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Jarad/status/1317076339757899776">box score compilation</a> of No. 1 receivers to have faced Bradberry’s coverage and that culminated in a six-catch, 70-yard “best of” receiving line. <span>Terry McLaurin</span>, Bradberry’s Week 6’s foe, set season-best marks for those facing the CB with a seven-catch 74-yard <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/washington-football-team-new-york-giants-20201018019/">outing</a>. Expectations for Fulgham should be dropped a tad but he does have a number of anti-Bradberry factors going for him. His <a href="https://www.playerprofiler.com/nfl/travis-fulgham/">25.5%</a> slot snap share will get him away from the corner’s perimeter coverage for a decent number of snaps—an area that Fulgham has led the receiving corps in totality over the last two weeks (<a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-phi-6.php">104</a> total snaps). During that span (Week <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?week=5&ddlYear=2020&rz=all&ddlTeam=PHI&ddlPosition=">5</a> and <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?week=6&ddlYear=2020&rz=all&ddlTeam=PHI&ddlPosition=">6</a>), Fulgham has become the team’s most targeted player, while notably racking up a team-high three <a href="http://www.nflsavant.com/targets.php?rz=redzone&ddlYear=2020&week=6&ddlTeam=PHI&ddlPosition=">red zone targets</a> in their most recent contest. That usage is too good to be scared away from deploying Fulgham this week. Start him confidently as a WR2. </p>
<p id="4DnXen">A wrench has been thrown into rookie speedster <span>John Hightower</span>’s decent match-up with the return of downfield veteran DeSean Jackson. Hightower had racked up the NFL’s deepest targeted air yards mark (<a href="https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/receiving#average-intended-yards">21.3-yards</a>) during Jackson’s multi-game absence. Without knowing how healthy Jackson is, Hightower is still worth a boom/bust flex start though. Jackson is too risky to be trusted outside of some sort of Hail Mary situation. </p>
<p id="vYCSL9">With tight end <span>Zach Ertz</span> expected to miss a month of action (<a href="https://www.rotoworld.com/football/nfl/player/11159/zach-ertz">ankle</a>) and <span>Dallas Goedert</span> still a week from returning—add him if in need of a good tight end next week, and beyond—number three tight end <span>Richard Rodgers</span> and slot receiver <span>Greg Ward</span> now have reduced target competition as the primary slot route runners. <span>Rodgers</span> is worth a start as a streaming option and Ward can be flexed as evidenced by slot-sters <span>Cooper Kupp</span> and <span>CeeDee Lamb</span> finding box score success in Weeks <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/new-york-giants-los-angeles-rams-20201004014/">4</a> and <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/new-york-giants-dallas-cowboys-20201011006/">5</a>, respectively. Given the overall state of the Eagles’ offense though, the likelihood of Ward producing a true ceiling game is low. </p>
<p id="MVaddT">Running back <span>Boston Scott</span> saw far more <a href="https://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-phi-6.php">snaps</a> than number three back <span>Corey Clement</span> did after Miles Sanders went down with a knee injury last week, a juxtaposition from their Week 1 Sanders-less deployment. <span>Scott</span>’s previous success against the G-Men bodes well for his Week 7 outlook. John Paulsen articulates the Clement aspect well, below, but the aforementioned snap share brings needed (and hopeful) clarity.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Boston Scott’s two best games last season came against the Giants.<br><br>W14: 16 touches, 128 yards, TD<br>W17: 23 touches, 138 yards, 3 TD<br><br>2020 W7 opponent: NYG<br><br>* Corey Clement was not on the team last season</p>— John Paulsen (@4for4_John) <a href="https://twitter.com/4for4_John/status/1318693793873371141?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2020</a>
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<p id="7yjFfq">Deploy <span>Boston Scott</span> as a <a href="https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21525908/fantasy-football-rankings-running-backs-for-week-7">mid-range RB2</a> who should see significant passing game work as Philly’s lead back. <span>Corey Clement</span> is a just a low-end flex option against the Giants’ <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/opp.htm">decent</a> run defense.</p>
https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/22/21527041/fantasy-football-thursday-night-preview-giants-eaglesNHB2020-10-22T06:00:00-04:002020-10-22T06:00:00-04:00Week 7 starts & sits: Brandin Cooks, Kenyan Drake, CeeDee Lamb, & more
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<img alt="NFL: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xNwGy3zMM5Vd-vF0wzpLX345QrY=/603x147:3923x2360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67670485/usa_today_15085665.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The guys give their top starts and sits for Week 7.</p> <p id="RHAfxu">Pete, Clark, Jordan, and Nic run through every game this week and give their Week 7 starts and sits including a severe lack of faith in the Andy Dalton <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a>, fire up the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> passing attack, Pete swears off <span>Odell Beckham Jr.</span> forever, should you bench <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/11/20959896/george-kittle-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">George Kittle</a> vs the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a>, and much more (4:50).</p>
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https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/22/21527708/rb1-podcast-fantasy-football-starts-sits-week-7-brandin-cooks-kenyan-drakePete RogersClark BarnesJordan E. SmithNHB2020-10-21T15:00:00-04:002020-10-21T15:00:00-04:00Wide receiver rankings for Week 7
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<img alt="Cleveland Browns v Pittsburgh Steelers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o1weV-khXVsYLXgy_-SfghnEpmw=/0x0:2735x1823/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67667499/1280932882.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Ranking the best 48 wide receivers for Week 7 fantasy football. </p> <p id="8hQrXB">Here are my wide receiver rankings for Week 7 of <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/fantasy-football">fantasy football</a>. There are plenty of great matchups this week to take advantage of in your fantasy leagues.</p>
<p id="XbPaWG">I went back and forth where to exactly have <span>Michael Thomas</span> in my rankings and I ultimately felt WR12 was the right spot. Still in the WR1 realm, but the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Panthers</a> secondary has been tough against receivers this season and while I expect <span>Drew Brees</span> to target <span>Thomas</span> roughly 20 times this week, I’m not sold he’s a lock for a top like six outing.</p>
<p id="YOVNim">I am buying HARD into the <span>Chase Claypool</span> hype and have made a deal with myself that I will never have <span>JuJu Smith-Schuster</span> as the highest ranked <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> wide receiver until he proves that he should be as such. Claypool is at the very least a WR2 for the rest of the year and facing a vulnerable <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a> secondary that just got torched by <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841565/deshaun-watson-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Deshaun Watson</a>, I like him to have yet another dominate week.</p>
<p id="Ie03TX">No idea what to make of this <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> offense with Andy Dalton. Yes <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20838514/amari-cooper-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Amari Cooper</a> and <span>CeeDee Lamb</span> did eventually put up nice stat lines against the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a>, boy was it ugly and it took garbage time for it to happen. Washington’s defense isn’t to be messed with as they are allowing the fewest points to wideouts this season. I’ll admit I’m probably too low on <span>Cooper</span> this week but I just like everyone above him more this week so this is where <span>Cooper</span> landed.</p>
<p id="L5kO9Y">PUT SOME RESPECT IN KEELAN COLE’S NAME! Also <span>A.J. Green</span>, keep showing me something.</p>
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https://www.faketeams.com/2020/10/21/21527023/fantasy-football-rankings-wide-receivers-for-week-7Pete Rogers