After the conclusion of Week 7, we will be halfway through the fantasy football regular season. This is assuming your league’s playoffs start in Week 15. Now is a great time to see where you stack up and either go all in for a playoff run or begin to pack it up and play for next year. Either way Week 7 is as good a time as any to get a win.
Here are 10 tips you should know heading into Week 7:
1. Holy Bye Weeks
By now you probably already know that Week 7 is a heavy bye week. The Bills, Cowboys, Jaguars, Chargers, Steelers, and Vikings all have the week off. This creates a huge dent in fantasy rosters that have already had to deal with some significant injuries. Maybe you got lucky this week and face a team with a lot of players on byes. Maybe you’re the unlucky one. Either way, you’ll have to dig deep to fill in the holes of your starting lineup.
Here is a list of fill-in players that you can likely pick off waivers in deep leagues and put in your lineup: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, RB Chris Evans, RB Jamycal Hasty, WR Zach Pascal, WR Darius Slayton, WR Shi Smith.
2. Big Week for Alvin Kamara
With all the big-time running backs on bye or IR, it’s nice to have one stud destined for a big week. Saints’ RB Alvin Kamara faces off against the Seahawks who rank second-worst in the league in rushing yards allowed.
Kamara is fresh off a bye of his own and likely headed for a season-high in rushing attempts due to his team establishing an early lead. Kamara hasn’t been a bust by any stretch of the imagination but he has not performed at his top-five average draft position (ADP) either. I fully expect a huge week from the Saints’ All-Pro running back. He’s as good a bet as anyone to finish as the week’s RB1.
3. Falcons’ Pass-catchers are Must Starts
It’s safe to say that the Dolphins have regressed in every area this season. Miami’s defense ranks bottom-five in the league in passing yards allowed. This should make for a huge week for QB Matt Ryan and company.
WR Calvin Ridley and TE Kyle Pitts should absolutely go off in this matchup. I would even consider starting WR Russell Gage who is back from injury given the number of options that are unavailable due to bye this week.
4. Start Devontae Booker and Sterling Sheperd
The Giants have a tough matchup on paper against the Panthers. Carolina ranks No. 2 in passing yards allowed and middle of the pack in rushing yards allowed. Still, I like RB Devontae Booker and WR Sterling Sheperd in this matchup.
Sheperd has been QB Daniel Jones’ go-to receiver when healthy. Booker has stepped in and played exceptionally well in Saquon Barkley’s absence. This game is a lot more even than what it would seem at first glance. Expect a hard-fought contest with Booker and Sheperd playing big roles.
5. Rain in Santa Clara
Who says you don’t have to worry about inclement weather in California? The 49ers take on the Colts in the Sunday night matchup and rain is projected to be in the forecast.
It’s just rain but it’s worth mentioning. QBs Jimmy Garoppolo and Carson Wentz aren’t necessarily the most accurate passers in perfect weather.
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6. Bench Dolphins’ Running Backs
What exactly are the Dolphins trying to accomplish on offense? The gameplan and execution have been weak for Miami this year. I would not feel confident starting any of the Dolphins’ running backs.
The Falcons surprisingly play well against the run. They have allowed an average of 108 yards on the ground per game. If you must play a RB for Miami due to bye weeks Myles Gaskin is the one I would consider.
7. Chris Godwin Could Finish as WR1
My prediction of the week is that Chris Godwin finishes as the WR1. WR Antonio Brown and TE Rob Gronkowski are both out in this one. Godwin should see an uptick in his already solid 7.6 targets per game.
Mike Evans is also a solid start. However, Godwin should see the majority of the work in the middle of the field.
8. Packers Have a Big Day
The biggest mismatch of the week appears to be the Packers vs. the Football Team. I expect a huge blowout in this one with Green Bay coming out on top.
QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Aaron Jones, and WR Davante Adams are must-starts. But what else is new? I would temper expectations for all of Washington’s offensive players as well. The Packers have a much-improved defense this year.
9. Matchup of the Week
The matchup that I am most interested in for fantasy football purposes is the Raiders-Eagles game. This game is projected to have the fastest pace of play which means it should have the most offensive snaps. More plays equal more fantasy points–hopefully.
I would feel confident starting QB Jalen Hurts, RB Josh Jacobs, WR DeVonta Smith, WR Henry Ruggs, TE Dallas Goedert, and TE Darren Waller in this one. QB Derek Carr, RB Miles Sanders, and WR Hunter Renfrow are also worth a start.
10. Defense to Stream
The Arizona Cardinals are a decent streaming option this week as they take on the Texans at home. There should be ample opportunities for turnovers and sacks.
If you enjoyed this article, then you’re in luck! Be on the lookout for weekly installments of “10 tips to know” throughout the season. Feel free to follow me on Twitter @jaltorfer1. Any and all feedback is welcome.
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