The Fantasy Footballers’ Week 7 Starts
The Fantasy Footballers are back at full strength and ready to make their Week 7 starts of the week (SOTW). Last week Jay Griz filled in admirably for Andy and clearly inspired the Bears to go out and win on the road with his all-Chicago selections. Chicago fans are rumored to be working on a petition to get Jay Griz a permanent spot during this segment given last week’s success, but unfortunately for Bear fans (of the football team and/or the fill-in host), only Andy, Jason, and Mike are making selections this week. As always, you can find the SOTW podcast here, or catch it on YouTube.
Andy’s starts
QB Tyrod Taylor vs. Tampa Bay
Tyrod Taylor faces a Tampa Bay defense that has given up 10 passing TDs in their five games played this season. Taylor comes with a built-in elevated floor thanks to his rushing ability, and a competitive, interesting game against Tampa in a week with few decent QB replacement options makes him a decent start of the week.
RB Tevin Coleman @ New England
Coleman has seen an increase in carries over the last two games, getting nine carries in both, and vultured a TD from Devonta Freeman last week. This week he has a great matchup against a very breakable New England defense as his ability to produce in the passing game makes him a good start.
WR Devin Funchess @ Chicago
Last week Funchess logged as many snaps as Kelvin Benjamin and was targeted nine times. The loss of Greg Olsen has elevated the role of Funchess, which elevates him to WR2 level status this week against the Bears. He is a red zone threat and a touchdown could be headed his way this week.
TE Jack “Baby-hands” Doyle vs. Jacksonville
Doyle caught seven passes for 50 yards and a touchdown last week as the main option for QB Jacoby Brissett in a tough matchup. This week he should be targeted often as the Jaguars clamp down on opposing WRs, leaving Doyle as a decent option once again for Brissett.
Jason’s starts
QB Matt Ryan @ New England
Matt Ryan has had plenty of shade thrown his way, but don’t overthink this one even though you’ve endured a tough stretch lately as a Matt Ryan owner. He’s currently just the 23rd ranked QB on a point-per-game basis, but the New England Patriots defense is so consistently bad that Ryan is a great start this week. The Patriots defense has given up more points to opposing QBs than any other team, and surrender 10 more points per week to QBs than the average weekly QB point total.
RB C.J. Anderson @ San Diego
While some people are worried about the three-headed timeshare that now makes up the Broncos backfield, it should be noted that in three of their five games C.J. Anderson has received at least 20 carries. Last week Anderson was scripted out by game-flow, but this week he faces a Chargers defense that is very beatable on the ground. This is a matchup that fits Anderson perfectly, as the Chargers have given up over 100 yards on the ground in every game except one, and have surrendered a rushing touchdown in three of the last four games.
WR Alshon Jeffery vs. Washington
Jeffery has been a disappointment, currently ranked as the 23rd scoring WR, but has faced tough matchups to start off the season. A hobbled and potentially absent Josh Norman presents a big opportunity for Jeffery this week. Jeffery is a beast who should break out this week with an “on-fire” Carson Wentz throwing the ball at home in primetime.
Peter Aiken/Getty Images
TE Hunter “The Goose” Henry vs. Denver
Henry has been working to shed the nickname he earned by putting up a goose egg the first time the Chargers played Denver this season. He has become more involved in the offense, catching touchdowns in two of the last three weeks and totaling 90 yards receiving last week. Denver allows production from the TE position and Henry should be able to exploit the nice matchup this time around.
Mike’s starts
QB Kirk Cousins @ Philadelphia
Don’t fear a Kirk Cousins primetime meltdown, he proved last Thanksgiving against Dallas that he can torch the opposition when all eyes are watching. He is currently QB6 in fantasy points per game and has been working with a crew of nameless offensive weapons.
RB Alvin Kamara @ Green Bay
Alvin Kamara has an expanded role in the offense with the departure of Adrian Peterson and saw over ten carries on the ground for the first time last week to go along with his passing down role, where he has seen the 10th most targets at the RB position this year. The Saints offense should have little issue moving the ball against the Packers, and Kamara plays a key role in the success of Drew Brees playing well on the road this season.
WR Eric Decker @ Cleveland
Eric Decker should benefit from the limited mobility of QB Marcus Mariota this week at Cleveland. Mariota will look to get the ball out quickly to protect himself, and Decker’s role as the short and intermediate route-runner should make him a frequent target in the passing game. He is a startable WR3 with upside this week.
TE Kyle Rudolph vs. Baltimore
Rudolph has stepped up while Stefon Diggs has been dealing with a groin injury, getting nine targets in each of the last two games. Baltimore has given up the third-most points to the TE position this year, making Rudolph a nice start.
Jason Moore’s ironclad, locked-and-loaded, 100% guaranteed, boom-boom kicker of the week
Graham Gano @ Chicago