The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 7
The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week was a topic covered in Thursday’s episode. The guys selected their start at each position and gave their thoughts on the players. A brief of who was selected can be found below, while the episode can be found here.
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Andy’s Starts of the Week
QB – Matt Ryan @ MIA
The Falcons are coming off a bye, taking on a Miami defense that found itself going into low power mode weeks ago. The Miami defense has allowed the most passing yards this season. The Dolphins have additionally found themselves tied for most 20+ yard completions in the league. Ryan has shown he will continue with the passing volume, averaging 41 pass attempts per game. Adding to this, Atlanta registered 83-percent of their scores through the air, most in the NFL. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley should have a big contest, and Ryan will put up fantasy points.
RB – Chuba Hubbard @ NYG
Matt Rhule has stated he wants his team to run the ball more. In three starts this season, Hubbard has seen 60 total touches. This week, Hubbard gets the start, facing a Giants team allowing 137 rushing yards per game (5th most in the NFL). Andy hopes that Hubbard will see targets as well, something that would add to his fantasy appeal.
WR – Deebo Samuel vs. IND
Samuel will be coming off a bye, looking to put up great fantasy numbers. On the season, Samuel sees a 36-percent target share. In Week 7, Samuel faces a Colts team that allows the highest pass success rate in the NFL. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will be back under center, and the 49ers QB enjoys getting the ball in Samuel’s hands. George Kittle will miss this contest, adding to the appeal of starting Samuel this week.
TE – Dallas Goedert @ LV
Zach Ertz is no longer an Eagle, so Goedert should see a lot more targets. This week, Goedert and the Eagles take on a Raiders defense giving up the fourth-highest target share to tight ends in the NFL. Now is Goedert’s time to shine. He should see plenty of goal-line work as well as those dump-off passes Jalen Hurts likes slinging in Goedert’s direction. The Raiders have allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends over the last month, conceding big games to Mike Gesicki, Jared Cook, and Noah Fant.
Jason’s Starts of the Week
QB – Matthew Stafford vs. DET
There is an actual revenge narrative here. Stafford currently possesses the highest expected points per pass attempt in the league. The Rams’ QB has the third most 20+ yard completions this season as well. The Lions have a horrible pass defense, and their run defense is also atrocious. The Rams have a nearly 33-point team implied total, and Jason believes if the QB gets down near the goal-line, Stafford could go for four or five touchdowns.
RB – Damien Harris vs. NYJ
Last week, Harris got himself out of Bill Belichick’s doghouse by putting up an excellent performance. Harris rushed 18 times for 101-yards plus a score. In Week 7’s contest, Harris will be at home facing a Jets team allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The Jets also are allowing the highest percentage of opponents’ TDs on the ground. Harris has seven carries inside the 5-yard line while the rest of the team has two, and Jason expects 100-yards and a touchdown from the New England RB.
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WR – Calvin Ridley @ MIA
Jason brings Ridley in as his Start of the Week, stacking him along with Andy’s Matt Ryan argument. The Falcons are fresh off a bye, looking to shred the Dolphins in Week 7. Last week, Miami had both of their top cornerbacks out, and three of their active cornerbacks had never seen a defensive snap. Ridley should have a great week this week and is someone Jason thinks you should target in a trade. Do it now because, after this week, everyone will know he is back.
TE – Zach Ertz vs. HOU
New uniform – first and foremost. Ertz is Jason’s selection for his start of the week at the tight end position. Arizona has the second-highest success rate targeting the tight end position in the NFL. The Texans have been bleeding yardage to tight ends, allowing eight to James O’Shaughnessy, 11 to Clevland’s tight ends, eight to Dawson Knox, eight to Hunter Henry, and a touchdown to Mo Alie-Cox. Ertz should be started as he is now on a much better offense with a better quarterback.
Mike’s Starts of the Week
QB – Ryan Tannehill vs. KC
Kansas City’s defense had given up a month-straight of top seven games to quarterbacks before Taylor Heinicke had an outing against them. The Chiefs didn’t figure anything out; they were taking on a Stinky Hiney. Mike says to trust the process when it comes to Tannehill.
RB – James Conner vs. HOU
The Cardinals are 17.5-point favorites versus Houston. Chase Edmonds is not 100-percent, and he will not see all the work. Arizona can win this game, even without having to feed Edmonds. Conner currently has eight carries inside the 5-yard line, tied with Derrick Henry. There is touchdown upside for Conner in this matchup.
WR – Brandin Cooks @ ARI
Mike points out that in the right matchup, Cooks has been successful. This week, Cooks faces an Arizona team allowing fantasy points to wide receivers. Only San Francisco and Trey Lance could not find success against the Cardinals over the last five weeks. The matchup is perfect for Cooks to have another solid game.
TE – Cole Kmet @ TB
Here is a deep streamer pick that Mike selects for his tight end start of the week. Mike believes the world is probably thinking “what???” right now, but Mike points out that Kmet faces the Buccaneers. Chicago is heavy underdogs in this contest, and the Bears will have to throw the ball tons. Kmet should see enough volume this week to be sufficient for your fantasy roster.