What makes Fantasy football fun? That’s right, your unpredictable weekly games. Many owners lost a game this year when DeSean Jackson of the Eagles literally dropped the football at the 1-yard line. One of my friends needed one point from the Giants’ defense to win this week and he ended up with a tie. I had a big lead and my opponent only had Braylon Edwards of the Browns left to play. That win quickly turned into a loss for me when Edwards reverted to his 2007 self. Games often come down to owners’ decisions about who to play each week. The Cardinals, Falcons, Jaguars and Eagles have byes this week. For NFL Week 7, I attempt to shed some light on some obvious and not-so-obvious plays that will help you maximize your roster and give you a chance to win.
START ‘EM
Brett Favre, Jets. Favre had a tough fantasy game this week against the Bengals, but expect him to bounce back with a great matchup against the Raiders. The Raiders’ defense is giving up 234 yards passing per game to opposing quarterbacks. The main key for Favre is to avoid turning the football ball over. Favre should be fired up going into Oakland and playing in front of that hostile crowd.
Matt Schaub, Texans. The Texans are playing the Lions this week. That fact should be all that you need to know, but here are two others: the Lions’ defense gives up 250 yards passing per game; secondly, opposing teams have scored nine passing touchdowns and been intercepted only once. Start any Texans players that you have in Week 7.
Steven Jackson, Rams. Fantasy owners have been burned by Jackson for a season and a half. He was probably a first-round draft pick in your league, but in reality, he is a No. 2 option at running back. However, I like the way Jackson is playing and he is coming off a solid game against the Redskins. The forecast is for Jackson to gain over 100 yards rushing and receiving with at least one touchdown.
Jamal Lewis, Browns. My modus operandi this season has been to fall for whoever plays well on Monday Night Football. Lewis also played well in Cleveland’s game against Cincinnati before the bye week. The best thing about Lewis is that in an NFL dominated by the two running back system; he is the Browns’ main option in short yardage situations. If they get close to the end zone, Lewis gets the football.
Calvin Johnson, Lions. I know Johnson suffered a concussion in the game against Minnesota. I know Roy Williams was traded to Dallas this week. I know Jon Kitna is out for the year. But, someone on the Lions has to have plays called for them and to score touchdowns. Expect Johnson’s targets to increase, because the Lions literally have no one else on offense.
SIT ‘EM
Jay Cutler, Broncos. Cutler’s play has leveled off after a couple of big early-season games. In the Broncos’ last road game against Kansas City, he was intercepted twice. This week the injury-depleted Broncos play at New England against a wounded, embarrassed Patriots’ defense. Expect the Patriots to play tough on defense, and expect Coach Belichick to take away the Broncos’ passing game.
Adrian Peterson, Vikings. Conventional Fantasy wisdom is that you always start your star players. But, if you take a hard look at Peterson’s numbers this year, he is producing like a second-level running back. Everyone keeps waiting for him to have a monster game, but the Bears will stop him this week on the grass of Soldier Field. I watched the Bears against the Falcons in Week 6. The Bears’ defense stops the run and makes Gus Frerotte beat them.
Julius Jones, Seahawks. I was one of the first people to recommend starting Julius Jones last month. Jones is now off the must-start list and on the bench. Maurice Morris should be back for the Seahawks. Plus, the Tampa Bay defense is getting stronger by the week. Monte Kiffin’s “Tampa 2” is ninth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed. They give up under 90 yards per game on the ground.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals. Houshmandzadeh twisted his ankle in the Bengals’ loss to the Jets. He came back into the game and probably will play this week. Keep an eye on his status, because he might be a game time decision. He would have a tough statistical week going against the Steelers, but his value is lowered even more by the Bengals starting Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. The Steelers are second in the NFL in total defense.
Bernard Berrian, Vikings. I just read one fantasy column that said that Berrian is red hot and a must-start this week. Berrian has killed my teams in the past. Right when you start believing he is going to consistently have good games, he disappears. Two above-average games in a row is his maximum. Give Berrian a week off if you have another option at wide receiver.
Last Week. Five picks correct, four wrong, and one push. Peyton Manning and Le’Ron McClain in the Ravens versus Colts game hurt me, but I ended up on the plus side for the week. I called the Michael Jenkins pick a tie, because Jenkins played well and came up with the biggest catch of Atlanta’s win against the Bears.
Fantasy Questions? Need lineup advice? Leave a comment below or e-mail your questions to me at jck.bender@gmail.com. Good luck this week!
Loading ...
