NFL Week 7 Start/Sit
By: Andrew Ferguson
Week 6 we went 20-11 during a low scoring NFL week around the league. Only 3 people in my fantasy league went for over 100 points and it’s a pretty generous scoring system we have in place. So if you survived a boring fantasy week, congrats and I hope I helped. I’m proud of some of my hits and others I wasn’t so proud of. But I did say to start Germie Bernard and bench Michael Wilson. It worked out for me and I hope it worked out for you. Again, I’m not making obvious picks here. I’m making picks that people are having a hard time trying to decide between and this week, my goal is to hit better with the running backs as last week, some backups vultured our TDs (I’m looking at George Holani and Jawhar Jordan stealing our points from Emanuel Wilson and Woody Marks). Also, it’s time to drop Marshawn Lloyd. Sorry about that one. He’s not getting a Christmas card from me this year.
But week 6 has some heavy hitters on bye including the Bills, Jaguars, Chargers and Commanders. So there are definitely some holes to fill here for us all. Let’s get right into it!
QBs to Start
Aaron Rodgers- Rodgers is putting up borderline MVP numbers (passing). He’s gifted with a French matchup against the Saints that have been in the bottom tier of opposing QBs in fantasy. Rodgers found a connection with Bernard and I expect that momentum to keep going.
Geno Smith- This one didn’t pan out last time. 2nd time’s a charm. The Jets are going up against the Dolphins ranked in the bottom 5 for yards against QBs. Smith is getting his WRs the ball and if you have Jayden Daniels, Josh Allen or Trevor Lawrence on bye, this is not a bad streaming option.
Jordan Love- He’s hot. He’s going to stay hot. Everybody eats against the Lions and this game should be no different. He’s had 2 TDs every game and there is no reason he can’t do it again and even have a season high here. The run game is still trash and even if Jacobs plays, he may be on a snap count so I’d expect a heavy pass gamescript for the Packers.
Kyler Murray- I think we’re all waiting for that breakout game and the Vikings are trying to score more than 2 TDs in a game. Shouldn’t be a problem here against the Colts at home that let the Titans claw their way back for a win. Kyler has his weapons healthy, he’s healthy and it’s time for them to come out of a bye week with their foot on the gas. I expect Kyler to start running more and he always has the upside.
QBs to Sit
Patrick Mahomes- Mahomes until last week was putting up respectable fantasy numbers. He hasn’t had the same rushing upside he did last year as he heals from the knee injury and Ken Walker is talking a lot off his plate. He had 0 touchdowns last week and now he has to face the toughest secondary in the league at Seattle. This is a matchup I’m not fond of. Mahomes isn’t the ‘set it and forget it’ QB anymore so I’m taking a streamer option here.
Jared Goff- This is a hard one because of the weapons and the success he’s had all year fantasy wise. But his next two weeks are as rough as it gets. This week the Lions play against Green Bay who ranks top 3 in defending opposing QBs and lead the league with 9 interceptions. Nothing about the matchup is guaranteed but if you’re rolling with Goff no matter what, I get it.
JJ McCarthy- How much fun is watching the New York QB carousel? Dart, Jameis and now 9? Wow, I feel bad for Nabers and Likely owners. I’m sitting all my Giants players this week until I see McCarthy play a full game without looking like a doofus. Houston’s defense is foaming at the mouth waiting for this week.
Cam Ward- If you’re even thinking about it, I’m here to tell you not to do it. He’s scored single digits in the past 2 weeks and the Browns are not a matchup for him to start lighting it up. Pick up a guy like Tanner McKee instead if you’re that desperate.
RBs to Start
Bucky Irving- No matter the matchup, Bucky is getting the volume so it’s hard to sit him moving forward. He had a rough time getting any open lanes in the run game against Pittsburgh but he has a much friendlier matchup against the Panthers this week. Sean Tucker and Kenny Gainwell haven’t gotten more touches since OC Zach Robinson promised he would. Bucky is the man here and he can be fired up.
Woody Marks- He almost had a big week but some guy named Jawhar Jordan broke a big play and took his touchdown. The Texans are playing much better football and until David Montgomery comes back, Marks is the RB1 here and will get most of the touches. The Giants don’t stop the run well by any means so look for better success this week.
JK Dobbins- This isn’t the sexiest of plays but he’s a solid flex start. In the past 2 games, he has 35 carries and 2 TDs. The Cardinals defense is a chance for Denver’s offense to get on track and Dobbins will get his share again as he’s clearly the RB1 here. This guy is a boring pick but he knows how to find the endzone and get carries as long as he’s healthy.
Dameon Pierce/Saquon Barkley- Let me be clear, do not start both of these guys, only start Pierce if Saquon is out. If Saquon is in, do not start Dameon Pierce. Dallas on Monday Night Football is the perfect defense to get back in the game. Saquon healthy is still a force to be reckoned with and with Jalen Hurts out, expect this offense to run through him and the run game.
RBs to Bench
Cam Skattebo/Tyrone Tracy- Zero touches for Cam last week. Someone seems to be in the doghouse and Harbaugh had some pretty harsh words for the running back room as a whole this week. The good news is that Najee Harris is no longer around to steal any touches away from these guys. Tracy made the most out of his touches with 2 TDs but the volume wasn’t enough for me to feel confident in him in a flex spot. McCarthy is set to start and I just don’t have any confidence in this offense going against a Texans team that’s finally clicking.
Quinson Judkins- Judkins just missed a game so I’m not confident he’s fully healthy. He always seems to be on my bench list but his numbers this year prove why. The Browns are winning games but it isn’t because of their offense and they’re going against the Titans that are decent at stopping the run. I know a lot of people probably drafted him with a decent, middle round pick and he’s the bellcow but his efficiency hasn’t been there this year and I’m not starting him this week either.
Kendre Miller- I know 20 carries is very exciting but even with that, it didn’t turn into much more than a desperate flex play. The Saints are playing against the Steelers solid defense so I don’t expect that many carries or success. He’s a TD dependent play who hasn’t hit double digit fantasy points all year and I don’t see it happening this week.
Rhamondre Stevenson- What a let down last week was. TreVeyon Henderson was thought to be out multiple weeks but he’s surprisingly been active and still eats into Stevenson’s volume. Quick turnaround against the Bears top 5 run defense is not a matchup I’m willing to deploy Stevenson in.
WRs to Start
Omar Cooper Jr.- Last week, Cooper Jr. led the team in receiving and he’s earned a start this week in my opinion against a very favorable matchup against the Dolphins. Adonai Mitchell seems like he’ll miss another week so I’m good with Cooper as a flex play to hopefully bring in some big ROI.
AJ Brown- Last week was not pretty to watch and I think he heard the message loud and clear. He needs to play better. He still had 10 targets last week so getting him the ball is not a problem. He’s healthy and the Thursday Night game against the Bears should be a shootout with AJ Brown turning things around and getting his 2026 really started. This could be a big night for him.
Germie Bernard- You ever pick up a guy on waivers and realize you’re just way smarter and know ball more than your fantasy league mates? That’s how I feel right now. I don’t see any dips in production coming any time soon as he’s heavily targeted and Rodgers trusts him. 21 targets over his last 2 games is not a fluke and will be heavily involved in the gameplan against the Saints that are very fantasy friendly to WRs. Keep him in your lineups for now.
Carnell Tate- Tate is finally showing glimpses of his potential Rookie of the Year hype. But when the clunkers do happen, they’re bad. I mostly blame Cam Ward though. Tennessee is going up against Cleveland and I don’t think they’ll run the ball well so relying on the passing game will be crucial and Tate should get his targets. He’s averaging 8 targets per game over the last 3 so he’s finally getting used to the NFL and can be counted on.
WRs to Bench
Keenan Allen- Keenan Allen is having the fantasy season I expected. Target hog, a lot of underneath catches and maybe a TD here and there. He’s normally flex worthy but not this week against Minnesota's stout defense. I’m learning to stay away from this defense, especially for mid players.
Rashee Rice- Same reason I’m benching Mahomes is the same for Rice. At Seattle is never a joke. I know you probably took him early but I hate this matchup and don’t go with the name over the actually strategy. Ken Walker is about to get his revenge on Seattle and I expect a big, volume loaded game for him where Mahomes and the WRs won’t do much.
Jordan Addison- Addison is dealing with a hamstring and he just isn’t reliable. I need to see more before I’m putting him in lineups and I need to see Kyler spread the ball around more and actually pass more. This offense does just enough to not lose the game and the Vikings are all about defense.
Tre Tucker- Last week was fun. Especially if you ignored me and played him anyway. Don't expect it to happen again against this Rams defense that’s already in desperation mode. The Raiders might be in for a long day.
TEs to Start
Tucker Kraft- The infamous ‘Everybody Eats Against the Lions’ game. Kraft is a safe play at TE this week and a breakout game could be on the horizon here. The Lions rank last against tight ends so it’s now or never.
Tyler Higbee- Finally some deep juice here. Is this a hail mary call? Maybe. But with Adams out for the foreseeable future, Higbee could be in line for more targets and he’s already averaging 5 over his last 3 games. This could be a sneaky play if you need to stream a TE this week against the bottom 5 ranked Raiders defense against TEs.
Dallas Goedert- Everything about the Eagles offense right now is a bloody mess. Sorry, too soon? Hurts will be fine and prayers up to his health. But I actually like Tanner McKee and he’s a sleeper QB to keep an eye on. He threw the ball 45 times last week so the pass catchers are going to get fed some volume especially against the Cowboys defense that ranks at the bottom. Goedert could be safe.
Colston Loveland- FINALLY! I was wrong last week on him but I’m glad I was. I’m okay with benching him for a week to now know that he is a TE1 the rest of the season. Caleb looked great and Thursday Night has the potential to be a shootout. Loveland should get plenty of opportunities and congrats if you’ve been patient with him.
TEs to Bench
Tyler Warren- Remember when I said to stay away from the Vikings defense? Do it here as well. Warren (if he does play), isn’t at 100%. The Vikings don’t let tight ends score points. That simple. Daniel Jones is going to have a tough day which means everyone will.
Kyle Pitts- Wow. 3 Tds over the last 2 weeks. Somebody put a smelling salt under this dude’s nose and woke his ass up. I don’t think it’s sustainable and the 49ers show him what it’s like to come back down to earth as they rank top 3 in stopping TEs. Bijan for some reason wasn’t involved as much as he should’ve been last week and that will change. Pitts is too inconsistent for me to start outside of my starter being on a bye.
Mike Gesicki- He’s been a great value if you’ve actually been starting him as he’s found the endzone almost every game. Coming off a bye, the Bengals worked on the run game and getting Higgins and Chase healthy. The stars are going to get back to producing for this team and Gesicki will be the odd man out unfortunately. I don’t like this matchup against the Ravens either as they rank top 10 against tight ends.
Michael Mayer- Why is he on this list? Well surprisingly, he’s TE12 on the year. And even with Bowers back in the lineup, he’s been producing. The Rams are elite against tight ends and I’m not feeling good about the Raiders offense this week. We may even see Mendoza come in again if it gets ugly. Find a better streaming option at tight end like Higbee on the other side.
