Joshua Abbe, Mike Fanelli, Givanni Damico | October 19th, 2019
Well, week seven started with a bang and in a negative manner. With the Patrick Mahomes injury uncertainty that has left a lot of owners scrambling to find a win this week. We might be able to offer those answers in finding that win and to help fantasy football players with their roster construction, three of our writers have provided some insight on which players they would start, would sit, and consider a sleeper for week seven. Be sure to follow all of them on twitter and ask any of The Scorecrow’s fantasy writers for fantasy advice.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Kyler Murray at New York Giants
The Giants have surrendered more than 20 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in several games this season, furthermore, given up three rushing touchdowns to the position as well. With how hot Murray has been as of late, scoring more than 25 plus fantasy points in his last two games. I like him as a QB1 this Sunday at Met Life Stadium. – Josh
Dak Prescott vs Philadephia Eagles
During the Cowboys’ three-game losing streak, Prescott has also struggled. After averaging 27.9 fantasy points per game in his wins, Dak is averaging just 16.3 during the losing streak. However, despite Amari Cooper possibly missing the game with an injury, Prescott should have a big game against a disaster Eagles’ secondary. The Eagles have given up 25 or more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in two of their last three games, with the exception being Luke Falk. Whether you are a Dak supporter or hater, he is a million times better than Falk. The Eagles just got burned by Kirk Cousins, who had a season-high four touchdowns, including three to a struggling Stefon Diggs. It doesn’t matter if Cooper plays or not, Dak is a must start this week. – Mike
Jared Goff at Atlanta Falcons
After an abysmal performance last week, Goff faces an awful secondary in a game that I anticipate will be a shootout. The Falcons are near the bottom of the league when it comes to passing defense. Cornerback Desmond Trufant is trending towards not playing which will open the field up even more for Goff and company. As long as Goff can limit the turnovers and keep his offense on the field, he should be putting up great numbers. – Gio
Sits
Derek Carr at Green Bay Packers
The Packers defense is ranking seventh in fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. They give up an average of only 12 fantasy points a game to the opposing quarterback. With that said, Carr’s most fantasy points scored in any game so far this season is 15.7 points. He isn’t a good start this week in any format unless your quarterback is on a bye and you’re desperate. – Josh
Tom Brady at New York Jets
While Brady has thrown for 300 or more yards in three of his last four games, with the only exception being the close game against the Bills, I think that changes Monday night. First off, Brady is losing weapons left and right. Josh Gordon isn’t likely to play while Julian Edelman is fighting through a chest injury. If not for his two goal-line rushing touchdowns, Brady would have finished with just 10 fantasy points against an awful Giants defense last week. Meanwhile, the Jets are getting back C.J. Mosley for this game. Brady only scored 20.1 fantasy points when he played the Jets in week three and with a healthy unit now, I expect Brady to score under 15 fantasy points Monday night. – Mike
Sam Darnold vs New England Patriots
We get it, Jet fans, Darnold played well against the Cowboys last week, but the Cowboys aren’t a good team, having only beaten the Redskins, Dolphins, and Giants so far this year while struggling against any team that presents any sort of competition. Darnold will face the Patriots’ defense who have not surrendered much of anything to opposing quarterbacks this year. Darnold is in for a rough day with little to no production and possibly multiple turnovers. – Gio
Sleepers
Jacoby Brissett vs Houston Texans
It’s no secret the Texans secondary is awful. They average 320 passing yards allowed and the defense all together is giving more than 22 fantasy points a game to the position. I like Brissett as a QB1 with upside this week. – Josh
Gardner Minshew II at Cincinnati Bengals
Last week was a game to forget for Minshew owners as he scored a career-low 4.6 fantasy points against the Saints. However, if you need a bye week filler at quarterback, Minshew should be your top target. Before last week, Minshew had scored at least 16 fantasy points in every game this season despite facing some tough defenses. Meanwhile, the Bengals give up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, giving up 21.7 per game. Furthermore, the Bengals have given up 56 fantasy points to quarterbacks over the last two weeks. Fire up Minshew. – Mike
Daniel Jones vs Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are finally getting Patrick Peterson back this week after a lengthy PED suspension, but that doesn’t change much for their awful defense. Danny Dimes will be looking for redemption after a few poor performances and who better to do it against a team with no defense? He will be without Sterling Shepard this week but will have Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley back. Jones was set up for failure last week with Shepard, Barkley, Engram, and Wayne Gallman all out, so we’re going to wipe his slate clean. – Gio
Running Backs
Starts
Devonta Freeman vs Los Angeles Rams
Freeman comes off a strong week six showing against the Cardinals where he seemed to finally catch a groove. Now facing a Rams defense that has been giving up more than 20 fantasy points to running backs, he could be in line for a big day. – Josh
Josh Jacobs at Green Bay Packers
The last time we saw Jacobs was two weeks ago in London against a tough Bears defense. All Jacobs did was post career-highs across the board with 26 carries for 123 yards, two touchdowns, and 29.3 fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Packers give up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs, giving up 29.2 per game. Furthermore, the Packers have given up at least one rushing touchdown in five straight games and have allowed running backs to rush for 140 or more yards in 50% of their games this season. With Tyrell Williams out with an injury, the Raiders will depend all the more on Jacobs and the running game. – Mike
James White at New Yorks Jets
The Jets’ defense has been solid this year, but White is almost always productive in this offense. He is Brady’s crutch for whenever he is in trouble and brings in a high volume of receptions every week. If you play in a PPR league, this guy should be a lineup lock, but for those who do not, put White in this week. Sony Michel has struggled mightily of late. White is much more shifty and might see even more touches than normal. – Gio
Sits
Adrian Peterson vs San Francisco 49ers
Peterson has a tough task Sunday after performing well last week. He faces a 49ers defense that has yet to give up a rushing touchdown this season and ranking first with an average lowest 13 fantasy points allowed to the running back position. He’s a desperate play this week or just leave him on the bench for better options. – Josh
Carlos Hyde at Indianapolis Colts
Last week, Hyde had a season-high across the board, rushing 26 times for 116 yards, a touchdown, and 18 fantasy points. However, that was against the Chiefs’ awful defense and Hyde won’t do that again against the Colts. The Colts give up a little under the league average in fantasy points per game to running backs but that number isn’t accurate. After getting killed week one by Austin Ekeler, the Colts have given up an average of just 15.8 fantasy points per game to running backs. That would be the third-fewest in the league. Furthermore, the Colts haven’t given up a rushing touchdown since week two and have held opposing running backs under 90 yards rushing in two of their last three games. – Mike
Derrick Henry vs Los Angeles Chargers
This is going to be like when I told you guys to sit Aaron Jones after he had a couple of abysmal performances in a row and then he went off for four touchdowns, isn’t it? Henry is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and is only a touchdown threat if the Titans are on the goal line (insert 97-yard touchdown video here). With Ryan Tannehill drawing the start, Henry could see more touches, but his production has been minimal even when he touches the ball a lot. – Gio
Sleepers
Tevin Coleman at Washington Redskins
Even though Coleman is sharing touches with fellow back Matt Breida, there seems to be enough touches to go around. A healthy Coleman though provides a nice flex/RB2 upside potential matchup against a Redskins defense that is surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs on the season and an average of 159 yards from scrimmage. One of them should score, but I like Coleman’s chances higher due to his volume from last week. – Josh
Devin Singletary vs Miami Dolphins
All the respect in the world to what Frank Gore has done in his career but in the three games Singletary missed with a hamstring injury, Gore’s fantasy points dropped in each game and he never scored more than 17 points in a game. Meanwhile, it seems as though everyone has forgotten about Singletary. In the two games he has played, he is averaged 12.7 yards per carry and has just one less catch than Gore, despite missing three games. In week one, the only game both Gore and Singletary played start to finish, Singletary out-snapped Gore 46-19 and had 78 more scrimmage yards despite fewer touches. If by some chance Singletary was dropped in your league, stop reading and go grab him now! – Mike
Matt Breida at Washington Redskin
The Redskins defense has been brutal this year. Breida is a fast, shifty receiving back who can make his mark with a few explosive plays this week. If you’re in a PPR league, this should be a no-doubt play. For those worried about the “running back by committee” style of offense that the 49ers run, don’t be. Breida still gets plenty of chances to make an impact on the game. The Redskins defense can’t keep up with burners like Breida which should make him a very viable option for Jimmy Garoppolo and the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. – Gio
Wide Receivers
Starts
Robert Woods at Atlanta Falcons
After a dismal showing last week, I like Woods to bounce back in a matchup against the Falcons come Sunday. The Falcons have allowed the third-most fantasy points to wideouts and have the second-worst red zone defense in the league. Not to mention his only points last week came on a rushing touchdown in the red zone. However, I expect more passing his Sunday against such a putrid secondary. – Josh
Larry Fitzgerald at New York Giants
Quietly, Fitzgerald is the WR16 this season and has scored 11.8 or more fantasy points in five of six games this year. He has seen at least seven targets in 83% of his games this season. Meanwhile, the Giants give up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, 9.1 more than the league average. Furthermore, the Giants have allowed wide receivers to score the league average (33.8) or more in every game this year, except against an awful Redskins’ group. Lastly, the Giants allowed a banged-up Edelman to score 20.3 fantasy points last week. Don’t leave the old man on the bench this week. – Mike
Michael Gallup vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ secondary is terrible. Jalen Mills and Sidney Jones get burned week-in-and-week-out with Malcolm Jenkins being the only saving grace. The Cowboys should be out for blood this week after losing to the winless Jets last week. They have a lot to prove. Cooper is a lineup lock (if he plays) but Gallup is a guy that moves back and forth between starting lineups and benches in fantasy. I expect a big week for him, outshining Cooper and putting in a top-five week for a receiver. – Gio
Sits
Mike Williams at Tennessee Titans
When at home, the Titans have allowed the second-fewest catches to opposing wide receivers. Along with Hunter Henry returning, Williams will be losing red zone targets as it was shown last week with Henry catching two touchdowns in the red zone. Look to fade Williams this week with a tough matchup. – Josh
Robby Anderson vs New England Patriots
Last week I had Anderson as my sit and he went off for 23.5 fantasy points. In my defense, Anderson scored 69% of his points on the one long touchdown, but even with that, I’m doubling down this week. The Patriots’ defense has easily been the best in the league. They have given up the second-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, giving up just 26.5 per game. Furthermore, the Patriots gave up just their first touchdown to wide receivers last week, but that was to Golden Tate in the slot. Stephon Gilmore will shadow Anderson and since Gilmore has been the best cornerback in the league this year, there is no way you should start Anderson this week. – Mike
Allen Robinson vs New Orleans Saints
This is simple, Robinson will draw Marshon Lattimore this week. DJ Chark drew Lattimore last week and recorded just three catches for 43 yards. Robinson hasn’t been productive even when having favorable matchups. Mitchell Trubisky struggles to get him the ball and he just hasn’t had the same impact as he did in Jacksonville. – Gio
Sleepers
John Brown vs Miami Dolphins
It seems an easy matchup to be calling Brown a sleeper, but he isn’t exactly lighting it up. He’s had the snap counts, but only scored one touchdown on the season and that was week one. Now facing a horrid Miami defense that has allowed a league-worst in passing touchdowns a game and ranked seventh-worst in passing yards, start Brown and expect flex/WR2 upside on Sunday. – Josh
Dante Pettis at Washington Redskins
If you are struggling with bye week Armageddon, Pettis’ matchup offers fantasy owners hope. He has scored 7.5 or more fantasy points in two of his last three games while getting five or more targets twice during that span. He is slowly working his way out of the doghouse as he has played the most snaps of any 49ers wide receivers since the bye week. Meanwhile, the Redskins’ secondary is a joke as they give up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Furthermore, they have allowed wide receivers to score over the league average in 67% of their games this season. Pettis is available in 73.2% of ESPN leagues, so if you need to grab someone off waivers, he is a guy I would target. – Mike
Mohamed Sanu vs Los Angeles Rams
In a game that will more than likely be a shootout, everybody on the Falcons’ offense should be involved. This is one of those games where you play Julio Jones expecting a 200-yard performance with multiple touchdowns, but the number three receiver steals the spotlight. Jones will draw Jalen Ramsey this week. Calvin Ridley and Sanu should both be given ample opportunity for production this week against a defense that has had its ups and downs. – Gio
Tight Ends
Starts
Gerald Everett at Atlanta Falcons
As I mentioned with Woods, the Falcons are second-worst in red-zone targets. While last week Everett managed just one catch for nine yards, the three previous weeks he had scored the sixth-most fantasy points for the position. Look for him to get back on track against this bad Falcons defense this week. – Josh
Jimmy Graham vs Oakland Raiders
Once again Davante Adams has been ruled out for this game with a toe injury but both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison are long shots to play tomorrow. With both likely out, Aaron Rodgers will have to rely on Allen Lazard, Jake Kumerow, Darrius Shepherd, and Ryan Grant; not exactly household names. Thankfully for Rodgers, the Raiders give up the seventh-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, giving up 14.1 per game. I know Graham has a disappointment lately, scoring just 10.8 fantasy points over the last two weeks, but If you need a bye week filler or a last-minute replacement for Jared Cook, Graham is available in 38.8% of ESPN leagues and is worth a look. – Mike
Hunter Henry at Tennessee Titans
I lost in my fantasy league last week because I started Everett over Henry thinking that Henry wouldn’t be too involved in his first week back. I was undefeated in that league and only ended up losing by .8 points. Yes, I’m still kicking myself for making that poor decision. It’s clear that Rivers wants Henry to be a big part of this offense and when Henry is healthy, he’s a top ten tight end. – Gio
Sits
Trey Burton vs New Orleans Saints
Burton has not been the top fantasy tight end he was last season. He has struggled in the four games he has played in 2019. Sunday against the Saints should be no different, as they have only given up an average of four catches per game and just one touchdown to the position. Also, to mention their defense has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2019. Look for a better option elsewhere. – Josh
Delanie Walker vs Los Angeles Chargers
Whether it’s Marcus Mariota or Tannehill under center, I want nothing to do with the Titans’ passing game. After scoring 22.5 fantasy points in week one, Walker has scored 32 total since. He has scored under eight fantasy points in four of his last five games. Meanwhile, the Chargers give up just under the league average in fantasy points per game to tight ends, but that number isn’t accurate. Outside out the game against the Texans, the Chargers are giving up just 5.3 per game, which would be the best in the league. Furthermore, the Chargers have held opposing tight ends to three or fewer fantasy points in two of their last three games. – Mike
T.J. Hockenson vs Minnesota Vikings
Hockenson hasn’t done much to warrant a start in any format, especially against the Vikings. They held Zach Ertz to just 54 yards on four catches last week. I expect the Lions to compete this week, but Kenny Golladay is going to have a monster game. Hockenson will have a good chance to prove his value this week, but the risk isn’t worth the reward. – Gio
Sleepers
Dawson Knox vs Miami Dolphins
Even with Tyler Kroft returning, Knox has caught a groove with quarterback Josh Allen. He has 137 receiving yards and 12 targets in his last three games. Though the matchup is juicy, Knox is still touchdown dependent and with Miami’s 61 percent opponent passing touchdown rate. It seems likely to happen – Josh
Darren Fells at Indianapolis Colts
My dumpster dive from last week actually paid off. Fells was the TE6 last week, scoring 12.9 fantasy points despite not getting into the end zone. This week he gets to face a Colts defense that is giving up the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, giving up 16.7 per game. Over their last three games, the Colts have given up an average of 21.4 fantasy points per game and three touchdowns to tight ends. Furthermore, the Colts have allowed opposing tight ends to score 24 or more fantasy points in 40% of their games this season. If you want to go dumpster diving again, go grab Fells. – Mike
Eric Ebron vs Houston Texans
Ebron hasn’t been productive at all this year without Luck throwing him the ball. He splits reps with Jack Doyle too much to make him a viable play week in and week out in most leagues, but this week, I expect him to have great production. The Texans’ defense is nothing special and Brissett has found his footing as a starting quarterback. Ebron is almost always in on red-zone plays so he should be able to find himself open for a touchdown or two against Houston. – Gio
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