FANTASY FOOTBALL: WEEK 7 TIPS

Was Dwayne Bowe's performance last week a fluke or a sign of things to come?

   

            

 OK, ladies and gents, the time has come to push the panic button on certain players. There are quite a few out there, so I won’t name them all, but it’s time to seriously consider trading guys like DeAngelo Williams, Mike Sims-Walker, and Carson Palmer.  They haven’t been what most owners have hoped for, and it’s looking like it’s time to get what you can for these guys. Each of them still has some name value due to strong seasons in their past, so see if you can get an underrated guy like Peyton Hillis, who is the primary back in Cleveland and catches a lot of passes for you PPR league players, who is still a bit under the radar. Now for the week 7 tips:

Quarterback

BEST:   Drew Brees, NO

The guy finally broke out of his mini-funk last week, and that trend should continue this week against the Browns. Cleveland has been slightly worse than mediocre against the pass this season, giving up the 12th most yards per game through the air in the league. Brees seems to have his mojo back and should go for more than 250 yards and at least 2 touchdown passes. I wouldn’t be shocked if he went for 300+ yards and three scores either, start Drew with confidence in any league this week.

WORST:Â Tom Brady, NE

I really think Brady is one of the best QBs in the league, but this week the match-up just isn’t there. The Chargers have been fantastic against the pass this year, only giving up 163 yards per game, the best average in the leage. I fully expect Brady to be slightly above that average, but if he only manages 175 yards and 1 touchdown this week, he isn’t exactly a fantastic start. You probably don’t have a better option than Brady on your team, and even if you did Brady has the ability to blow up against any team, so I can’t recommend sitting Tom. However, just be warned that this week may not be what you have come to expect from the Patriots’ star signal caller over the last few years.

Running Back

BEST:   Frank Gore, SF

Gore is the centerpiece of the 49ers offense, and should have a monster week against a particularly porous Panthers defense this week. The Carolina defense is giving up 134 yards per game to opposing running backs this season, and that shouldn’t be any different for Gore this week. Also, bear in mind that Gore has caught at least 4 passes in 5 of the Niners’ 6 games this season. Gore is a multifaceted talent who should be starting in all leagues, and don’t be shocked if he finishes the week as the highest scoring running back for Week 7.

WORST:Â Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams, MIA

Let’s just table the fact that this is an insufferable committee situation right now, every fantasy owner knows how difficult that can be. But this week, the Miami backs face off against an insanely tough Pittsburgh defense. The Steelers have only given up 2 rushing touchdowns this season, and only about 64 yards per game on the ground. If you have a better option than either of these guys I would suggest letting them ride the fantasy pine this week.

Wide Receiver

BEST:   Dwayne Bowe, KC

I’m going out on a limb with this one, and it could really bite me in my hindquarters if I’m wrong. I think Bowe’s performance last week against the Texans is more a sign of things to come from him than it is an aberration. Bowe has limitless talent, and I think he should be able to exploit a poor Jaguars secondary this week. Look for Bowe to see a lot of looks from Matt Cassel, and if those looks are on target he has a legitimate chance of exceeding the 100 yard mark for the second week in a row.

WORST:Â Nate Washington/Kenny Britt, TEN

Washington and Britt have been a serviceable wide receivers this season, and with bye weeks upon us, it’s possible you may be considering starting either one this week. I just wouldn’t go that route if I were you. With the uncertainty at quarterback in Tennessee surrounding Vince Young’s injury I would bench all Titan’s wide receivers for week 7. This is even without mentioning that the Titans face the Eagles top 10 pass defense this week. If you have another bye week option, make sure you sit Washington and Britt.

Tight End

BEST:   Jeremy Shockey, NO

Let me be clear, I don not like Jeremy Shockey as a starting TE for most weeks, he’s overrated and will make you pull your hair out as a fantasy owner. However, I have a strong feeling that he’s going to see quite a few red zone targets this week. I have to believe that Drew Brees will connect with Shockey on one of those targets and the most overrated tight end ever will have a pretty good game because he’ll end up in the end zone. On a side note, this may be the single most negative “best” I’ve ever written.

WORST:Â Vernon Davis, SF

I really think this will be the only time you find him in the worst list. I’m putting him here because there is a slight injury risk coming into this week. He was banged up after last week’s game, and then on Monday it was disclosed that he was going to have an MRI done on his knee. All evidence points to Davis playing this week, but if he’s at all slowed by his knee he could be in for an off week. Monitor Davis throughout the week to determine if he appears to be 100% or not.

Defense

BEST:   Pittsburgh Steelers

Is it OK if I just put them here every week? These guys are absolutely ridiculous this year, giving up only 12 points per game. This week they play the Dolphins who only managed 20 points in regulation against what was essentially the Packers’ second string defense in week 6. I expect the Steelers to man-handle the Dolphins in week 7 and really please their fantasy owners.

WORST:Â Chicago Bears

The Redskins are nothing special, but then again, the Bears’ defense hasn’t been special either. Julius Peppers of course has the ability to rip off 3 sacks by himself at any time, but you can’t simply rely on one player week in and week out like the Bears have been doing. The Bears will probably do OK against the Redskins, but I don’t think they’ll get enough turnovers to make them a worthy fantasy starter this week.

SLEEPER OF THE WEEK

-Peyton Hillis, RB, CLE

For some reason this guy is still flying under the radar, and is only starting in 49% of Yahoo leagues. As I mentioned before, he’s a work-horse back (a rarity these days) and catches quite a few passes for the Browns. If you drafted a guy like Ryan Grant and have been dealing with the less than stellar production of his backup, Brandon Jackson, this year it may be a good idea for you to try to trade for Hillis. If you’re trying to trade with a savvy owner, it may be difficult, but if the guy doesn’t really know what he has you may just be able to salvage your RB situation.

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