Week 7 Visionary Plays: Bold Fantasy and DFS Predictions
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback
Matt Ryan, Falcons
The Falcons always seem to play better at home, and with their defense being such a sieve they will need to keep it close by pouring on the offense. Ryan has thrown for over 300 passing yards in each game this season and has also thrown for seven TDs in the past two weeks. The Rams are hoping to play better defensively (especially now that they have traded for CB Jalen Ramsey), but I can’t imagine them slowing down the Falcons enough to stop Ryan from producing a bountiful number of fantasy points. Look for Ryan to eclipse 300 passing yards once again and to throw for at least another two TDs.
Jared Goff, Rams
Remember my rule of starting players each week: Do not let recency bias get in the way. Just because Goff had a horrendous week against the 49ers in Week 6 does not mean he will have another bad week against the Falcons in Week 7. In fact, doesn’t it seem like every team has a great week against the Falcons defense when they play? If you are playing in DFS, you will want to stack Goff with Cooper Kupp for sure, and you might even want to go all-in on a stack with Goff, Kupp and Robert Woods (or Brandin Cooks). Points will be scored in bunches in this game and Goff should be at the center of the explosion.
Running Back
Leonard Fournette, Jaguars
This might be the no-brainer play of the season. The Bengals are the second-worst run defense in the NFL and the Jaguars would love to do nothing more than hand the ball off to Fournette about 25 times. There should be no way that Fournette doesn’t get 100-plus yards rushing and find the end zone at least once.
Derrick Henry, Titans
I still have visions of last Sunday night, as the Steelers ran the ball down the Chargers’ throats with James Conner and Benny Snell. Derrick Henry disappointed his owners last week (including me), and I think there might be a hint of recency bias here in that fantasy owners might shy away from Henry. That would be a mistake. New starting QB Ryan Tannehill should help balance this offense immensely, which will take a ton of pressure off Henry. I like him to get about 100 rushing yards and a TD in this contest.
Matt Breida, 49ers
Many of you, who know my work, know that I am in love with the revenge narrative play. In this case, it’s not a player who is gaining revenge but a coach. 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was the former OC of the Redskins, and he and his father were both fired by Daniel Snyder back in 2013. Don’t you think that Shanahan will be motivated to run up the score just a little this weekend? I do. And for certain, part of that extra performance will come from Breida, who has shown great explosiveness thus far. Look for Breida to have about 20 touches, which should result in about 100 all-purpose yards and a TD.
Wide Receiver
Robert Woods, Rams
With Falcons CB Desmond Trufant likely out with a toe injury, the Rams’ wide receivers are all in play to have huge games. The Falcons cannot cover anyone, and opposite side CB Isaiah Oliver has let up 14.9 yards per catch this season. I expect Woods to see Oliver in coverage most of the game and this might be one of the biggest mismatches of the week. Look for Woods to dominate and ring up at least one long distance TD on Sunday.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals
The Jaguars have let up a league-worst 97 yards per game to opposing WR1s this season. Enter Boyd, who should have a field day with Jalen Ramsey gone to the Rams. (Granted, those Jags numbers already include three weeks without Ramsey on the field.) My only hesitation with this pick is that it’s hard to trust Andy Dalton to make plays, but Dalton usually plays better at home and has good games when you least expect it. Boyd was a huge disappointment last week, so if we use recency bias once again, he could be in line for a breakout game. Lock him into your lineups Visionary Style!
Michael Gallup, Cowboys
With the Cowboys on a bye in Week 8, I expect the team to sit WR Amari Cooper, who is dealing with a sore thigh. If that happens, fantasy owners need to fire up Gallup and start him in all formats. As we saw last week, the Eagles’ secondary is in shambles and Gallup could have a week similar to Stefon Diggs in Week 6. Gallup has taken a huge leap forward in his sophomore season and Dak Prescott knows that he is virtually uncoverable on the outside. Assuming Cooper is out, look for Gallup to have 100-plus receiving yards and a TD, and possibly much more.
Tight End
Hunter Henry, Chargers
A lot of Henry owners were disappointed last week because the Chargers claimed they were only going to use him in a limited fashion and then he went off and had eight receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. The Titans have been susceptible to the tight end all season (they are statistically the seventh-worst team against opposing tight ends) and teams have been doubling WR Keenan Allen most every week. If the Titans double cover Allen, expect Henry to be open in the middle of the field. Moreover, Titans LB Jayon Brown is questionable to play in this game and his loss will be felt in coverage for sure.
Mark Andrews, Ravens
In a short time, Andrews has proven to be Lamar Jackson’s favorite (and most reliable) receiver. Andrews has had at least seven targets in each game the Ravens have played this season and to make things more interesting, the Seahawks are the fourth-worst team in the NFL against opposing tight ends. I feel confident that Andrews will be peppered with targets all game long and is a terrific start once again this week.
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