Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 7.
Notes:
• It was a brutal week for injuries around the league, especially for wide receivers. Puka Nacua, Garrett Wilson, Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Calvin Ridley joined a lengthy list of pass-catchers who will miss time this season. It has been a hellacious year for the Buccaneers in particular. Tampa Bay could be without four receivers this week.
• Backup running backs made an enormous impact once again, headlined by another 200-yard performance from Rico Dowdle. Cam Skattebo entered the season as the backup but has run away with the starting job. Kimani Vidal led the Chargers with 21 touches and a touchdown against the Jaguars. Rachaad White finished as RB9 this week. Bam Knight was on nobody’s radar until Sunday morning and finished as RB13. This is why I cannot stress enough the value of handcuff running backs over a backup quarterback or too many pass-catchers.
• I’m looking to sell high on Dowdle, Ladd McConkey and George Pickens. Some buy-low players to target are Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb and Brock Bowers. I believe in Drake Maye, Skattebo and Tetairoa McMillan. You can give up on Chris Godwin, Travis Hunter and Mark Andrews.
• There are only two teams on a bye this week, but there will be six teams out of action in Week 8. I recommend looking for bye-week fill-ins now so you are not in a bidding war next week.
• We have another wacky schedule this week. We have a 9:30 a.m. EST game in London again. We also have two Monday night games, including a 10 p.m. EST start for the Texans and Seahawks. Make sure to check the status of all players before setting your roster.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection. Target kickers playing in domes or in fair weather conditions. The conditions in the Northeast for Week 6 are a perfect example of why checking the weather matters.
Thursday Night Game: Steelers vs. Bengals
Sunday Morning Game: Rams vs. Jaguars (in London)
Sunday Night Game: Falcons vs. 49ers
Monday Night Games: Buccaneers vs. Lions, Texans vs. Seahawks
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Caleb Williams
Running Back: Jaylen Warren
Wide Receiver: Kendrick Bourne
Tight End: Harold Fannin Jr.
Defense: Browns
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
Running Back: Zach Charbonnet
Wide Receiver: Wan’Dale Robinson
Tight End: Juwan Johnson
Defense: Colts
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel
Running Back: Tyjae Spears
Wide Receiver: Sterling Shepard
Tight End: Oronde Gadsden II
Defense: Bears
NFL Picks for Week 7
All odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook at time of writing
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 59-33-1)
Steelers (at Bengals)
Jaguars (vs. Rams)
Bears (vs. Saints)
Patriots (at Titans)
Browns (vs. Dolphins)
Jets (vs. Panthers)
Chiefs (vs. Raiders)
Eagles (at Vikings)
Broncos (vs. Giants)
Chargers (vs. Colts)
Commanders (at Cowboys)
Packers (at Cardinals)
49ers (vs. Falcons)
Lions (vs. Buccaneers)
Texans (vs. Seahawks)
Five Picks Against the Spread (Season Record: 17-13)
Bengals +5.5 vs. Steelers
Jaguars +3 vs. Rams
Jets +1.5 vs. Panthers
Chargers -1.5 vs. Colts
Texans +3.5 at Seahawks
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 16-14)
Saints-Bears under 45.5
Eagles-Vikings under 43.5
Giants-Broncos under 40.5
Commanders-Cowboys over 53.5
Falcons-49ers over 46.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Trevor Lawrence finishes as a top-10 QB against the Panthers (miss)
Week 2: Zay Flowers remains the overall WR1 after torching the Browns (miss)
Week 3: Daniel Jones makes it three straight weeks finishing as a top-five fantasy quarterback (miss)
Week 4: Josh Allen accounts for five total touchdowns against the Saints (miss)
Week 5: A tight end leads all FLEX-worthy players in scoring (miss)
Week 6: Matthew Stafford finishes as a QB1 against the Ravens (miss)
Week 7: Quinshon Judkins is a top-10 RB against the Dolphins