Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em Week 7

Welcome to your weekly start or sit column. Before we proceed, let me tell you that this article is NOT here to state the obvious. I will not ever recommend you start Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, Calvin Johnson or Jimmy Graham. The fact is you should like your fantasy football live under the following mantra: START YOUR STUDS!! If you need me to tell you to start your studs, you need a lot more help than this column will provide.

There may be some rare occasions where I might possibly suggest you sit a top-level player simply based on the match up. I’ve done similar things in the past for WR’s scheduled to be on Revis Island. That all being said, if you don’t see your player named on the start list, that doesn’t mean it’s a suggestion you sit him. If you don’t see your player named on the sit list, that doesn’t mean you should start him. For any lineup questions you should visit the FFLockerroom forums and one of our staff of experts will address your specific question. With all that out of the way, let’s get to it.

Quarterback

Start ‘em

Andrew Luck (vs. DEN) – Peyton Manning comes to town and after some of the comments by Colts owner Jim Irsay which seemed to indicate his disappointment in only winning one Super Bowl with Manning at the helm, Peyton is probably going to light up the Colts. Why am I mentioning all of this when talking about Luck? Because it means Luck will be trying to prove the Colts made the right call. He’ll drastically increase his number of pass attempts and the Colts will look like the pass happy team they were last year. Denver is last in the league in passing yards against with 338 per game. They’ve also given up 11 touchdowns.

Nick Foles (vs. DAL) – One week after lighting up the sky Foles gets Dallas and their 30^th ranked pass defense. The Cowboys surrender 308 yards per game through the air. More importantly, they’ve allowed opposing quarterbacks to toss 14 touchdowns, tied for most in the league. The Cowboys will now also be without standout pass rusher DeMarcus Ware. If Alex Smith can light up the Cowboys with a healthy DeMarcus Ware, imagine what Foles can do without Ware harassing him.

Chad Henne (vs. SD) – The Jaguars stink. It’s that simple. But, they are less odorous with Chad Henne than they were with Blaine Gabbert. San Diego is 25^th in the league giving up 273 yards per game through the air and they simply don’t have anyone who can stop Justin Blackmon. Philip Rivers and company should be able to score plenty on the Jaguars so Henne will do plenty of throwing trying to keep up.

Jay Cutler (at WAS) – Cutler travels to Washington to face a defense ranked 24^th in the league allowing 272 passing yards per game. The good news for Cutler is his offensive line is doing a great job protecting him as he’s only been sacked nine times. Anyone who’s seen Cutler over the years knows he’s not the best under duress. He’s coming off three straight 20+ fantasy point weeks and I think this week he makes it four.

Sit ‘em

Sam Bradford (at CAR) – Carolina holds opposing quarterbacks to just over 10 fantasy points per game. They’ve surrendered 4 passing touchdowns while picking off 8 passes. Don’t be sucked in by Bradford’s performance the past two weeks. Carolina is much softer against the run and based on how they shut down quarterbacks, the Rams would be wise to use a run-heavy attack on Sunday.

Alex Smith (vs. HOU) – I’ve been fairly successful with my Alex Smith recommendations this year but this week I’m running for the hills. The Houston Texans are tops in the NFL giving up only 131 yards per game through the air. That’s 57 yards less than the 2^nd best team. The numbers are slightly misleading since Houston has had a couple of blowouts and quarterbacks have only attempted 137 passes against then but it’s still an ominous stat that scares me off Smith this week.

Colin Kaepernick (at TEN) – As someone who was high on Kaepernick coming in it pains me to include him here but facts are facts. Kaepernick hasn’t been a reliable fantasy performer since his Week 1 explosion against Green Bay. This week he travels across country to face a formidable Tennessee Titans defense. The Titans have held down such performers as Philip Rivers, Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger so I expect them to keep Kaepernick in check this week.

Running Back

Start ‘em

Eddie Lacy (vs. CLE) – Lacy has simply been too good not to play. He had 23 carries each of the last two games and it appears Aaron Rodgers has no problems giving him the ball. Last week he ran right over what used to be a stout Ravens run defense. This week he faces a Browns defense that only gives up 98.2 yards per game but that’s the exact average the Ravens are at even after Lacy ran over them last week. Also, Cleveland has given up eight touchdowns to running backs. That’s good news for Lacy.

Ryan Matthews (at JAX) – Matthews is fresh off a 100 yard game and now he gets to face the team that’s 32^nd in the league against the run, allowing 152.5 yards per game? Yeah, I’d say the odds are in your favor of Matthews have another solid performance. Philip Rivers and company should be able to get the lead and then lean on Matthews to milk the clock the rest of the way.

Knowshon Moreno (at IND) – Above I discussed how Peyton Manning is going to come into Indianapolis and light up the sky but the one thing I didn’t mention is that Manning is the smartest player to ever play the quarterback position. You don’t think he knows that Indianapolis is 31^st in the league giving up 132 yards per game on the ground? Trust me, Moreno will have his opportunities to score. Even better, Moreno also has 20 receptions for 189 yards this year too.

DeAngelo Williams (vs. STL) – St. Louis gives up 130.5 yards per game on the ground. That’s good for 30^th in the NFL. They are surrendering 4.6 yards per carry! In addition, he was finally involved in the passing game in Week 6 catching five passes. Three running backs have topped 140 yards and seven have found the end zone. With nobody to share carries with Williams is a viable option each and every week.

Sit ‘em

Trent Richardson (vs. DEN) – Thus far Richardson hasn’t hit his stride in Indianapolis. Against the leagues #1 rush defense, I don’t expect him to hit it this week. I’m sure the Colts will try to establish the run because keeping Peyton Manning off the field is the only way to win. However, until Richardson shows me something, I’m not riding this horse to victory.

Stevan Ridley (at NYJ) – I’m very encouraged by last week’s performance from Ridley. I’m glad Bill Belichick realizes LaGarrette Blount stinks. That being said, this week Ridley is running into a brick wall. The Jets only give up 75.7 yards per game on the ground. This looks like Tom Brady’s week, especially since there’s no love lost between Belichick and Rex Ryan. Don’t be surprised to see New England in the no huddle and passing even with a lead in the 4^th quarter.

Zac Stacy (at CAR) – Carolina has a fearsome front seven that’s only giving up 88.8 yards per game on the ground. Add to that the Rams haven’t scored a rushing touchdown all season. The Panthers held down the likes of Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. The percentages say they’ll stymie Stacy too.

Doug Martin (at ATL) – Perhaps this one is a stretch but let’s face it, anyone who drafted Martin is very disappointed right now. This week he gets Atlanta’s sixth ranked rush defense. The defensive unit is only giving up 97.4 yards per game on the ground. Martin can certainly get involved through the air and that’s where I’d hope for stats in a PPR format but in a standard league, I’m probably looking elsewhere.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘em

T.Y. Hilton (at DEN) – With the huge match up against Denver, I expect Andrew Luck to put on an air-show this weekend. Denver will likely be focusing their attention on long time reliable threat Reggie Wayne that should free up Hilton for some one-on-one action. In a game that could be a shootout, you don’t want to leave a threat like Hilton on the pine. This could be a game where he sees well into double-digit targets and if Luck is on his game, a big statistical day.

Antonio Brown (vs. BAL) – Brown will be facing a Baltimore defense that has allowed four wide receivers to eclipse the 100-yard mark. The return of Heath Miller was just what Brown needed to have more room to work. In his last three contests Brown is averaging 10 catches for 123 yards. He hasn’t found the end zone since his Week 3 performance against Chicago but if the Steelers are going to beat the Ravens, they’ll need Brown to have a big day.

Jarrett Boykin (vs. CLE) – It’s looking more and more likely that James Jones won’t be active this Sunday, which thrusts Boykin in #2 wide receiver duties. As we’ve seen over the years, it’s a very good spot to be in. This week against Cleveland, it’s an amazing spot. Shutdown corner Joe Haden will be focused on Jordy Nelson, which leaves Boykin as the hot read on many routes. It’s a risk starting someone with so little experience but in a high-powered offense like the Packers, it’s a risk worth taking.

Jerome Simpson (at NYG) – This is more a recommendation for those in deep need of a one-week streaming bye week filler. The Giants have given up eight touchdowns to wide receivers this year. Simpson leads the Vikings with 23 catches for 372 yards. What’s more, Josh Freeman has a much stronger arm than Matt Cassell or Christian Ponder and since Simpson’s game is based on speed and the deep ball, this might be the opportunity for Simpson to show his skills and get behind the coverage and actually have a quarterback who can hit him in stride. Not a glowing endorsement, but if you’re in need, Simpson could be a cheap option this week.

Sit ‘em

Jordy Nelson (vs. CLE) – While most people will be high on Nelson since he’s the only reliable weapon at Rodgers’ disposal, I’ll go the opposite route. Not only should he be matched up with Joe Haden, but Nelson will probably draw extra special attention from linebackers and safeties as well. Cleveland allows many running backs to score so between Lacy running the ball and Haden shadowing Nelson, it could be a quiet day for the Packers #1 receiver.

Andre Johnson (at KC) – Yeah, Jon’s lost his mind saying you should sit the NFL leader in receptions. The KC defense ranks first in the NFL in points allowed, turnovers, first downs and interceptions and is second in the league in passing yards allowed. Considering how bad Matt Schaub has been this year, especially in the red zone (Johnson has zero TDs thus far) it’s not crazy to assume this will be a down week for Johnson. Even more so now that they are starting someone who hasn’t yet thrown a single NFL pass. You’re probably still starting him, especially in PPR leagues, but keep expectations low.

Torrey Smith (at PIT) – Since Smith is really the only weapon at Joe Flacco’s disposal, he should see plenty of Ike Taylor this weekend. Don’t think that’s a problem? I think A.J. Green and Brandon Marshall would beg to differ. Only two receivers have reached double-digit points against the Steelers this year so don’t look for Smith to rebound much from last week’s disappointment.

Anquan Boldin (at TEN) – Above I recommended sitting Torrey Smith because the Steelers have only allowed two receivers to reach double-digit fantasy points. Well the Titans have only allowed one. Since his Week 1 outburst Boldin has been anything but a reliable fantasy option. The 49ers have been committed to the running game and utilizing their big advantage at tight end with Vernon Davis. I don’t expect Boldin to buck any of these trends and post a solid week.

Tight Ends

Start ‘em

Kyle Rudolph (at NYG) – Rudolph has been wildly inconsistent this year so it’s tough recommending him after a 9 catch, 97 yard and a touchdown performance. But….this week he gets the Giants who have allowed 10+ fantasy points to tight ends in four of their six games thus far this season. Tight ends average over 6 catches with five touchdowns in six games. Josh Freeman should be an upgrade at the quarterback position for the Vikings so there’s another plus.

Heath Miller (vs. BAL) – You all know by now how I feel about Miller and his impact on the Steelers offense. He’s been targeted 19 times the last three weeks and has totaled 15 grabs for 189 yards. The Ravens have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends in the last five games and Miller is a favorite of Ben Roethlisberger when they get in close. Good shot for a score this week.

Sit ‘em

Greg Olsen (vs. STL) – For the second week in a row it was reported that Olsen was in a walking boot after the game. Not a good sign. While he seems sure to play, that fact combined with the Rams allowing less than 6 points per week to opposing tight ends gets Olsen on my sit list. If the Rams could do a solid job on Tony Gonzalez, Vernon Davis and Jason Witten there’s little reason to expect big things from Olsen.

Charles Clay (vs. BUF) – While Clay is the flavor of the month at the tight end position, this week he’s running into a wall. Buffalo is second to the Kansas City Chiefs in fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Only one tight end has reached double digit fantasy points against the Bills so this looks more like a week for Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline than it does Clay.

Defenses

Start ‘em

Vikings (at NYG) – While the Vikings defense has struggled this season, Week 7 might be the one chance you get to stream them in. The Giants have given up 16 sacks this year so Jared Allen is licking his chops. In addition, the Giants have turned the ball over 23 times this year. That’s eight more than any other NFL team. Eli hasn’t finished a game without throwing a pick yet this year. If the Vikings take one back to the house it’ll be bonus time.

Packers (vs. CLE) – Last week the Lions let me down against Cleveland. I reported then that Brandon Weeden had been sacked 5 times in every game he started and the Lions only got him twice. The Packers have scored double-digit fantasy points in each of the last three games and Weeden historically provides double-digit fantasy points to everyone he plays. Put two and two together and in this instance it should mean ten or more.

Sit ‘em

Bengals (at DET) – The Lions have been a powerful offense this season and therefore have limited the opportunities for opposing defenses to put up fantasy points. Going further, the Bengals have been a much better team at home than on the road. On the fast track in Detroit I can see the likes of Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson doing some serious damage to this Bengals defense. There are certainly better options out there.

Sorry folks, I just don’t do kickers. You’re on your own there.

See ya next week.

The post Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em Week 7 appeared first on FFLockerRoom – Fantasy Football Advice – NFL News – Player Rankings.