Admin October 17, 2024
NFL Week 6 Overreactions: Cowboys, Saints and Jaguars get blown out
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the top storylines from Week 6 in the NFL.
Sports Seriously
Week 7 of the NFL season features plenty of intrigue, including a Super Bowl rematch and a trio of divisional matchups. Only two teams, the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears are on a bye compared to four each in the last two weeks.
Both teams feature top wide receivers in fantasy football this season, including CeeDee Lamb and DJ Moore. However, with more teams playing, there are more tough lineup choices managers need to make. Here are five wide receivers you should consider starting this week – and five you should avoid if possible.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: NFL power rankings Week 7: Where do Jets land after loss to Bills, Davante Adams trade?
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 7 WRs
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Flowers cooked against the Commanders in Week 6 to the tune of a franchise-record nine catches for 132 yards in the first half. He didn’t score but had one of his better weeks of the season. That could continue again in Week 7 on “Monday Night Football” against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have typically given up the most points to outside receivers like Flowers this season. Tampa Bay’s defense is much better against the run than the pass, which could impact Baltimore’s game script this week.
DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
Starting a New England Patriots wide receiver in fantasy football would’ve been a joke three weeks ago, but with Drake Maye under center in Week 6, the passing game looked better than it has all season. Douglas had six catches for a season-high 92 yards and a touchdown on nine targets against the Texans. This week, the Patriots take on Jacksonville, who is allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit Lions)
The Vikings return from a bye right into one of the best games of the week against Detroit. Addison could play a significant role in this one against a Lions defense, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. His outlook could change if tight end T.J. Hockenson is back in the lineup for the first time since late last season. Even if he is, Hockenson will likely be eased in over the next few weeks.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (at Arizona Cardinals)
McConkey and the Chargers go from one of the toughest pass defenses in Denver to one of the easiest in Arizona. The Cardinals are giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in the NFL. They gave up 187 total yards and four touchdowns to the Packers’ wideouts in Week 6. The Chargers may not replicate that, but McConkey has a great matchup this week.
Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers (at Washington Commanders)
Johnson earned the most attention in the passing game for Carolina last week with 10 targets. He converted that to six catches, 78 yards, and a touchdown and could be in for another good performance on Sunday. Washington is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, and Johnson should benefit the most from this matchup. Carolina will likely play catch-up for most of the game and throw more than running the ball on offense.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 7 WRs
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints (vs. Denver Broncos)
Shaheed struggled in Week 6 with just one catch for 11 yards on seven targets. Things likely won’t get much easier against the Broncos this week. Denver is allowing the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in the league. Spencer Rattler looked okay in his first start for New Orleans, but Denver could be a tougher challenge for him and Shaheed.
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Wilson had his second touchdown grab of the season last week against the Packers but likely will have a tougher time this weekend. Los Angeles allows the sixth-fewest points to opposing wide receivers in the NFL. Marvin Harrison Jr. may also not start on “Monday Night Football” following his concussion last week. With or without him to take some attention, Wilson likely won’t have a good week.
Allen Lazard, New York Jets (at Pittsburgh Steelers)
With the Jets’ trade for Davante Adams, the receiving corps hierarchy in New York will change and likely bump Lazard down. Nearly half his yards from Week 6 came on the Hail Mary to close the first half. Adams could debut in Week 7, but even if he didn’t, the Steelers’ defense is giving up the 10th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in the NFL.
Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (at Buffalo Bills)
Ridley was targeted eight times in Week 6 and converted that to zero catches. Granted, most of those targets were under-thrown. The Titans’ offense ranks 31st in passing and likely won’t do much better against a Buffalo defense, allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024. You can’t trust the Titans passing offense in general, especially against a good pass defense like Buffalo’s, so Ridley is a tough choice this week.
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. Miami Dolphins)
Pittman Jr. surprisingly played on Sunday after a back injury was going to sideline him for a few weeks. He played well, finishing with five catches for 35 yards and a touchdown, but faces a tough pass defense this weekend again. The Dolphins are giving up the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. The wideouts with the most yards against the Dolphins are faster players like Seattle’s DK Metcalf (four catches for 104 yards in Week 3) and Gabe Davis (three catches for 62 yards in Week 1). That’s not Pittman Jr.’s game. His teammate Alec Pierce may be a better call this week, but a boom-or-bust one.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’ems, Week 7
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here’s who to start and who to sit in Week 7.
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 7.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit in Week 7.
→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 7.
→ Kickers are people, too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your fantasy team in Week 7.