Week 7 Where to Put em

Where to Put 'em is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 7. Decisions are based upon the FFN rankings and matchup analysis. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.



This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Aaron Rodgers, Andre Johnson, or Adrian Peterson. Where to Put 'em takes a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.



Week 7 Byes: Buffalo, Cincinnati, New England, New York Giants, Philadelphia, San Francisco

Put 'em In The Game: Ben Roethlisberger
Odd stat: The 5-TD performance that Big Ben had two weeks ago was more TD's than he's thrown collectively all year long. He faces Arizona this week who is giving up the 8th most fantasy points to opposing QB's. Assuming that Wallace is a go this week, so is Ben Roethlisberger.

Put 'em In The Game: Tim Tebow
Everyone's talking about him and he'll finally get the start. While we're not ready to ride the Tim Tebow bandwagon yet, based upon the matchup, Tebow could make for a nice play this week. Miami is giving up the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing QB's. If he can't exploit that secondary, then don't bother saving us a seat on that bandwagon.

Put 'em In The Game: Rashard Mendenhall
What a beautiful statline last week from Rashard Mendenhall! So much for that injury. This week the Steelers face the Cardinals who give up 131 yards and a score per game on average on the ground. Mendenhall should see the endzone this week.

Put 'em In The Game: DeMarco Murray
You should be able to find DeMarco Murray on your waiver wire. Based upon the matchup, Murray is a nice sleeper pick this week against the Rams who have given up more rushing yards than anyone else. Felix Jones will not play this week with a high ankle sprain and Murray should see the bulk of the carries in his absence.

Put 'em In The Game: Eric Decker
With Tebow under center, we (along with the rest of the fantasy world) were ready to shed a tear for Eric Decker. With Brandon Lloyd's departure to the Rams, Decker becomes the primary target in the Denver passing offense. Tebow is still a question mark as to how much he'll throw and if Decker will see the bulk of those targets, but if he does, Decker should have a very nice day and his value will be on the rise.

Put 'em In The Game: Marques Colston
One would assume that Marques Colston would be on the stud list, but after his week 1 injury and slow acclimation back, his stud status has been in question. Colston finally came through last week hitting the century mark and a score. When the Saints meet the Colts who are giving up the 6th most fantasy points to opposing WR's, Colston and company should walk away with a win and some solid numbers.

Put 'em In The Game: Fred Davis
After a solid start to the season, Fred Davis cooled off in weeks 3 and 4. With Cooley in the mix, Davis's value can fluctuate. The good news for Davis owners is that Cooley is out this week with that finger injury and Davis is coming off a great 6 rec for 95 yards performance. Davis should remain a popular target in that offense.

Put 'em In The Game: Tony Gonzalez
The reports of the demise of Tony Gonzalez have been greatly exaggerated. The future Hall-of-Famer from Atlanta has been fantastic this season averaging 14 fantasy points per game. The Lions are currently giving up the 7th most fantasy points to opposing TE's and Gonzalez has been too good to sit. Keep riding this train.

Put 'em In The Game: Dan Carpenter
Carpenter has a nice matchup this week against Denver who is currently giving up the most fantasy points to opposing kickers. The Dolphins may have some difficulty getting in the endzone. While that's bad for the skilled position players, that's good news for Dan Carpenter owners.

Put 'em On The Bench: Mark Sanchez
At the top of the sit list this week is Mark Sanchez. He put up decent numbers last week against a weak secondary (he didn't look solid doing it though), but he's facing a fresh Chargers team this week that is pretty tough on opposing QB's. The ground game should be the primary focus for the Jets during this game.

Put 'em On The Bench: Matt Ryan
You didn't draft Matt Ryan to bench him, but temper your expectations. This is not the old Detroit defense anymore. The Lions give up the 6th-fewest points to opposing QB's. Julio Jones is questionable this week, and while Ryan may get some yards in garbage time (or in the event that the game becomes a shootout), statistically he's unlikely to have a big day.

Put 'em On The Bench: Peyton Hillis
With the exception of a solid Week 2 performance, Peyton Hillis has been a disappointment so far this season. He didn't practice on Wednesday and his status is uncertain with a hamstring injury so check the injury reports. Even if he plays this week, his matchup isn't great. While Seattle gives up a middle of the road 17th-most fantasy points, they give up the 4th fewest yards (114) per game on the ground. With Hardesty in the mix and an injury concern, Hillis is safer on the bench.

Put 'em On The Bench: Delone Carter
When Joseph Addai went down, many ran to the waiver wire to grab Delone Carter. Addai won't be a factor this week leaving a RBBC approach with both Carter and Don Brown sharing duties. The Saints are tough to run against giving up the 6th fewest points to opposing RB's and Carter will most likely struggle to produce a decent day.

Put 'em On The Bench: Mike Williams
Sadly, the sophomore slump continues. The Bears are very middle-of-the-road against wide receivers giving up 9 points per week to them and actually allow a healthy 178.5 yards per game through the air, but they do not let them get into the endzone. In fact, the Bears rank 2nd in scores allowed to opposing WR's and Williams' trend doesn't lead one to think that he'll buck that number.

Put 'em On The Bench: Santana Moss
After a pretty solid start to the year, Santana Moss trailed off last week hauling in just 2 receptions for 38 yards. His matchup this week will be tough as well. Carolina gives up the 6th fewest yards per game and the 9th fewest fantasy points to opposing WR's. Based on the matchup, Moss becomes a hard one for us to recommend starting.

Put 'em On The Bench: Marcedes Lewis
Marcedes Lewis has yet to see the endzone and he's averaging 19.3 yards per game. This one-time fantasy stud is now the 38th-best fantasy TE (and there's only 32 teams!!). The Florida Times Union recently reported that the timing between Blaine Gabbert and Lewis is "still a bit off". Lewis is probably "still a bit off" from seeing a spot in your starting lineup.

Put 'em On The Bench: Ryan Longwell
Joe, FFN's founder, has always said that Ryan Longwell is one of the nicest guys in the business. Unfortunately, nice doesn't translate into fantasy points. The Vikings' kicker will face his former team who is currently giving up the fourth fewest points to opposing kickers.

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