Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 7: Smartest Matchups to Exploit, Sleeper Plays and More

After the first six weeks of the 2022 NFL season, the fantasy football landscape looks quite different from the start of the year. Some players have gone down with injuries. Breakout performers have emerged. And several rookies have burst onto the scene in impressive fashion.

We've learned which defenses can't stop either the pass or the run (or both). It's also clearer how every offense is going to operate. So fantasy managers can now play the matchups based on which teams are facing off in a given week.

With that in mind, here's some early start/sit advice for Week 7, based on the favorable matchups and potential sleepers who have emerged in recent games.

Start 'Em: Brian Robinson, RB, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson (8) is tackled by Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Thomas (45) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)

Now that Brian Robinson has debuted in the NFL, it's becoming clear that the Commanders plan to utilize the rookie as the lead running back out of their backfield. After missing the start of the year due to the gunshot wounds he suffered in his right leg before the season, Robinson has been heavily involved in Washington's offense the past two weeks.

In Week 5, Robinson had nine carries for 22 yards in a loss to the Tennessee Titans. Then, he had 17 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown (the first of his career) in a Week 6 win over the Chicago Bears.

There will now be a good opportunity for Robinson to build off those performances in Week 7, when Washington is set to host the Green Bay Packers. Robinson will be a sleeper fantasy play this week, but he'll likely be on more managers' radars after this.

That's because the Packers are allowing 135.2 rushing yards per game, the sixth most in the NFL. So as long as the Commanders give Robinson ample opportunities (which they likely should), he may have the best performance of his brief NFL career thus far.

Sit 'Em: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Peter Aiken

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Peter Aiken)

Fantasy managers have been frustrated by Clyde Edwards-Helaire's inconsistency throughout his NFL career. And that's been the case again early in the 2022 season.

After scoring five touchdowns through the first four weeks, Edwards-Helaire has been much less effective for the Chiefs in their past two games. He had nine carries for 15 yards in a Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, then had nine rushes for 33 yards in a Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He also didn't get into the end zone in either of those contests.

At some point, Edwards-Helaire should get back on track and have better fantasy performances. But that seems unlikely to happen in Week 7, when Kansas City will be going on the road to take on the San Francisco 49ers.

The Chiefs faced the No. 1 run defense in the NFL (Buffalo) last week. Now, they're facing the second-best team in rushing yards allowed per game in San Francisco (87.5). So it's best to leave Edwards-Helaire on the bench this week and find a better starting option.

Start 'Em: Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) catches the game winning touchdown pass against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)

In recent weeks, Colts rookie wide receiver Alec Pierce has been on an upward trajectory, as it's clear he's becoming more comfortable at the NFL level. It led to Pierce scoring his first career touchdown in Week 6, as he had three catches for 49 yards and a score in Indianapolis' win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pierce's role has been growing in the Colts' offense. He's been targeted 16 times over the past two weeks, and he had back-to-back games with 80-plus receiving yards in Weeks 4 and 5.

At this point, Pierce is emerging as a consistent start-worthy player for fantasy managers. And he should likely be in lineups in Week 7, when Indianapolis is going on the road to face the AFC South rival Tennessee Titans.

Not only is Pierce on a roll, but the Titans are allowing an NFL-high 287.6 passing yards per game. So quarterback Matt Ryan should get to air it out, with plenty of passes likely to end up in Pierce's hands throughout that contest.

Sit 'Em: All Jets Wide Receivers

Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini

New York Jets' Elijah Moore runs against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Penn. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)

The Jets are 4-2 this year, as they're off to their best start since 2015 and have already matched their win total from last season. However, it's not because of their passing offense, because that's an area of their team that has been struggling.

New York defeated the Green Bay Packers on the road in Week 6, but Zach Wilson passed for only 110 yards. Most of the Jets' success through the air came early in the season, when Joe Flacco was filling in for the injured Wilson from Weeks 1-3.

Because Wilson isn't airing it out as much and New York is mostly keeping the ball on the ground, the team's wide receivers are no longer start-worthy fantasy players. Elijah Moore, Corey Davis and rookie Garrett Wilson can't be trusted in lineups at this point.

In Week 7, the Jets are on the road again to take on the Denver Broncos, who have some strong players in their secondary. So don't risk starting any of New York's WRs and wait to see if this passing offense can get going down the line.