Fantasy Football Week 7: Predicting Studs Who Will Falter vs. Tough Defenses

Now that another chapter of the 2013 NFL regular season is in the books, fantasy football owners have shifted their attention to Week 7 and which studs will falter and fail against tough competition.

All of the following players have started the season strong, but will struggle against some of the best defensive units in the league.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Fantasy owners have been waiting for the breakout game from Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch all season, and a monster statistical day against the Tennessee Titans should have the hype for Week 7 through the roof.

While owners will be expecting another two touchdowns and 150 or more yards from scrimmage like Lynch amassed Sunday, the matchup Thursday against the division rival Arizona Cardinals will hurt his fantasy numbers.

Arizona may not be the best team in the league, but the familiarity with Lynch playing against him twice a year in the NFC West, the stingy fifth-ranked run defense (allowing just 90.7 yards per game) and the short week plying under the lights of Thursday Night Football will result in a porous point output from the running back.

Predicted Stat Line: 19 carries for 60 yards and zero touchdowns, two receptions for 20 yards and zero touchdowns.

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos

The biggest fantasy stud of the early season has been Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. With 22 touchdowns and just two interceptions through the first six weeks of the season, owners are in love.

Despite the red-hot start, the team’s offensive perfection will be tested when Denver visits the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. With the fans in Lucas Oil Stadium understanding what Manning loves and hates from his time in Indianapolis, Colts faithful will make it hard for the Broncos offense to run on all cylinders.

Not only does Indianapolis know the intricacies of exactly what bothers Manning, but the stiff pass defense of the Colts (fifth in the NFL, allowing just 201.4 yards per game) will be Denver’s toughest test of the season.

Predicted Stat Line: 25 completions, 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans

Injuries are always a concern for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson—having dealt with a concussion and a shin issue already this season—but the biggest issue in Week 7 will be the tough matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City boasts one of the stingiest defensive units in the NFL, but it is the third-ranked pass defense (only allowing an average of 207.3 yards per game) that will put a stop to Johnson’s dominance.

Add in the fact that Matt Schaub is now injured (right ankle, per Chris Wesseling of NFL.com) on top of playing the worst football of his life (replaced by backup T. J. Yates in Week 6), and Johnson is a risky fantasy pick against the Chiefs.

Predicted Stat Line: Three receptions for 30 yards and zero touchdowns.

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