Fantasy Football Week 7: Top Plays at Every Position

You think Peyton Manning and the Broncos have been awe-inspiring this year? Wait until you see what he has in store for the Colts in Indianapolis on Sunday night.

This stands to be epic.

That won't be the only shootout on the Week 7 slate either, which will make for some huge performances for fantasy owners. Injuries might have sucked some life out of fantasy lineups of late, but the points are going to be plentiful still.

Heck, Week 7 shapes up to be so promising, even Rob Gronkowski (arm/back) will get in on the fun.

We break down the top plays for the weekend, which promises to be an exciting one.

Quarterbacks: Matchup Plays Are Nice, but Elite Options Are (Still) Better

Riddle this writer stubborn, but there has only been one change in the makeup of the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks going forward: Philip Rivers has entered the group of weekly starters. With just Drew Brees on bye, you should stick with the guy you drafted to start and carry your quarterback position.

That means you stick by the likes of Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III. It worked last week with Cam Newton, and it worked Thursday night with Russell Wilson. There were some very good reasons everyone valued these versatile passers. Let them come through for you in your lineup, not on your bench.

Eagles roll with Foles

Nick Foles might be one that throws a monkey wrench in the above game plan for Week 7. He is getting another start for the potent Eagles, and he is facing a Dallas defense that has allowed the most points to quarterbacks to date. Foles is second to Jay Cutler in our rankings this week among those that weren't in the preseason top 12 quarterbacks. He is a very good option.

Expect just an ordinary Joe this week

Joe Flacco has had his moments, despite having a sketchy receiving corps outside of Torrey Smith this season. This figures to be a bad week to put your trust in him, though. He faces a Steelers defense that hasn't played well this season, yet it still is the No. 1 unit against quarterbacks in fantasy. You are going to get arguably your worst production of the season out of Flacco here.

Like him more

You and everyone else is justified being down on Matt Ryan with Julio Jones (foot) out for the season, and Steven Jackson (hamstring) and Roddy White (hamstring/ankle) out this week, according to NFL insider Jay Glazer. But Ryan is still a better option than all but eight quarterbacks in fantasy, and he has had a bye week to develop his new targets in the passing game. That Bucs defense is good, but it made Foles look like a fantasy star last week.

Ryan is among the quarterbacks we like more than a few spots better than the consensus below:

1. Colin Kaepernick
2. Matt Ryan
3. Russell Wilson (already played Thursday night)
4. Alex Smith
5. Sam Bradford

Like him less

We understand the allure of Cutler and his emerging offense with Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett, and you have to love his matchup against the Redskins, a bottom-10 team in fantasy against quarterbacks. We still would not trust Cutler over the elite-12 QB you drafted to be your starter—unless he slots perfectly as a bye-week replacement for Drew Brees for you.

Cutler is 13th in our rankings and among the quarterbacks we like less than the masses this week:

1. Jay Cutler
2. Nick Foles
3. Eli Manning
4. Ben Roethlisberger
5. Brandon Weeden

 

Week 7 Quarterbacks Rankings—Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Peyton Manning	Den	at Ind	1	0
2	Aaron Rodgers	GB	vs. Cle	3	+1
3	Cam Newton	Car	vs. StL	4	+1
4	Tony Romo	Dal	at Phi	2	-2
5	Andrew Luck	Ind	vs. Den	6	+1
6	Philip Rivers	SD	at Jac	5	-1
7	Matthew Stafford	Det	vs. Cin	9	+2
8	Colin Kaepernick	SF	at Ten	15	+7
9	Matt Ryan	Atl	vs. TB	12	+3
10	Tom Brady	NE	at NYJ	11	+1
11	Russell Wilson	Sea	at Ari	14	+3
12	Robert Griffin	Was	vs. Chi	10	-2
13	Jay Cutler	Chi	at Was	7	-6
14	Nick Foles	Phi	vs. Dal	8	-6
15	Andy Dalton	Cin	at Det	17	+2
16	Alex Smith	KC	vs. Hou	20	+4
17	Sam Bradford	StL	at Car	23	+6
18	Ryan Tannehill	Mia	vs. Buf	16	-2
19	Eli Manning	NYG	vs. Min	13	-6
20	Joe Flacco	Bal	at Pit	24	+4
21	Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	vs. Bal	18	-3
22	Brandon Weeden	Cle	at GB	19	-3
23	Josh Freeman	Min	at NYG	22	-1
24	Carson Palmer	Ari	vs. Sea	28	+4
25	Chad Henne	Jac	vs. SD	21	-4
26	Geno Smith	NYJ	vs. NE	26	0
27	Thaddeus Lewis	Buf	at Mia	27	0
28	Mike Glennon	TB	at Atl	25	-3
29	Ryan Fitzpatrick	Ten	vs. SF	30	+1
30	Case Keenum	Hou	at KC	31	+1

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Running Backs: Waiver Wire Capable of Filling Out Starting Lineups Right Now

In hindsight, it was only a matter of time before DeMarco Murray (knee) suffered some kind of injury that would knock him out of fantasy lineups. We should have been more bullish on you adding rookie Joseph Randle as his handcuff.

Sure, Lance Dunbar opened the season as Murray's backup, but the rookie Randle is the one with upside. The most-added player in fantasy this week should go right into starting lineups, especially because he is facing an Eagles defense that has even allowed David Wilson to score. No defense does that.

Jacobs a Giant play on Monday night

Speaking of most-added running backs that should go right into your lineup, Jacobs is a start against a Vikings defense that has allowed the most points to backs in fantasy. Jacobs is coming off 106 yards and two touchdowns in Week 6, and the Giants have to finally realize their running game is a way to take some pressure off the error-prone Eli Manning and his patchwork offensive line. Jacobs will find the end zone again this week, even if he rushes 15 times for 25 yards.

A bad week for your Bells and Ball

Le'Veon Bell, Joique Bell and Montee Ball have fantasy potential, but they are not great plays right now in fantasy. Ball is a third choice for the Broncos at this point, while the Lions' Bell has cooled off after a hot start. The Steelers' Bell is a back you likely have to play out of necessity, but the Ravens run defense is not a good matchup for him. That is the second-best team in fantasy against running backs, allowing just one touchdown to them this season. Only the Bucs and Chargers have allowed fewer.

Like him more

C.J. Spiller (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, according to the Buffalo Bills Twitter feed, so you should feel good about him playing against the Dolphins this week. Sure, Fred Jackson is going to steal touches, but Spiller is still too good to sit in fantasy, particularly since he is facing a Dolphins defense that has given up the third-most points to fantasy backs to date.

Spiller is among the backs we like considerably more than the consensus this week:

1. C.J. Spiller
2. Danny Woodhead
3. Joseph Randle
4. Chris Johnson
5. Ronnie Hillman

Like him less

Giovani Bernard clearly oozes talent every time he touches the ball, but he still has to deal with BenJarvus Green-Ellis getting the starts and the goal-line carries. We still rate Bernard as a starter in standard leagues, but he just cannot be considered the elite option the fantasy analysts see him as until something happens to BGE.

Bernard is among the players we like less than the masses below:

1. Giovani Bernard
2. Brandon Jacobs
3. Fred Jackson
4. Maurice Jones-Drew
5. Jacquizz Rodger 

Week 7 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Adrian Peterson	Min	at NYG	1	0
2	Jamaal Charles	KC	vs. Hou	2	0
3	LeSean McCoy	Phi	vs. Dal	3	0
4	Arian Foster	Hou	at KC	5	+1
5	Marshawn Lynch	Sea	at Ari	6	+1
6	Matt Forte	Chi	at Was	4	-2
7	Ray Rice	Bal	at Pit	12	+5
8	Doug Martin	TB	at Atl	9	+1
9	Alfred Morris	Was	vs. Chi	11	+2
10	Frank Gore	SF	at Ten	10	0
11	Reggie Bush	Det	vs. Cin	8	-3
12	Knowshon Moreno	Den	at Ind	7	-5
13	C.J. Spiller	Buf	at Mia	23	+10
14	Danny Woodhead	SD	at Jac	20	+6
15	Lamar Miller	Mia	vs. Buf	17	+2
16	DeAngelo Williams	Car	vs. StL	14	-2
17	Trent Richardson	Ind	vs. Den	16	-1
18	Eddie Lacy	GB	vs. Cle	13	-5
19	Joseph Randle	Dal	at Phi	26	+7
20	Ryan Mathews	SD	at Jac	21	+1
21	Chris Johnson	Ten	vs. SF	28	+7
22	Stevan Ridley	NE	at NYJ	25	+3
23	Giovani Bernard	Cin	at Det	15	-8
24	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	vs. Min	18	-6
25	Le'Veon Bell	Pit	vs. Bal	24	-1
26	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Cin	at Det	31	+5
27	Fred Jackson	Buf	at Mia	19	-8
28	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jac	vs. SD	22	-6
29	Bilal Powell	NYJ	vs. NE	27	-2
30	Zac Stacy	StL	at Car	29	-1
31	Willis McGahee	Cle	at GB	33	+2
32	Rashard Mendenhall	Ari	vs. Sea	36	+4
33	Joique Bell	Det	vs. Cin	35	+2
34	Ronnie Hillman	Den	at Ind	41	+7
35	Ben Tate	Hou	at KC	38	+3
36	Andre Ellington	Ari	vs. Sea	32	-4
37	Bernard Pierce	Bal	at Pit	43	+6
38	Daniel Thomas	Mia	vs. Buf	47	+9
39	Bryce Brown	Phi	vs. Dal	51	+12
40	Jacquizz Rodgers	Atl	vs. TB	30	-10
41	Jason Snelling	Atl	vs. TB	34	-7
42	LeGarrette Blount	NE	at NYJ	49	+7
43	Kendall Hunter	SF	at Ten	48	+5
44	Mike Tolbert	Car	vs. StL	39	-5
45	Robert Turbin	Sea	at Ari	58	+13
46	Montee Ball	Den	at Ind	61	+15
47	Daryl Richardson	StL	at Car	50	+3
48	Brandon Bolden	NE	at NYJ	40	-8
49	Anthony Dixon	SF	at Ten	72	+23
50	Donald Brown	Ind	vs. Den	45	-5
51	Chris Ivory	NYJ	vs. NE	42	-9
52	Ronnie Brown	SD	at Jac	54	+2
53	Shonn Greene	Ten	vs. SF	60	+7
54	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	at GB	37	-17
55	Michael Bush	Chi	at Was	57	+2
56	Roy Helu	Was	vs. Chi	46	-10
57	Bobby Rainey	Cle	at GB	78	+21
58	Toby Gerhart	Min	at NYG	65	+7
59	Jordan Todman	Jac	vs. SD	81	+22
60	Felix Jones	Pit	vs. Bal	67	+7
61	Alfonso Smith	Ari	vs. Sea	86	+25
62	Knile Davis	KC	vs. Hou	69	+7
63	Jackie Battle	Ten	vs. SF	56	-7
64	LaMichael James	SF	at Ten	80	+16

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Wide Receivers: Expect Some Wide-Open Shootouts This Week in Indy and Philly

There are enough healthy wide receivers who have proven productive in fantasy that you shouldn't have to be hoping for the question marks to be active this weekend. So, if you are a Danny Amendola (concussion), Roddy White (hamstring/ankle), Cecil Shorts (shoulder) or Randall Cobb (leg, out multiple weeks) owner, do not fret.

Wide receivers are everywhere, and wide-open passing games should give you plenty of viable starting options even when injury and bye weeks have you stressed.

Heck, if you're really desperate, look to that impending legendary shootout between Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck on Sunday night. Even the likes of Indy's Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denver's Andre Caldwell figure to get into the mix.

Cowboy up!

The Dallas offense will be without DeMarco Murray (knee), so you have to figure it will be an even more pass-heavy attack than it has been already. It is a great week to start all of your Cowboys receivers, especially because that Eagles secondary has been the worst in fantasy against wide receivers to date, allowing league highs of 102 receptions and 13 touchdowns through six games. Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are great plays, and rookie Terrance Williams should be, too.

Dwayne Bowe? More like chain Bowe…to your bench

We have to admit now Bowe is not a viable starter in fantasy. We have been stubborn to expect him to find a rhythm with Alex Smith and have Andy Reid devise ways to get his leading receiver the ball in a short passing game. It hasn't happened, and you shouldn't bank on it happening against a Texans defense that has been the best in fantasy against wide receivers to date. Don't start Bowe or Donnie Avery in any formats this week.

Like him more

We don't like Thad Lewis as the Bills starter, but Steve Johnson remains one of the veteran receivers who has proven he can overcome subpar quarterback play. You should have faith in Johnson at Miami as a third fantasy receiver, despite the fact the Dolphins have been the fourth-best team in fantasy against the position.

Johnson is among the options we like more than the masses this week:

1. Steve Johnson
2. Golden Tate (already played Thursday night)
3. Miles Austin
4. Brandon LaFell
5. Darrius Heyward-Bey

Like him less

You had to marvel at what the Seahawks did to the Cardinals passing game Thursday night, shutting down Larry Fitzgerald and making things tough on Carson Palmer. It should be a warning for you if you're trying to get some starters out of the Titans mess of a receiving corps against the 49ers this weekend. Not only is Ryan Fitzpatrick junk, but you cannot be sure which of the Titans receivers are going to come through.

The Titans pepper the receivers we like significantly less than the consensus below:

1. Michael Floyd (already played Thursday night)
2. Mike Williams
3. Brian Hartline
4. Kendall Wright
5. Nate Washington

Week 7 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Calvin Johnson	Det	vs. Cin	7	+6
2	A.J. Green	Cin	at Det	2	0
3	Dez Bryant	Dal	at Phi	1	-2
4	Brandon Marshall	Chi	at Was	3	-1
5	Demaryius Thomas	Den	at Ind	6	+1
6	Wes Welker	Den	at Ind	8	+2
7	DeSean Jackson	Phi	vs. Dal	4	-3
8	Victor Cruz	NYG	vs. Min	5	-3
9	Pierre Garcon	Was	vs. Chi	13	+4
10	Josh Gordon	Cle	at GB	10	0
11	Reggie Wayne	Ind	vs. Den	14	+3
12	Justin Blackmon	Jac	vs. SD	9	-3
13	Jordy Nelson	GB	vs. Cle	11	-2
14	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	vs. Min	17	+3
15	Antonio Brown	Pit	vs. Bal	15	0
16	Andre Johnson	Hou	at KC	18	+2
17	Larry Fitzgerald	Ari	vs. Sea	25	+8
18	Vincent Jackson	TB	at Atl	12	-6
19	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	at Was	19	0
20	Eric Decker	Den	at Ind	16	-4
21	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	vs. Den	22	+1
22	Torrey Smith	Bal	at Pit	21	-1
23	Mike Wallace	Mia	vs. Buf	23	0
24	Steve Smith	Car	vs. StL	24	0
25	Anquan Boldin	SF	at Ten	26	+1
26	Rueben Randle	NYG	vs. Min	28	+2
27	Keenan Allen	SD	at Jac	20	-7
28	Steve Johnson	Buf	at Mia	39	+11
29	Golden Tate	Sea	at Ari	42	+13
30	Julian Edelman	NE	at NYJ	27	-3
31	Greg Jennings	Min	at NYG	29	-2
32	Miles Austin	Dal	at Phi	51	+19
33	Harry Douglas	Atl	vs. TB	34	+1
34	Terrance Williams	Dal	at Phi	38	+4
35	Brandon LaFell	Car	vs. StL	47	+12
36	Kenbrell Thompkins	NE	at NYJ	30	-6
37	James Jones	GB	vs. Cle	33	-4
38	Vincent Brown	SD	at Jac	37	-1
39	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	vs. Den	66	+27
40	Cecil Shorts	Jac	vs. SD	43	+3
41	Dwayne Bowe	KC	vs. Hou	46	+5
42	Aaron Dobson	NE	at NYJ	41	-1
43	Stephen Hill	NYJ	vs. NE	44	+1
44	Emmanuel Sanders	Pit	vs. Bal	40	-4
45	Robert Woods	Buf	at Mia	48	+3
46	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	vs. NE	55	+9
47	Michael Floyd	Ari	vs. Sea	35	-12
48	Tavon Austin	StL	at Car	67	+19
49	Mike Williams	TB	at Atl	31	-18
50	Jason Avant	Phi	vs. Dal	68	+18
51	Doug Baldwin	Sea	at Ari	64	+13
52	Sidney Rice	Sea	at Ari	63	+11
53	Austin Pettis	StL	at Car	57	+4
54	Donnie Avery	KC	vs. Hou	62	+8
55	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	at KC	53	-2
56	Mohamed Sanu	Cin	at Det	70	+14
57	Riley Cooper	Phi	vs. Dal	60	+3
58	Brian Hartline	Mia	vs. Buf	32	-26
59	Andre Caldwell	Den	at Ind	93	+34
60	Jerricho Cotchery	Pit	vs. Bal	75	+15
61	Chris Givens	StL	at Car	56	-5
62	Leonard Hankerson	Was	vs. Chi	69	+7
63	Davone Bess	Cle	at GB	78	+15
64	Kendall Wright	Ten	vs. SF	45	-19
65	Nate Washington	Ten	vs. SF	54	-11
66	Jerome Simpson	Min	at NYG	50	-16
67	Kenny Britt	Ten	vs. SF	94	+27
68	Jacoby Jones	Bal	at Pit	74	+6
69	Kris Durham	Det	vs. Cin	52	-17
70	Andre Roberts	Ari	vs. Sea	84	+14
71	Ryan Broyles	Det	vs. Cin	89	+18
72	Jon Baldwin	SF	at Ten	101	+29
73	Marvin Jones	Cin	at Det	71	-2
74	Marlon Brown	Bal	at Pit	58	-16
75	Dexter McCluster	KC	vs. Hou	105	+30
76	Brian Quick	StL	at Car	102	+26
77	Brandon Gibson	Mia	vs. Buf	61	-16
78	Earl Bennett	Chi	at Was	97	+19
79	Greg Little	Cle	at GB	83	+4
80	Ted Ginn	Car	vs. StL	65	-15

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Tight Ends: Rob Gronkowski Reportedly Cleared, so You Have to Start Him

One man enter, one man leave. Jimmy Graham is on bye, but fantasy owners are anticipating a return of Rob Gronkowski (arm/back) to the field Sunday. According to ESPNBoston.com, citing reports from Mike Reiss and Adam Schefter, Gronk has finally been cleared to play Sunday against the Jets.

With Graham off the board, we optimistically place Gronk at the top of our Week 7 tight end rankings.

Rudolph can play reindeer games again

Fantasy owners jumping off the Kyle Rudolph bandwagon did so too soon. He was a monster in Week 6 and now gets the potential upgrade of quarterback Josh Freeman in a Monday night matchup against the Giants. That defense has already given the eighth-most points to tight ends in fantasy to date. Rudolph goes from the waiver wire back to being a must-start option at the roller-coaster position.

Graham cracker: Chiefs matchup is tough

Garrett Graham was justifiably picked up in many leagues once Owen Daniels (leg) went down, but this is a bad week to trust the fringe fantasy tight end. Not only are the Texans relying on the unknown at quarterback with starting Case Keenum, but they are also facing a Chiefs defense that has been the best in fantasy against tight ends to date. The Chiefs are one of four teams that haven't allowed a touchdown to tight ends in six games, and they have allowed a league-low 166 receiving yards to the position.

Like him more

The Giants haven't been able to make a consistent threat out of Brandon Myers, but a favorable matchup might lure you to use him if you are desperate this week. The Vikings have been the third-worst team in fantasy against tight ends, and Myers rates as one of the options we like more than the masses below:

1. Rob Gronkowski
2. Kyle Rudolph
3. Brandon Myers
4. Tyler Eifert
5. Brandon Pettigrew

Like him less

Charles Clay, like Myers, is a receiving tight end who doesn't do much in the way of blocking. It tends to tip off defenses it will be a pass when he is in the game. The Bills don't need much help against tight ends, because they have been the third-toughest fantasy matchup for the position through six games.

Clay is among the options we rank lower than the consensus this week:

1. Tony Gonzalez
2. Charles Clay
3. Jordan Reed
4. Jeff Cumberland
5. Scott Chandler 

Week 7 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Rob Gronkowski	NE	at NYJ	8	+7
2	Vernon Davis	SF	at Ten	2	0
3	Jason Witten	Dal	at Phi	3	0
4	Julius Thomas	Den	at Ind	4	0
5	Tony Gonzalez	Atl	vs. TB	1	-4
6	Antonio Gates	SD	at Jac	5	-1
7	Jordan Cameron	Cle	at GB	6	-1
8	Jermichael Finley	GB	vs. Cle	7	-1
9	Kyle Rudolph	Min	at NYG	12	+3
10	Martellus Bennett	Chi	at Was	9	-1
11	Greg Olsen	Car	vs. StL	10	-1
12	Heath Miller	Pit	vs. Bal	11	-1
13	Coby Fleener	Ind	vs. Den	14	+1
14	Garrett Graham	Hou	at KC	16	+2
15	Jared Cook	StL	at Car	17	+2
16	Charles Clay	Mia	vs. Buf	13	-3
17	Brandon Myers	NYG	vs. Min	22	+5
18	Tyler Eifert	Cin	at Det	30	+12
19	Brandon Pettigrew	Det	vs. Cin	26	+7
20	Brent Celek	Phi	vs. Dal	18	-2
21	Rob Housler	Ari	vs. Sea	37	+16
22	Jermaine Gresham	Cin	at Det	25	+3
23	Jordan Reed	Was	vs. Chi	15	-8
24	Jeff Cumberland	NYJ	vs. NE	19	-5
25	Zach Miller	Sea	at Ari	23	-2
26	Scott Chandler	Buf	at Mia	21	-5
27	Lance Kendricks	StL	at Car	29	+2
28	Dallas Clark	Bal	at Pit	28	0
29	Clay Harbor	Jac	vs. SD	27	-2
30	Fred Davis	Was	vs. Chi	38	+8
31	Delanie Walker	Ten	vs. SF	31	0

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Defense/Special Teams: Quarterback Play Means More Than Defensive Talent

How bad of a first half has this been for the Houston Texans? Even their defense is letting them and fantasy owners down. J.J. Watt might be one of the best players in football, but he alone cannot elevate that defense up to the starting level against a Chiefs team that has been the fourth-toughest opponent in fantasy for defense/special teams.

The Chiefs haven't faced a good fantasy quarterback yet, and they won't this week either.

Hail to the Chiefs

The Texans have been the most vulnerable team in fantasy against opposing defenses, so you have to keep your upstart Chiefs defense active in all leagues, especially at home. We have a feeling the Texans are going to actually show up for this contest, but the Chiefs are playing well and get to face quarterback Case Keenum in his first NFL start. That is too good to pass up.

Broncos-Colts, um, no thanks

Denver has played some legendary shootout football already this season against the Ravens and Cowboys, and you have to figure this one is going to get really loose. Peyton Manning certainly wants to stick it to the franchise that decided to let him go, and Andrew Luck has to prove his Colts owner didn't make a bad decision. This is a legendary matchup that has to be avoided from the fantasy defense perspective.

Like them more

The Bengals haven't played great defense this season, but they are certainly capable of doing that. They showed it against the Pats, so you still should consider this a starting unit, even if Detroit is in the top 10 among the toughest matchups for an opposing defense in fantasy.

The Bengals are among the units we like more than the consensus this week:

1. Chicago Bears
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. St. Louis Rams
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. Houston Texans

Like them less

The Giants have been the second-worst team against defense/special teams, mostly because Eli Manning has been the most error-prone quarterback in football this season. Only Matt Schaub and his pick-six streak have made the Texans worse against defensive units. We have a hunch the Giants are going to play better offensively this week, if only because the Vikings are so porous defensively themselves.

The Minnesota defense is a popular streaming play because of Manning's interceptions and poor offensive line, but it is also among the units we like less than the masses below:

1. Carolina Panthers
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Buffalo Bills
5. Arizona Cardinals (already played Thursday night)

Week 7 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings—Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Kansas City Chiefs	KC	vs. Hou	1	0
2	San Francisco 49ers	SF	at Ten	3	+1
3	Seattle Seahawks	Sea	at Ari	2	-1
4	New England Patriots	NE	at NYJ	4	0
5	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	at Pit	6	+1
6	Chicago Bears	Chi	at Was	8	+2
7	San Diego Chargers	SD	at Jac	7	0
8	Carolina Panthers	Car	vs. StL	5	-3
9	Miami Dolphins	Mia	vs. Buf	10	+1
10	Cincinnati Bengals	Cin	at Det	19	+9
11	Green Bay Packers	GB	vs. Cle	9	-2
12	Atlanta Falcons	Atl	vs. TB	13	+1
13	Minnesota Vikings	Min	at NYG	11	-2
14	St. Louis Rams	StL	at Car	17	+3
15	Denver Broncos	Den	at Ind	16	+1
16	Buffalo Bills	Buf	at Mia	14	-2
17	Dallas Cowboys	Dal	at Phi	20	+3
18	Arizona Cardinals	Ari	vs. Sea	12	-6
19	Tennessee Titans	Ten	vs. SF	15	-4
20	Houston Texans	Hou	at KC	22	+2

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Kickers: Must-See TV Makes for Some Easy Decisions

Two huge shootouts figure to make for some productive kickers this week. You shouldn't sit Stephen Gostkowski, Justin Tucker or Mason Crosby because of their matchups, but you have to love Matt Prater, Adam Vinatieri (DEN-IND), Dan Bailey and Alex Henery (DAL-PHI) in those shootouts. The Monday night game should get loose, too.

Giant rebound for Walsh

Blair Walsh is just No. 19 on the scoring list among kickers right now, but a matchup against one of the worst defenses in the NFL makes him a must-start option Monday night against the Giants. That defense has given up the most points to kickers to date. You should not be wary of Walsh's hamstring keeping him out of action. Keep him active.

Texans kicker is completely Bullock(s)

You don't need a reason to hate Randy Bullock this season, but trusting him with Case Keenum in at quarterback and facing the Chiefs this week is a bad, bad move. The Chiefs have been the No. 1 team in fantasy against kickers, and Bullock has been one of the worst kickers in fantasy this season, missing a league-high five field goals.

Like him more

Caleb Sturgis remains one of the best-kept secrets among kickers. The rookie has a strong leg, and the Dolphins have an improving offense that can position him to score. Oh, the Bills are also on the schedule this week, and they have allowed the second-most points to kickers to date.

Sturgis is among the kickers we like a handful of spots more than the consensus below:

1. Ryan Succop
2. Caleb Sturgis
3. Phil Dawson
4. Greg Zuerlein
5. Graham Gano

Like him less

Nick Novak has had his moments for fantasy owners this season and that Jaguars team looks tasty, but we are going to say Novak will be merely good for extra points this week. That reason alone is why Novak rates lower with us than the masses this week:

1. Dan Bailey
2. Adam Vinatieri
3. Nick Novak
4. Steven Hauschka (already played Thursday night)
5. Robbie Gould

Week 7 Kickers Rankings—Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	at NYJ	1	0
2	Matt Prater	Den	at Ind	3	+1
3	Alex Henery	Phi	vs. Dal	4	+1
4	Mason Crosby	GB	vs. Cle	6	+2
5	Matt Bryant	Atl	vs. TB	7	+2
6	Blair Walsh	Min	at NYG	8	+2
7	Dan Bailey	Dal	at Phi	2	-5
8	Ryan Succop	KC	vs. Hou	13	+5
9	Caleb Sturgis	Mia	vs. Buf	14	+5
10	Justin Tucker	Bal	at Pit	9	-1
11	Phil Dawson	SF	at Ten	17	+6
12	Adam Vinatieri	Ind	vs. Den	10	-2
13	Nick Novak	SD	at Jac	5	-8
14	Greg Zuerlein	StL	at Car	20	+6
15	Steven Hauschka	Sea	at Ari	12	-3
16	Robbie Gould	Chi	at Was	11	-5
17	Graham Gano	Car	vs. StL	24	+7
18	Kai Forbath	Was	vs. Chi	16	-2
19	Mike Nugent	Cin	at Det	25	+6
20	David Akers	Det	vs. Cin	18	-2

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game. You can also listen to him on his podcast that he deprecatingly dubbed the Fantasy FatCast.