Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, Play or Bench Advice on Top Fantasy Football NFL Stars

Week 7 is set to kick off on Thursday night with an AFC North showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. That's one of only several unpredictable games of the NFL's latest slate and is likely to feature some difficult decisions for fantasy football managers.

The rest of Week 7 is likely to follow suit.

Here, you'll find some start/sit recommendations for top fantasy stars with less-than-ideal matchups. All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are again expected to be without starting running back Bucky Irving this week. This means that Rachaad White is likely to get another starting opportunity.

White's matchup with the Detroit Lions on the road isn't great. Detroit has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. However, the Buccaneers are likely to be down several wide receivers, which raises White's PPR floor significantly.

White has seen 12 targets and 11 receptions over his last three games. Tampa will likely feature him on quick passes to help counter Detroit's defensive front.

And while the Lions have limited opposing backs—largely because they've gotten ahead and forced teams to pass—Detroit hasn't been a total fantasy wasteland. Quinshon Jukins, for example, racked up 115 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in a blowout loss. If the Bucs commit to the run, White should be fine.

Sit: Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne might have a reasonable PPR floor in Week 7, but it'll depend on Liam Coen's game plan. Etienne has logged seven receptions over the past two weeks but has logged just 19 targets and 13 catches through six games.

Etienne's yardage floor, meanwhile, is quite low. He's only hit the 100-yard mark twice this season and hasn't reached 60 scrimmage yards in either of his last two games.

This week, the Jaguars will host the Los Angeles Rams in what very well could be a low-scoring contest. Star Rams receiver Puka Nacua is dealing with an ankle injury, so this could end up being a grind-it-out game for L.A.

A slow, physical contest won't bode well for Etienne managers. The Rams have surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been an absolute star with Sam Darnold behind center. While he's only found the end zone three times this season, he leads the NFL with 696 receiving yards. He's also averaging seven receptions per game.

However, Smith-Njigba may see a dip in Week 7, as he'll face a Houston Texans defense that has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

Smith-Njigba is also likely to see plenty of one-on-one battles with standout cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. this week.

However, Smith-Njigba's floor makes him impossible to sit in virtually any matchup. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak does an excellent job of scheming his receivers into space and getting the ball into Smith-Njigba's hands. His worst game this season featured four catches, three carries and 90 scrimmage yards.

Sit: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Carolina Panthers rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan has strung together a couple of strong fantasy performances. He had six catches for 73 yards in a win over the Miami Dolphins and three catches for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a win over the Dallas Cowboys.

However, managers would be wise not to ride with McMillan for a third straight week. The Panthers are set to visit the New York Jets, who have surrendered the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. McMillan will likely draw Sauce Gardner in coverage on a regular basis.

While the Seahawks are still likely to force-feed Smith-Njigba in a difficult matchup, the Panthers probably won't do the same with McMillan. They're more likely to lean heavily on their ground game against a Jets defense that has allowed 4.3 yards per carry.

McMillan should be considered a touchdown-dependent option in Week 7, which isn't ideal against a solid secondary.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.