Fantasy Football Week 7: Sunday Morning Game-Day Preview

Another Sunday full of NFL action is upon us. This, of course, also means another full day of fantasy football. In this piece, we focus on preparing you for the busy day of gridiron entertainment ahead.

The Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones leads the league in receiving and could enjoy another massive outing against a depleted San Diego Chargers' secondary. That game hosts the highest point total of the slate, per Odds Shark. 

Join us in canvassing the league with specific matchup metrics for each game on the Sunday slate. Feel free to share your lineup questions and predictions for the day in the comments below.

Fantasy Football Week 7: New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams

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Game Preview

As part of the league's International Series, we find this conference matchup held in Twickenham Stadium in London on Sunday morning. The first note for fantasy managers is to be aware of the early start time for this game and have your lineups ordered appropriately before kickoff. As for the matchup, the New York Giants have won the last six meetings in this series, with their last loss to the Rams coming in Week 5 of 2001.

The Los Angeles Rams are seeking a winning record through seven games for just the second time in the last 10 years. The Rams have scored just 1.54 points per drive this year, 27th in the league. The Giants sit at 20th with 1.68 points per drive, so this doesn't bode to be a shootout based on incumbent trends.

We find the Giants as field-goal favorites on most books, per Odds Shark, but FiveThirtyEight's predictive probability model has the Rams as 52-percent favorites, thus we can expect a close and contentious battle to unfold given the close matchup metrics. 

Injury Updates

We don't find any significant offensive injuries on either side of the ball. Just be aware that New York's kicker, Josh Brown, is on the Commissioner's Exempt List and won't play.

Fantasy Fixtures

Giants

Eli Manning finally woke up with a big box score in Week 6, passing for 403 yards and three scores in a dramatic win over the Ravens. Manning became just the eighth player in NFL history with 300 touchdowns and is a borderline QB1 given how the team relies heavily on its quarterback.

With the Rams’ top cover corner Trumaine Johnson sidelined with injury, Los Angeles has ceded 31.3 fantasy points per game to receivers over the past three weeks, fourth most in the league. Odell Beckham Jr. has 10 career games with at least 140 receiving yards, the most in a player’s first three NFL seasons. We expect Beckham to challenge for an 11th such performance in London. 

The Giants are averaging just 76 rushing yards per game this season, 30th in the NFL, so it’s fine to fade their lackluster backfield.

Rams

Todd Gurley is averaging only 1.2 yards before contact per carry, worst in the NFL among 39 qualified tailbacks. This is troubling since it’s largely a metric that reveals poor blocking, but we still trust this second-year star as a high-ceiling fantasy asset given his awesome workload. We expect at least 20 touches for Gurley, thus there is potential for strong results in a game expected to be close by Vegas indicators.

Sleepers and Streamers

Kenny Britt had 136 yards and two scores last week, and nine receptions for 103 yards the last time he played the Giants, so he merits consideration as a deep-league streamer and a sleeper in daily fantasy play. 

For the Giants, streaming shares of Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard are interesting given the aforementioned allowance rate to receivers for the Rams over the past three weeks.

Fantasy Football Week 7: New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs

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Game Preview

The New Orleans Saints are averaging 1.66 points per drive on the road since the start of last season—19th in the league—compared to 2.80 at home over this span, which ranks top in the league. This represents a 68 percent margin in per-drive efficiency, thus we find the Kansas City Chiefs poised with an 80-percent win probability for this game in Arrowhead on FiveThirtyEight.

In four of the Saints' five games this year, the game-winning score has come in the final two minutes of regulation, so another close contest could ensue if the Saints can keep pace on the road.

Injury Updates

The Chiefs' Jamaal Charles is experiencing some swelling in his surgically repaired knee and is a highly questionable for this contest, per BJ Kissel of the team's site.

Fantasy Fixtures

Saints

The home/road splits for Drew Brees since the start of last season are glaring, as he's averaged 8.5 yards per attempt in the Superdome and just 6.7 on the road since the start of last season. Brees' QBR dips from 79.6 at home to 59 on the road, and he has just 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine road games compared to 34 touchdowns and seven picks in 11 home games since last season.

We still value Brees as a QB1 with the Chiefs registering the lowest pressure on the opposing pockets in the league, but expectations are a bit tempered given the larger sample for Brees away from home.

This all said, we still see the Saints’ Brandin Cooks as a high-ceiling commodity. Cooks set a career high in yardage last week and faces a secondary ceding 24 fantasy points per game to receivers in ESPN leagues, 12th most this season.

Mark Ingram is averaging 109 scrimmage yards per game in his past six games against AFC foes and sees enough work to sustain high-end RB2 status on the road. As for Coby Fleener, his valuable red-zone role keeps him in the starting tier at a shallow tight end position.

Chiefs

The Saints have allowed at least 34 points in four of their five games this season, so we appreciate shares of this offense for a choice matchup against a soft defense. The endorsements begin with Spencer Ware, who has 358 yards from scrimmage and two scores in his past three home games. With Charles banged up and possibly out of the lineup, Ware could build on career highs in rushes and rushing yardage set last week.

Jeremy Maclin has a touchdown reception in three of his past four and enters must-start status against a Saints defense that has allowed 211.2 yards per game to receivers, most in the league. Tight end Travis Kelce is enjoying another quietly stellar season, as he has 12 receptions, 163 yards and a score in his past two home games.

Sleepers and Streamers

The Saints’ Michael Thomas aims for a fourth straight game with a touchdown, and has outsnapped Willie Snead lately. Given the upside both have flashed, they are boom-or-bust third receivers for fantasy purposes.

The Chiefs’ Alex Smith is averaging just 2.1 seconds in the pocket this season, the fastest rate in the league. This proves helpful against the blitz, while the Saints have sent added pressure on a league-high 41.7 percent of opposing dropbacks.

Fantasy Football Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

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Game Preview

The Minnesota Vikings have won eight straight games in the regular season, allowing 17 or fewer points without losing the turnover battle over that stretch. This is the longest such streak since the Steelers’ fabled run in 1976-77, according to Elias. The Vikings are fittingly positioned with a 57-percent win probability factor on FiveThirtyEight's predictive Elo index.

The Eagles’ offensive line has been under siege of late, while the Vikings lead the NFC in pressuring opposing pockets. With such defensive trends in place, we find this game with the week’s lowest implied point total, per Odds Shark.

Injury Updates

Minnesota's top receiver Stefon Diggs is listed as questionable with a hamstring ailment, but is expected to play, per Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.

Fantasy Fixtures

Vikings

Diggs is a WR3 with upside against Philly’s exploitable outside corners. Kyle Rudolph has caught three of four of Sam Bradford's red-zone touchdowns and is a fine TE1 asset.  With the Vikings defense pressuring opposing passers on 31.7 percent of opposing dropbacks, Minnesota is among the top D/ST options in fantasy this week.

Eagles

When blitzing, the Vikings defense leads the NFL in interceptions, yards per attempt and sacks per game. Carson Wentz was sacked on 12.7 percent of dropbacks since Week 5, the highest rates of any signal-caller in the league over this span. We’re wary of trusting Wentz in this environment.

Slot maven Jordan Matthews is the lone starter with a reasonably high floor, especially as he aims for his fifth straight home game with a touchdown and 100 yards in three of the past four games in South Philly.

Sleepers and Streamers

The Vikings’ backfield splits value too much to consider one of them a trusted starter, but we’d like to stream Jerick McKinnon against an Eagles team that allowed 194 yards between the tackles in Week 6. As for Matt Asiata, he topped 100 yards from scrimmage in Week 5 and has value as a touchdown vulture.

Darren Sproles is a fine possession valve against the blitz and has real upside in points-per-reception formats for those who need help at running back on a slate ravaged by injuries at the position.

Fantasy Football Week 7: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans

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Game Preview

The Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck in undefeated in seven starts against the Tennessee Titans. For the Titans to finally unseat Luck, they’ll want to put him on his back, as he’s been sacked a league-high 23 times this season, four more than any other quarterback. Luck has been pressured on 36 percent of his dropbacks—highest in the league—while the Titans are ninth in pressure rating at 28.1 percent and fourth in blitz rate at 36 percent.

It's a close game according to the predictive models available to us, as Odds Shark lists the Titans as field-goal favorites while FiveThirtyEight has the Colts with a win probability of 52 percent.

Injury Updates

Colts tight end Dwayne Allen has been ruled out for this meeting and is considered week to week with a significant ankle injury, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Indy's speedster Phillip Dorsett didn't practice this week with foot and hamstring issues and isn't expected to play, according to Jim Wyatt of the Titans' site.

Fantasy Fixtures

Colts

The Titans rank 25th in pass coverage grading on Pro Football Focus, so if Luck is afforded enough time to operate, he could deliver strong statistics against a leaky secondary. Given the pressure numbers, there is some inherent risk in Luck’s profile to consider.

T.Y. Hilton is second behind only the Pittsburgh Steelers' Antonio Brown in targets on the season and could dominate target share with injuries to the Colts' pass-catchers. Veteran back Frank Gore, meanwhile, has 432 yards from scrimmage and five rushing scores in four meetings with the Titans. Gore is once again a fine RB2 asset.

Titans

Workhorse back DeMarco Murray is third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 698, while the Titans' offensive line ranks first in the league in run-blocking on Pro Football Focus. Murray is the rare must-start asset at running back this week.

Tight end Delanie Walker faces a Colts defense that has allowed 65.5 yards per game to tight ends, sixth most in the league. The Colts have also ceded a completion rate of 84.6 percent to tight ends, highest in the AFC. Given the sweet setup, Walker is expected to rebound from a quiet Week 6.

Sleepers and Streamers

Marcus Mariota again enters the streaming conversation at signal-caller as the Colts rank 31st in pass coverage on Pro Football Focus. In truly deep leagues we dig a flex flier on Kendall Wright, as he had nearly 38 percent of the team's targets last week.

For the Colts, tight end Jack Doyle could be a significant target of Luck's at a shallow tight end position.

Fantasy Football Week 7: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

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Game Preview

The Buffalo Bills have won five of the past six against the Miami Dolphins as they seek their fifth straight win this season, a streak that would mark the franchise's longest since 2004. FiveThirtyEight lists Buffalo with a win probability rate of 64 percent, while Odds Shark lists the Bills as field-goal favorites across most books.

Miami enjoyed rare success against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 thanks to a historic rushing performance by Jay Ajayi. The Fins will again need their running game to prove productive to offset the Bills' pass rush because it ranks fourth in the league in pressuring opposing pockets.

Injury Updates

Joe Buscaglia of WKBW in Buffalo reports LeSean McCoy didn't look spry on his balky hamstring in Friday's practice session. There have been conflicting reports on "Shady" throughout the week, with the latest from CBS’ Jason La Canfora suggesting McCoy could play a limited role on Sunday.

The Bills will be without wideout Robert Woods, who is listed as doubtful and was in a walking boot this week, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.

Fantasy Fixtures

Bills

With McCoy looking more like “McDecoy” this week, we prefer Mike Gillislee given his likely larger share of snaps and touches. The Dolphins have allowed 147 rushing yards per game this season, second worst in the NFL. The Bills have 762 rush yards before first contact this season, 185 more than any other team.

Gillislee leads all running backs in yards per carry with a robust 6.82 per attempt. There is increased risk with McCoy looking limited and active, so we understand avoiding this backfield if better options exist.

Dolphins

ESPN Dolphins reporter James Walker deems Ajayi the "unquestioned" top option. Even as the Bills have surrendered just 78.6 yards to tailbacks this season, Ajayi’s potential for 20 touches and his rare success last week buoys RB2 status.

Jarvis Landry remains a high-floor target hog because he leads the NFL with 31.3 percent of his team's passing pie.

Sleepers and Streamers

Tyrod Taylor enters the streaming tier at quarterback given his worthy rushing floor. Taylor leads all QBs in rushing yards and the Dolphins have ceded just over 16 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. At a thin tight end position, it’s worth noting Charles Clay has five receptions in three straight.  

Fantasy Football Week 7: Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions

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Game Preview

The Detroit Lions have been as generous to opponents as the New Orleans Saints this season in allowing 2.64 points per drive on defense, ranked 31st in the league, which is just behind the Saints' 2.66 clip. The Lions are tied with the Saints for last in the league in surrendering a touchdown on 31 percent of opposing drives.

This makes for an inviting setup for the Washington Redskins on the road this week and offers supporting evidence for this game having a healthy point total hovering around 50 points on most books, per Odds Shark. The Redskins have allowed 2.03 points per drive, a middling rate that suggests we could find a fantasy-friendly shootout emerge in Detroit.

Injury Updates

Washington's Jordan Reed has been ruled out with lingering concussion issues, per Master Tesfatsion of The Washington Post. Reed's teammate DeSean Jackson returned to practice to finish out the week, so he should play through a shoulder ailment, per Rich Tandler of CSN.

The Lions have ruled out tailback Theo Riddick and tight end Eric Ebron, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Fantasy Fixture

Redskins

The Lions are allowing 4.98 yards per carry to opponents, fourth most in the league. This allowance sets up Matt Jones with real upside as an early down maven. At receiver, Jackson's boom-or-bust big-play production pattern still merits interest against such a generous defense that just saw the L.A. Rams' Kenny Britt enjoy a huge outing. For a higher floor, Pierre Garcon has 25 percent of the team's targets over the past two games and could thrive in the usage department with Reed sidelined.

Lions

Matthew Stafford is a fine QB1 with the Lions averaging 2.46 points per drive, fourth most in the league. The Lions have scored a touchdown on nearly 29 percent of drives, while league average is 21.1 percent. A shootout could drive value for Stafford and Marvin Jones. While Jones has been quiet in the yardage department, a nice target share and scoring pattern supports WR2 value.

Sleepers and Streamers 

Detroit's Zach Zenner Skins could succeed as a deep sleeper against a Washington defense allowing 5.22 yards per attempt to tailbacks, most in the league. 

For Detroit, the absence of Tate and Ebron could mean Golden Tate earns valuable underneath work ideal for points-per-reception platforms.

Kirk Cousins' a high-end streaming option on the road against a soft defense. Jamison Crowder's market share should jump with Reed out, inciting interest in deep PPR formats.

Fantasy Football Week 7: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

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Game Preview

The Cleveland Browns are the league’s only winless team and have lost nine straight dating back to last year. This marks the Browns’ worst start since 1999, when they lost their first seven as an expansion team. This is due in large part to the fact the Browns have allowed a touchdown on 7.5 percent of opposing attempts, the second-highest rate in the league and have allowed at least two passing scores in seven straight games dating back to last season, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Given this generous defensive foe, the Cincinnati Bengals have the highest win probability rating on FiveThiryEight's Elo model this week, and are the only double-digit favorite of the week on this slate, per Odds Shark.

Injury Updates

ESPN's Katherine Terrell believes the Bengals' Tyler Eifert will make his season debut on Sunday, but will do so with limited snaps, adding risk to his fantasy profile.

The Browns' leading receiver Terrelle Pryor has a chance to play despite a lingering hamstring ailment, coach Hue Jackson told SiriusXM NFL Radio this week. Have alternatives ready because Pryor appears to be a game-time decision. 

Fantasy Fixtures

Browns

Tailback Isaiah Crowell is a low-end flex at this point and Duke Johnson is a fine flex in points-per-reception formats in a game that could trend pass-happy, with the Browns likely to trail.

Tight end Gary Barnidge was silent over the first two games, but he has resumed a strong pace for the position in averaging 64.5 yards per game. If we take his pace since Week 3, his rates would equate to 80 catches and just over 1,000 yards over a season. With Pryor ailing, Barnidge is a bankable TE1 for yardage and targets.

Bengals

It's a strong day to stack the Bengals' offense in daily fantasy and to deploy your Cincinnati shares in season-long leagues. Andy Dalton could thrive, as he produced five touchdowns against Cleveland in two meetings last season.

A.J. Green has at least 170 yards and a score in the team's two wins this season, while the Bengals' tandem backfield of Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill both earn trust as solid RB2 options. The Bengals' D/ST is a fine group given the team's position has sizable home favorites, which can lead to more freedom in the pass rush.

Sleepers and Streamers

Given the snap limitations, Eifert is a risky play but has real upside as a red-zone threat given his 13 touchdowns last season.

Fantasy Football Week 7: Oakland Raiders at Jacksonville Jaguars

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Game Preview

The Raiders has lost 18 of their last 20 games in the eastern time zone and are allowing an NFL-worst 444.8 yards per game this season. Then again, Oakland is 11th in the league with 2.14 points per drive while Derek Carr ranks eighth in grading at the position on Pro Football Focus, so the Jaguars face a formidable offensive foe.

The Jaguars' Blake Bortles is ranked 21st on Pro Football Focus this season among quarterbacks, while the Jags are 18th in points per drive at 1.74.

Given the close matchup metrics in place, it's fitting to find the Jaguars positioned as just slight favorites on Odds Shark, while FiveThirtyEight lists the Raiders with a 51-percent win probability rate.

Injury Updates

John Oehser of the Jaguars' website reports Julius Thomas is listed as questionable with an ankle ailment, but he's expected to play given practice participation this week. 

The Raiders' Latavius Murray is expected to play after having a "good week of practice" according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Tafur also reports we should see tight end Clive Walford active, as the team intends to reintegrate him into the offense.

Fantasy Fixtures

Raiders

Amari Cooper is a high-floor receiver in points-per-reception formats and Michael Crabtree’s scoring prowess also drives value, as both are high-end WR2 assets for a pass-happy offense. Carr is a borderline QB1 on the road.

Jaguars

We only trust Allen Robinson on this offense as a sure-fire starter given elite red-zone usage, especially against an Oakland secondary that has ceded the fourth-most fantasy points to receivers this season in ESPN leagues.  

Sleepers and Streamers

Blake Bortles is a streaming signal-caller in a game with a healthy point total. As for the Jaguars’ backfield, the inscrutable workload variance of late makes it difficult to trust either running back. The same rings true for the Raiders, while we’d endorse Latavius Murray for any goal-line upside of their trio.

Fantasy Football Week 7: Baltimore Ravens at New York Jets

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Game Preview

When Jets coach Todd Bowles told reporters "Fitz is our starter," what he really meant was Ryan Fitzpatrick was his starter until Wednesday because Geno Smith has been named the team's starter at signal-caller for Week 7.

Smith has 36 turnovers to 26 touchdowns in his career, the worst ratio in the league since he began playing in 2013. Smith's career completion percentage of 57.9 is worst among 41 quarterbacks with at least 500 attempts since 2013, so any talk of an upgrade for the Jets is entirely relative.

The Ravens have been stingy against the run and have ceded just six yards per dropback to opposing passers, seventh fewest in the league. It's fitting, then, to find this game with a sluggish point total hovering around 40, per Odds Shark.

Injury Updates

Baltimore's Joe Flacco will start on Sunday despite missing multiple practices this week with a shoulder ailment, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN. As for Steve Smith Sr., the veteran wideout is expected to sit and is listed as doubtful with his ankle ailment, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun.

Fantasy Fixtures

Ravens

Terrance West is a workhorse under the Ravens' new offensive scheme, so even as the Jets have been solid against the run, at least 20 touches helps buoy RB2 value for the bruising back. With Smith out, Mike Wallace earns interesting vertical targets and is in a nice spot against an exploitable Jets secondary that has been burned deep throughout the season.

Jets

Matt Forte is suddenly a low-floor RB2. Outside of an 85-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Crowell in Week 2, the Ravens are allowing 2.7 yards per rush, which would be best in the league. Brandon Marshall consumed 40 percent of Smith's targets last season and is a high-floor WR1 despite the unappetizing quarterback scenario.

Sleepers and Streamers

Bilal Powell has some receiving upside for the Jets, but the Ravens’ stingy front seven limits the appeal in this matchup to just points-per-reception formats.

Fantasy Football Week 7: San Diego Chargers at Atlanta Falcons

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Game Preview

The Falcons have allowed a touchdown on 28.3 percent of opposing drives, fourth most in the league. The Chargers have ceded a touchdown on 24.3 percent of enemy drives, thus we find this game with the highest point total of the entire slate, per Odds Shark. Such an encouraging point total could see a shootout ensue.

Injury Updates

San Diego receiver Travis Benjamin is expected to play despite being listed as questionable with a knee ailment, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Fantasy Fixtures

Chargers

Melvin Gordon enjoys increased upside in the total yardage department, given the Falcons allow the most receiving yards per game to backs (70.5). Even if Gordon's inefficient rushing metrics persist, his ability to earn targets in the passing phase and valuable goal-line touches support RB1 upside.

The Falcons have allowed 2.37 points per drive on defense, third most in the NFL, thus shares of Philip Rivers on the road remain interesting.

Falcons 

Matt Ryan leads the NFL in total pass yards (2,075), QBR (85.1) and yards per attempt (9.9). Julio Jones leads the NFL in receiving with 656 yards, so this duo represents one of the top tandems of the entire week. 

Tevin Coleman leads all running backs in receiving yards with 320, including 281 yards after the catch (most in NFL). Devonta Freeman has proven efficient as an early down weapon and has earned an increasingly valuable receiving role of late, so he’s a legitimate RB2 commodity for Week 7.  

Sleepers and Streamers

The Chargers’ leading receiver since Week 3 has been rookie tight end Hunter Henry (290 yards). He has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games. We also have interest in Benjamin and Tyrell Williams given the shootout potential, with Williams more bankable given any injury concern.

Fantasy Football Week 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

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Game Preview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to avoid their fifth straight start of 2-4 or worse. The 49ers have lost five straight. San Francisco’s last six-game losing streak was in 2008.

The 49ers’ defense has allowed 30.8 points per game, second most in the league and fifth most through six games in franchise history. The Bucs are scoring only 1.38 points per drive this season, 31st in the league. Tampa ranks 30th overall in defensive grading on Pro Football Focus, and San Francisco ranks 25th, so this game could host some fantasy-friendly performances.

Injury Updates 

Torrey Smith of the 49ers is listed as questionable with a back ailment, but he practiced this week and is expected to go on Sunday afternoon, per Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. As for Carlos Hyde, the tailback will miss the game with a right shoulder ailment, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group.

Tampa's Doug Martin has encountered a setback in his recovery from a serious hamstring injury and will miss this contest, per Alex Marvez of Sporting News. Wideout veteran Vincent Jackson, meanwhile, is out for the year with an ACL injury, again per Marvez.

Fantasy Fixtures

Bucs

Jacquizz Rodgers enjoyed his first career game over 100 rushing yards and over 30 touches in Week 5. The 49ers are allowing 18 percent more rushing yards per game to backs than any other team, so Rodgers is suddenly a high-floor RB2.

Mike Evans is second in the league in target share of his offense and leads the NFL with 12.4 targets per game. Evans’ average target travels 15.7 yards downfield, deepest of any player above 40 targets. Evans is an elite WR1 for this conference battle.

49ers

Mike Davis played 24 snaps last week in relief of Hyde, while Shaun Draughn was on the field for just five plays. With Davis likely to assume the valuable majority of snaps and touches for a fast-paced, run-heavy offense, he's a flex asset for those seeking help at the position this week.

Sleepers and Streamers

Jameis Winston is a capable, streaming asset given the up-tempo environment and the 49ers’ lack of a persistent pass rush. Tight end Cameron Brate has at least five catches in two of his past three games, and slot maven Adam Humphries could earn more targets sans Jackson from the target market.

San Francisco's Smith tied for the team lead in targets last week with an average depth of target of 17.4 yards downfield, suggesting his upside is intriguing because Colin Kaepernick has solid arm strength.

Fantasy Football Week 7: New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

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Game Preview

Tom Brady is 8-2 in his career against the Steelers, averaging nearly 300 yards per game and throwing 24 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. With the Steelers turning to their backup quarterback on account of injury, we find the Patriots as touchdown favorites for this conference rivalry, according to Odds Shark.

Injury Updates

The Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger has been ruled out for Sunday’s game with a torn meniscus in his left knee, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Receiver Markus Wheaton will sit out until after the team’s bye with a shoulder injury, per Dustin Dopirak of DK Pittsburgh Sports. Pittsburgh's DeAngelo Williams has been ruled out heading into Sunday, per Bob Pompeani of KDKA.

The Patriots’ Martellus Bennett is questionable according to Phil Perry of CSNNE.com, but he has practiced throughout the week and is expected to play his normal allotment of snaps and routes.

Fantasy Fixtures

Patriots

The Patriots have used two tight ends on 73 offensive plays in the last two weeks, per ESPN Stats & Info via Mike Reiss. The team has six touchdowns and no picks using this formation, so we can expect plenty of work for Bennett and Rob Gronkowski. Since 2010, Gronkowski has 66 receiving scores, most in the NFL. “Gronk” has 26 catches for 403 yards and seven touchdowns in his past four games against the Steelers.

Brady has thrown a touchdown pass on 9 percent of his pass attempts against the Steelers since 2007, his second-highest touchdown percentage against any team, other than the Titans. Brady’s top target the past two games has been Julian Edelman, but he’s struggled, catching just over half of his targets. A positive correction is due given Edelman’s catch rate was over 70 percent last season. The Steelers have allowed most yards per game to receivers since start of last season, so a bounce-back is due for Edelman. 

As for the Pats’ backfield, LeGarrette Blount is tied for second in the league with six rushing scores. With James White outsnapping and outgaining Blount in total yardage the past two games, Blount is a boom-or-bust touchdown vulture while White is the safer floor in points-per-reception formats.

Steelers

We still trust high-end assets Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell remain must-start assets even with Landry Jones behind center. Bell has averaged eight catches per game and Brown should still dominate the target market for the offense.  

Sleepers and Streamers

The Patriots’ Chris Hogan delivers vertical upside against an exploitable Pittsburgh pass defense.

Fantasy Football Week 7: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

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Game Preview

The Arizona Cardinals are 21-4 at home since 2013 against teams other than the Seattle, as the Seahawks have won three straight road games against the Cardinals. Not only have the Seahawks won, they’ve scored at least 34 points in each game and outscored the Cardinals by an average of 23.7 points per game. 

The Seahawks struggled with just 15 points in their first two games this season, but have scored at least 26 points in each of their last three games. This pivotal division battle has a low point total, so the fantasy fun could prove limited with such strong defenses involved.

Injury Updates

Arizona’s Carson Palmer is listed as questionable for this division contest, per Darren Urban of the team’s site, while John “Smokey” Brown is listed as doubtful and unlikely to play with a leg ailment.

Fantasy Fixtures

Seahawks 

The Seahawks have scored five rushing touchdowns the past three games after being held scoreless on the ground in the first two of the season. As the team’s true feature back, Christine Michael is a bankable RB2 with upside. 

Russell Wilson faces a stout challenge against a sound Arizona defense, but remains a starting option in fantasy thanks to the team’s recent surge on offense. This surge is in part due to Jimmy Graham, who has at least six receptions and 80 yards in three straight games. Doug Baldwin is an efficient target for the Seahawks, but expectations are tempered against a top secondary.

Cardinals

Since becoming the Cardinals’ starting running back in Week 13 of last season, David Johnson leads the league in rushing yards, yards from scrimmage and touchdowns. The last time Johnson failed to gain 100 yards from scrimmage was in Week 17 last year against the Seahawks, but he remains a must-start superstar in fantasy.

We’re fading Carson Palmer, but Larry Fitzgerald and his strong target share still drive a high-floor given he works so often from the slot.

Sleepers and Streamers

Michael Floyd for the Cardinals joins the streaming tier given some upside as the team’s top vertical threat now that Brown is unlikely to play.

Target share, defensive allowance and blitz/pressure percentages sourced from an ESPN database.