What Are the Comfort Levels for Fantasy Studs Heading into Week 7?

Let's just get this out of the way: The NFL is nuts and I'm all for a do-over.

There are so many injuries to the elite guys. Brock Osweiler might start Week 7 for the Denver Broncos. After Adrian Peterson was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, he decided in Week 6 to be AP from 2012.

With so many injuries happening, they can definitely have an impact on some of the studs we're used to.

Although he's not mentioned in this article, a prime example is Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Without Aaron Rodgers, how successful can he be with backup Brett Hundley?

Not only can injuries impact studs, suspensions can, too.

Just ask Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.

This week, we have eight players to showcase for you, with varying levels of comfortability.

First up, a wide receiver from the West Coast.

Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

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Well, everyone, it's time for another team to play the Denver Broncos defense this week.

The lucky contestant: the Los Angeles Chargers.

And we all know who plays for them: wide receiver Keenan Allen.

Back in Week 1 in Denver, Allen managed to score 14.5 points in points-per-reception leagues against the Broncos from 10 targets.

In Week 7, we can expect a similar kind of performance. Allen will get his targets, but he'll be somewhat touchdown-dependent. After all, what good are five receptions for 35 yards (his stats in Week 1) and a touchdown by themselves?

Although the Broncos defense is a force to be reckoned with, I'm still a fan of Allen in Week 7 as a high-end WR2.

Five receptions, 50 yards and a score this week for Allen.

No touchdown will spell a bad week for Allen's production, so keep on praying for him to find the end zone. 

Comfort Level: Touchdown or bust

Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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After multiple weeks of trying to get back into a groove running the ball, it looks like Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell has it back.

Sorry, Cincinnati Bengals.

Up against a fairly stout Kansas City Chiefs defense, Bell ran for a modest 179 yards and a score and caught three passes on six targets for 12 yards.

Not bad.

There's no need to be leery of matchups anymore for Bell—he's definitely back and not going anywhere.

Yeah, it would help if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could pull his head out of the sand, but it won't impact Bell as the season rolls on.

Never worry about Bell again. He's back. 

Comfort Level: It's Le'Veon Bell, man.

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a tricky customer to figure out for Week 7.

On the road at Lambeau Field, Brees' opposition—the Green Bay Packers—will be sporting their backup quarterback, Brett Hundley, in favor of the injured Aaron Rodgers.

Because of this, the Saints should probably win this game and have a lead for a solid amount of time.

That's where things could get a little hairy for Brees' fantasy owners.

Should the Saints find themselves up and controlling the game flow, they may just pound the ball on the ground to try to get out of the frozen tundra without getting too badly hurt and save their 37-year-old quarterback for another day.

However, to get their lead, Brees will need to throw.

The question is how much, though?

There's no chance you're sitting Brees, but this isn't looking like a 20-point fantasy outing.

After all, the Packers are middle-of-the-pack in terms of opposing quarterback fantasy points, giving up just over 14 per game.

Expect a humble performance from Brees, but nothing overly earth-shattering. 

Comfort Level: Sitting through a game in the cold at Lambeau. You're excited to be there, but damn it's cold.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings

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After missing Week 6 with a groin injury, it's quite possible the Minnesota Vikings could roll wide receiver Stefon Diggs out in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens.

A couple of things here.

First, pay attention to Diggs throughout the week. In the past, when Diggs has had groin issues, he has not played well. If he misses a lot of practice time and still suits up, there is a bit of a cause for concern.

Second, couple his injury issues with his opponent, the Ravens, and there could be even more problems.

It's easy to make jokes about the Ravens due to their inept offense, but their secondary is holding off wide receivers. In fact, they've allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers and they've allowed just three touchdowns all year to the position.

Best-case scenario: If Diggs practices most of the week and is able to go, we've seen that he's uncoverable and will get his targets and opportunities.

This isn't a game I'd expect Diggs to score, but if you're in a PPR league, he can still put up the numbers you need if he gets his catches.

As of now, I'm so-so on Diggs, but I'm buying the talent, which is helping me cope with a potentially ugly situation.

Comfort Level: You know when Will Smith gets picked up and spun around in the opening to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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If playing against the Buffalo Bills secondary wasn't already enough, it appears that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans may not have his starting quarterback, Jameis Winston, in Week 7. 

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Winston suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, though there is optimism he can play.

Even if he can play, that injury is going to provide discomfort throughout the game (unless the NFL and the Buccaneers allow Winston to inject horse tranquilizer or whatever insane stuff they do behind the scenes).

The Bills have allowed just two touchdowns all season to wide receivers and allow the third-fewest fantasy point to quarterbacks.

That is not a positive correlation.

Don't bench Evans, but this honestly has the potential to be a six- or seven-point fantasy performance from Evans.

Be cautious.

Comfort Level: However Winston's shoulder is feeling.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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This is a matchup and player I'm conflicted about going into Week 7.

On one hand, it's T.Y. Hilton, the Indianapolis Colts' No. 1 wide receiver and clearly quarterback Jacoby Brissett's favorite target.

On the other hand, the Colts are facing the Jacksonville Jaguars.

They're, uh, good on defense.

Look at these stats: The Jaguars are allowing only 6.2 fantasy points per game and four passing touchdowns to quarterbacks while recording 10 interceptions.

My goodness.

Hilton will likely see coverage from Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who has been nothing short of excellent this season.

I'm thinking of a low-end WR2 performance from Hilton, assuming Brissett can stay off the ground for a few plays.

Don't be too confident in Hilton. This is a bad matchup. Plain and simple.

If he sees only four targets like he did in Week 6, we're in for a long afternoon.

Comfort Level: You remember when Undertaker threw Mick Foley off the Hell in the Cell?

Adrian Peterson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

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Well, we were wrong about the Arizona Cardinals' new running back.

In all fairness, our evaluation of Adrian Peterson was when he was on the New Orleans Saints, so cut yourself some slack.

In his first game with the Cardinals, Peterson exploded onto the scene, rushing for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

If there's one rule to follow in fantasy when it comes to running backs, it's this: If they're playing the Los Angeles Rams, they're most likely in for a solid performance.

That's who old man Peterson gets this week, albeit in London. The Rams allow nearly five yards per carry to running backs.

Peterson proved he can carry the load, and the Cardinals will need him to against a competitive Rams team.

From 81 yards in five games to a top-10 running back in fantasy football in Week 7. Amazing.

Fantasy football really is insane, you know that? 

Comfort Level: He scores a touchdown or I'm selling my son (please score, AP).

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

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The Atlanta Falcons offense can be truly mystifying sometimes.

One week they look good; the next, you start to speculate if offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is, well, you know.

Anyways.

In Week 7, the Falcons will visit their Super Bowl rival, the New England Patriots.

Yup, the team they collapsed to while ahead 28-3 on February 5.

Fortunately, should Sarkisian decide to actually utilize (arguably) the most talented offense in the NFL, quarterback Matt Ryan should have a field day.

The Patriots gave up 354 yards and two touchdowns to New York Jets quarterback Josh flippin' McCown.

Enough with this dink-and-dunk offense, Sark. Let Ryan and the boys air it out.

Against the Patriots, the Falcons should be able to regain some confidence after two straight home losses to the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.

Comfort Level: Similar to if the Falcons just stayed up 28-3 and the game abruptly ended.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference.