Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 7: Smartest Matchups to Exploit, Sleeper Plays and More

Most fantasy football leagues have a 13-week regular season. That means many fantasy managers are now closing in on the midway point of the chase for the playoffs. So if you're not in a good position to potentially make it, you have only seven weeks to start making up ground.

As always, there have been some surprise performances around the NFL through six weeks, with breakout players and sleepers putting up big numbers. There have also been players who have lived up to expectations and some who have failed to meet them. And making the right fantasy lineup decisions remains critical to having success.

Here are some suggestions for players who should either start or sit in Week 7, along with some potential sleepers.

Start 'Em: Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

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Matthew Stafford had a bit of a disappointing fantasy day in Week 6. Although the Lions beat the Jacksonville Jaguars handily, he passed for 223 yards (failing to reach the 300-yard mark for the fifth straight game) and one touchdown, marking the first time since Week 1 that he didn't throw at least two. And that was in a favorable matchup.

Still, have faith in the 32-year-old to put up bigger numbers in Week 7. He's playing the Atlanta Falcons, who are allowing 335.3 passing yards per game, second most in the NFL. Even though they shut down Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins early this past Sunday, they still allowed him to finish with 343 yards and three touchdowns.

This could be the week when Stafford passes for 300 yards for the first time in 2020, and he should throw at least a pair of touchdowns. Detroit's offense has too many talented players around him for Atlanta to stop, and that will lead to a big fantasy day for numerous Lions players, including the quarterback.

Sit 'Em: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans

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It's going to be hard to bench Ryan Tannehill after his Week 6 performance, but it could end up being the right decision this week, especially if you're a fantasy manager with a second solid quarterback on your roster.

Although Tannehill could have an OK game, don't expect anything like recent weeks.

This past Sunday, the 32-year-old passed for a season-high 364 yards and four touchdowns in the Titans' overtime win over the Houston Texans. That came a week after he had four total touchdowns (three passing and one rushing) in a win over the Buffalo Bills, and it was the third time in four weeks that he had four total scores.

But this week's matchup is going to be much more difficult, as the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense ranks second in the NFL with only 285.2 total yards allowed per game. And it won't help that Tennessee has lost left tackle Taylor Lewan for the season due to a torn ACL.

Tannehill is going to be a start-worthy fantasy quarterback for most of the rest of the season, just not this week.

Sleeper: Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

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The Eagles aren't playing great and Carson Wentz has had some struggles. But still, he's scored a rushing touchdown in four of the past five games and had two passing touchdowns for the second straight game in Week 6. And that came against a solid opponent in the Baltimore Ravens.

Now, Philadelphia is set to take on the New York Giants. And in a Thursday night NFC East matchup, the sense of urgency will be high for both teams after their early struggles, as division wins are going to be key in deciding a division in which all four teams have losing records.

Wentz is now available in 40 percent of Yahoo leagues and 49 percent of ESPN leagues, as some managers have given up on him after his slow start in favor of better options. But this is a week when the 27-year-old could reach his ceiling, making him a worthwhile sleeper option.

Start 'Em: Ronald Jones II, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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It doesn't matter if Leonard Fournette returns or if the Buccaneers have four active running backs on Sunday. Ronald Jones II has solidified himself as a must-start fantasy running back with his recent consistency and impressive showings.

The 23-year-old has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in each of the past three weeks, which included running for 113 yards and two touchdowns in Tampa Bay's win over the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday. He had 23 carries and two receptions, and his recent play should help him continue to get those types of touches even when Fournette is back from his ankle injury.

In Week 7, the Bucs have a Sunday night road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, who rank 22nd in the NFL in rushing defense (126.8 yards allowed per game). So, feel confident about keeping Jones in your lineup and relying on him to have another solid showing.

Sit 'Em: Adrian Peterson, RB, Detroit Lions

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Although Adrian Peterson got into the end zone in Week 6 against Jacksonville, so did rookie running back D'Andre Swift—twice.

And while Peterson had 15 carries for 40 yards, Swift had a near-even workload, using his 14 rushing attempts to compile a career-high 116 yards.

The matchup is great for Detroit's offense this week against Atlanta, which struggles to stop the pass and the run. But that could be a better sign for Swift than it is for Peterson. Over the past three weeks, the veteran has 48 carries for 151 yards, an average of 3.1 yards per attempt.

Peterson seemed like a decent fantasy option early in his first season with the Lions, but it looks like Swift should be assuming an even bigger role in the offense soon enough. That makes Peterson too risky to start this week, unless your team truly has no better other options.

Sleeper: Justin Jackson, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

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Austin Ekeler remains out with a hamstring injury, which leaves rookie Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson to carry the workload out of the Chargers' backfield.

And with Kelley struggling to get anything going of late (20 carries for 36 yards over Los Angeles' past two games), it could be time for Jackson to get more touches.

In the Chargers' Week 5 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the 25-year-old had his best showing of the season, compiling 71 yards on 15 carries. He also had five receptions for 23 yards, and if he continues to be that involved in the passing game, it will further boost his fantasy value in points-per-reception leagues.

Jackson is still available in 55 percent of Yahoo leagues and 47 percent of ESPN leagues, and if he's available in your league, he's probably one of the best running backs on the waiver wire (and possibly the only one who might be worth starting).

The Chargers are facing the Jaguars, who have allowed 143.8 rushing yards per game (fifth most in the NFL).

Start 'Em: Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

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In past weeks, Tee Higgins has been a sleeper option. But he's now worked his way into must-start territory as he continues to be one of the Bengals' top playmakers and a consistent target for rookie quarterback Joe Burrow.

The 21-year-old had the first 100-yard game of his rookie season in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts, which had the top-ranked defense in the NFL entering the matchup. He hauled in six passes for 125 yards, and he's now been targeted at least seven times in each of the past four weeks.

Although Higgins hasn't gotten into the end zone since scoring his first two NFL touchdowns against the Eagles in Week 3, he could end that drought this week against the Cleveland Browns, who rank 27th in passing defense (271.7 yards allowed per game).

And don't be surprised if he racks up some yards again, too.

Sit 'Em: N'Keal Harry, WR, New England Patriots

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N'Keal Harry's slow start to his sophomore NFL season hit a new low this past Sunday. He was held without a catch for the first time in 2020, as he couldn't haul in a pass on either of his two targets in a home loss to the Denver Broncos.

It's possible the 22-year-old's quiet day could be partially attributed to the fact that the Patriots didn't get much practice in during the week leading up to the game due to numerous positive COVID-19 tests within the organization.

Still, Harry has been held under 40 yards in all but one of New England's games, and that Week 2 contest against the Seattle Seahawks (eight receptions for 72 yards) is beginning to look like an anomaly.

This week, the Patriots are facing the San Francisco 49ers, who rank fifth in the NFL in passing defense (212.7 yards allowed per game). So, this isn't a good time to consider trying the Arizona State product back in your lineup.

Sleeper: Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos

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No matter who's been at quarterback for the Broncos in recent weeks, Tim Patrick has found a way to produce.

With Brett Rypien under center in Week 5, the wide receiver had six receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown (his second straight week with a score). This past Sunday, starting quarterback Drew Lock returned, and he found him four times for 101 yards.

With how well the 26-year-old is playing, he's likely to be heavily pursued in many leagues this week, so this could be your last chance to claim him off the waiver wire. He is currently rostered in only 18 percent of both Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Although the Broncos have a difficult Week 7 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, it could be a game in which Denver is playing from behind. If that's the case, Patrick should have a good chance for another solid showing, as Lock should continue to keep throwing his way.