Fantasy Football Week 7: 5 Best Matchups to Watch Out For

Winning Fantasy Football games is all about capitalizing on matchups.  Recognize that your running back is facing the Steelers' defense and think about benching him.  Realize that despite a 4-2 record, the Falcons give up big plays on defense and start the quarterback facing them.  Pick up a tailback who is getting a chance to play for an injured player.

Recognizing matchups and making adjustments (on top of a good draft) will help you win games.  Let's take a look at some matchups that may make or break your team this in week 7.

Philip Rivers and Patrick Crayton v. The New England Patriots Pass Defense

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 10: Patrick Crayton #12 of the San Diego Chargers can't reach a ball while defended by Stanford Routt #26 of the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 10, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Get

The New England Patriots have jettisoned their all-star receiver, Randy Moss, in favor of a return to a lunch pale team that outworks opponents. They don't, however, have the same disruptive defensive personnel that lead the Patriots to three Super Bowls.

On the other side of the ball, the Chargers are struggling to win games despite putting up gaudy passing numbers.  This week, however, with Legedu Naanee and Malcom Floyd out, and Antonio Gates questionable, the Chargers will have to turn to slot receiver Patrick Crayton for production.

Look for Crayton to be Rivers favorite target a week after a six catch 117 yard performance.  If the Chargers hope to rebound, they still need to be able to move the ball through the air and Crayton is likely to be a main contributor.

Be sure to start Crayton as either your second receiver or in the flex position.

Brandon Lloyd v. Nnamdi Asomugha

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 10: Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Players wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Rav

The Denver Broncos face off against the AFC West rival Oakland Raiders this week at Mile High Stadium.  Most teams facing the Raiders look to exploit their inability to stop the rushing attack, however, the Broncos have the league's 30th best rushing attack and will likely look to throw.

Kyle Orton to Brandon Lloyd has been a potent combination all year.  Lloyd even fared reasonably well against the New York Jets defense catching four passes for 74 yards.  This week, however, he will likely match up against arguably the best cover corner in football, Nnamdi Asomugha.  If Asomugha does follow Lloyd around, Orton will probably look elsewhere.  However, if the Raiders keep Asomugha to one side, as their are prone to do, Lloyd may have a bigger day.  Lloyd is obviously a starter, but his success may depend on where the Raiders line up their lock-down corner.

Tony Romo v. The New York Giants Pass Rush

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Cowboys need all the help they can get.  They've dug themselves a huge hole and will have to fight and claw to get out of it.  For Fantasy Owners, Romo has been pretty productive.  He's thrown for three touchdowns in each of his last two games, but he's also thrown five interceptions.  If he can be more efficient with the ball and produce the same touchdown numbers, he will rank among the top three fantasy quarterbacks each week. 

This greater efficiency, however, will be tough to accomplish against an aggressive Giants pass rush.  The Giants have the second best defense in the league against the pass thanks in part to their 21 sacks.  If Doug Free and the Cowboys offensive line can't keep Romo free of defenders, look for his numbers to dip this week.

Romo is an obvious starter, but don't count on him to put up big numbers this week.  The Cowboys will likely look to nullify the pass rush with a heavy dose of Felix Jones and Marion Barber early.

Carson Palmer and The Cincinnati Bengals Receiving Corps v. The Atlanta Falcons

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Carson Palmer has been much maligned this season for throwing costly interceptions. Pairing Terrell Owens with Chad Ochocinco hasn't produced the offensive explosion that the Bengals faithful had hoped for.  That could all change this week.

Last week, the Atlanta Falcons gave up three passing touchdowns and 309 yards.  Look for guys like T.O., Ochocinco, Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham to have big days.  I'd recommend starting the Palmer and if you have one of his receivers, be sure to start them as well.

Larry Fitzgerald v. Marcus Trufant

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts to catch a pass under pressure from Malcolm Jenkins #27 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 10, 2010

I'm sticking with wide receivers here.  I think running backs are generally a little more consistent and wide receivers are very hit or miss from week to week.

In the past, Larry Fitzgerald, or (Dowork Fitz-Dowork) as I like to call him, has been an absolutely dominant receiver.  But, without a possible Hall of Famer at the helm, Fitzgerald's numbers have dropped.  This week, the Cardinals take their 30th ranked passing attack to face the Seahawks 30th ranked pass defense.  Clearly, somethings got to give.

Now that QB Max Hall has a game under his belt and will likely be more effective against the Seahawks than against New Orleans.  Expect him to try and feed the ball to his most versatile player, Larry Fitzgerald.  Though Marcus Trufant has been very good this season, I see Fitzgerald getting the best of him.