Fantasy Football Week 7: 20 Big-Play Performers Sure to Be Point Machines
On the surface, Week 7 of the fantasy football season looks like a tough one for many teams. With two of the league's most potent offenses (Houston and Indianapolis) taking byes, and two that have been capable of excellent games (Detroit and the Jets) also out, the cupboard could be looking pretty bare.
But just because those teams are out of the running doesn't mean this week has to be a bad one for fantasy owners. There are still plenty of players out there capable of ripping off a big play or two and racking up yards by the bushel.
These are 20 of the best big play candidates in the NFL in Week 7.
20. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
1 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Crabtree is finally a part of the San Francisco offense, and he's shown why he was so highly touted in the preseason, racking up 220 yards and two touchdowns in the last three weeks. All you need to do is get him the ball and watch him go.
Who's the Matchup: Carolina's defense ranks fifth against the pass in the NFL, but their stats were padded by Todd Collins starting for the Bears in Week 5. They don't have anyone who can cover either Crabtree or Niners tight end Vernon Davis, but with Crabtree's combination of size, speed and hands, he's the big play candidate.
The Verdict: Expect another excellent performance from the former Texas Tech wideout in this one. Five catches, 85 yards.
19. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
2 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Colston is big, speedy and the best wideout in a Saints offense that has been dying to cut loose on an opposing defense in 2010. He has yet to find the end zone but is slowly becoming more and more of a factor in the offense.
Who's the Matchup: The Cleveland Browns' secondary has been a cure-all for opposing offenses in 2010, giving up big plays with regularity. They'll try to keep New Orleans from throwing deep, but they don't have anyone who can hang with Colston.
The Verdict: Expect quarterback Drew Brees to find Colston once or twice on deep routes early in this one to help break the wideout out of his funk. Six catches, 87 yards.
18. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
3 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Charles is one of the most explosive runners in the NFL, averaging 6.3 yards per carry on just 13.2 attempts per game. He's dynamic, powerful and elusive and is the perfect change of pace after starter Thomas Jones softens up opposing defenses with his bruising runs.
Who's the Matchup: Jacksonville's defense can't stop anything, and they've been vulnerable to explosive runners in 2010, giving up 100 or more yards in half of their games this season.
The Verdict: Look for Charles to keep doing what he's been doing all season long: eviscerating defenses on big plays. 13 carries, 89 yards.
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17. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
4 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Peterson has been the NFL's most reliable runner through five games in 2010. He's had his share of big plays too and is always a threat to break off a massive run. With the passing game struggling to get in sync, expect Peterson to get plenty of chances to run.
Who's the Matchup: Green Bay's defense might be decimated by injuries, but they still rank third in the NFL against opposing running backs. Even so, AP has had success against some of the league's best defenses, and that shouldn't change this week.
The Verdict: A strong performance from Peterson against an excellent run defense shouldn't come as much of a surprise to his owners. 20 carries, 90 yards.
16. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
5 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Austin has been sensational in three of his five games of 2010. He's beaten double teams and averaged 14.7 yards per catch and 97 yards per game.
Who's the Matchup: Dallas faces the New York Giants, whose pass defense ranks 13th in the NFL against wideouts. Even so, they're vulnerable against the big play, an area where Miles excels.
The Verdict: The Giants will try to contain Austin this week; they just won't be able to. Seven catches, 90 yards.
15. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
6 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Moreno is completely healthy for the first time since Week 2, and when he's healthy, the former Georgia Bulldog is one of the NFL's most explosive runners.
Who's the Matchup: Oakland's defense ranks second-to-last in the NFL against the run. If anything's going to get Moreno back on track this season, the Raiders' defense will.
The Verdict: Look for the Broncos to give Oakland a steady dose of Knowshon all game long, taking advantage of their lack of rush defense. 20 carries, 90 yards.
14. Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots
7 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Hernandez has been one of the best rookies in the NFL in 2010; with his reliable hands and good mix of size and speed, he's flashed big play potential all season long.
Who's the Matchup: For whatever reason, San Diego ranks 23rd against tight ends this season despite going against Antonio Gates in practice each week.
The Verdict: With Randy Moss gone and Brandon Tate not fully baked yet, expect Hernandez to pick up the slack downfield and break off a big play or two. Eight catches, 90 yards.
13. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
8 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Even with the quarterback situation in Arizona, Fitz is fully capable of going off at any time, and as rookie passer Max Hall's favorite target, he's going to get his looks.
Who's the Matchup: Seattle's secondary doesn't have the corners to keep up with Fitz, ranking 28th against opposing wideouts in 2010.
The Verdict: It might not always be pretty, but when your quarterback doesn't throw to anyone else, good things happen. Eight catches, 93 yards.
12. Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
9 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Wallace is a flat-out burner who loves torching opponents deep. Now that he's got Big Ben throwing to him, he's a virtual lock for at least one deep ball per game.
Who's the Matchup: Miami's defense has been routinely torched by opposing wideouts, ranking 21st against the position in 2010.
The Verdict: Ben Roethlisberger is anxious to open up the offense, which means lots of deep balls to Wallace this week. Five catches, 94 yards.
11. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
10 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Rice is one of the most dynamic runners in the NFL. He's also an excellent receiver, a wrinkle that increases his likelihood of a big play each week.
Who's the Matchup: Buffalo ranks 29th against the run in 2010, having given up less than 100 yards just once this season.
The Verdict: Rice should have a field day against the hapless Bills defense. 20 carries, 95 yards.
10. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
11 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: For proof of Greg Jennings' big play potential, look no further than last week, when he hauled in an 86-yard touchdown pass against the Dolphins.
Who's the Matchup: Minnesota ranks ninth against opposing wideouts, but they're without top corner Cedric Griffin for the rest of the season, and they don't have someone else who can keep up with the speedy Jennings.
The Verdict: Look for Jennings to pull in another deep ball in this one, even if he's the only healthy Packer on the field. Seven catches, 95 yards.
9. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
12 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: MJD is one of the best backs in the NFL, and his explosive running style is conducive to breaking off big runs.
Who's the Matchup: Kansas City ranks 23rd against the run, a welcome respite from the tough defenses Jones-Drew has been facing this season.
The Verdict: MJD should gash the Chiefs defense for a couple of big plays and finish with a solid day. 20 carries, 95 yards.
8. Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
13 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Hillis is one of the most powerful runners in football, but he's also got excellent explosiveness, making him a threat to break a run at any time.
Who's the Matchup: New Orleans ranks 24th against the run but is excellent against the pass. In other words, look for the Browns to run early and often.
The Verdict: With rookie Colt McCoy at quarterback, the Browns won't throw much, so expect Hillis to get plenty of work. 24 carries, 100 yards.
7. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
14 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Fast, strong and explosive, White seems to beat double teams with little to no effort, and he's the unquestioned No. 1 wideout in Atlanta.
Who's the Matchup: The Bengals' secondary is formidable, but White's beaten better.
The Verdict: Look for Roddy to hook up with quarterback Matt Ryan early in this one on a deep pass or two. Nine catches, 100 yards.
6. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
15 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: With DeSean Jackson out this week, Maclin becomes the go-to receiver in Philly. We saw what he's capable of last week, and with Kevin Kolb throwing with confidence once again, he'll have every opportunity to go off.
Who's the Matchup: Tennessee's defense ranks 18th against opposing wideouts, and they're vulnerable over the top.
The Verdict: Don't expect a game as phenomenal as last week's, but it should be another excellent performance from Maclin. Eight catches, 105 yards.
5. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
16 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Have you been watching this year? Gates has more points than any wideout in the NFL, much less the tight ends. He's been a monster all season long. With Malcom Floyd ruled out for Week 7, he'll have even more passes coming his way.
Who's the Matchup: The Patriots struggle against mortal tight ends, much less ones of Gates' caliber.
The Verdict: With no one else for quarterback Philip Rivers to throw to, Gates could have one of those once in a lifetime games. 10 catches, 110 yards.
4. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
17 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Jackson is a workhorse, but he's got good explosiveness and can make defenses pay if they don't respect the run.
Who's the Matchup: Tampa Bay's defense has looked awful against the run in 2010 and has been extremely vulnerable to the big play.
The Verdict: When a soft defense like Tampa's comes up against a talent like Jackson's, good things happen for his owners. 20 carries, 110 yards.
3. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
18 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Gore is a versatile back with a great combination of explosiveness and power. He's been the most reliable part of the 49ers offense in 2010 and breaks off big runs with regularity.
Who's the Matchup: Carolina is incapable of stopping anyone's run game, giving up at least 110 yards four times in five games.
The Verdict: Gore will have a big day against a soft Panther defense. 20 carries, 115 yards.
2. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
19 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Johnson is the most talented, explosive running back in the NFL right now. He's fast, strong and loves blowing up shoddy defenses.
Who's the Matchup: Philly's defense is incredibly vulnerable to elite running backs, and Johnson is the perfect back to exploit their weaknesses.
The Verdict: Look for Johnson to rip off some big gains in this one; the projection might wind up being too low. 24 carries, 119 yards.
1. Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
20 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Boldin is one of the NFL's most explosive wideouts, with a strong combination of size, speed and hands. He's also quarterback Joe Flacco's favorite target.
Who's the Matchup: The Buffalo Bills' secondary doesn't have a snowball's chance of keeping up with a receiver of Boldin's considerable talent level.
The Verdict: Anquan will torch the Bills' anemic secondary all game long. 10 catches, 120 yards.
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