Fantasy Football Week 7: Players to Start

As the NFL tries to police “devastating” hits this week, fantasy football owners are left with the aftermath of a fairly brutal Week 6.

Key injuries to notable players like DeSean Jackson, Antonio Gates, Chris Cooley, and Malcom Floyd are leaving fantasy owners looking for answers.

Take a look at our Fantasy Football Start ‘Ems for Week 7 to see who you can count on in your fantasy football lineup.

Kyle Orton (Denver Broncos) vs. Oakland

Orton’s streak of four straight 300-plus passing yard games came to an end in Week 6 against the New York Jets, as he went just 14-of-34 for 209 yards and one touchdown in what was easily his worst game of the season.

Things should get better in Week 7 against the Oakland Raiders, who have allowed two passing touchdowns in each of their six games while only intercepting two passes. In his second start against the Raiders in 2009, Orton threw for 278 yards and a touchdown, and he did not throw an interception in either game against Oakland.

He may not put up a huge yardage total, as the Raiders have allowed over 200 passing yards just once this season, but the return of running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) to full strength should help open things up for the Broncos’ passing game.

Orton is in the top five of our rankings this week and has elevated himself to weekly starter status at this point.

Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Arizona

Lynch had 17 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown, along with three receptions for nine yards, in his Seahawks debut last week against the Chicago Bears.

He appears ready to step in immediately as the team’s primary ball carrier.

Justin Forsett also had 10 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown in the game, so we could be seeing a timeshare situation, but Lynch is better-suited to being a workhorse back and may see more carries along with goal line duty.

Week 7 brings a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, who rank 29th in the league against the run while allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs (21.6 per game).

Lynch should find room to run this week and is a solid bet to find the end zone, which makes him a solid flex option in 10- and 12-team leagues.

Mike Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. St. Louis

Williams was hampered by a toe injury in Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints as he had four catches for 45 yards.

The Buccaneers’ offense may find things a little bit easier against the St. Louis Rams this week. The Rams’ defense has been surprisingly solid this season, but they have allowed 20 or more fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in four out of six games and have allowed three touchdowns to the position over the last two games.

Williams is clearly the Buccaneers’ top wide receiver and is a solid bet to score with a solid catch and yardage total this week if he can get over his toe issue.

To find out who else should be in your lineup this week, check out Week 7 Start 'Ems.