Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: The Week of the Wide Receiver

Obviously each week you are going to start the likes of Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson and Peyton Manning.

Here is a look at some of the players you might be torn about...

All stats regarding percent owned, started and points are for ESPN standard 10-team scoring leagues (OPP, ST%, Owned%).

Start ’Em

QB Joe Flacco BAL (BUF, 62, 97)

The Buffalo Bills are ranked 10th in pass defense. They’ve also given up the fourth most passing touchdowns in the league, 11, while also ranking last in interceptions with one. Ray Rice is still a little banged up and did not practice Wednesday, but he did practice Thursday. With the Bills just sucking in general you can attack them from any angle. Flacco will toss a couple TDs for sure in this one.

QB Tom Brady NE (@SD, 73, 100)

I know he has been a little shaky to start the season fantasy-wise, but if you have him you most likely took him in the FIRST ROUND. The Patriots (meaning Brady) have led the league thus far in points per game with 31. He is fourth in the league in completion percentage at 67.5. He showed last week he can still get it done without too many big name receivers. I think this could be the reemergence of the Patriots dynasty.

Side note: There are not too many good running matchups this week besides your usual top 12 backs. So these are the running backs I think that have the best chance at possibly being successful this week.

RB Marshawn Lynch SEA (ARI, 35, 85)

Lynch saw a team-high 17 carries last week and faces a weak rush defense in the Cardinals, good enough for 29th in the league. He had his best fantasy game last week with 10 points, and I see him being just as successful this outing.

RB Peyton Hillis CLE (@NO, 78, 100)

People did not see the potential of this kid while he was in college. That is because he was playing behind Darren McFadden and Felix Jones at Arkansas. This kid can play and will bounce back this week against a Saints defense that allows 100 yards a game on the ground. He is seventh overall out of all running backs this season in fantasy points—78—and will continue his success this weekend.

WR Hines Ward PIT (@MIA, 71, 100)

I said it last week, and I am sticking to it: Hines' clock is re-ticking to the sweet harmony of "Big Ben." I see the Dolphins focusing on wide receiver Mike Wallace (47, 99), allowing Hines to continue his success in the slot. He led the team last week in targets—eight—and receptions—five—all due to the return of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Before last week’s game Ward had only 19 targets the whole year, good enough for five a game. He will keep getting the looks as long as the MVP is throwing him the ball.

WR Jeremy Maclin PHI (@TEN 55, 100)

Very questionable secondary in the Titans allowing 230 yards a game—23rd overall. Fellow wide receiver DeSean Jackson is out this week with a concussion from a brutal hit last week (referring to the hit, it’s called football, people; deal with it). Maclin and Kevin Kolb hooked up on two touchdown passes last week after Jackson left the game.

Maclin is also a little bigger and stronger than Jackson, and I like him more as a possession receiver as well.

WR Santana Moss WAS (@CHI, 52, 100)

Tight end Chris Cooley is questionable, and Moss has been quarterback Donovan McNabb’s favorite target. He leads the team in targets (55), receptions (37) and yards (485) and is tied for touchdowns (one). With 24 total targets the past two weeks, I think it’s fair to expect some results against the Bears' 22nd-ranked pass defense.

WR Roy Williams DAL (NYG, 48, 80)

He has 51 total fantasy points in his past three outings along with 232 yards and three touchdowns. Last season Williams totaled 38 receptions for 596 yards and seven touchdowns. He very well may double all of those stats this season, continuing a pace to compete with his career-high season from ’06—82 receptions, 1,380 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

I see Williams continuing to benefit from defenses focusing on top five receiver Miles Austin (96, 100).

TE Zach Miller OAK (@DEN, 58, 99)

This kid should be a starter in every league. He has the third most points for tight ends, 54. He is also second in the league in yards—388—for tight ends and is tied for fourth in touchdowns with three.

TE Aaron Hernandez NE (@SD, 43, 63)

I said it last week: This kid would step up in the absence of wide receiver Randy Moss. He is currently third on the team in targets (26) and tied for second in receptions (22). He clearly catches the ball when it is thrown his way and is great with the ball in his hands.

The Chargers are the ninth best team to start a tight end against thus far this year. Hernandez is legit and was a key part on national championship teams at Florida and will be a key part in the league for years to come.

Sleeper ALERT

RB Ryan Torain WAS (@CHI, 65, 92)

Yes, I know, the Bears are currently the third best against the run. The key object here is a balanced offense, which is exactly what the Redskins have right now. The Bears struggle containing running backs this year from a team that calls balanced plays and keeps you on your toes.

The Washington Redskins and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan have played that way so far. He likes to throw it a lot, but he likes to keep you guessing with multiple shotgun formations.

Sit ’Em

QB Eli Manning NYG (@DAL, 47, 98)

Dallas is allowing just over 180 yards per game in the air. The Cowboys are a top five team in the league overall, except they keep shooting themselves in the foot this season. With a must win game for the Cowboys at home, I don’t see Eli being successful. If the "G-Men" want to win this game, they will have to run the rock.

RB Ronnie Brown MIA (PIT, 53, 98)

The Steelers are No. 1 overall against the run, allowing just 63 yards a game. Brown has yet to reach 100 yards in a single game this year. He also has only ONE touchdown. If he has yet to reach 100 yards, what would give him the expectations to against the "Steel Curtain?"

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis NE (@SD, 51, 87)

He managed just 20 total yards last week and is starting to share the rock a lot more with a Division II Heisman winner.

Any Carolina Panthers wide receiver

It doesn’t help that wide receiver Steve Smith is hurt either. With him banged up the 49ers won’t have to focus on him as much. It also doesn’t help when Matt Moore is your quarterback.

WR Mike Williams TB (STL, 28, 55)

St. Louis does not give up the big play—only one 40-yard-plus passing play all season. Williams thrives off the deep ball so far, and I don’t see him going very far this week with a rejuvenated defense in St. Louis.

TE Mercedes Lewis JAC (@KC, 53, 78)

Jacksonville is really in shambles right now, and Jack Del Rio might be gone before the end of the year. They are most likely starting quarterback Trent Edwards (the white version of Jason Campbell), who holds on to the ball way to long. I see Chiefs rookie safety Eric Berry having a huge game this week focusing on Lewis.

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