Fantasy Football: Week Seven Preview, Part Two

The late games don't have as much fun and intrigue as they did last week, but we do cap off the week with a game that could have implications for many match ups. With the end of the week finally here, let's get right to these late games. 

Following up on a couple items from yesterday, Chris Chambers missed practice on Thursday with his ankle injury. If he were unable to go, Malcolm Floyd would get the start again. You would need to upgrade both Floyd and Vincent Jackson. 

Detroit at Houston

Who to Start: Calvin Johnson, Kevin Walter, Matt Schaub, Owen Daniels

Who to Sit: Anyone else on Detroit

What to Expect: Expect it to be hard to figure out what Detroit is going to do on offense.

The only true offensive threat will be Calvin Johnson, and Jon Kitna won't be the one throwing him the football. Guess what? Most teams can cover one receiver. While Houston is weaker in the secondary than a lot of teams, they'll keep Johnson more in check than not. He's just still good enough to get a touchdown and 80 yards.

Problem is, that's the only highlight for Detroit. Stay away from anyone else involved with this offense. It just isn't worth it, especially with their only other primary receiving option gone. Yes, you can run on Houston, but teams will load up the box and not let them.

The Texans, as Matthew Berry put it, are the lucky winners of "Who Gets to Play Detroit This Week?" It's a fun game.

Matt Schaub looked good against the Dolphins, and will be throwing against a depleted secondary. Kevin Walter, Daniels, and Andre Johnson will all be solid plays in any format. Walter should be viewed as a flex option, but this is certainly the week to use him. He's the most risky, but 60 yards and a score isn't out of the question here. Schaub throws for two and 270 yards.

Ask Michael Turner how much fun it is to run against the Lions. Steve Slaton isn't going to have THAT big a day, but it could very well be close. 120 yards and two scores for Slaton in this one. He's one of the better running back plays this week, certainly a top-five option. Yes, he disappointed last week, but nothing gets you going like a game against the Lions.

Sleeper Pickup: Walter. He's available in many formats, and this is a good match-up for him.

New York Jets at Oakland

Who to Start: Brett Favre, Jerricho Cotchery, Thomas Jones, Darren McFadden, Zach Miller
 
Who to Sit: JaMarcus Russell, Michael Bush, Justin Fargas
 
What to Expect: Expect to continue to find out how over-matched the Raiders are against anyone in the NFL.

Russell is not worth starting in any format, and his receivers aren't consistent enough to provide him with any suitable relief. Yes, Ronald Curry had a solid performance last time out, but they seem to disappear in spots. If you're looking for an option in the Oakland passing game, the story begins and ends with Zach Miller. Miller has had solid performances in the last three games, and would be an admirable fill-in for teams that need help during bye weeks.

Don't expect the world from Darren McFadden. The Jets are third against the run, giving up just 69 yards per game. It will be tandem effort, making it hard to predict who will get the bulk of the work. Regardless as to if it's Fargas, McFadden, or Bush, daylight will be hard to come by against the Jets defense.

Thomas Jones, though, should be in for a fine day. The Raiders give up 115 yards on the ground per game, and Jones has been the only game in town for the Jets. Look for Jones to break 110 yards and score on the ground twice, especially where the Raiders have given up nearly two touchdowns per game on the ground.

Brett Favre will have to deal with one of the best corners in football playing against Coles, but that won't stop him from trying to throw the ball there. While Cotchery likely has the better day through the air, Coles will still be good for 65 and a touchdown. Cotchery comes close to 100 yards and a touchdown as well. Favre should settle in around 240 with the two end zone targets and a couple INT's to boot.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Miller. He's been the only constant in the Oakland passing attack.

Indianapolis at Green Bay

Who to Start: Ryan Grant, Donald Lee, Donald Driver, Domenic Rhodes, Marvin Harrison
 
Who to Sit: Brandon Jackson, Joseph Addai, Anthony Gonzalez
 
What to Expect: The Packers are pretty tough against the pass, and have been that way despite an injury depleted secondary.

Peyton Manning looked much better this last week against a soft pass defense, and should be able to put up decent numbers against the Packers, but just not great ones. If Manning settles in around 250 yards with two touchdowns, that's probably a safe number. Reggie Wayne, I have a feeling, catches both of them.

Harrison is still worth using, especially as a third receiver, because he showed the ability to step in the way-back machine last week for a great performance. I'm hesitant to use Gonzalez in this match up. He hasn't been involved much overall at this point and could struggle in getting enough touches to make his play worth it in anything but deep leagues.

With Addai out, Rhodes proved to be a more than adequate replacement last week. Green Bay is awful against the run. Rhodes should provide owners with 120 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Aaron Rodgers shouldn't have issues throwing against the Indy defense, but this game should be the coming out party for Ryan Grant. The Colts are as bad against the run as the Packers are, meaning that there should be room to roam for a guy that hasn't given owners much to get excited about. I like Grant to go for 95 and a touchdown.

Rodgers should be able to find Jennings and Driver for a touchdown, but the Indy pass defense hasn't been bad. It could mean a few more touches for Donald Lee. In PPR leagues, Lee is a good add for this week. Look for Rodgers to throw for two touchdowns, but top out around 220 yards.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Lee. He should see plenty of looks against an underrated pass defense.

Cleveland at Washington

Who to Start: Braylon Edwards, Santana Moss
 
Who to Sit: Derek Anderson, Jamal Lewis, Jason Campbell, Antwaan Randle El
 
What to Expect: I wouldn't expect Cleveland to duplicate the performance of last week. Making that assumption is going to cost a team. Washington is certainly back on notice after suffering a bad loss against St. Louis. Look for them to take out frustrations here.

Just because I like Washington to win, doesn't mean I like Jason Campbell. Campbell could quickly find out what Eli Manning learned last week: that the Cleveland pass defense is pretty good. Campbell hasn't thrown the ball well for two weeks now, and this isn't going to be the time to change that.

You likely have to start Santana Moss and Chris Cooley, but Cooley is in line for the better game. As Portis has been more effective, Cooley has seen an increase in touches. Moss has disappeared and he's in danger of becoming someone we advocate getting rid of. Moss needs this one, and should look for 90 yards. Cooley will catch Campbell's only touchdown pass and be solid for 60 yards of his own.

Portis will be the star here. You can run on the Browns. Jacobs ran well last week, and Portis will be just as good. 100 yards and two scores from him. Just note that Portis has not practiced all week and is suffering from a hip flexor injury.

I like the rejuvenation of Braylon Edwards enough to make him a start this week. With another receiver on the other side, Edwards' value increases because the coverage shifts. He should be around 75 yards with a touchdown. I just don't like Anderson to do much beyond that against another good pass defense. He's been too inconsistent this season. A good performance this week, and I might look for room on the bandwagon.

Jamal Lewis isn't going to have much room to run. 65 yards is all I see for the guy, and no scores.
 
Sleeper Pickup: None, let's just avoid this game here.

Seattle at Tampa Bay

Who to Start: Jeff Garcia, Ike Hilliard, Warrick Dunn, Earnest Graham, Antonio Bryant, Tampa Def, John Carlson
 
Who to Sit: All your Seahawks
 
What to Expect: Seattle doesn't like to travel, is playing without Hasselbeck, and is going up against a tough pass defense.

Basically, I don't like anything about this for Seattle outside of John Carlson. Carlson will be targeted by anyone that suits up at quarterback for Seattle simply because he's a solid outlet receiver. Carlson should look good for about 60 yards. If there's a touchdown thrown, it will go his way. I just don't feel good about it with Seneca Wallace the likely starter.

And since my mother always told me that if you can't say something nice, you shouldn't say anything at all, I'm not going to talk about the Seattle running game. The Seahawks will have to run, but the Bucs have the ninth ranked run defense. They'll get chances, I just don't see it adding up to much.

In Tampa, look for both backs to get equal carries. Both should be looked at as flex options this week. Seattle gives up about 120 yards per game on the ground. With this tag-team attack, the Bucs should be able to split about that between the two of them. I like Graham better this week, but both are decent plays.

The Seahawks do give up 230 yards through the air. Garcia has been nothing if not an average quarterback. Let's pencil him in for 240 yards and two touchdowns. He's steady, and teams that need help on a bye week could do much worse than the stats Garcia will put up. I like Bryant and Hilliard to grab the touchdown passes. Both aren't more than third options for most leagues, but they will do you fine.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Garcia. Bye weeks can be tough, and Garcia has a match up that owners should look to exploit this week.

Denver at New England

Who to Start: Wes Welker, Sammy Morris, Eddie Royal
 
Who to Sit: Matt Cassel, Brandon Stokley
 
What to Expect: On paper, this is a great match up for both offenses. The Broncos can't stop anyone, and the Patriots have struggled against the pass. Games aren't played on paper, though.

For Denver, Brandon Marshall will be in for a great day. Regardless of the corner that draws him in coverage, the Patriots likely won't be able to make the stops necessary to keep Marshall south of 130 yards. Eddie Royal looks like he'll be back in the lineup as well. With the poor linebacker play of the Patriots, Royal is almost a sure bet for 70 yards of his own. Cutler is a top-three quarterback play this week.

Avoid the tight end situation here, because Scheffler is still questionable. Michael Pittman seems to be the back of choice, but I'm not sold enough on Shanahan's game of musical chairs to make that call permanent. If you must use a Denver running back, he's the one with the least risk tied to him.

For the Pats, the rest of the league has proven you can run on Denver. Jones-Drew had a great game last week, and Sammy Morris will get that chance this week. With Maroney uncertain, Morris is the best between-the-tackles guy the Pats can throw out there. 90 yards and a touchdown for him won't be a stretch.

I wouldn't start Matt Cassel. Randy Moss will be matched up with Champ Bailey most of the night, so he's going to be in for a long one. You have to play him, but I think Welker will be a slightly better play. Cassel doesn't break 200 yards, but his one touchdown pass goes to Welker.

It will be contrasting styles. The Patriots will try to win by controlling the game on the ground and keeping Cassel from making too many mistakes. The Broncos will try to win by exploiting the weak Patriots secondary.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Morris. It's just too good a match up to pass up here, especially with Maroney likely still out.