Fantasy Football Week 7: Who Are the Smart Matchup Plays?

We are through Week 7 in fantasy football and at this point, owners of teams in fantasy football have figured out which players are studs and which ones are duds.  However, there are some who are able to take advantage of matchup in a current week and score a lot of these points. 

Some of these names are obvious, while others may be shocking.  Whatever the case may be, here are some of the best matchups for Week 7 of fantasy football.

Tim Tebow

This week is a good week to own Tebow for his first start against the Miami Dolphins.  The Dolphins have been atrocious this year and have had a hard time stopping anyone on defense as they are ranked 30^th in the NFL in total yards allowed. 

While Tebow may still be developing as an NFL quarterback and honing his skills to compete in the NFL, he has the potential to get into the end zone through the air and on the ground against the Dolphins.

Drew Brees

Much like Tim Tebow, Drew Brees has a favorable matchup going up against the winless Indianapolis Colts who are in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. 

Admittedly, Brees is a smart matchup play almost every time he’s on the field, but against a Colts team having a down year, Brees could carry your fantasy team this week on his performance alone.

Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham is having not only a breakout year in terms of fantasy value, but he is showing that he is one of the elite tight ends in all of the NFL. 

Graham has over 600 yards so far and will be a tough cover for the Colts who are lacking a strong defense. 

With Brees having the potential to throw for over 300 yards and four or five touchdowns this week, Graham owners should be satisfied with his performance.

Darren Sproles

Sproles will be the final member of the Saints on here. 

Sproles can also exploit the Colts defense but at the same time, he is a triple threat for the Saints as he has over 200 yards rushing, over 300 yards receiving and can burn you in the punt return game. 

Sproles has the potential to beat you in all three of these areas, as he has a touchdown rushing, receiving and as a punt returner. 

Owners of Sproles should play him against the Colts and know that he can torch the Colts defense three different ways.

Ryan Matthews

Ryan Matthews is not getting a ton of publicity right now, but he is having an outstanding year for the San Diego Chargers with 413 yards and three touchdowns. 

This week, the Chargers are facing the Jets who are having a very hard time stopping the run, as their run defense is ranked 28^th, giving up just under 135 yards per game. 

Owners of Matthews should feel good having him against the Jets knowing that the Jets defense has the potential to allow Matthews to have a great game.

Chris Johnson

After a lengthy holdout this offseason, Chris Johnson has been a big disappointment so far for the Tennessee Titans. 

However, this would be a very good week for him to break out, as the Titans face a banged up Houston Texans team without key defensive player Mario Williams. 

Johnson could take advantage of a shorthanded Texans defense and show flashes of the old Chris Johnson by carrying the Titans on offense.

Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson has put the league on notice this year as he already has 564 yards and nine touchdowns. 

The Lions take on the Atlanta Falcons this week who have started slower than expected and are ranked 28^th in pass defense. 

Last week, Johnson put up 117 yards against a very good defensive team in the San Francisco 49ers and has shown that he is a matchup nightmare against anyone he plays.

Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch had very strong game against the New York Giants two weeks ago as he went for 98 yards on 12 carries with one touchdown. 

Lynch and the Seahawks take on the Cleveland Browns who do not have a strong run defense. 

If Lynch can carry the momentum he has from the Giants game two weeks ago, he can have another strong fantasy performance matched up against the Cleveland Browns.

Josh Freeman

Josh Freeman and the Bucs will be playing the Chicago Bears this week. 

The Bears have the 25^th ranked pass defense in the NFL right now, and the Bucs have lost star running back LeGarrette Blount temporarily due to an injury. 

Because of this, Freeman could be forced to go to the air more than he would normally and could have a huge game if he is allowed to exploit the weakness in the Bears pass defense.

Aaron Rodgers

There isn’t really anything much else you can say about Aaron Rodgers that hasn’t already been said. 

If the season ended today, Rodgers would be the MVP hands down as he has led the Packers to an undefeated record and has already thrown for over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

The Vikings just came off a 39-10 loss where they were torched by Jay Cutler. 

If Jay Cutler can beat the Vikings defense that bad, imagine what kind of day Aaron Rodgers will have on Sunday.