Fantasy Football Week 7: Big Play Performers Sure To Be Point Machines

Tom Brady, Michael Vick, Fred Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Wes Welker are just some of the big name players who will be watching the Week 7 action from home as their teams enjoy a bye week. So, which players will top the fantasy football leaderboard in their absence?

Let's examine.

Note: All projections are based on standard fantasy football scoring rules.

QB: Tony Romo

Tony Romo takes more heat than he deserves from the national media. Perhaps that comes with the territory of being the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, though. Romo has never had a quarterback rating below 91 and has a career completion percentage of 64. Translation–he's very good.

Week 7 has all the makings of a huge week for the Eastern Illinois product. Felix Jones is hurt (again), which will lead to a more pass-happy offense for Dallas, and all of Romo's targets returned to the lineup last week, giving him a variety of options.

Not to mention a St. Louis Rams defense that ranks 30th against opposing fantasy QBs. While Romo has had a couple of 18-point weeks, he should be able to break the 20-barrier against St. Louis. He's only being started in 73 percent of ESPN leagues, so if you're part of the 27 percent, get him in.

Week 7 Projection: 20 fantasy points

RB: Matt Forte

Matt Forte's name was bantered about before the trade deadline, but he remained with the Chicago Bears as expected. He's been hoping for a new contract and his production on the field illustrates how badly he wants a big payday, which, in reality, he deserves.

He's the fifth-ranked running back through six weeks, and has scored at least 11 points in five of those games. It's that type of consistency that helps a fantasy team go from playoff contender to championship contender.

Week 7 brings about a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who've been inconsistent against the run in 2011. Against elite backs like Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore, the unit has struggled. So Forte should be in line for another big week.

Week 7 Projection: 21 fantasy points

WR: Marques Colston

Marques Colston is back at full strength after dealing with a collarbone injury and has regained his spot as Drew Brees' top target in the New Orleans Saints offense. Colston caught seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown last week.

Surprisingly, less than 70 percent of Colston owners are starting the wide receiver. He's proven that he's healthy and should be in all fantasy lineups for the foreseeable future. The Saints still don't have a reliable rushing attack, so the Hofstra product will be busy.

That will be especially true against a weak Indianapolis Colts secondary that ranks 29th against fantasy wideouts. Colston will use his size to dominate the smaller Indianapolis cornerbacks en route to his second straight solid performance.

Week 7 Projection: 15 fantasy points

TE: Jermichael Finley

Jermichael Finley has frustrated a lot of fantasy owners this season. Aside from one huge game in Week 3, in which he scored 26 points, he hasn't caught a single touchdown or scored more than six points. Even at a weak position, that hurts.

However, he's too talented for the struggles to continue. The Green Bay Packers have a lot of options at Aaron Rodgers' disposal, so there will be down weeks, but there should be a lot more up weeks on the horizon.

That could start on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Don't be deceived by the team's strong ranking against tight ends. When they have faced an elite option like Finley, they haven't been so good, allowing a combined 20 points to Antonio Gates and Brandon Pettigrew.

Week 7 Projection: 12 fantasy points

D/ST: Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens defense has been far and away the best fantasy unit to own in 2011. They are averaging more than four fantasy points more than the second-ranked San Francisco 49ers. And that dominance should continue in Week 7.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert is still going through growing pains, which should mean turnovers aplenty on Monday Night Football. While a defense normally can't lose you a week since owners don't rely on them, they can certainly win it with a huge performance.

Another good part about owning Baltimore is its schedule during the fantasy playoffs. With games against the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns, the Ravens will likely be owned by a lot of league champions this season.

Week 7 Projection: 13 fantasy points