Fantasy Football Week 7: Soft Defenses Your Stars Will Exploit

There are some defenses in the National Football League that you almost feel sorry for.

They're out of sync, they can't tackle, they can't cover, they can't pressure. Can't do it.

But you can bet opponents are willing to exploit their weaknesses and show no mercy. This is the National Football League, after all, where there's no room for pity.

In Week 7 of the NFL season, here are five defenses in particular that fantasy football stars will run over, high-stepping all the way to the end zone.

If you know what's best for you, you will exploit these defenses along with your fantasy team's stars.

5. Atlanta Falcons

It's frankly shocking how disappointing the Atlanta Falcons' defense has been this year after showing signs of emerging in 2010.

The Falcons are giving up 24.5 points per game and a lot of it has to do with their pass defense and pass rush. The Falcons have allowed 282.8 passing yards per game and nine passing touchdowns this season and they are faced up against a team that can do some damage through the air in Week 7.

That team is the Detroit Lions, who are probably fuming after getting defeated by head coach Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6.

Start quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson and watch them go to work.

4. Miami Dolphins

Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets may not have exploded against the Miami Dolphins in Week 6, but that's because they're Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets.

The reality of the matter is that the Dolphins are still giving up 25.6 points per game and have a deplorable pass defense which has given up 284 passing yards per game and 10 passing touchdowns.

I generally don't advise starting anyone on the Denver Broncos, but, heck, Tim Tebow may even have a good game in Week 7. Second-year receiver Eric Decker should get back on track in this game and is a sneaky waiver-wire add after a rough game in Week 6.

3. St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams have only given up 20.5 points per game this season and their pass defense is decent, but it's their run defense that has given them problems all season long.

Allowing 4.9 yards per carry, the addition of former Philadelphia Eagles safety Quintin Mikell hasn't helped matters and the Rams go up against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7.

Felix Jones is out with a left ankle sprain, which makes rookie DeMarco Murray out of Oklahoma a nice waiver-wire pickup. We've all seen what Murray was capable of in college. In Week 7, he's being given an opportunity of a lifetime and I expect him to shine.

2. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings do have a good pass rush, but that didn't stop Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears from dropping 39 points on them in Week 6.

The Vikings are giving up 269.5 passing yards per game this season and just so happen to be matched up with the Green Bay Packers.

If Cutler thew for 267 yards and two touchdowns, just imagine what Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can do. Start receivers Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson and tight end Jermichael Finley.

Even James Jones is a sneaky good play here.

1. Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have actually been better against the run this season than in previous years, but they're still allowing 27.2 points per game and 255.8 passing yards per game.

In Week 7, the New Orleans Saints have the pleasure of matching up with the Colts.

It's no secret that the Saints have an electric passing game behind quarterback Drew Brees. Brees had a rough game in Week 6, but he's not the type of quarterback that generally has two bad games in a row. If anything, Brees is going to be even more motivated to come out and light up the scoreboard.

In addition to Brees, start receiver Marques Colston and tight end Jimmy Graham, as well as running back Darren Sproles, who has become a legitimate threat through the air for the Saints with 310 receiving yards.

Receivers Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem and Lance Moore always have the capability of busting out, but they aren't consistent enough for me to advise starting them in any given week.