Week 7 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Matt Schaub and 5 Must-Sit QBs

This week there are some bad matchups for a handful of typically terrific quarterbacks in the NFL.

Just because you drafted your starter in the first five rounds doesn’t mean he has to start every single week.

Whether it’s due to a nagging injury, tough defensive opponent, or just bad recent trends…QB play changes as quickly as the stock market.

Here are five guys that are normally starter worthy, but should be placed on the pine in Week 7:

5. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers hasn’t been spectacular this season fantasy-wise, and now he’s traveling across the country for a 10 a.m. local game.

The Jets run defense isn’t great, but they still have an extremely tough secondary led by Darrelle Revis. He is going to really limit what Vincent Jackson can do—which isn’t great news considering the rest of the Chargers receivers aren’t very good.

Antonio Gates is expected to play, which obviously will help Rivers' case. But considering he hasn’t really played since Week 1, who knows how he’ll do in his first action.

If you have a more favorable matchup and a lesser QB on the bench—use him.

4. Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders

Ok, I know you were excited that Palmer fell to you on the waiver wire, but don't start him this week.

He hasn’t played since last January and he has three days to learn the offense. The Raiders run the ball more than any other team in the league, and you can expect that to be in full effect on Sunday.

Then there is the rust factor, the fact he’s out of shape and the lingering issues about his elbow.

There are about 20-25 QBs I would rather have in my lineup this week than Palmer.

3. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

He has to go on the round to a hostile dome environment in Detroit, where the Lions have allowed the fourth fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs.

He will likely be without Julio Jones, and Roddy White continues to enrage fantasy owners. One of the reasons Ryan has struggled this season is because he has been sacked, hurried or knocked down 61 times in six games.

That’s ridiculous.

Expect the Lions pass rush to really bother Ryan and force him into more than a few bad decisions.

Add it up and Ryan is a must-sit in Week 7.

2. Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Freeman has been very streaky this season and is coming off possibly his best performance of the season.

Considering he has to travel all the way over to London to take on a Chicago Bears defense that posted five sacks last week…expect Freeman to be on the run for a good portion of the game.

With his receiving core providing little help of late and starting running back Legarrette Blount out once again, it’s hard to figure out where the offense is going to come from.

Reaching 200 yards and two touchdowns would be a huge stretch.

1. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

There are a ton of reasons to avoid Schaub this week.

Most importantly, he is dealing with a bruised chest that has limited him in practice all week.

He also will be playing without the tremendous fullback James Casey and All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson. Both players are big parts of Schaub’s success. Last week the Texans offense scored a grand total of one offensive touchdown without them.

This week they face a terrific pass defense on the road in Tennessee, and expect Schaub to put up nothing more than 200 yards and a touchdown.

You can do better.