Week 7 Fantasy Football Projections: 10 Locks for Points Bonanzas in Week 7

Week 7 of the 2011 NFL season is full of matchups between good offenses and bad defenses and, on the flip side, good defenses and bad offenses.

All of which is to say it's going to be a great week for fantasy football owners.

If you're looking for a player or two (or 10) to pick up some points for your team this week, then look no further than these stars...

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Forget about Big Ben's below-average performance against the Jaguars, who are surprisingly stingy when it comes to allowing fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, have given up big games to Cam Newton, Rex Grossman, Tarvaris Jackson and Donovan McNabb. Throw in an elite quarterback like Roethlisberger and a talented corps of receivers like the Steelers have, and you're looking at another 300-yard, three-touchdown day for Big Ben.

Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys

I know, Tony Romo's week-to-week performance is about as unpredictable as Jason Garrett's play-calling is predictable, if that makes any sense.

Not that Romo should have any trouble whatsoever throwing the ball at will to Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Jason Witten against the Rams' defense—the sixth-friendliest in the NFL for opposing fantasy quarterbacks.

What's more, the Cowboys' ground game is terrible, especially now that Felix Jones is out for a few weeks. Don't be too surprised if Dallas doesn't blow St. Louis out from the get-go, forcing Romo to throw throughout to keep his team on top.

Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders

Saying that Darren McFadden will have a big afternoon against a bad run defense is about as daring a prediction as suggesting that Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser will both be bald tomorrow.

But it's worth pointing out nonetheless. McFadden, the NFL's leading rusher, will have the distinct privilege of running against a Chiefs defense that gives up more than 20 points per game to opposing running backs in standard fantasy leagues.

With the Raiders breaking in Carson Palmer under center this week, you can bet McFadden will get a ton of carries while Hue Jackson leans heavily on his team's spectacular ground game.

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers

Once upon a time, the Jets defense was pretty good, even against the run. Now, Gang Green finds itself ranked 28th in that department, something that Ryan Mathews can take comfort in this week.

Mathews has quietly blossomed into the running back everyone thought he'd be as a rookie, racking up 4.9 yards per carry (10th-best in the NFL) while pulling in another 20 pass receptions through the first five games.

As much as Philip Rivers loves throwing to big guys like Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd down the field, he could very well opt instead to dump the ball off to Mathews early and often to allow the Chargers' feature 'back to operate against the Jets' lackluster linebacking corps.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, St. Louis Rams

We here at the Bleacher Report got ahold of an "exclusive" note from the Rams. It reads:

"

Dear Brandon Lloyd,

Welcome to St. Louis. I missed you dearly.

Love,

Josh McDaniels, your favorite offensive coordinator

"

Okay, so maybe I made that up, but would anyone be all that surprised if McDaniels and Lloyd enjoyed that sort of correspondence? J-Mac turned Lloyd into a Pro Bowler when the two were together in Denver, and he figures to do the same in the Gateway City.

Even if McDaniels weren't around, Lloyd would still rack up plenty of fantasy points since he's far and away the best pass catcher the Rams now have on their roster. Whether Sam Bradford or AJ Feeley can deliver the ball to him with any accuracy is another question entirely, though you can be sure he'll get more targets that a dummy at a shooting range.

Especially against the Cowboys' banged-up secondary.

Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints

Marques Colston spent Week 6 reminding fantasy football folks everywhere what he can do when he's healthy. The big receiver for the Saints racked up seven catches for 118 yards and a touchdown against a Buccaneers defense that's been pretty good against opposing receivers for the most part this season.

Can you imagine what he'll be able to do against the Colts, who've given up the fourth-most fantasy points to pass catchers? Granted, Drew Brees won't have to throw all that much, since New Orleans should be able to build a big lead against a terrible Indianapolis team.

But when he does, he'll have his eyes fixed firmly on Colston's big mitts.

Fred Davis, TE, Washington Redskins

By now, fantasy owners should be well aware of Fred Davis' exploits in DC. He leads the Redskins in receiving yards and is second in receptions and third in targets, despite spending most of the season as Chris Cooley's backup.

Now that Cooley is out, Davis will get that many more looks from...errr...John Beck? Yeah, I know, not the most encouraging sign, but he's going to have to throw to somebody. It might as well be Davis, who should have no trouble getting open against Carolina's terrible linebackers.

Dustin Keller, TE, New York Jets

If there's one thing the Chargers struggle with on defense, it's keeping down tight ends.

Dustin Keller, well, he's a tight end (no kidding!) and he plays for the Jets (really?) who, if you haven't checked the schedule recently, will be hosting the Bolts on Sunday.

I wouldn't trust Mark Sanchez to complete many downfield passes, if any. However, he should be able to get the ball to Keller, who's been steady for Gang Green this season as a safety valve for their shaky signal-caller.

Ravens Defense/Special Teams

Any time you can take the Ravens' defense, do it.

Any time you can take the Ravens' defense against the Jaguars' offense, which has turned the ball over nine times and ranks last in the NFL in yards per game and second-to-last in points per game, then you'd better drop what you're doing and make sure Ray Lewis are lining up for you at all costs.

Oh, and have I mentioned that Jacksonville's starting quarterback (Blaine Gabbert) is a rookie?

Cowboys Defense/Special Teams

Dallas' defense has been surprisingly fantasy-friendly this season. They've notched 10 takeaways and 16 sacks so far and should find plenty more success against the Rams offense on Sunday.

Yes, the same Rams offense that's allowed the most sacks in the NFL, has turned the ball over seven times, is 25th in yards per game and dead last in points per game.

I can hear DeMarcus Ware licking his chops right now. I'm sure Sam Bradford can too.