Lineup Prep: Week 7

Wed Oct 21 9:08am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Prescott can come up big Week 7

Scoring was really down last week. We did have some top offenses on bye, though, including the Bengals, Lions and Vikings. This can have a big impact on fantasy scoring when elite players aren’t playing. Just keep that in mind when looking at last week’s scores. These low-scoring fantasy weeks won’t likely be the norm going forward. Just something to keep in mind.

Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . .

Some of the coaching decisions we see on a weekly basis in the NFL continue to be mind-boggling, including decisions from coaches with very good reputations. It is becoming an epidemic. I just don’t get how some of this stuff happens, especially with all the coaches on a staff. Some of these coaches have too big of egos and think they are smarter than everyone else. I really think that is part of the problem. It has not been good, though. Coaches are costing their teams games.

My favorite stat from last week was that if JJ McCarthy had played a full game, he would have thrown for more than 1,000 yards at that pace. Haha. That is crazy. What a show he put on after getting his chance in the fourth quarter. I don’t know if he has finally figured it out, but I might give him a chance going forward. Jameis Winston continues to be all over the place. Can McCarthy at least do what Winston is doing? I think so, and I’m all for giving McCarthy a shot. That was fun to watch last week.

And speaking of the Giants, what the heck are they doing with Cam Skattebo? Sure, the fumbles are a problem, but benching him is not in the best interest of the team. He is clearly their best back. The Giants started Najee Harris last week, and he looks washed up. He wasn’t even on a team to start the year. To make matters even worse, the Giants released him Tuesday, which shows you where things stand. Just complete craziness.

Jayden Daniels might not be playing well for the Commanders, but he is doing just fine for fantasy owners. He has scored at least 24 fantasy points in two straight games since returning from his dislocated elbow. His decision-making remains very questionable, but that doesn’t really hurt his fantasy numbers. And it isn’t like the Commanders are going to bench him. As long as he is playing, consider Daniels a solid QB1. The numbers don’t lie.

If you can still buy low on Colston Loveland, go for it. He is just starting to come into his own. He has scored 11-plus fantasy points in two of his last three games. He started the year with just one catch through his first two games, but his production has picked up since then. He had a similar stretch last year, failing to reach double-digit fantasy points until Week 9. He then had double-digit points in six of his final 10 games, including three games with 20-plus points. He has a chance to really kick it into gear from this point forward.

Here’s hoping Mike Evans isn’t hurt too badly. I could not be more impressed with his play this year. I wasn’t buying him at all before the season. I just didn’t trust him at his age or after his play last year. He has been absolutely fantastic, though. He looks as good as ever, and his rapport with Brock Purdy has been top-notch. He can be a top-10 fantasy receiver the rest of the way in this offense as long as he stays healthy. It has been fun to watch him and Purdy this year.

There are reports that Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet could make his season debut this week. I’m really anxious to see how he is used. He might be eased into action as he returns from a major injury, but he could have a big role in this offense sooner rather than later. Emmanuel Wilson has been fine as the starter for the Seahawks, but Charbonnet has a better skill set and knows this offense well. He could end up being a difference-maker for fantasy teams before the season is over.

News and Notes

Giants: The Giants released running back Najee Harris on Tuesday. Harris was somewhat critical of the coaching staff after last week’s game, which likely contributed to his release. Harris started in Week 6 but is now looking for work.

Ravens: The Ravens signed kicker Jake Moody to their practice squad Monday. He will compete with Tyler Loop, who has endured some struggles this season.

Dolphins: The Dolphins signed kicker Zane Gonzalez to their practice squad and released kicker Riley Patterson on Tuesday. Gonzalez is expected to take over the starting kicking duties now that he is healthy.

Rams: The Rams signed kicker Brandon McManus on Tuesday. This is the Rams’ third kicker of the season, but the move was necessary after Blake Grupe was injured last week.

HOT PLAYS

Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys

Prescott has really cooled off in recent weeks, failing to top 18 fantasy points in two straight games. He had his worst game of the fantasy season last week in what looked like a favorable matchup against the Packers. He scored just one touchdown and turned the ball over twice. He still has too many top weapons around him to give up on him. He can bounce back from a couple of bad games this week against the Eagles. Philadelphia allows the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and is reeling right now.

Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers

Warren had a down game last week, failing to reach double-digit fantasy points. He was up against the Bucs’ elite run defense, though. Don’t get down on him because of one game. Remember, he had three straight games with 100-plus total yards before last week. Warren will be just fine. We like him to rebound in a big way against New Orleans this week. The Saints allow the most fantasy points to running backs and rank 30th overall against the run, allowing 138 rushing yards per game.

Bucky Irving, RB, Bucs

Irving hasn’t produced much in recent weeks, failing to top eight fantasy points in three of his last four games. He has faced some really good defenses, though, including the Steelers, Packers and Vikings. We wouldn’t give up on Irving. He still gets about all the work at running back and is capable of having a big game any given week. A matchup against the Panthers in Week 7 is a good one for Irving. Carolina allows the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs and ranks just 27th overall against the run, allowing 132.2 rushing yards per game.

Jalen Coker, WR, Panthers

Coker returned to the lineup last week after missing the previous two games and picked up right where he left off, catching six passes for 97 yards on 13 targets. Remember, he had eight receptions in each of his first two games to start the season before getting hurt in Week 3. He is a huge part of this emerging Panthers passing game. Coker keeps getting it done and seems set up for another strong showing this week against the Bucs. Tampa Bay is elite against the run but allowed two Steelers receivers to rack up double-digit receptions last week. The Bucs allow the 13th-most fantasy points to receivers.

Tucker Kraft, TE, Packers

Kraft is starting to trend in the right direction after a slow start to the year. He has at least five receptions in three straight games and has scored double-digit fantasy points in two of his last three. Expectations were high for him coming into the year, but Kraft hasn’t quite lived up to them yet. Things are getting better, though, and Kraft has a dream matchup this week against the Lions, who allow the most fantasy points to tight ends this season. The Lions have allowed tight ends to score more than 40 fantasy points in two of their last three games.

COLD PLAYS

Jared Goff, QB, Lions

Goff is having a huge season in the Lions’ elite offense, ranking second overall in fantasy quarterback scoring. He has four straight games with 22-plus fantasy points and at least 269 passing yards in each of those games. Goff gets it done on a weekly basis. It is hard to bench him, but you might want to temper your expectations in Week 7. He faces his toughest matchup of the season against the Packers. Green Bay’s defense has really turned things around lately and allows the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. The Packers have allowed fewer than 15 points in three straight games, facing the Cowboys and Bears during that stretch.

D’Andre Swift, RB, Bears

Swift has produced consistent numbers in the Bears’ top offense. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in all but one game. One concern is that his rushing numbers have been down lately. He has fewer than 50 rushing yards in two straight games. His fantasy numbers were helped by finding the end zone in both contests. He had similar numbers in Week 4 against the Jets but didn’t score a touchdown and finished with just 8.4 fantasy points. Swift might struggle to find the end zone this week against the Patriots. New England allows just 91.8 rushing yards per game. His numbers could be down in Week 7.

Josh Downs, WR, Colts

Downs is trending in the wrong direction. He is getting looks but just isn’t doing much with them. He has at least three receptions in three straight games but has failed to top nine fantasy points in any of those contests. Downs gets another unfavorable matchup this week against the Vikings, a team that might have the best defense in football. Minnesota allows the fifth-fewest fantasy points to receivers and has allowed 16 or fewer points in four straight games. Go with safer options at receiver in Week 7.

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs

Kelce just keeps chugging along and producing good numbers. He has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in two straight games after opening the season with three consecutive double-digit performances. He has been a little more up and down lately. Kelce gets a tough matchup this week against a great Seahawks defense. Seattle has not allowed a tight end to score double-digit fantasy points since Week 2. Kelce might be best left on fantasy benches this week.

Tre Tucker, WR, Raiders

Tucker had his best game of the season last week, scoring 26.7 fantasy points. He had five receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. Tucker has been all over the map this season, though. He has two games with 20-plus fantasy points and four games with fewer than nine points. He is the ultimate boom-or-bust play, making him a risky weekly option for fantasy teams. We might not take a chance on him this week against the Rams, who allow the fourth-fewest fantasy points to receivers. Los Angeles ranks second overall against the pass, giving up just 167 passing yards per game.

SLEEPERS

Kyler Murray, QB, Vikings

Murray had his best game as a Viking the last time out. He topped 20 fantasy points, throwing for 229 yards and a touchdown. He also made more plays on the ground, rushing for 51 yards. He is starting to become more comfortable in the Vikings’ offense and can build on that performance this week. Murray has a great matchup against the Colts, who allow the 12th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Indianapolis has allowed at least 26 points in four of its six games.

Dameon Pierce, RB, Eagles

Pierce got his first start of the season last week and played 95 percent of the snaps. He was out there for nearly every play. Pierce didn’t produce huge numbers but got touches and found the end zone, scoring 15 fantasy points. He could improve on that performance this week against a terrible Cowboys defense. Dallas allows the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs and has allowed at least 20 points in every game this season. Pierce is a good option as a flex play or RB2 for fantasy teams in Week 7.

Jordan Watkins, WR, 49ers

Watkins has just three receptions on three targets this season. He has made some big plays with those opportunities, totaling 82 yards on the three catches. Watkins played the most snaps of any 49ers receiver last week, seeing the field for 76 percent of the offensive plays. He played a lot after Mike Evans was injured, and that could be the case again in Week 7. Watkins could do well with that much playing time this week against the Falcons, who allow the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers. Atlanta has allowed at least 30 points in two straight games, making Watkins a deep sleeper for fantasy teams.

AJ Barner, TE, Seahawks

Barner has been more bad than good for fantasy teams this year. He has just one game with double-digit fantasy points. He does have at least three receptions in two straight games and three of his last four. He gets some weekly opportunities in this offense, so the potential for a big game is there. One of those big games could come this week against the Chiefs, a team that really struggles against tight ends. Kansas City allows the third-most fantasy points to tight ends and was torched by the position in Week 4 against the Raiders. Barner might be worth a shot for fantasy teams looking for a tight end this week.

Makai Lemon, WR, Eagles

Lemon is starting to get more looks, with at least six targets in three straight games. He is also playing a lot, logging 81 percent of the snaps last week, the highest mark among Eagles receivers. Lemon has yet to have a game with double-digit fantasy points, but it seems like only a matter of time before that happens. Why not this week against the Cowboys? Dallas is a mess defensively and allows the seventh-most fantasy points to receivers. The Cowboys rank just 23rd overall against the pass.

High/Low Scoring Games

Each week, we’ll take a look at some of the high- and low-scoring games for the coming week. In high-scoring affairs, get your marginal players from those teams into your lineup to take advantage of a possible points barrage. In the low-scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.

High-Scoring Games

Patriots/Bears, Bengals/Ravens, 49ers/Falcons, Packers/Lions.

Low-Scoring Games

Browns/Titans, Dolphins/Jets.

Bye Weeks

Bills, Jaguars, Chargers, Commanders.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Lineup Prep: Week 7

The Paur Report