How we’ve already made it to Week 7 is beyond me, but here we are. As always, I’m diving into the Footclan’s most-searched start/sit decisions using the Fantasy Footballers’ Start/Sit Tool. This week, I’ll break down the matchups and key factors to help make sure you’re making the right calls when setting your lineups. Let’s get right into it!
Brian Thomas Jr. or Tank Dell?
Last week, I said to start Brian Thomas Jr. over Tank Dell, and I have to own up to it — I got it wrong. I was worried about Tank Dell not looking very explosive through the first five weeks, thinking injury concerns were lingering. Well, Dell made me eat my words. This week, I’m not making the same mistake. The Houston offense is humming, and the Jaguars’ offense is not. Last week, Dell showed that he was back to full strength, leading the team in targets. Start him with full confidence — no hesitation. I missed the boat on his resurgence last week, but we’re back on track now. Dell’s matchup with the Packers should be competitive and high-scoring, which means even more targets for him. Last week, the Texans faced the Patriots, so in a more competitive game environment, I expect C.J. Stroud to feed Dell even more. Speaking of the Patriots, Brian Thomas Jr. will face them this week, and although they allowed a good fantasy finish from Tank Dell, I’d temper expectations for scoring opportunities and fantasy points.
Chargers @ Broncos
Kimani Vidal had an efficient game with only 5.5 Expected Fantasy Points (RB39)
JK Dobbins was far and away the RB1 for LA with a season-high 18.5 usage value (xFP)
Ladd McConkey has received a +20% target share in every game this season
[9] pic.twitter.com/TJaAmDuF5w— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) October 16, 2024
Verdict: Tank Dell is the play until Nico Collins returns from IR. Get him into your lineups!
Tank Bigsby or Tyrone Tracy Jr.?
Another Tank dilemma, huh? This week, it’s the battle of the backups — two young running backs stepping up due to injuries ahead of them. Travis Etienne is a game-time decision with a hamstring issue, and even if he plays, I don’t expect him to handle his usual workload. Enter Tank Bigsby, who should see enough work to be flex-worthy, especially against an injury-riddled Patriots defense that’s been easier to run on. Bigsby’s matchup this week looks way better than his tough outing against the Bears. I know Week 6 was rough, but I expect a bounce-back in Week 7. Don’t lose faith in Tank just yet.
As I was writing this, I planned to tell the Footclan to keep an eye on Devin Singletary‘s injury status heading into the weekend, but Sleeper just alerted me that Singletary will be playing this week. Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll had this to say about playing time for Tyrone Tracy with the return of Singletary:
“He’s earned it, he’s done a good job. So he’ll get plenty of playing time.”
On the #Giants RB situation: Devin Singletary will return on Sunday vs. #Eagles. But Tyrone Tracy will still see significant playing time.
“He’s earned it,” coach Brian Daboll said. “He’s done a good job. So he’ll get plenty of playing time.”
Daboll says Tracy, Singletary and…
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 18, 2024
With Singletary coming off a groin injury, I definitely expect Tracy to get a lot of work this week. He’s been sneakily good the past two weeks, finishing as RB18 and RB5. His receiving game was a major highlight last week, catching all six of his targets from Daniel Jones for 57 yards. However, with Malik Nabers returning to the lineup, Tracy’s receiving role might take a slight hit. The Giants will also be without left tackle Andrew Thomas, who just had foot surgery after getting injured last week. This is a huge blow to the offensive line.
Verdict: I’m rolling with Tank Bigsby this week. He’s got the easier matchup, and his explosiveness can’t be overlooked (he’s first in explosiveness, fourth in breakaway run rate, and second in yards per carry, according to PlayerProfiler). While I love the receiving upside that Tyrone Tracy brings, Malik Nabers‘ return and the Giants’ key offensive line injuries make me lean toward Bigsby. He’s in a better position to deliver.
Mark Andrews or Tucker Kraft?
Mark Andrews currently sits at TE20 through six weeks. How did we get here? Honestly, it doesn’t matter — because last week, Andrews finally delivered. He finished as the TE4, scoring his first touchdown of the season and putting up 66 receiving yards. We love to see it.
As an Andrews manager myself, I’ve been worried. This isn’t the Andrews we thought we were drafting back in August. But it seems like the slow start might finally be behind us, right? The production is improving, and he’s getting more red-zone looks. But here’s the catch – he’s still only playing 50% of the snaps. Last season, he was on the field for 80-100% of snaps, so this dropoff is still super concerning. This week, the Ravens will travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers. Kurt Mullen loves the matchup, highlighting it in his Week 7 Matchups to Consider article.
“Tampa Bay’s defense has allowed at least 12 fantasy points to opposing teams’ TEs in three straight weeks and just gave up their first TD to the position last week.”
The matchup for Green Bay Packers TE Tucker Kraft isn’t so easy. This is precisely why Matthew Betz is betting the under on his reception totals, as outlined in his NFL Player Props for Week 7 article.
“Houston has allowed the third-fewest catches to opposing TEs while facing the NFL second-lowest target share to inline pass catchers, per FantasyPoints Data Suite. So far this season, only one TE against the Texans has caught four balls – Cole Kmet in Week 2.”
Kraft’s injury status is also worth keeping an eye on. He’s been dealing with a groin injury, which limited him last week, but he still managed to play through it. While I’m not overly concerned about it impacting him this week, it’s something to monitor. Even with that said, I’m taking the safer route (hopefully) and sticking with Mark Andrews this week.
Verdict: Mark Andrews is the play this week.
Anthony Richardson or Jared Goff?
Jared Goff just put up two back-to-back top-five fantasy quarterback performances. On the other hand, Anthony Richardson has been sidelined for the past two weeks with a hip injury. Before that, his only top-five finish came in Week 1. While Richardson’s rushing upside is undeniably appealing for fantasy managers, it’s hard to fully trust him until he proves he can consistently extend drives and deliver QB1 numbers. For now, I’m benching Richardson, no matter the matchup. Sometimes it is just that easy.
Passing Expected Points Added
per Pass AttemptJared Goff leading all QBs by a significant margin
Caleb Williams continues his breakout
Jordan Love with his most efficient game this season
[2] pic.twitter.com/CJDLXUYgoV— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) October 14, 2024
Verdict: I’m going with the Ballers with this one and sticking with Jared Goff, who has been rolling the past two weeks. The Lions’ defense lost their game-changer, Aidan Hutchinson, to a season-ending injury. This will impact the Lions’ defense emphatically. I expect the Vikings to continue to put up points against opponents and for this to be a high-scoring game between these NFC North rivals. Give me pieces from this game with the over/under set to 50.5.
Remember that every lineup decision counts as we prepare to take down our opponents in Week 7. Take advantage of favorable matchups, consider the impact of recent injuries, and trust your instincts. Let’s get those lineups set and make this season one to remember! If you have any more crucial decisions heading into Week 6, check out the Fantasy Footballers Start/Sit Tool and Mike’s Sunday Morning Livestream on the YouTube page. And as always, please feel free to hit me up on X. Good luck this week Footclan!
from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/RVcH0rJ
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