Start 'Em
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff vs. MIN
Jared Goff led Detroit to a dominating win against the Cowboys last week, completing 18/25 passes for 315 yards and 3 touchdowns. Goff has been on a tear recently, averaging 266 passing yards a game over the past five weeks. He also has been dependable regarding touchdown passes, where he has thrown less than two touchdowns in only two of the last five weeks. Goff has become a reliable fantasy option for managers, consistently producing for his fantasy managers. This week, he and the Lions go up against the Vikings. Though the Vikings are one of the hottest teams in football (one of the only undefeated teams left), they have been prone to allowing big offensive performances to quarterbacks. Currently, Minnesota ranks 3rd in passing yards allowed, with opponents averaging 263 passing yards a game. Do not be surprised if Goff and the high-powered Lions' offense take advantage of this below-average passing defense.
Matthew Stafford vs. LV
Coming off a bye week, Matthew Stafford is up against the Raiders this week. Stafford has made the most of a bad situation in LA, with both his top receivers (Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp) suffering multiple-week injuries. Nacua's return is still unknown, but Kupp is expected to make his return this Sunday. Kupp's return should increase Stafford's fantasy value significantly, as he targeted Kupp 21 times in week one (the only full game Kupp has played this season). Having his favorite receiver back will open up the offense for Stafford, allowing him to gain back the fantasy production we are accustomed to seeing from him. His opponent, the Raiders, have given up the 6th most fantasy points to QBs this year (23.8 points). This should set up Stafford for a big week for fantasy managers.
Running Backs
J.K. Dobbins vs. ARI
J.K. Dobbins came through last week for his fantasy managers, where he posted 96 rushing yards on 25 carries and a touchdown. He also caught both of his targets for 6 yards. Dobbins has been a huge surprise this year for the Chargers, ranking 6th in the league in rushing yards (438) and 13th in rushing touchdowns (3). The Cardnials' run defense has been poor this year, ranking 4th in rushing yards allowed (153) and 6th in rushing touchdowns allowed per game (1.3). With running back Gus Edwards landing on IR, Dobbins has the backfield to himself for the time being. Even with Edwards healthy, Dobbins already averages 16.2 rush attempts per game this season. His volume in previous weeks, as well as his potential increased volume going forward, makes him a must-start.
Tony Pollard vs. BUF
Tony Pollard shined again last week against the Colts. He ran for 93 yards on 17 carries and also scored a touchdown. Pollard has been the clear RB1 in Tennessee, averaging 15.6 carries a game this season as opposed to Tajee Spears' 6.6. His opponent, the Buffalo Bills, has also struggled against the run so far this season, ranking 10th in rushing yards allowed a game (140.2). Buffalo has also allowed 172 yards per game to RBs this season. Pollard should maintain his fantasy production in week 7.
Wide Receivers
Terry McLaurin vs. CAR
Terry McLaurin had another solid week last Sunday, catching 6 of his 7 targets for 53 yards and 2 touchdowns. McLaurin has thrived in the new Commanders' offense, where he ranks in the top 20 in both receptions (17th with 29) and receiving yards (20th with 356). What is extremely encouraging is that McLaurin has been heavily targeted in the redzone, ranking 9th in receiving touchdowns this season with four. His opposition, the Carolina Panthers, has been bad on the defensive end this season. Carolina has allowed nine receiving touchdowns to WRs this season (3rd most) and allows 226.3 passing yards a game (10th most). Look for McLaurin to have another big game against a lackluster Panthers defense.
Chris Godwin vs. BAL
Godwin dominated yet another game last time out. He caught 11 of his 13 targets for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns. Godwin has been one of the hottest receivers in the league this season, ranking 1st in receptions (43), third in receiving yards (511), and T-1st in receiving touchdowns (5). Moving back to the slot this year has done wonders for Godwin's performance. It has become almost a lock for him to receive heavy volume, as he averages 8.8 targets a game. With Baltimore allowing the most fantasy points per game to WRs this season, Godwin is a must-start for his matchup on MNF.
Tight Ends
Evan Engram vs. NE
Evan Engram came back from a four-week absence last week, and did not look like he missed a step. He hauled in all ten of his targets for 102 yards against the Bears in London. Engram reminded fans that he is still a legitimate threat in the Jaguars' offense, and is still QB Trevor Lawerence's favorite target. Jaxonville's opponent, the Patriots, are coming off their worst defensive game of the season, allowing 41 points to the Houston Texans. New England allows 48.7 yards a game to TEs this year, while also ranking 9th in passing yards allowed per game (228.5). A healthy Engram should feast against this banged-up Patriots defense, making him a must-start for the Jaguars' second straight game in London.
Tucker Kraft vs. HOU
Tucker Kraft struggled to produce for the first time since week 3 last time out against the Cardinals. He posted just 2 receptions on 4 targets for 13 yards. Though Kraft was ineffective last week, he has been an important part of the Packers' offense, especially over the past three weeks. Having scored three touchdowns in three weeks and catching at least 2 passes in every game this season, Kraft will look to rebound from his poor performance last week. He has a great opportunity against the Texans, who rank 2nd in passing touchdowns allowed per game (2.0).
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Sit 'Em
Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud vs GB
The 8th highest scoring Quarterback this year, C.J. Stroud has had a great year with his new shiny receiving core. Unfortunately, his favorite option Nico Collins is on the IR and even though Stroud produced 3 TDs without him last week, most of the team's production came from turnovers on defense.
Stroud will likely have a decent performance and give his team a shot to win the game but not have the fantasy points we're used to against a strong Green Bay defense ranking in the top third of defense against QBs.
Brock Purdy vs KC
Ranking just below Stroud at 9th this season, Purdy had his best game of the season last Thursday in a 27-point performance. Unfortunately for him and his fantasy owners, facing the Seahawks defense and the Chiefs defense is drastically different. The Chiefs have given up the 6th least passing yards and rank 17th in fantasy against QBs.
Purdy may be coming off his best performance of the season, however he's had an up and down season for fantasy football. Scoring fewer than 13 points in 4 of his 6 games this season, Purdy suffers from the team scoring red zone-rushing TDs. The 49ers will need to score early and often for Purdy to be start-worthy and i Can't see that happening.
Running Backs
Jordan Mason vs KC
For similar reasons Brock Purdy is on our list, Jordan Mason is as well. The reason Mason is even less of a start this week is due to a lingering hamstring injury that could see Mason's usage rate drop this week. Mason injured his hamstring last Thursday in their win against Seattle and while Kyle Shanahan has given him the green light, it's likely he will get less carries than rookie Isaac Guerendo.
After Guerendo had a breakout game last week rushing for 99 yards on 10 carries, Mason's place in the squad will still be there, having the 2nd most rushing yards in the league. If mason was healthy he would be a solid start option but with his injury lingering, Mason is better off on your bench this week.
Breece Hall vs PIT
Breece hall has had an up-and-down season so far just like everyone else on the Jets' offense. A 19.4-point performance was a great comeback for the 1.05 consensus selection this season, however it does not overshadow his performances over the last two weeks, (6.7 and 3.8 respectively,) and the fact he does not have a touchdown since Week 3.
Hall is a great candidate for a turn around in the second half of the season, however that could only start next week after the matchup in Pittsburgh. Giving up the 6th least rushing yards this season, everyone knows this Pittsburgh defense makes almost any adversary bench-worthy and Hall is no different.
Wide Receivers
Garrett Wilson vs PIT
From one Jet to another, Wilson should be on your bench for the same reason Hall is with one additional reason that just came to town. It's difficult to say what negative impact Davante Adams will have on Garrett Wilson's fantasy stock but he will for sure be looked at that way until proven otherwise. Even after back-to-back impressive 20-point performances, Wilson may be a sacrifice necessary to bring back the Rodgers-Adams connection.
Even without the Adams addition Wilson would be a fringe-start this week. Pittsburgh's defense ranks 8th in the league in opposing QBR and ranks 10th in fantasy against WRs. Wilson has had a great attitude in real life about the Adams-trade but his fantasy owners should be upset.
Jayden Reed vs HOU
Ok this is going to be a controversial take but hear me out. Yes, Jayden Reed is having a miraculous breakout season where he ranks 3rd in the league in WR fantasy points but a change is coming. Unfortunately for Reed his stock as the Packers WR1 is out as Christian Watson came back and immediately went off last week. Reed is still going to be a flex option but now is in a three-headed monster of a receiver group which doesn't include fellow breakout player Tucker Kraft.
Another development is Jayden Reed's ankle injury he sustained from last week's game which has kept him limited in practice all week. Reed's great season can also be summed up by the fact he's only had two games above 15 points where he just so happen to go for 33 and 25. Reed has had a special start to the season but from this point on will most likely be a fringe-flex option or a bench decision unfortunately.
Tight Ends
Dallas Goedert vs NYG
One of the top-ranking fantasy TEs this year, Goedert's success has mainly come from one 27-point performance in Week 3. For two main reasons Dallas Goedert is in NO WAY a start-option this week.
The first is a hamstring injury he's been fighting with for almost three weeks now that seemingly won't go away. The second is the reemergence of receiver duo AJ Brown and Devonta Smith from injuries. Last week Goedert posted a goose egg with 0 targets and this week in a divisional matchup in New Jersey, I can't see him doing any better.
Dalton Kincaid vs TEN
For my final selection, I had to pick Dalton Kincaid as my final sit of the week. Kincaid has had a quiet season when many thought he could be the #1 option in Buffalo and have a breakout year. Catching only 21 of his 31 targets for 217 yards and 1 Touchdown on the year, Kincaid hasn't separated himself like many people expected him to this season. Adding to this, a similar reason we've seen on this list already, Kincaid will be dealing with a hamstring injury and may see backup Dawson Knox take over some of his snaps on Sunday.
One extra reason as if those weren't enough to bench the Bills TE is the acquisition of Amari Cooper in Buffalo who will instantly be Josh Allen's #1 target. Kincaid should take a week or two to get 100% healthy, that way towards the end of the season and down the stretch he can be a true option, rather than the injured and unreliable one he is now.
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-Z.D. and Matt Hylen
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