Fantasy Friday: Week 7
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- Well, I think it is safe to say that Aaron Rodgers has finally played the game that everyone that took him No. 1 overall in their fantasy draft was waiting for. Me on the other hand, I have 3 fantasy teams, and just my luck I went against Rodgers in all 3 leagues. Needless to say it was not a successful week and my teams. 338 yards and 6 touchdowns, later Rodgers put in the top fantasy performance of the season to date. Now the question is, what does he do for an encore? He won't have an easy match-up playing in St. Louis and their much improved defense.
Here are my stars and duds for week 7.
Quarterbacks To Play:
Drew Brees - Yes I realize that you pretty much play Brees any time the Saints are not on a bye week. The Saints are coming off a bye week and their first win of the season the week before that and they are greeted back by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their 31st ranked pass defense. Brees and the Saints offense were clicking on all cylinders last time out and I don't expect it to change this week in Tampa.
Ben Roethlisberger - With the Steelers running game struggling and the offensive line beat and battered expect Roethlisberger to be throwing a lot on Sunday night in Cincinnati. Adam Jones and Terence Newman were big time cornerbacks at one point in their career, but not anymore. Those guys matched up against Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown should have Roethlisberger licking his chops all night.
Quarterbacks to Bench:
Matthew Stafford - The Bears defense has been sensational this year and they get the Lions at home on Monday Night Football, yeah this is not a match-up you want for any Lion player that you have on your roster. The only one I would even consider playing is Calvin Johnson and that is simply because he is Calvin Johnson. All other Detroit players should stay comfortably on your bench this week unless you absolutely have to play them.
Robert Griffin III - RG3 played well last week coming off of a concussion the game before, mixing the running game and passing game for over 300 total yards. But this week will be different, playing the New Meadowlands against the Giants is a little different from playing the Vikings in front of your home crowd. Expect the Giants to mix it up big time trying to confuse the rookie.
Running Backs to Play:
Doug Martin - The Saints defense has been plain bad this year, in fact no team in the NFC has given up more yards or points on the ground this year. The Bucs should being running the ball a bunch trying to keep the clock running to keep Brees and the Saints offense on the bench.
Felix Jones - He is the main back for the Cowboys this week, by default due to injuries, but nonetheless he is the guy this week. He played well last week as a back-up stepping in after the injuries. After a full week with 1st team reps he should be fresh and ready to run in Carolina.
Trent Richardson - Richardson has been the only constant for the Browns this season and this week he gets to go up against the Colts defense which ranks 29th in the league stopping the run.
Running Back to Bench:
BenJarvus Green-Ellis - Not that I think the Steelers defense should scare anyone, but the Bengals running game has been very inconstant and I expect this game to be a high scoring shootout, which tends to keep running backs out of the action.
Shonn Greene - The Jets and Greene were able to run successfully last week against the Colts, but they had the lead the entire game and didn't have to pass. This week should be the completely different against the Patriots defense and probably not playing with the lead.
Wide Receivers to Play:
A.J. Green - Who watched the performance Ike Taylor had last week? Guess what, this week he goes up against the leagues leading receiver in reception yards. Can you say mismatch?
Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown - See Ben Roethlisberger.
Wide Receivers to Bench:
Texans Receivers - The Baltimore Ravens defense hasn't been what we are used to seeing from them to this point in the year, but the surprise has come from what they have allowed on the ground, not through the air. The Ravens have been pretty stout in that department, especially when it comes to giving up passing TD's, only 4 while getting 7 interceptions.
That is your Fantasy Friday update for Week 7, as always good luck and don't forget to update your rosters.
