Sometimes injuries and bye weeks fill in your fantasy football line-ups for you; however, more often than not, you have a choice to make. Make the right choice and you're Sunday will be golden; make the wrong choice and you're cursed with the dreaded "What ifs!" We, here, at the Bruno Boys don't want you to go through thay misery. So, take a gander at our Week 7 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em. At the very least, you'll free yourself of the blame for making the wrong choice.
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QUARTERBACKS - START 'EM
Brett Favre (New York Jets) @ Oakland
You can't teach an old dog, new tricks. Brett Favre is always going to be a gunslinger and he's always going to try and extend plays to make something happen. Sometimes, that's going to backfire as it did in week 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals as Favre threw one interception and fumbled the ball away twice. However, don't let Favre's performance last week deter you from using the old timer in week 7. The Bengals have done surprisingly well against the pass this season, limiting opponents to 167.3 passing yards per game, good for 4th in the league. Favre's week 7 opponent, the Oakland Raiders, haven't been quite as successful, allowing 234.0 passing yards per game, ranking them 25th in the league.
Matt Schaub (Houston Texans) vs. Detroit
In the past three weeks, the only thing that has been able to prevent Schaub from putting up 300+ passing yards and 20+ fantasy points was the flu that kep him out of the Texans week 5 match-up with the Indianapolis Colts. With running back, Steve Slaton, helping to keep defenses honest and Andre Johnson returning to stud status, Schaub has things rolling, and he should roll over a Detroit Lions defense that ranks 30th in the NFL against the pass, giving up 9 passing TDs already on the year and an average of 250.6 passing yards per game.
Brad Johnson (Dallas Cowboys) @ St. Louis
Granted the St. Louis Rams just shocked the Washington Redskins, but to play Tony Romo and risk having him injure himself further in this one would be foolish. The Cowboys have enough talent to beat the Rams without their #1 quarterback. In fact, the Bruno Boys believe that Brad Johnson, who hasn't started a game since 2006, will not only lead the Cowboys to victory, but he'll also have a solid fantasy day doing so. With Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, and now, Roy Williams to throw to, Johnson should have no problem putting up good numbers against a Rams defense allowing 234.0 passing yards per game and that has give up 8 passing scores on the year. Again, this is all contingent on Johnson getting the start, so keep checking back for updates on Romo's playing status.
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QUARTERBACKS - SIT 'EM
Chad Pennington (Miami Dolphins) vs. Baltimore
The move out of the Big Apple down to Miami has served Chad Pennington well, and with three double digit performances already on the year, the Dolphins' starter is earning himself fantasy consideration, especially with the high number of injuries to befell quarterbacks in 2008. Still, don't look for Pennington to get his fourth double digit outing this week. Yes, we know Peyton Manning just carved up this Ravens' defense, but Pennington is no Manning, and the Ravens could have DB Fabian Washington back on the field, a key cog that was missing last week. Even if they're without the defensive back, the Ravens should have a better game plan to deal with his absence than they did in week 6.
Gus Frerotte (Minnesota Vikings) @ Chicago
When the Vikings made the switch to Gus Frerotte, it was an interesting story in the world of fantasy football, but one many owners thought would have little impact in their leagues. Again though, because of the high number of injuries to quarterbacks, Frerotte is now owned and being plugged into line-ups as owners look to exploit match-ups. With the Chicago Bears ranking 27th against the pass, this looks like one of those match-ups you can exploit. But, if you dig a bit deeper, you'll see it's best you stay away. The Bears are giving up yardage, but not passing scores. In fact, the Bears have intercepted opposing QBs more often than they have allowed them to throw one into the endzone, 6 INTs to 5 TDs.
JT O'Sullivan (San Francisco 49ers) @ New York Giants
After 6 weeks of play, it appears the JT, doesn't stand for "Just Touchdowns;" rather with O'Sullivan giving up the ball 3 times in each of the last three games, it's better we call him "Just Turnovers." Don't look for this Giants defense, which ranks 9th against the pass, to allow two quarterbacks to get back on track against them. O'Sullivan will pay for Derek Anderson's week 6 success.
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RUNNING BACKS - START 'EM
Marion Barber (Dallas Cowboys) @ St. Louis
While every Dallas Cowboys' fan bemoaned the injuries suffered by Tony Romo and Felix Jones, every Marion Barber owner did a little jig. With Romo out, the Cowboys undoubtedly will feature their running game more, and with Jones out, the carries will all go Barber's way. Remember the Cowboys' match-up with the Redskins in week 3, where Barber got just 8 carries, those days are long gone. Throw in the fact that Brad Johnson will utilize Barber often as a safety valve, and things get even prettier. He'd be a Start 'Em no matter the opponent, but a match-up with the 31st ranked defense of the Rams is just a cherry on top.
Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) @ Kansas City
The Titans' rookie may be splitting carries with LenDale White, but through 5 games, there has not been one instance in which Johnson has received less that 15 carries. With his opportunities, Johnson has put up 3 double digit days and a fourth should be in the works as the Titans get set to take on the Kansas City Chiefs, the worst team in the league at defending the run. In fact, the Chiefs are giving up over 180 yards per game on the ground and have allowed opposing runners to pass the stripe, 8 times.
Dominic Rhodes (Indianapolis Colts) @ Green Bay
Joseph Addai's torm hamstring has opened the door for Dominic Rhodes in Indiandapolis. Filling in for the injured Addai in week 6, Rhodes carried the rock 25 times and managed 73 yards and a score. The 2.9 yards per carry may seem scary, but owners need to remember Rhodes was running against the number one ranked rush defense in the league in the Baltimore Ravens. Things get easier for Rhodes in week 7 against the Green Bay Packers, who rank 26 spots behind the Ravens at 27.
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RUNNING BACKS - SIT 'EM
Matt Forte (Chicago Bears) vs. Minnesota
With 91 fantasy points through 6 weeks, Forte has been a nice surprise to his owners and a big reason the Bears have a respectable offense. But, the Purple People Eaters of the Minnesota Vikings gobble up opposing runners, evidenced by their #4 ranking against the rush. Forte will get some fantasy points simply due to his large role in the Bears' game plan, but expect his output to be closer his week four 8 point outing.
Kolby Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Tennessee
When Larry Johnson went down last season, Smith stepped in and put up some solid games, including a 150 yard, 2 score effort against the Oakland Raiders. Smith once again will get a chance to showcase his talents this Sunday as Johnson has been suspended by the Chiefs for one game for violating team rules. The suspension may actually be a blessing for Johnson as it will allow him to avoid another stinker as the Titans are fierce when it comes to stopping the run, allowing less than 100 yards per game. Sadly for Smith, he'll be the one who gets to take the abuse instead.
Justin Fargas / Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders) vs. New York Jets
Yes, the Jets have allowed 7 rushing TDs on the year, but can you really trust either part of the Raiders committee against a rush defense that is allowing just 69 rushing yards per game. 69 yards isn't great for a single back, let alone two backs that have to sure the wealth,
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WIDE RECEIVERS - START 'EM
Andre Johnson / Kevin Walter (Houston Texans) vs. Detroit
While there won't be much to go around for the Raiders' backfield, there should be plenty for the Texans' twosome of Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter in their week 7 match-up with the Raiders. Johnson, with a 19 and 21 point effort over the last two weeks, has played himself back into elite status. Meanwhile, don't forget about Walter. Sure, Johnson is the man in Houston, but even so, Walter is getting over 6 targets a game. That should be more than enough to do some damage against the Lions and their 30th ranked pass defense.
Lee Evans (Buffalo Bills) vs. San Diego
Evans may have just 4 catches in the Bills' last two games, but he's turned those 4 catches into 34 fantasy points, going for 188 receiving yards and 2 TDs. You can bet the deep ball threat is looking forward to this week's match-up as the San Diego Chargers come to town. After all, what wide receiver wouldn't be happy to see the 31st ranked pass defense. Look for Evans to do big things as the Chargers have allowed 10 passing TDs on the year and 253.5 passing yards per game to opponents.
Wes Welker (New England Patriots) vs. Denver
The only passing defense worse than the Chargers is the Denver Broncos, who happen to be Welker's week 7 opponents. While the main belief with Matt Cassel taking over was that Welker would feel the effects the most, that hasn't been the case. In every game that Cassel has started, Welker has tallied at least 6 receptions and has put up at least 6 fantasy points. Both trends will continue in this one.
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WIDE RECEIVERS - SIT 'EM
TJ Houshmandzadeh (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Pittsburgh
Bruno Boys Cavigs came up with an excellent stat in the Bruno Boys Week 7 Wide Receiver Rankings, pointing out that while Housh has caught 13 balls from back-up Ryan Fitzpatrick, those catches have amounted to just 99 receiving yards. That's a mere 7.6 yards per catch. Things don't look to get any better in week 7 as Housh will go against the Steelers' 3rd ranked pass defense.
Santana Moss (Washington Redskins) vs. Cleveland
Apparently fantasy football owners weren't the only ones to take notice of Moss' hot start to the season, as opposing defenses have keyed in on shutting down the wide receiver. Cleveland, who has done quite well against the pass, allowing just 188 yards per game and 4 passing TDs on the year, will more than likely adhere to the same strategy. Moss will need to start beating the extra coverage to get back to a must play.
Santonio Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Cincinnati
2008 was supposed to be the year Holmes surpassed Pittsburgh favorite, Hines Ward, as the team's top wide receiver, but through 5 games, Ward has a 21 point advantage on Holmes. Until Holmes starts hauling in more than the 3.4 receptions he's averaging on the year, it's going to be difficult for him to perform at the level owners expected upon drafting the wide out. A tough match-up with the Bengals pass defense (never thought I'd be typing that) won't help matters.
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TIGHT ENDS - START 'EM
Owen Daniels (Houston Texans) vs. Detroit
You may have noticed that Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Kevin Walter all already appear on this list. What can we say, with the Texans knack for airing it out and the Lions knack for not playing particularly strong defense, we like the match-up. Daniels has a total of 19 points over his last three games, good for an average of 6.33 points per outing. He should surpass that number in week 7.
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TIGHT ENDS - SIT 'EM
Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Tennessee
Had Touchdown Tony been dawning another uniform this week as a result of a trade, in all likelihood, he wouldn't appear here, but the Chiefs held onto the tight end, dashing the hopes of all his fantasy owners. The Titans are a tremendous defense, currently giving up the least amount of points in the league at 11.2, while the Chiefs put up just 13 points per game on offense. You do the math.
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KICKERS - START 'EM
Adam Vinatieri (Indianapolis Colts) @ Green Bay
Who benefits the most when an offense hits its stride? That's right, the team's kicker. With the Colts looking like the Colts of old last week against the Baltimore Ravens, we like Vinatieri's chances at notching his first double digit game of the season in what should be a high scoring affair at Lambeau field.
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KICKERS - SIT 'EM
Nick Novak (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Tennessee
Remember the math I had you do back in the Tony Gonzalez Sit 'Em, the same formula applies to Novak. This is going to be an ugly one for the Chiefs, especially with Larry Johnson suspended, but in reality, I don't even know if having him would make a difference.
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DEFENSES - START 'EM
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has turned the ball over 6 times in just 2 starts this season. In those same two starts, he's averaged just 154 passing yards and thrown only one completed pass into the endzone. Yes, the Steelers, who rank 2nd overall in defense should have a feast in this one.
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DEFENSES - SIT 'EM
Buffalo Bills vs. San Diego
The Bills have been a pleasant surprise on the defensive side of the ball this season, ranking in the top 10 among defenses in the NFL. But, they'll their hands full in this one against a Chargers' defense that is putting up just a smidge less than 30 points per game at 29.7. Look for a better match-up to play this week.
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WEEK 7 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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Also read: Week 7 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em (click to view)
Also read: Fantasy Football Week 6 Waiver Wire Advice (click to view)
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