Week 7 Loves & Hates
Loves
QB
Aaron Rodgers (Packers)- Well let’s face it, last week was definitely not Rodgers and the Packers best game, but do we really expect them to just crumble? No, the answer is no. What we should expect is a more focused Packers team and a truly pissed off Rodgers who will be looking to lay waste to the Texans defense. And quite frankly this is a good matchup for the Packers offense. The Texans have improved as of late, since they fired Bill O’Brien, but they still have deficiencies that can be exposed. Last week Ryan Tannehill looked other worldly when he threw for 366 yards and 4 TDs. Tannehill is a great QB in the league but he is not Rodgers. Rodgers gets the luxury of going after the Texans defense, which is averaging 19th against QBs, 30th for RBs, 25th for WRs, and 22nd for TEs. What is more surprising is that during the past two weeks the Texans have been even worse than their average, and by a large margin. With Davante Adams back and getting caught up, and Aaron Jones being an absolute force, I don’t see how Rodgers puts up another stinker.
Josh Allen (Bills)- Surprisingly the Jets this season have been good against opposing QBs, WRs, and TEs, as they average around middle of the pack. But, my take away from this is due to the Jets getting absolutely steamrolled (by most teams) and teams just running the ball to get the game over with. Although there is a chance the Bills follow the same trend as the other teams, I do expect Allen to throw early and often, while also using his mobility to rush the ball. Something else to take note of is how the Jets defend against slot WRs. So far this season slot receivers have been able to feast and with Cole Beasley being one of the better slots in the league, I see this trend continuing. Not to mention that Stefon Diggs and John Brown are also kind of good. Look for the Bills to throw early and create a huge lead, and hopefully they stay aggressive and run the score up.
RBs
Ronald Jones II (Buccaneers)- I don’t think there is a luckier RB in the league right now. Jones was able to run all over the Packers defense last week, mostly due to game script, and this week he gets the Raiders defense who is 31st against RBs. The Raiders are averaging 33.30 points to opposing RBs, with a good portion of those points coming on passes to RBs. To this point the Raiders have allowed 34 receptions, 325 yards, and 1 touchdown through the air, while also allowing 500 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns. With how strong the Buccaneers defense played against the Packers, and with the Raiders potentially having to start a patch work offensive line, I think this bodes well for Jones to have another monster day.
Antonio Gibson (Washington Football Team)- With fantasy owners freaking out about the recent decision to split the backfield between Gibson and J.D. McKissic, there is some hope this week that Gibson sees more work. So far this season the Cowboys defense has been some what of a sieve to RBs, as they have allowed 818 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns. But the cowboys have been better when it comes to limiting a RBs involvement in the passing game with only 19 receptions for 106 yards allowed. McKissic is the teams pass-catching back and these stats don’t seem to favor him. Who do they favor you ask? Well that is Gibson. Gibson is a more traditional back who has been developing quite well during his rookie year, and should be able to take advantage of the Cowboys poor run defense.
WRs
Chase Claypool (Steelers)- Last week the Titans ranked 30th against opposing WRs when they played the Texans. The Titans allowed 18 receptions for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns to the Texans WRs, who were Will Fuller V, Brandin Cooks, and Randall Cobb. Claypool is a far better receiver than the Texans receivers, and with such a favorable matchup you would be a fool if you did not start him. Although last week we saw a pretty even distribution of targets among the Steelers pass catchers, the athleticism and skill set of Claypool should allow for him to provide big plays and put up big numbers. If we look at what Fuller did last week to the Titans, I would expect a similar stat line for Claypool. So don’t try to get cute just play your top players.
Kenny Golladay (Lions)- Since week 3 (when Golladay started his season after injury), all Golladay has done is put up consistent numbers. As the top target for the Lions he has seen his fair share of passes thrown his way. What’s more important is that he gets a Falcons defense that is one of the worst when it comes to defending opposing WRs. This season the Falcons rank 28th and after last week’s game they ranked 31st. The Falcons allowed a staggering 230 yards 3 touchdowns on 14 receptions to the Vikings, with the only team being worse than they were, and that team was the Vikings. In this game the Falcons let the Vikings claw their way back and made a final score look respectable, although it should never have gotten to that point. With Matt Stafford at QB for the Lions and a serious upgrade over Kirk Cousins, the Lions should be able to have a better day passing. If the Lions get Golladay involved early and let him take over the game, this is an easy win for the Lions and a huge day for you all that roster Golladay.
Terry McLaurin (Washington Football Team)- Here it is, another Washington player as a love. McLaurin faces a poor Cowboys defense and Kyle Allen is finally settling in at QB. What is funny is that the only blemish so far this season for McLaurin comes not from a tough matchup, but from a carousel at QB. In a horrible matchup against the Ravens, McLaurin was able to be the go to receiver and put forth a 10 reception 118 yard day. With the Washington Football Team facing the Cowboys, who rank 27th and allow 44.16 fantasy points to WRs, it is hard not to get excited. McLaurin should be able to feast on the DBs for the Cowboys and have a huge performance.
TEs
David Njoku (Browns)- I had a wonderful piece describing how Hooper would have a good game. But I trashed that piece because Hooper is ruled out because of an emergency appendectomy. This isn’t overly in-depth, but David Njoku could be a decent replacement. Before going on IR, Njoku put up 14 fantasy points against the Ravens. Now that he has had the ability to get up to speed, Njoku could be a risk reward start in daily leagues due to his cheap price. In standard leagues there is some value as well. The Bengals are 27th and have given up 16.42 points to TEs.
Dalton Schultz (Cowboys)- With the team trying to find its new identity after the injury to Dak Prescott, one thing that tends to happen is the new QB establishes a connection with his security blanket. When this happens the QB tends to pummel him with targets. Luckily the Cowboys have a reliable TE in Schultz that has the best matchup on the team going into this week. One of the real weak points for the Washington Football Team is how they defend against TEs. With how good the Washington Football Team is at defending RBs and WRs, Andy Dalton might be forced to look to Schultz.
D/ST
Washington Football Team- If you are looking for the easy way out just take the Bills this week. If you are streaming defenses on the other hand and are willing to take a risk, I propose the Washington Football Team. Washington happens to be one of the best teams against RBs and WRs, which at this point are the focal points of the Cowboys offense. If Washington sells out against the run and forces Dalton to beat them with his arm, Washington will be in a good spot. Not to mention that the offensive line for the Cowboys has been decimated with injuries, and Washington has heavily invested in their defensive front. If you’re feeling adventurous play the Washington Football Team.
Hates
QB
Drew Brees (Saints)- This looks like yet another week Brees is without his top WR Michael Thomas. The Panthers are one of the better teams in the league this year against QBs and WRs, while also being decent against TEs. They rank 4th against QBs averaging a mere 13.89 fantasy points, while also being 4th against WRs allowing 29.13 fantasy points. The only saving grace for Brees is the Panthers inability to stop opposing RBs, both rushing and receiving as they rank 29th. This season the Panthers have given up the most receptions and the second most receiving yards to RBs. So basically what I am saying is start Alvin Kamara. I don’t expect Brees to have the best day, more than likely it will be his 15 point outing.
RB
Derrick Henry (Titans)- This week Henry gets his toughest challenge to date against the Steelers, who are ranked 1st when going up against RBs. The Steelers have only allowed 274 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, while also only giving up 153 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. I expect the Steelers to focus on stopping Henry by hitting him early and often, and forcing the Titans into passing situations. I don’t think the Steelers completely shut down Henry, but a pedestrian outing seems quite likely.
WR
Cooper Kupp (Rams)- This game against the Bears has the makings of a heavyweight bout. Both teams have some of the best defenses against QBs, RBs, and WRs. If this game ends in a 13-10 score I would not be shocked. Because of this it feels like Kupp could be the odd man out of the Rams offense. Although he has been reliable coming out of the slot, the Bears defense could make it hard for Jared Goff to set up and get the ball out. All in all, I think the Bears defense creates problems for the Rams offensive line, which in turn impacts targets and performances for the WRs.
TE
Darren Waller (Raiders)- The Buccaneers look to continue wreaking havoc with their stifling defense by getting a Raiders offense that could be without all of their starting offensive linemen. Not to mention the Bucs are 3rd against QBs, and 8th against TEs as they have allowed 22 receptions for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns. With the uncertainty on the offensive line the Bucs should be able to tee off on Derek Carr and do what they just did to the Packers. Side bar, this makes me think that this entire thought might be another Love for the Buccaneers D/ST, but it’s also a Hate for Waller.
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