With six teams on bye and many falling victim to flu season, the usually lucky Week 7 is drawing near.
There was plenty of offense in Week 6, spearheaded by six 350-yard passers, a 210-yard rushing performance from aging Jets running back Thomas Jones and a few unbelievable catches from current and former Double-D Wisconsin players -- Driver and Daniels. What's next in Week 7? How about an encore?
While you wait for those Sunday and Monday encore performances, enjoy this week's fantasy forecast. It features the usual player watch, a few fantasy heroes and villains, some burning questions answered by the RapidDraft.com expert writers, some IDP insight, and a Packers-Browns game breakdown. You could also visit RapidDraft.com and sign-up for the RD Weekly contest for a shot at the $50K weekly prize.
Good luck.
WEEK 7 PLAYER WATCH
New England quarterback Tom Brady -- "It's about time!" Brady finally put up numbers worth cheering in Week 6 as he recorded his first 300-yard game since destroying Buffalo in Week 1 and threw for as many touchdowns (6) as he had thrown for in five weeks leading up to last week's shredding of the Titans' secondary. This week, Brady and the Pats' offense head south to face an 0-6 Buccaneers defense that not only ranks 30th in the NFL in passing touchdowns allowed (13), but also in rushing yards allowed per game (171.7). Because the Bucs rank 30th in rushing yards allowed per game, they rank ninth in passing yards allowed per game. Brady has the hot hand, but what will Mr. Belicheck want to do against a weak run defense?
St. Louis running back Steven Jackson -- How bad is the Rams offense? Considering that Jackson hasn't scored a single touchdown this season, even though he has totaled 671 yards of offense, should give an indication of how awful it is. There is good news this week; the Rams are at home, where Jackson has averaged 100.5 yards per game on the ground. The bad news is that they're playing the Colts, who are not only 14th in the NFL against the run on defense, but are fifth in offensive points scored per game (27.4) while the Rams are dead last averaging just 9.0 per game. Will Jackson finally lunge over the pylon? Can he continue to produce consistent numbers? And how much will he contribute to the passing game once the Colts grab a huge lead?
Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald -- There are a few lustrous numbers that make Fitzgerald a salient fantasy player to watch against the New York Giants. In 2008, Fitzgerald recorded at least five receptions in all four games against NFC East teams and scored four touchdowns; three came on the road. This season, the Giants are allowing a league-low 147.3 passing yards per game, but were gashed by their second real NFL quarterback, Drew Brees, for 369 yards and four touchdowns. What am I saying? Simple: With the exception of Tony Romo and Drew Brees the Giants haven't played any tough quarterbacks, or offenses for that matter, this season. Fitzgerald is coming off a few big performances and the Arizona offense is rolling. The Cardinals may not win the game, but Fitzgerald may win a few fantasy games this week.
Week 7 Fantasy Heroes and Villains
("Transformers" style)
It's time to take a chance and have some fun. Since the new "Transformers" movie was just released on video, this is a great time to do some fantasy heroes and villains for Week 7 and throw in a few comparisons.
Heroes (Autobots)
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning (Ultimate Optimus Prime) -- There are three things going for this Manning this week. First, he's leading a Colts offense coming off a bye week. Second, he has recorded five consecutive 300-yard games and the Colts are 5-0. And finally, he's playing a Rams defense ranked 26th in passing yards allowed per game (252.0), and 30th in points allowed per game (28.2). Manning is currently the Optimus Prime of fantasy football, but you add a few Jetfire-like pieces, aka the Rams horrid defense, and you may just have the ultimate, enhanced Optimus Manning. Projection: 350 yards, four touchdown passes.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Bumblebee) -- There is no better fit for Mr. Rodgers than Bumblebee. He can get walloped all game long and still not be fantasy fazed. Against Minnesota and Detroit in Weeks 4 and 6 (Week 5 was a bye), he was sacked a combined 13 times, yet he threw for 350-plus yards and two touchdowns in each of those games. This week, he gets to face the putrid Browns defense. He should have no problem playing hero this week, even if Wimbley and company get to him five times. Projection: 320 yards and three touchdown passes.
Miami running back Ronnie Brown (Ironhide) -- Much like Ironhide, Brown is the weapons specialist of fantasy football, at least for this week. The Dolphins runner can do it all -- run, catch, and throw tight spirals. This week at home against the undefeated Saints, Brown will have to do it all if the Dolphins want to knock off possibly the hottest team in the NFL. Also keep in mind that Miami is coming off a bye, so Brown is well-rested. Projection: 175 total yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 receiving touchdown.
Carolina running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart (Mudflap and Skids) -- The timing on this comparison couldn't be better. Williams and Stewart are coming off their first simultaneously 100-yard performance of the season. That's right -- both runners dashed and rumbled for more than 100 yards each against the Buccaneers last week. Next up is the 32nd-ranked Bills defense at home. When these two Panthers runners are on, they can destroy any defense, especially one that has allowed 218.2 rushing yards per game thus far this season. Projection: 230 combined rushing yards, 3 total touchdowns.
Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward (Ratchet) -- Clearly, Ward has been the "medic" for the Steelers offense this season. He leads the NFL in receptions (41) and receiving yards (599), and is fifth in the league with 24 first downs. He fixes the Pittsburgh offense when it finds itself slumping, and could be Big Ben Roethlisberger's most reliable target. This week, he finds himself matched up against a Vikings defense that has allowed 248.3 passing yards per game and has surrendered nine touchdowns through the air. Projection: 7 receptions, 96 yards, two touchdowns.
Villains (Decepticons)
Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre (The Fallen) -- Besides being the elder statesman, in some eyes he has betrayed his original family -- the Green Bay Packers -- and is looking for revenge, much like The Fallen. The only problem for Favre this week is that he's facing his first real test against a heavy pass rush on the road, and outside in the elements, no less. The Steelers rank second in the NFL with 17 team sacks and tenth in passing yards allowed per game (200.7). Megatron can't even save him. Projection: 185 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions.
Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson (Megatron) -- As most already know, Mr. Peterson is extremely talented and evil; have you seen the Nike Pro Combat commercial? However, neither his talents nor his apparel/weapons will do him any good this week against the Steelers defense. It's the same Steelers defense that ranks second in rushing yards allowed per game (74.5), and first in rushing touchdowns allowed (1) for the season. Plus, this game will be played in the Steel City. Projection: 68 rushing yards, 0 touchdowns.
Philadelphia wide receiver Desean Jackson (Starscream): Jackson can fly down the field; not at Mach 2.8 speed, but fast enough to be a concern for opposing defenses. And while the Eagles high-flyer has been a solid fantasy contributor thus far this season, he had terrible showings against the Redskins in 2008; a combination of three receptions for 22 yards in two games. How can you go against the numbers here? Projection: 4 receptions, 40 yards.
New York running back Brandon Jacobs (Devastator) -- It's fitting that Jacobs is the Devastator this week considering his power style of running. He may run over a few Cardinals defensive backs, but he'll ultimately be destroyed by the Cardinals front four. Arizona as a team defense ranks first in rushing yards allowed per game (59.6) and yards per carry (2.8). Jacobs' continual struggles to get on track will continue this week. Projection: 47 rushing yards, 0 touchdowns.
RapidDraft.com writers Eric Huber, Matt Schauf, and Frank Mazzola answer a few burning questions heading into Week 7.
Which Manning brother -- Eli or Peyton -- will come up big this week? Why?
Huber: Both have good match-ups, so I suspect both will come up big. However, if I had to pick one or the other I would definitely lean towards the elder Peyton this week against a very bad Rams defense (see above).
Schauf: I like both Mannings as fantasy starters this week because both get good matchups. I'll pretty much always take Peyton first, though, especially when he's facing the Rams.
Mazzola: I actually go Eli on this one. Peyton should throw for three scores in the first half and then lay off the rest of the game. Eli will be throwing all day to keep up with the Cardinals and should have success as well.
After seeing what Thomas Jones accomplished last week against Buffalo, are Panthers running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart both absolute must starts?
Huber: If Stewart's injured Achilles holds up again and he plays, absolutely yes. Although they're coming off a big win the Bills are absolutely decimated on defense and have to go on the road to sunny Charlotte. The chips are definitely stacked in both runners' favor.
Schauf: Williams certainly is. Stewart is a solid starter, but I'll pretty much never call a team's second back a fantasy "must-start." Especially in point-per-reception leagues, plenty of fantasy owners will have safer bets on their roster. Just to reiterate, though, the matchup against a weak Buffalo run defense (league-high 5.3 yards per carry allowed for the season) is good for both players.
Mazzola: I'm usually a little hesitant to start both members of a running back committee. However, these two will get so much work that they are both viable options. Carolina would like to limit Delhomme's mistakes, so they'll try to run all game long.
Is Miles Austin the real deal or just a one week wonder? What do you expect out of him this week?
Huber: While I do believe Austin is the real deal, the Cowboys are coming off a bye week for which they've had some time to adjust the offense to better fit playmaking tight end Jason Witten. Expect Austin to start and play well, but don't expect another game like he had pre-bye against the Chiefs.
Schauf: He's for real in that he has the most upside of any receiver in Dallas and has apparently earned a starting spot. It would be foolish to expect any more 250-yard or 10-catch games out of him, though. I like him to be the most productive Dallas wide receiver the rest of the way, though this week actually presents a tough matchup. The Falcons have only allowed one touchdown to opposing wideouts so far.
Mazzola: Austin is likely "feast or famine" every week. He's not someone I would want to rely on consistently. This week, though, I think he has a good chance to find the end zone against Atlanta.
Name your best and bust players for Week 7 (QB, RB, WR, TE).
Huber: QB -- Best: Peyton Manning, Bust: Brett Favre RB -- Best: DeAngelo Williams, Bust: Brandon Jacobs WR -- Best: Reggie Wayne, Bust: Terrell Owens TE -- Best: Heath Miller, Bust: Brent Celek
Schauf: QB -- Best: Peyton Manning, Bust: Tony Romo, RB -- Best: DeAngelo Williams, Bust: Brandon Jacobs, WR -- Best: Roddy White, Bust: Santana Moss, TE -- Best: Dallas Clark, Bust: Zach Miller
Mazzola: QB -- Best: Aaron Rodgers, Bust: Brett Favre RB -- Best: Michael Turner, Bust: Ronnie Brown WR -- Best: Andre Johnson, Bust: Braylon Edwards TE -- Best: Jason Witten, Bust: Kellen Winslow Jr
Individual Defensive Player Insight
Although he doesn't make a lot of tackles, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews has a knack for making big plays, as he's done in the past two games. In Week 4 against the Vikings, he ripped the ball from Adrian Peterson and sprinted down the sidelines for a touchdown. Last week, he sacked Lions quarterbacks twice, and recorded five total tackles. If you're looking for a bye week fill-in and are willing to take a chance on a high risk player with little tackle potential, the big play reward may pay huge dividends.
Did you know?
For his career, Redskins starting running back Clinton Portis is averaging 82.4 rushing yards and almost one touchdown per game against the Eagles.
Game 6 Fantasy Breakdown: Green Bay vs. Cleveland
The last time the Packers played the Browns, it was the preseason opener at Lambeau Field and they shut out a pitiful Cleveland pee-wee-like team. This week, they'll be playing in the barking Dawg Pound, but the Browns are still that pitiful pee-wee team. But as the green and gold has shown time and time again road blocks, like penalties, seem to hold this team back from being completely dominant.
As for fantasy, well, this may not even be a fair fight; you'll see what I mean below.
Quarterback -- Aaron Rodgers vs. Derek Anderson
Once again Aaron Rodgers has a cakewalk of a match-up, even on the road. In four games (three starts), Derek Anderson has thrown six interceptions, just two touchdown passes and has a quarterback rating of 41.7. In his last four games Rodgers has put up better than the exact opposite, throwing seven touchdown passes to just two interceptions. He's also thrown for over 350 yards in each of his last two outings. Advantage: Rodgers.
Running back -- Ryan Grant vs. Jerome Harrison, Jamal Lewis and Josh Cribbs
Packers running back Ryan Grant hasn't been spectacular this season, but has quietly put up No. 2-like numbers. This week, like Rodgers, Grant has a pushover of a match-up. In fact, I don't even think you can call it a match-up. The fact that wide receiver Josh Cribbs led the team last week in yardage (45) on six carries should tell you how bad the Browns rushing attack truly is. Advantage: Grant.
Wide Receiver -- Greg Jennings and Donald Driver vs. Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs and Mike Furrey
This is yet another mismatch. Jennings and Driver are so far above the threesome in Cleveland when it comes to fantasy that it's almost not even fair. Driver himself has recorded almost as many receiving yards (395) than the Browns top three have combined for (422). Advantage: Jennings and Driver.
Tight End -- Jermichael Finley and Donald Lee vs. Robert Royal and Steve Heiden
None of these tight ends are exactly appealing. However,considering how bad the Browns are offensively, and the fact that Royal and Heiden have combined for one reception and seven yards in the past two games, there is no doubt that Packers big pass-catchers are the far better fantasy plays. Advantage: Finley and Lee.
