We are in the thick of it. A whopping seven weeks into this crazy game we all love. Even in a rough season there is always time to turn it all around. We all know how fantasy is. Anything can happen. We only have so much football left and we want to enjoy every bit of it. So, let’s enjoy it while it lasts and let’s set those lineups.
Starts
QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (@Min)
Purdy is coming off his worst fantasy performance with just 125 yards passing. Some of you will send him to the bench immediately after such a bust; I’m sure he cost some people a win this week. Don’t be too hard on him, as he’s going to earn your trust back right away with this week's matchup against the Vikings. Minnesota has given up 9 passing TDs and forced only 3 interceptions thus far. Purdy has been efficient all season with a 10:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He will be a QB1 this week so make sure he’s in your lineup.
RB Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots (Buf)
Did not think the former Cowboys star running back would ever make this list again, yet here we are. Man I love fantasy. Yes Elliott is a legit flex play against the Bills this week after getting his first TD as a Patriot in Week 6. Elliott has worked his way into a legit role in the Patriots offense with 20 touches in his previous two games. The reason he should be in your flex this week is because the Bills have been very bad against the run. They have allowed the second highest yards per carry at 5.4. They have also given up the 6th most rushing yards. Look for Belichick to attack their weakness and pound the rock. Elliott is a solid Flex this week.
WR Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals (@Sea)
If you are debating on starting Brown this week all you have to do is look at his targets. He has topped 10 targets in 4 of 6 games this year. To give a comparison, Brown has just one less target than Tyreek Hill this season. Even in a bad offense, Brown is used more than enough to be a must start. The Cardinals WR1 also draws a great matchup against a Seahawks secondary allowing the third most fantasy points to WRs this season. Plug him into your lineup.
TE Kylen Granson, Indianapolis Colts (Cle)
When the TE position is as bad as it is, you have to go deep into the bag and find something that might work. Enter Granson. With at least four targets in all but one game this season, he's floated under the radar as a pretty well used TE. Coming off a season high 67 yards, it’s smart to plug and play him this week before he becomes at hot commodity at the position. Look for him to build off his best performance against the Browns this week.
Defense Jacksonville Jaguars (@ NO)
The Jags have now allowed 20 or fewer points in all but one game this season. Add in the fact that they have forced 15 turnovers this season and it's almost a given they put up good points this week against the Saints. New Orleans is 26th in points scored this season and 20th in yards gained. At first glance this doesn't seem like a great matchup but the more you look at it the better it gets. Jags will be a top ten unit for fantasy this week.
Sits
QB Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (Ari)
The veteran QB now has back to back games with 10 or fewer fantasy points. You might be on the brink of benching him and let this be your sign. Geno isn’t exactly playing poorly, he’s just not getting the ball into the end zone. Just 5 TDs through five games simply won't cut it. He does have a favorable matchup against the Cardinals, but Geno hasn’t been reliable or shown consistency enough this season to be in your lineup. Keep him on the sideline.
RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (SF)
Going into the Chicago game poised for a great game, Mattison fell short. 18 carries for 44 yards. After a game like that I know he’s already out of some of your lineups. The Vikings RB hasn’t been bad but the ceiling is low, with just one score in a total of 100 touches this season so far. Now we can add the fact he’s playing the 49ers this week who are allowing just 80 yards rushing per game this year. Find a better option at RB this week.
WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (Cle)
The Colts number one receiver is coming off his best outing of the year with 9 catches for 109 yards. It’s a different week and he shouldn't be in your lineup. He’s up against a suffocating defense who’s allowed just 121 passing yards a game this season. Overall Pittman has had a mediocre year, with his only TD coming all the way back in Week 1. He did seem to have a connection with journeyman Gardner Minshew which might be good for down the road. For this week make sure he’s on your bench.
TE Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders (@NYG)
It really is a week-to-week basis with the TE position. One week a guy gets 10 targets the next week he gets 2. Thomas has had 8 or more targets in two games and 3 or fewer targets in his other three games. With just one catch for 2 yards against the Falcons, Thomas should be nowhere near lineups this week. With his target share this inconsistent, Thomas should not be in any lineups.
Defense New York Giants (Wsh)
The Giants make the sit list because I see they are sitting atop the waiver wire this week for fantasy defenses. They did play surprisingly well against Buffalo in Week 6, holding them to just 14 points. They're still not worthy of any lineups. They are dead last in fantasy rankings and have allowed over 30 points in half of their games this season. Plus, they have only sacked the opposing QBs 5 times along with just 5 total takeaways on the year. Washington isn’t a great offense but good enough where you shouldn’t be starting the Gmen.
