Week 7 Top Plays and Fades

Photo by Brett Coomer- Houston Chronicle

We’re into Week 7 already, which means we’re rapidly approaching the halfway mark in the fantasy season. We’re also in the midst of bye week hell, with stars like Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs and AJ Brown all on bye this week. Bench depth and start/sit decisions become much more important at this time of year. Playing bye-week roulette is a struggle, but managers that pull it off can steal wins and set themselves up for the playoffs.

Here at Go For Two, we’ve split players into a few different categories. We’ll give you a Go For Two option, a field goal play, and a turnover on downs. The Go For Two option is a player that is rostered in very few leagues, but has the potential to blow up and win you the week. This is a player that you start and bask in the glory when they go off. The field goal option is a player that is a borderline start, but we are giving you confidence this week. Start them and enjoy the points that you collect. The turnover on downs player is a highly rostered player who is set up to disappoint you. Do what you can to avoid a turnover on downs.

Field Goal Plays

Brandin Cooks, WR (Hou) – Cooks is off to an underwhelming year so far. He’s only eclipsed the 60 yard mark once, and only has one touchdown on the season. Some of the blame needs to be placed at the feet of Davis Mills, who has not taken the step forward as a sophomore that was expected. This week though, the Texans play against the lowly Raiders, who’s secondary does not have a shutdown corner capable of neutralizing Cooks. The Raiders are currently giving up over 250 yards per game through the air and rank near the bottom of the league in giving up 26 points per game. There should be enough holes in this defense for Cooks to take advantage of. As a side bonus, there have been some trade rumors revolving around Cooks, so the Texans may feature him a lot this week to try and raise his value if those rumors are true. – Derek

Marcus Mariota, QB (Atl) – Marcus Mariota has 3 passing touchdowns to go with 121 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown over the last two weeks.  Those numbers have produced top 12 fantasy production both weeks, with the only concern being that he has only 27 completions and 276 passing yards over that same span.  Mariota takes on the Bengals in Cincinnati Week 7, where the Falcons are significant underdogs.  The Falcons will likely be forced to throw the ball early and often if they have any hope in winning this week.  I’m predicting 200+ passing yards, 50+ rushing yards, and at least two total touchdowns, which should be good enough for another top 12 finish this week. – Jonathan

Michael Gallup, WR (Dal)- With the amount of high-profile players on bye this week, there is a reasonable chance you need some form of help at wide receiver . Perhaps that help could come in the form of Michael Gallup. Although the Cowboys have been easing him back in as he’s recovered from a torn ACL, and he hasn’t necessarily popped off in the box score yet this campaign, it is encouraging to see that his quantity of targets have progressively increased in each game that he has been active in thus far. Factor in that Dak Prescott is set to return, and that the Cowboys are facing an extremely leaky Lions defense, Gallup can be fired up as a high-upside WR3 this week- Ryan

Turn Over On Downs

David Montgomery, RB (Chi) – The Bears are traveling to Foxborough to face off against the Patriots. Bill Belichick is famous for shutting down an offense’s best option, and forcing them to win using the weaker parts of their team. The Bears best option for years has been David Montgomery, and the Pats game plan will certainly be focused on stopping him. Fields will be forced to beat the Patriots with his arm; a prospect that doesn’t scare anyone. I still think Monty should see enough volume that his floor is fairly safe, but I don’t expect any breakaway plays or touchdowns. It will be tough to sit Montgomery on a rough week for bye weeks, but sit him if you can. If you’re forced to play him, temper your expectations to sub-80 yards and no touchdown. (More like sub 20 yards) -Derek

Jerry Jeudy, WR (Den) – Russell Wilson has been ruled out for Week 7 against the Jets.  Say what you will about the Broncos this season, but they will somehow still be significantly worse offensively with Brett Rypien under center.  Expect all pass catchers, especially deep threat Jerry Jeudy, to take a hit in fantasy production as Denver relies on a backfield committee of Latavius Murray, Mike Boone, and Melvin Gordon (in that order).  Jeudy hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 4 and hasn’t gone above 54 receiving yards since Week 1.  Leave him on the bench this week and look for fantasy production elsewhere. – Jonathan

D’Onta Foreman, RB (Car)- While many may instinctively slot Foreman into their lineups this week in the wake of the CMC trade, I’m not sure that is the greatest approach. He and Chuba Hubbard both need to be rostered in all formats just to see how things shake out, but fact is, neither are recommended plays this week. For a Panthers team with an implied total of just 13 points, and the risk of a dead-even timeshare between the two aforementioned backs, you are likely crossing your fingers for a touchdown for any sort of remote fantasy relevance this week. Factor in that they are 13 point underdogs and facing an impenetrable Bucs run defense to boot, it is not far-fetched to claim Hubbard will “outscore” Foreman this week, though neither are recommended plays. In short, both Panthers backs should be rostered, but this is not the week to be starting them- Ryan. 

Go For Two Option

Kalif Raymond, WR (Det) – Raymond is just a fringe player for the Lions, and as such has really done nothing so far this year. When everyone is healthy, Raymond hardly sees the field, only getting single digit snaps in Weeks 1 – 3. This week though, Chark is out, and Reynolds is questionable, meaning Raymond is set up to line up on the outside for most snaps. Last year, when pushed into a starting role, Raymond produced, with 5 weeks as a WR3 or better. The Lions will scheme Raymond for a big play or two this week, and if he can connect with Goff, the results could be fireworks once again.