'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
As the seasons change and the nights are longer and colder, we’re getting more serious about making the fantasy playoffs. It’s no longer about simply starting your studs. You need to exploit matchups that can garner the most points. Using the best data in the business, I’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Here are my Week 7 flex plays to start and shy away from.
Week 7 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em Flex Picks
Start 'Em picks
1] Tank Bigsby (RB, JAX)
Last week disappointed Bigsby owners. The second-year runner only carried seven times for 24 yards in a lopsided loss to the Bears. We’ve learned that if and when Travis Etienne misses time, he’s replaced by D’Ernest Johnson as the passing down back. Bigsby remains the grinder between the tackles.
So, in games where the Jags might not fare well, you may want to bench Bigsby. This isn’t that week. He’ll face a Patriots team that allows the sixth-most points to opposing running backs on the season.
2] Chase Brown (RB, CIN)
It’s Brown’s time to shine. He’s pulling away from Zack Moss in the Bengals backfield as he worked as the lead back in Week 6. Brown’s ascension to the RB1 role has been gradual.
Last week, we saw Brown outsnap for the first time this season. Against the Browns, I expect more of the same. Cleveland has been good against the run, allowing the 11th fewest points to running backs. This is about volume and opportunity for me. I’m betting on talent, and Brown is much more athletic than Moss. Give me Brown for an easy 10 PPR points.
3] Wan'Dale Robinson (WR, NYG)
We’ll see the return of super rookie Malik Nabers. That’s great for fantasy and the Giants offense as a whole. What it also does is free up Wan'Dale Robinson to roam the middle of the field from the slot.
The Eagles are a poor tackling unit, and their heavy zone scheme and off-coverage allow for lots of easy completions underneath. Philly allows the seventh most points to WRs. This is a two-man passing game with Nabers and Robinson dominating targets. In all but one game this season, Robinson has seen at least eight targets. I’m confident he’ll eat versus rookie slot corner Cooper DeJean.
Also read: Trey Sermon or Tyler Goodson: Week 7 Fantasy outlook and projections for Colts RBs
Sit 'Em Picks
1] Josh Downs (WR, IND)
I love Downs as a player. I don’t love his quarterback situation. Indy welcomes Anthony Richardson back this week, and every Colts receiver will suffer because of it. While Downs has at least seven catches and 65 yards in his last three games, none were with Richardson.
While playing together, Downs has only surpassed 40 yards once in Week 5 of 2023. I don’t trust Richardson to find Downs through his progressions as he bails from the pocket regularly. It’s a shame, too, as Downs was crushing it for fantasy.
2] Nick Chubb (RB, CLE)
Listen, this is an incredible comeback story. Chubb is returning from a gruesome leg injury that he suffered in 2023. Some didn’t think he would ever play again. While I like the player, I hate the situation.
Cleveland is awful. They can’t score or stop anybody. Not good. I expect the Bengals to jump out to a lead and force Cleveland to throw. That’s not where Chubb is going to do anything just yet. I highly doubt they would have Chubb playing in long down and distance situations where he has to pass protect on his surgically repaired leg.
Don’t be a hero with Chubb in his first game back. The Browns would be very, very dumb to put a full workload on his plate. Then again, this is the Browns.
3] Jordan Mason (RB, SF)
Not being listed on the final injury report means nothing to me. Mason is nursing an injured AC joint. He tried to return last week with this same issue and lasted one snap. This week, Mason worked with a non-contact jersey in practice. I have very little faith he’s going to last an entire game against a stout Chiefs defense with a gimpy shoulder. I’m not playing him if I don’t have to.
