The dynamic duo’s back in action, looking to stay hot after at least one solid call that definitely saved my fantasy bacon last week. If you started Josh Downs over Garrett Wilson, congrats on the start/sit bonus boost …

Start These Players In Week 7

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, NE

LAGHEZZA: When offenses begin to clearly ascend behind star quarterback play, the fantasy landscape is usually clamoring to grab a piece of that action. However, when it comes to New England’s backfield, there’s a game of fantasy hot potato happening in the NFL’s worst rush attack by EPA/attempt (-0.20).

Can you find me anyone, anywhere, still unironically bullish on the Patriot RBs? And I get it—sometimes eye tests and game film match the spreadsheets on cascading failures. Through six weeks of play, the four-win Pats posted just one top-10 RB weekly finish over a month ago. How is that even possible?

When the sharpest knives in our Fantasy Life drawer start to vent obvious frustrations, you can bet there’s a compelling argument behind it …

So, besides being a bit irregular, why am I jumping on TreVeyon Henderson when Ian’s right over the target as always? Honestly, for spreadsheet honk, I’m not sure. It does feel like a classic bottom, though—and it’s not all vibes-based. Rhamondre Stevenson is hardly impressing anyone out there; his -0.41 EPA/attempt and 4.7% fumble rate are both the NFL’s worst among all RBs with at least 20 carries. Yikes.

We could even luck into a blowout (TEN has a -13 average point differential!) where both New England RBs eat against the Titans. Currently touchdown dogs at home with good reason, Tennessee ranks in the bottom three in yards after contact per rush (3.73) and fantasy points per game allowed to RBs (23.8).

If Henderson’s on your roster already, fine, you’ll survive sitting him—but if he’s not, one breakout game and it’s goodbye discount—for good. I’m making all types of last-ditch acquisition efforts as we speak.

A wise man once said …

Bo Nix, QB, DEN

LAGHEZZA: Speaking of re-attachment to priors, I’d be lying to say I’m without disappointment that sophomore slinger Bo Nix sits as fantasy’s QB28 in points/game. Ouch. That said, maybe I’m too quick to handwave outlying circumstances like international games, but the Broncos did win—and at least we’re heading in the right direction.

As far as Sunday goes, Brian Daboll’s defensive scheme comes right at you. New York’s impact is predicated on converting blitzes into hits or sacks, then hoping the DBs can hang in man coverage with just a single safety protecting up top. With that, no one’s even come close to Denver’s sack avoidance metrics: their 27.4% pressure rate and 4 sacks allowed both lead the league by a gap—immovable force meets unstoppable object.

Denver’s heading back home as touchdown favorites with a 24-point implied team total. It’s a total smash spot for Nix to beat the blitz in one-on-one WR secondary wins to his favorite targets against Cover-1, Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin. Start all your ponies for a Mile High bounceback.

Bold Starts For Week 7

Darnell Washington, TE, PIT (TNF)

CLEMONS: The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the worst teams in the NFL against the run. That means they need to pay more attention to it in order to avoid being steamrolled by opponents. Paying attention to the rushing attack comes at the expense of pass coverage. That's why Darnell Washington has become such a factor at tight end. He is a massive tight end and was first used strictly as a blocking force. This season, he has toned up and slimmed down a little and is continuing to grow as a pass receiver. Last week, against a really good Browns defense, he was targeted five times and caught three passes for 62 yards.

Through the first six weeks, the Bengals are surrendering an average of 11.6 points in standard scoring leagues. In PPR scoring leagues, it is 17.8 points. In other words, they do a poor job of covering tight ends. If they have to focus on stopping the run, a run blocker like Washington can easily get lost in coverage and pop open. I could see the game script playing out with him catching a few drive-sustaining passes on play action and pulling down a pass in the endzone for a touchdown. If you are looking for someone to stream this week, Washington could pay big dividends.

Luke McCaffrey, WR, Commanders

CLEMONS: Luke McCaffrey has been a name people murmur about but has yet to receive the volume necessary to be taken seriously in fantasy, right? Well, the one thing that everyone respects in fantasy is touchdowns. McCaffrey has been able to do that three of the last four weeks. Yes, McCaffrey is ranked 147th, and his Utilization Score is only a 22, but he is getting in the endzone, and the one thing you will not find on a spreadsheet or a chart is desire.

I know one thing about quarterbacks: if a player begins to consistently perform for them, especially in the endzone, they will begin to look for him more often. 

The Commanders face the Cowboys this week. To call the Dallas defense bad against the pass would be a compliment. They have been the worst in the league this year. Jayden Daniels' legs are looking healthy and his passing seems to be crisp. That means the Cowboys defense will need to pay attention to him and not the receivers. Expect him to go to work carving this Cowboys defense up and that will include finding McCaffrey for an explosive play downfield and likely in the endzone. Still, do not expect more than a few targets for McCaffrey, but he has proven he can make the best out of minimal chances.

Sit These Players In Week 7

Travis Etienne, RB, JAX

LAGHEZZA: As someone who hit on a bunch of late Travis Etienne shares in big spots, this one stings—but fair is fair. After closing out the quarter-pole as fantasy’s overall RB10, it felt like Etienne had a chance at being one of the season’s big difference makers. 

Imminent league-winning breakout incoming? Pump the brakes on that. In the two games since, Etienne’s usage dropped multiple touches per game, most notably in the Jaguars’ high-value two-minute offense. Uh oh. Third options in one backfield are a giant red flag.

Plus, Jacksonville faces a Rams’ run D fresh off holding Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry to a whopping 3.0 yards/attempt combined over four straight contests. 

There's a non-zero chance Sean McVay’s unique combination of disguised blitz packages and drop-back zones totally confuses the first-read obsessed Trevor Lawrence on Sunday. I like them as a long shot for the weekend’s lowest scoring team.

Your Seattle Seahawks vs Houston Texans

LAGHEZZA: Let the record unequivocally state I was entirely too much of a coward to put Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s name alone on this list. Let’s be honest, the way he’s running right now—even on his worst day, JSN could erupt. While Smith-Njigba does have one WR25 finish back in Week 5, I still decided to spare my social media mentions the brow-beatings and extended it to the Seahawks in general.

With that cleansed from my fantasy conscience, I'm absolutely terrified to roll out any Seahawks this weekend. Sure, Sam Darnold’s posted top-10 finishes in three of the last four weeks, but the Saints, Buccaneers and Jaguars are a far cry from DeMeco Ryans’ top-scoring Texan defense. Only the Broncos can also claim fewer than 4.0 yards allowed per carry and under 175 passing yards per game. Nice combo.

Houston’s allowing an average of just 9.4 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, another league best. And once again, the Texans and Broncos remain the only defenses to boast +42% pressure rates with top-10 tackle success. Reminder, pressuring Darnold and getting off platform is the best way to derail his game.

The Texans haven’t allowed a single quarterback to pass for more than 250 yards all season or throw a TD since Week 2. Only Puka Nacua racked up more than five balls or 72 yards and without a true second threat, expect a boatload of extra attention toward Smith-Njigba.

How did I almost forget Seattle’s backfield? As if the matchup wasn’t brutal enough, backup Zach Charbonnet out-touched Kenneth Walker for the first time since returning from injuries, and the result was every fantasy GM’s worst nightmare—a good old-fashioned “hot hand” RBBC.

Bold Sits For Week 7

Tony Pollard, RB, Titans

CLEMONS: Pollard has consistently performed below the average running back output in fantasy this season. He has become touchdown-dependent for legit relevancy despite getting the majority of the work in the backfield. He has only reached the endzone two out of the first six weeks of the season. During those two weeks, he finished inside the top 20 but not higher than 15th. The other four weeks, he finished outside the top 30. In addition to not reaching the endzone, we have not seen the explosive plays from Pollard this season. Last season, Pollard had an explosive play of 20 yards or more in eight of his 16 games. He only has two this season.

Now, former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel comes to town with his new team riding a hot streak. Tennessee has already fired the coach they chose when they fired him. He will be looking to make a statement. Fantasy managers should be prepared for a single-digit finish from Pollard, who is also back to worrying about Tyjae Spears eating into his carries. It is probably best to sit this one out. 

Hollywood Brown, WR, Chiefs

CLEMONS: Fantasy managers who have been waiting for the breakout from Brown finally got their patience rewarded in Week 6. He finished as a top-10 receiver across all formats. With the team facing the Raiders this week, many will be encouraged to throw Brown in their lineup again, but that would be jumping the gun.

Browns’ performance was fueled by catching two touchdowns, his second and third of the season. It's difficult to rely on that production weekly when there are so many options for Patrick Mahomes to choose from. But the biggest deterrent to sustained fantasy relevance for Brown is that Rashee Rice is back, and their quarterback understands how special he is. In a recent press conference, Mahomes stated that “It’s going to be hard to keep Rashee  Rice off the field.” 

With Rice’s return, Xavier Worthy’s emergence, Tyquan Thornton’s added dynamic and the continued relevance of Travis Kelce, where does that leave Brown? He could still be relevant weekly, but I will need to see it before I can put Brown in my lineup. If you have Brown in your lineup, hopefully you have other options or you can go grab other options to take a chance on with a much cleaner path to fantasy relevance. Go grab one of the receivers in Tampa Bay or with the Rams, where the receiver room is thin due to injury. You should let Brown watch this one from your bench.

John's Parting Week 7 Start/Sit Thought

Our start/sit piece wouldn’t be complete without my favorite research tool, updated weekly throughout the season! When I’m in a pinch, this image is my favorite picture when I don’t have time for a thousand words. 

When you want to win weekly fantasy matchups, attach yourself to the highest-scoring game totals. Easy stuff, right?

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