Fantasy Pulse: Week 7
San Francisco 49ers 13, Seattle Seahawks 6
Seahawks- This is more of a general statement, but Thursday games are becoming a real pain to fantasy owners. Through six weeks, an NFL game sees an average of 47 points. A Thursday (and one Wednesday game) night NFL game (including WK 7s game) is seeing an average of 35 points. That's two full TD's under average. What this tells us is that you should only be using the elite talent involved in these games. RB Marshawn Lynch continues to produce (103 yards rushing), but he needs to start scoring some TDs.
49ers- RB Frank Gore had another solid game (183 total yards), but suffered bruised ribs along the way. Don't fret though, with 10 days before his next game, Gore should be good to go. Gore is the only Niner you should be trusting in your starting lineup.
Tennessee Titans 35, Buffalo Bills 34
Titans- After exploding for 195 yards, RB Chris Johnson has now strung together two solid games in a row. This is promising, but I'm still not entirely sold on his reemergence. Of course if you have Johnson, you likely wasted a high pick on him and won't be taking him out of your lineup, so take the time now to unload him while his value is high again.
Bills- The Bills tandem of RBs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller continue to be excellent fantasy options. Besides them, WR Stevie Johnson (5 receptions for 71 yards and a score) is the only other high quality option.
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Indianapolis Colts 17, Cleveland Browns 13
Browns- That's three straight 2 TD games for QB Brandon Weeden, which makes him a viable bye week filler. WR Josh Gordon scored for his third consecutive game and should be considered a borderline WR3. However, Gordon only has 7 receptions over this three game stretch (4 of those are for TDs) which is a scary proposition for fantasy owners.
Colts- After a poor showing against the Jets, QB Andrew Luck decided to go the RG3 route. Well, not really, but he still managed 2 rushing TDs. At best, Luck should be considered a bye week filler. RB Vick Ballard showed some promise (84 yards rushing), but I still recommend steering clear of the Colts' rushing attack.
Green Bay Packers 30, St. Louis Rams 20
Packers- The Pack is hitting their offensive stride. QB Aaron Rodgers continues to roll (342 yards and 3 TDs). WRs Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones are putting up elite numbers. Which begs the question; what happens when Greg Jennings gets back? I think he'll be productive, but the Packers may decide to give him as much time as he needs based on how they're currently playing. RB Alex Green continues to under whelm and is better left on your bench.
Rams- RB Steven Jackson finally recorded his first rushing TD of the season. He hasn't gained complete trust back, but WK 7 was a good first step. WR Chris Givens had his fourth consecutive game of over 50 yards (3 receptions for 73 yards) and is decent bye week filler.
Minnesota Vikings 21, Arizona Cardinals 14
Cardinals- WR Andre Roberts has had five or more receptions in four of his seven games. Roberts greatly benefits from having Larry Fitzgerald on the other side and should be considered a decent bye week filler. RB Larod Stephens-Howling also had a good game (149 total yards with a score). However, it's tough trusting the Cardinals' running game right now. It seems like they're going with the hot hand (William Powell was their feature back last week), so only start them in desperate times until one emerges as the main back.
Vikings- QB Christian Ponder had a forgettable game (58 yards passing, 1 TD and 2 picks). Because of Ponder's poor showing, TE Kyle Rudolph put up a goose egg. They both remain decent bye week fillers.
New York Giants 27, Washington Redskins 23
Redskins- QB Robert Griffin III continues to roll (258 yards passing, 89 yards rushing and 2 TDs), as the Skins' receivers continue to be unpredictable. WR Santana Moss is making the most of his chances (3 receptions on 4 targets with 2 TDs). Moss' value will take a hit when (if) Pierre Garcon gets healthy.
Giants- I'm still not sold on WR Hakeem Nicks' health. Nicks received 10 targets, but isn't making the most of those chances (5 receptions for 53 yards). If he can't break out against the Skins' secondary, who can he break out against?
New Orleans Saints 35, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28
Saints- The Saints continue to click on offense. WR Lance Moore didn't look rusty at all (9 receptions for 121 yards). TE David Thomas filled in for the injured Jimmy Graham and was able to record a TD grab. As long as Graham is out, Thomas has some value as a bye week filler.
Buccaneers- QB Josh Freeman has now thrown 3 TD passes in back-to-back games and has thrown at least 1 TD pass in every game this season. Freeman should be considered an every week starter.
Dallas Cowboys 19, Carolina Panthers 14
Cowboys- RB Phillip Tanner is splitting carries with Felix Jones. Both of them are worth owning while DeMarco Murray is out, but I'd only use them in desperate situations.
Panthers- What happened to Carolina's running game? RBs Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert have totaled less than 350 yards on the season. Continue to avoid them all. WR Brandon LaFell had his first TD since WK 1. LaFell has the potential to breakout, but only if QB Cam Newton gets back on track.
Houston Texans 43, Baltimore Ravens 13
Ravens- Not much to say about this one. The Ravens' offense was just plain disappointing. With a lot of defensive injuries, I'm sure the Ravens' O felt a little extra pressure, but I wouldn't read into this too much at this point. They'll bounce back after their bye week.
Texans- I'm sure many owners are getting frustrated with WR Andre Johnson. Andre 3000 has one 100+ yard receiving game, a paltry 2 TDs and only has 2 receptions for over 30 yards. But, he's starting to show signs of life. Over the last two weeks, Johnson has combined for 17 receptions and 161 yards. I think Johnson will have a huge second half, so now's the time to get him on your team.
Notes on the afternoon and night games will be up Tuesday.
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