QBs to start in Week 7
Lions’ Matthew Stafford (vs. Falcons): In Week 6, Matthew Stafford was in a smash spot facing the inexperienced defense of the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he would fail to deliver, scoring a mere 12.32 fantasy points in the Detroit Lions’ second win of the season.
Despite the dud he put up a week ago, we’re going right back to Stafford in another fantastic matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons. Through the first six weeks of the season, the Falcons are allowing 2,071 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns to opposing QBs, which are both the most in the NFL.
Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger (vs. Titans): The Pittsburgh Steelers were excited to get Ben Roethlisberger back this season and he may be playing the most efficient football of his career. While he isn’t throwing the ball down the field as often, he’s completing a career-high 69.1 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns and one interception.
On the other hand, he’s averaging just 6.9 air yards per attempt, which is 27th among QBs so far this season. But his inability to hit on deep throws at this point in his career shouldn’t be an issue against a Tennessee Titans defense that has given up 13 passing touchdowns (tied for fourth-most in NFL) and 7.5 yards per attempt (tied for 11th most in NFL).
Jaguars’ Gardner Minshew (vs. Chargers): There were murmurs this past Sunday that the Jaguars could bench Gardner Minshew if he continues to struggle. It’s unlikely he gets ousted due to the lack of viable options Jacksonville has behind him, but it should light a fire under the second-year quarterback.
While Minshew has turned the ball over in five consecutive games, he’s also posted 18+ fantasy points in five of the first six weeks, giving him a solid floor since he’s usually playing from behind. Expect Minshew to be throwing a lot against a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has surrendered 23.85 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs (third-most in NFL) thus far.
Other QBs to consider in Week 7: Falcons’ Matt Ryan (vs. Lions), Panthers’ Teddy Bridgewater (vs. Saints), Bengals’ Joe Burrow (vs. Browns), Chargers’ Justin Herbert (vs. Jaguars)
QBs to sit in Week 7
Rams’ Jared Goff (vs. Bears): Jared Goff has outperformed up to this points, sitting as the 13th highest-scoring QB in fantasy football after having an ADP that saw him as QB15 in drafts. The former No. 1 overall pick has played efficient for the Los Angeles Rams, completing a career-best 67.4 percent of his passes for 1,570 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
While he’s shown improvements in certain areas this season, the one way to minimize Goff’s effectiveness is to make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Unfortunately for Goff, he faces a Chicago Bears defense — led by Khalil Mack — that is surrendering just 11.68 fantasy points per game and a total of four passing touchdowns so far this season (both are the best in the NFL).
Raiders’ Derek Carr (vs. Buccaneers): When everyone saw the matchup between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, most people thought it would be a shootout. Contrary to belief, the defense of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave Rodgers fits all game, forcing just his third pick-six of his career en route to a 38-10 trouncing of the Green Bay Packers.
After making life tough for Rodgers, the next quarterback to line up against the Buccaneers is Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders. While Carr has been able to limit turnovers this season — throwing just one interception thus far — Tampa Bay’s defense has forced eight interceptions (second-most in the NFL) and has permitted only 12.88 fantasy points per game to QBs (third-best in NFL).
