5 Players With Tough Week 7 Matchups

We all have those superstars on our rosters who should be automatic starters week after week, right? Not so fast. I don’t believe in the old adage “always start your studs”, as it’s sort of lazy and not entirely accurate if you want the most out of your fantasy squad.

In this new column at 4for4, each week I take a look at individual matchups and point out players who I think could struggle, even if they’re elite. I’m not saying to sit them without question, but as the title goes, these are players with tough matchups, meaning you'll have tough lineup decisions to make.

Week 6 Wrap-Up

I crushed it last week with my picks in this column, so I hope at least some of you took my words of caution to heart. Both Matthew Stafford and Jameis Winston underperformed, coming in at QB21 and QB20, respectively, while LeVeon Bell’s 12.3 PPR points checked in as RB27 on the week. Jimmy Graham rounded out the mediocre mix with just 3.7 PPR points as the TE30.

Week 7 Risky Plays

Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys) vs. Eagles

Sitting Zeke is probably not going to happen for any of you, but I am here to do a job, so here goes. He gets a matchup against Philly’s pass-funnel defense, one that currently ranks fourth against the rush in aFPA (schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed). As an offense, Dallas has struggled in recent weeks and this could be a rough divisional contest to get back on track with. You may not have a better option on your roster, but at least lower your expectations for Elliott’s output in Week 7.

Philip Rivers (Chargers) @ Titans

The Chargers are in a legit funk. They’ve only put up more than 20 points once since Week 1—against the Dolphins. Things probably won’t get much easier for Rivers and his offense this week, as Tennessee ranks ninth in aFPA to quarterbacks and eighth in that same stat to wideouts this season. Add some offensive line issues and the 37-year-old quarterback could struggle this week. There’s always the possibility of garbage points, but there could also be plenty of turnovers, too.

Kerryon Johnson (Lions) vs. Vikings

Johnson didn’t get his normal workload in Week 6. He only had 13 carries compared to 26 and 20 in his previous contests, as the Lions coaching staff seemed to jam J.D. McKissic into the equation. This week could prove difficult for Johnson to produce again as he faces a Vikings defense that has only allowed one rushing score this season and ranks fifth against opposing backs in PPR points allowed. It could be tough to fill out your roster at running back with bye weeks in full effect, but you may want to have KJ sit this one out.

Allen Robinson (Bears) vs. Saints

He’s been the Bears' one shining star, at least for fantasy purposes this season, but this week may not be so hot for Robinson. He has the displeasure of going toe to toe with the human deadbolt known as Marshon Lattimore in Week 7. The revitalized Saints corner has shut down Mike Evans, Amari Cooper and D.J. Chark this season, holding the talented trio to a combined 91 receiving yards and zero end zone trips. ARob could struggle to get open and is probably best left on the bench for the week if you can somehow swing it.

Tom Brady (Patriots) @ Jets

Tom Terrific wasn’t so terrific last week against the Giants. He vultured two awkward rushing touchdowns, fumbled twice and threw a pick on his way to 22.0 fantasy points. The Jets have surprisingly been solid at keeping quarterbacks at bay, ranking 10th in aFPA to the position while surrendering just 14.4 fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers. It’s tough to know which Brady will show up, or if this is the beginning of the end for the aging legend, but if you have another option this week, it could behoove your roster to start them in Brady’s place.