Fantasy Football Recap Week 7: 16 Things You Need To Know
Week 7 brought the conclusion of the London series of games. Playing in Wembley Stadium, their home away from home, the Jaguars posted 22 points in the second quarter. While rookie Brian Thomas shone in the spotlight, running backs stole the day. On the day of the running back, we saw Tyler Goodson score his first NFL touchdown and we watched Nick Chubb find paydirt in his first appearance since injuring his knee against the Pittsburgh Steelers 13 months ago. Bijan Robinson topped 100 total yards for the fourth time this season and Kenneth Walker pulled in a beautiful over-the-shoulder reception for his second touchdown of the afternoon. Kareem Hunt scored twice in his resurgent appearance in Kansas City, while Aaron Jones raced untouched on a 34-yard scoring run on his first carry of the game. After 200+ catches, Josh Jacobs finally snagged the first one that led him into the end zone, snapping the longest stretch of receptions without a touchdown in NFL history. With so much to talk about, let us not waste any time.
Top Players
Jahmyr Gibbs helped lead the Detroit Lions to victory over division rival, Minnesota, the last remaining undefeated team in the NFC. He scored on a 45-yard touchdown burst in the second quarter. It was the first of his two scores in the quarter. Gibbs finished the game with 116 yards on 15 carries. He also caught all four of his targets to tack on an additional 44 yards through the air.
Saquon Barkley showed up in a big way for his revenge game against his old mates. The all-time leading rusher in Met Life Stadium added to those totals as he romped through the Giants’ defense for 176 rushing yards and a visit to the end zone. He also caught a pair of passes from Jalen Hurts to tack on 11 more yards.
Nick Sirianni says he asked Saquon Barkley if he wanted to go back in to set his record for yards in a game
Barkley said let the other players get touches
Sirianni says it shows Barkley is a “special teammate”
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) October 20, 2024
Joe Mixon toted the rock for 115 yards against the Packers. The veteran ball carrier scored twice in a Houston loss, rewarding fantasy managers who placed him in their starting lineups. He collected 124 total yards with a pair of receptions from the backfield.
Kenneth Walker 2 TDs heckuva catch on #2
Pop Players
Tank Bigsby had more than a cup of tea at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Filling in for a sidelined Travis Etienne, the second-year runner set a career-high with 118 yards on the ground. He twice visited the end zone, including a garbage time tuddy to pour a little gravy on his fantasy day.
Hunter Henry made a brilliant 32-yard contested catch to illustrate a gritty performance against Jacksonville. Henry led the team in all receiving categories, catching eight of nine targets for 92 yards on the day.
Breece Hall put a cap on running back day with a primetime performance against the Steelers. While the second-year back rushed for just 38 yards, it was his receiving efforts that saved his day. Hall ran into the end zone, but his six receptions for 103 yards made his evening truly spectacular. Hall has collected 310 yards from scrimmage in his last two starts.
Russell Wilson got his first start for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The journeyman quarterback accounted for three total touchdowns leading Pittsburgh to a second consecutive victory. Wilson threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for a third score. 37 points was a season-high for the Steelers.
With 18.36 fantasy points in less than three quarters, Russell Wilson has already surpassed Patrick Mahomes' season-high in fantasy points this season.
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) October 21, 2024
Flop Players
Devonta Smith failed to contribute to a runaway Philadelphia victory. While Barkley and A.J. Brown found glory, Smith decreased his receiving totals on the season. He caught one pass and lost two yards on the reception. Smith will undoubtedly look to rebound in his next appearance.
Tyreek Hill longs for the return of Tua Tagovailoa. While one the league’s most prolific pass catchers with his starting quarterback, Hill has peaked at 69 receiving yards with backup quarterbacks. Hill does not represent an elite fantasy scorer without his preferred quarterback.
Diontae Johnson reached a low point with his new squad. While serving as Carolina’s top pass catcher, Johnson has posted a successful season with six or more catches and a touchdown in three separate games. However, Sunday was a struggle for Johnson, as well as his Panther teammates. He caught a single pass for 17 yards as the woeful Panthers were throttled yet again.
Sam Laporta has been unable to deliver the same dividends he did last year. He has reached double digits in PPR scoring just once this season. This week, he caught a single pass for the second consecutive game. He gained 25 yards and disappointed fantasy managers one more time.
Drop? Players
David Montgomery was helped off the field with a knee injury in the first quarter. He returned to the game, but Gibbs handled a significant load after the injury.
Deshaun Watson injured himself on a non-contact play. It appeared that the embattled quarterback may have ruptured his right Achilles tendon. After the injury, he was carted to the locker room. Watson did not return to the game. The Browns confirmed an Achilles injury.
I can only hope all the Browns fans who vociferously defended the Deshaun Watson signing thoroughly enjoyed the Deshaun Watson era
— Denny Carter (@CDCarter13) October 20, 2024
DK Metcalf was carted off during the fourth quarter of Seattle’s game. He was seen receiving treatment on his knee on the sideline while in obvious pain prior to being taken to the locker room.
Jayden Daniels injured his ribs in the first quarter of the Commanders’ victory over the Panthers. The rookie quarterback was seen throwing his helmet on the sideline. He later went to the locker room and was ruled out shortly afterward.
Brandon Aiyuk suffered a significant knee injury just before halftime on Sunday. He did not return to the game and the team expressed concern that the injury was serious. He will undergo an MRI on Monday.