BTB's Fantasy Football Intelligence Report: Week Seven Edition

Quarterbacks

Start

Carson Palmer - He's back, and last week Palmer looked pretty good for a passer trying to shake off some rust. The Arizona QB reported no issues with the nerve in his shoulder that kept him out of three straight games. He threw 44 times against Washington, completing 28 for 250 yards and two scores. His QBR was 93.9. Not bad for a quarterback working his way back in shape. This week he is matched up against an Oakland Raiders secondary that has surrendered nearly 600 yards and five TDs through the air over the last two weeks.

Cam Newton - Last week the Green Bay Packers were vulnerable to Ryan Tannehill running the read option, and Newton is much more effective at running it than the Miami Dolphins passer. Carolina is starting to turn Cam loose on the ground, and if he can gash the Pack defense in the manner that he is capable of, to steal a phrase from legendary announcer Keith Jackson, 'Whoa, Nellie'...it could be a good fantasy points day for Newton's owners.

Russell Wilson - I expect a well motivated Seattle Seahawks team this week, and both Wilson and Marshawn Lynch to take it to a weak St. Louis Rams D that was shredded by the San Francisco 49ers last week. Colin Kaepernick ran up 34 points on the Rams by throwing for almost 350 yards and three scores.

Sit

Eli Manning - Eli turned in a stinker on Sunday night, and he lost one of the biggest guns in his arsenal when Victor Cruz tore his patella tendon. The line in front of Manning also surrendered constant pressure and eight sacks. Just when it was starting to look like Manning and the Giants were beginning to click, the team laid an egg. Look for this trend to continue in Dallas.

Tony Romo - Not that I am expecting a poor outing from Romo, its just with a weak New York run defense I expect Scott Linehan to keep the ball on the ground.

Running Backs

Start

DeMarco Murray - The NFL's most successful running back will face a run defense that is struggling. Last week LeSean McCoy found his rhythm against these same Giants and now Murray will have a chance to put himself on the threshold of his second consecutive thousand yard season against Big Blue. Even with right tackle Doug Free out of the starting line up, the Dallas RB should have what borders on a career day on the ground.

*** As a side note, this might be a good weekend to get Lance Dunbar on the field if you have him. That's a helpful hint from my colleague neithan20000. He really likes the match up of Dunbar against the Giants big slow LBs.

Justin Forsett - Baltimore faces the league's worst run defense in the Atlanta Falcons. The birds gave up a minimum of 22 fantasy points to running backs in three of their last four outings, and there is little reason to believe this weekend ill be any different.

Eddie Lacy - Lacy is having a down year, but he is facing a match up almost as enticing as the one facing Forsett. The Carolina defense has been giving up 20 plus point days to opposing running backs on a fairly consistant basis of late. I expect Lacy to look like his 2013 edition on Sunday.

Sit

Zac Stacy - After watching Dallas put up 162 yards on the Seattle Seahawks last week you might be tempted to gamble on Zac Stacy having a Murray-like day as well. DON'T DO IT! The St. Louis backfield is becoming a platoon situation which will limit Stacy's carries. Look for a strong rebound as the Hawks take the field after being embarrassed one week ago. The Rams offense will pay the price for the success Tony Romo and the Dallas offense had at CenturyLink Field.

Wide Receivers

Start

Andre Holmes - Jerry Jones was right about this guy. Due to what was an embarrassment of riches, Andre found his way to the Bay Area and has emerged as the Raiders top receiver. The past two games have revealed what Jones felt all along, and this week Holmes will face a Cardinals D that has allowed four 100+ yard receiving games over the last three weeks. Look for Holmes to make it five over the last four.

Larry Fitzgerald - With Palmer back under center, expect Fitzgerald to be the beneficiary of his return. Last week Larry was 6 for 6 receiving and almost eclipsed the 100 yard mark in Palmer's return game. He will likely be matched up on Carlos Rogers who has allowed 27 completions on 30 attempts this season. I expect an aerial circus from both sides of the field this Sunday.

Justin Hunter - You should start any receiver who faces the Redskins. Their #1 DB is rookie Bashaud Breeland who is the 100th ranked corner in pass coverage by PFF. My Grandmother is capable of producing a hundred yard game on the Washington secondary but she would probably get flagged for taunting when she walked up to Jay Gruden and said "Bless your little heart". Maybe we will sit Granny this week...maybe.

Sit

Marques Colston - With Jimmy Graham out, Drew Brees is going to be looking for one of his receivers to take up the slack. nine times out of ten, that would be Colston. This week, Brees will probably have to look somewhere else because the Detroit Lions defense has proven to be nasty to opposing receivers. Week after week they have limited opposing WRs to single digit performances.

Rueben Randle - With Victor Cruz lost for the season, Randle becomes the default # 1 in New York. That means that this week he will see a pair of gentlemen named Orlando Scandrick and Sterling Moore. Both are ranked in the top 15 by PFF. His match ups combined with a regressing Giants offense means that Randle should ride the pine this week.

Dez Bryant - Two reasons for Dez to get a day off this week: I expect a lot of ground and pound in the Cowboys gameplan and the Giants are doing a great job of taking away WR1s this season. His greatest influences this week will be as a blocker and in setting up the other pass catchers in Dallas.

Tight Ends

Start

Larry Donnell - Without Victor Cruz, Donnell will become the most reliable weapon is Eli Manning's arsenal. He will not be enough for the Giants on Sunday, but I do expect a big day since the Cowboys have proven generous to the TE slot this season. If you don't start Donnell, consider his counterpart on the other side of the field. A lot of Tony Romo's passes this weekend will be underneath and that means Jason Witten.

Sit

Owen Daniels - One thing the Atlanta Falcons do well is take away the tight end, Last week Joe Flacco did a good job of that himself as he overlooked Daniels during his stellar outing. Those two things add up to a good reason to leave Owen on the sidelines this week.