Week 7 is here as we approach the halfway mark of the regular season. Things should be getting tight in your league with little wiggle room to be creative at this juncture. But these tips could have your squad celebrating a win by the time Monday Night Football's final whistle goes off. With every game having playoff implications from here on out, you might want to take heed to some of these pointers.
Bye-Week Teams: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers
Starters You'll Need to Replace
Bears: As bad as the Bears have been, running back Matt Forte and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery might still need to be replaced this week in your starting lineups.
Bengals: The 6-0 Bengals have been awesome this season, thanks to big-time play from quarterback Andy Dalton, dynamic wideout A.J. Green and running backs Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill. All might need to be replaced in your league this week.
Broncos: Even though the Broncos haven't looked so hot during stretches of this season, here they are entering their bye week with a unblemished 6-0 record. Quarterback Peyton Manning, running back C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman and wideouts Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders will all need to be replaced. Well, scratch Anderson off that list. Despite being some owners top draft pick, he has been riding the bench in a lot of leagues thanks to his lackluster play.
Packers: Code red if you have a few Packers' stars on your squad. You'll need to try to substitute quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Randall Cobb, and running back Eddie Lacy...but of course we all know, you don't easily replace firepower like that.
Need a Running Back? Claim Them Off Waivers Now: Christine Michael, Theo Riddick, Robert Turbin
Early reports that Dallas Cowboys running back Christine Michael expects to shoulder the load out of the backfield this week against the New York Giants make him a top waiver add this week. That's if you could get him. Although he's been stashed deep in benches on many owners' teams, he's also a free agent in others. With the Giants being 21st in the NFL against the run, Michael has a solid chance to put up some decent numbers — whether you need a one-week sub or are looking for something in the long run, too.
Detroit Lions' Theo Riddick had seven carries for 28 yards and added 50 more catching out of the backfield for seven fantasy points in non-points per reception (PPR) leagues last week. If you're desperate for a running back, he could be on the upswing. Then again, we're talking about the Lions here, so roll the dice at your own risk.
The Cleveland Browns debuted Robert Turbin last weekend, giving him 10 carries. He only produced 27 yards and the Browns are going up against a stout defense in Week 7 in the St. Louis Rams. Still, the 10 carries mark a significant amount. If that's a taste of things to come, the fourth-year rusher might be worth the gamble.
Need a Wide Receiver? Claim Them Off Waivers Now: Stefon Diggs, Rishard Matthews, Michael Floyd
If Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs is still available in your league, make him a top waiver priority this week. The rookie hauled in seven of his nine targets last week against the Kansas City Chiefs for 129 yards for 12 fantasy points in non-PPR leagues. The strong play could continue in Week 7 with the Vikings going up against the Detroit Lions, who are 24th against the pass. If you get Diggs, he could be worth the start well beyond this week.
As disappointing as the Miami Dolphins have been this season, wide receiver Rishard Matthews has been a lone bright spot. He had six catches for 85 yards last week and could be up for another decent outing against the Houston Texans in Week 7. According to CBS Sportsline, he's only 50 percent owned — which can be attributed to the Dolphins' dismal play this year. Still, Ryan Tannehill is a capable quarterback, who looks to Matthews, so if he's available in your league, snatch him off waivers.
Elsewhere, the Baltimore Ravens defense has been so bad defending the pass this season, that you should check to see if Arizona Cardinals' Michael Floyd is a free agent in your waiver wire. According to CBS Sportsline, he's 60 percent owned in leagues, making him a good get, if you could get your hands on him. Floyd is coming off a season-high eight targets, which he converted into 50 yards receiving and a touchdown for 11 fantasy points in non-PPR leagues. Tech Times expects a similar output — if not greater — against the Ravens.
Anticipated Letdowns: Antonio Brown, Julian Edelman
Look...I hate to keep stating the obvious, but until Ben Roethlisberger returns to the pocket in Pittsburgh, Antonio Brown isn't going to put up the numbers that fantasy owners expect out of the dynamic wideout, who went as high as a first-round pick in many people's leagues this year.
Brown has delivered a combined 10 fantasy points in non-PPR leagues the past three weeks, including a dreadful 24 receiving yards for two points last week against the Arizona Cardinals. While the Steelers expect to have an upgrade at quarterback this week — starting Landry Jones over Michael Vick — and are playing against a poor pass defense in the Kansas City Chiefs, don't act surprised if Brown keeps being stifled until Big Ben returns.
Does Tech Times give an edge to the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots over the New York Jets in Week 7 at Gillette Stadium? Yes. That being said, the Jets secondary is no laughing matter and owners shouldn't be surprised to see even an explosive wide receiver like Julian Edelman bottled up...especially if Darrelle Revis is defending him. Sometimes, small, shifty wideouts like Edelman has given the Jets cornerback trouble, but any way you look at it, it's going to be a long day on Revis Island. You still have to start him, though...unless you have the luxury of being 6-0 thus far.
Sleeper Picks: Blake Bortles, Matthew Stafford
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles has been sizzling the past couple games, putting up 36 points and 28 over Week 5 and 6, including his 331-yard, three-touchdown performance last week. If it wasn't for his three interceptions, his total would have been even higher. Tech Times likes him at home against the Buffalo Bills, whose defense has been anything but a shutdown defense as advertised earlier this season. If you have an Aaron Rodgers, Andy Dalton or Peyton Manning on a bye this week, Bortles would actually be a good play.
Then again, you can also make the case for Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford this week. He's coming off a 405 passing yards and four-touchdown performance last week. Plus, he carved up the Minnesota Vikings for 286 yards and two TDs in Week 2. He could be a nice sleeper pick against the Vikings this weekend as well.
Confusion By Committee: Browns running backs Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson, Robert Turbin
The Cleveland Browns just keep crowding their backfield and it's leading to some major confusion by committee. Take last week against the Denver Broncos for instance — Isaiah Crowell got 11 carries, which he converted to 32 yards, while Duke Johnson got nine attempts, which he produced 38 yards out of. But then the Browns also debuted Robert Turbin, who had 27 yards rushing on 10 carries. With Johnson nursing an injured shoulder, Turbin could see more carries again this week against the St. Louis Rams. But any way you slice it, this is a mess...like the Cleveland Browns themselves.
Trade Value For Dez Bryant
If you have Dez Bryant on your roster, you're in a spot where you need a strong push to the playoffs and something to get over the hump...you should seriously consider trading the Dallas Cowboys receiver, while he still has trade value. With rumors that he could return as soon as this weekend against the New York Giants, there's really no telling how Bryant will fare coming off foot surgery. If you could leverage a reliable starting running back out of him, pull the trigger on a possible trade. This week or possibly next week would be ideal time for the transaction.
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