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Last week’s recap:
The positives from my last starts/sits post include advising people to play Tom Brady (three TDs for 261 yards), Larry Donnell (seven receptions for 90 yards), Odell Beckham Jr. (two touchdowns), and Eddie Lacy (63 rushing yards and a TD).
On the negative side, I also told people to start Andre Holmes (three catches for 34 yards).
When it comes to players to bench, I successfully predicted that Matt Ryan, Matt Asiata, and Malcom Floyd would have subpar games last week.
However, I incorrectly advised against Ronnie Hillman and Owen Daniels.
Starts:
QB – Carson Palmer, ARI
When Palmer starts, he’s been the model of consistency. This year, he’s played in three games. In all three contests, Palmer has thrown for two touchdowns and at least 250 yards. The Eagles defense has allowed 13 passing TDs in six games. I know that Eli Manning and the Giants were blanked in Week 6, but Austin Davis, Kirk Cousins, and Andrew Luck all threw for three TDs against Philadelphia this season.
Other notables: Teddy Bridgewater (MIN), Kyle Orton (BUF), and Alex Smith (KC)
RB – Reggie Bush, DET
I will continue to promote any running back facing the Falcons defense. Atlanta has allowed 12 rushing TDs to opposing running backs. The only team not to rush for a TD against the Falcons this season was Tampa Bay, but that was a Thursday night blowout. You can even add Joique Bell to this start column. One of those two running backs, if not both, WILL score a TD.
Other notables: Ben Tate (CLE), Ronnie Hillman (DEN), and Jerick McKinnon (MIN)
WR – Doug Baldwin, SEA
With Percy Harvin dealt to the Jets, we were wondering who the primary target would be for Russell Wilson. Before the game against the Rams, Baldwin had 25 targets and Jermaine Kearse had 19 targets (Harvin had 26 targets). After Baldwin’s 10 targets, seven reception performance with 123 yards and a TD, I think he’s the top option. Also, the Panthers have allowed the most receiving TDs to opposing WRs (12).
Other notables: Cordarrelle Patterson (MIN), Riley Cooper (PHI), and Mohamed Sanu (CIN)
TE – Jordan Reed, WSH
Even going through a quarterback change, Reed still managed five receptions for 54 yards last week. Now, with Colt McCoy probably starting for Week 8, Washington gets the extra day of practice and McCoy gets an extra day to get on the same page as Reed. Their opponent this week, Dallas, is averaging one allowed TD reception per game to opposing tight ends.
Other notables: Owen Daniel (BAL), Charles Clay (MIA), and Zach Ertz (PHI)
Sits:
QB – Matt Ryan, ATL
Last week, I rolled the dice and advised people to bench Ryan against the Ravens. Ryan was held to 228 passing yards and only one TD pass. It was the third straight game where Ryan only threw for one touchdown (four times total this season). I’m rolling the dice against this week. The Lions defense has only allowed seven passing TDs in seven games this season. There are three defenses with more interceptions than TD passes allowed this year: Giants (on bye), Packers (facing Drew Brees), and the Lions.
Other notables: Andy Dalton (CIN), Ben Roethlisberger (PIT), and Matthew Stafford (DET)
RB – Chris Ivory, NYJ
While I will continue to start any running back facing the Falcons, I will also continue to bench any non-top-tier running back facing the Bills. Only two defenses have yet to allow a rushing touchdown to opposing RBs this year: Chiefs and Bills. Buffalo is allowing only 70 rushing yards per game to opposing running backs.
Other notables: Tre Mason (STL), Bryce Brown (BUF), and Alfred Morris (WSH)
WR – Steelers receivers not named Antonio Brown
In seven games, the Colts secondary has only allowed 846 receiving yards to opposing WRs (120.9 total yards). That’s not just to one individual receiver. That’s 120.9 yards to the entire receiving corps. I will never tell people to bench Brown, but I won’t hesitate to tell you to sit Markus Wheaton, Justin Brown, Lance Moore, and Martavis Bryant this week.
Other notables: James Jones (OAK), Roddy White (ATL), and DeSean Jackson (WSH)
TE – Luke Willson (SEA)
Larry Donnell and Vernon Davis are off this week, so owners could be flocking to the waiver wire for Week 8. If you are one of those fantasy teams, pass on Willson. The Panthers and Packers are the only two teams not to allow a receiving TD to opposing tight ends this season. So far, here’s the list of TEs that Carolina has kept out of the end zone: Heath Miller, Owen Daniels, Andrew Quarless, and Martellus Bennett, just to name a few.
Other notables: Andrew Quarless (GB), Jermaine Gresham (CIN), and Austin Seferian-Jenkins
