Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns
It’s crunch time in your fantasy league. By now the playoff order has begun to take shape. A win this week could push you further away from the pack, or a loss could eliminate you from contention. It is becoming pertinent that you start and sit the correct players. Let Sports Al Dente be your guide.
Start ‘Em
Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
In home games this season, Bortles has averaged just over 22 points per game. These numbers bode well for him as he has another home game in week 7 against. The other positive he has going fro him is that he faces an Oakland Raiders defense that has allowed more points to opposing QBs than any other team in the NFL. He should put up top 5 numbers this week.
Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Just in case you skipped over the analysis of Bortles I’ll mention it again: Oakland’s secondary is not very good. Allen Hurns has yet to really break out this season hovering right around 10 points in every game, and Oakland’s defense may be just what the doctor ordered. Hurns received 11 targets in last week’s matchup and I expect that trend to continue in week 7.
Spencer Ware, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
With Jamaal Charles clearly not at 100% and suffering a setback this week in practice, Spencer Ware stands to reap the benefits. Last week he rushed for 131 yards and a TD on 24 carries and also played a small part in the passing game. Next up is New Orleans who has already given up 11 rushing TDs this season. Ware should continue his successful season after the bye week regardless of Charles’ availability.
Sit ‘Em
Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Palmer has not been the consistent QB we saw last season and now he finds himself up against the ‘Legion of Boom’ in week 7. Seattle’s secondary has been one of the best in the league the last 5 seasons or so and after somewhat of a slow start, they have gotten better each week. David Johnson has emerged as one of the league’s top running backs as well and will be the focal point once again for this offense.
Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Call me crazy but Big Ben is the only QB that Brown has received a touchdown from in his career. Five other quarterbacks have tried, including Landry Jones, and none have succeeded. While I do expect him to score sometime during Roethlisberger’s absence, week 7 against the Pats is probably not the right matchup. New England’s tough passing defense coupled with Jones’s first start this season, I expect LeVeon Bell get more touches to take some of the pressure off the backup quarterback.
Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets
Matt Forte has enjoyed a solid career as RB that is not only a solid runner in early downs but also just as lethal on third downs in the passing game. Since week 3, Bilal Powell has taken over as the 3rd down back limiting Forte’s production. This is enough to cause concern for the 9th year back, but to add insult to injury, the Jets play host to Baltimore who has given up the 2nd least amount of fantasy points to opposing running backs.