I used to be in New Orleans earlier this yr for the Tremendous Bowl. The town by itself is a vibe, however the power the followers introduced elevated the entire city. Anyway, I used to be strolling by one of many retailers within the French Quarter and noticed a t-shirt that mentioned:
“I used to be questioning why the frisbee was getting greater … then it hit me”
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Sundays come at me the identical means. After all, I do know they’re there. However the morning of is like attempting to compensate for your favourite TV present. There are a number of plotlines and ancillary characters to comply with in every sport. So, to get me centered, listed here are a pair from every contest whom I’ll be monitoring for Week 7.
Carolina Panthers @ New York Jets
Rico Dowdle can’t maintain doing what he’s doing, proper? Effectively, the Jets are within the backside half of the league in PPR PPG allowed to RBs. However I’m not solely centered on his outcomes. I’m taking a look at his alternative. Dowdle’s 23 and 30 carries during the last two weeks are larger than any of Chuba Hubbard’s single-game counts this season. Together with averaging 4.5 targets per sport, if Dowdle continues on this tear, Hubbard could also be (ought to be?) sharing this backfield when he returns.
It is “Tyrod Taylor watch” time in New York. Garrett Wilson will miss the sport. Justin Fields solely accomplished 9 passes final week towards the Broncos. His 15.4% passing success fee was the identical again in Week 2 when he solely performed half of the sport. After taking extra sacks (9) than finishing first-down passes (2), Fields should present he can execute the offense. In any other case, we would see a change mid-game.
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Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns
The vibes couldn’t be worse for Miami. However I’m questioning if Darren Waller can proceed to be as helpful for fantasy as he was a number of weeks in the past. On the one hand, the previous Giants’ TE is as much as a 78% route share after working simply 10 in his two-TD debut. Nevertheless, he noticed simply three targets towards the Chargers. And with the Browns neutralizing a lot of the competitors (giving up simply 31.3 YPG, but to permit a TD to TEs), Waller may have extra than simply his QB’s temperament to take care of on Sunday.
On the optimistic aspect, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has sufficient religion in Dillon Gabriel for him to try 52 passes in his second begin. He even received the ball out in 2.51 seconds with a 6.0 aDOT. Merely put, they’re taking part in it protected. Fortunately, the Dolphins have been a softer matchup. They’ve averaged the Tenth-lowest strain fee and surrendered no less than two TDs to each QB they’ve confronted. If there have been a sport to permit Gabriel the time to realize his confidence on the professional stage, it might be this weekend towards Miami.
New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears
I’m nonetheless attempting to calibrate to how Saints HC Kellen Moore is deploying Chris Olave this season. By means of the primary six weeks of every other yr, the previous Buckeye has come down with a number of deep pictures from whomever the Saints had below middle. In 2025, Olave has had one such catch, and it didn’t come till final Sunday. With a career-low 9.4-yard aDOT, New Orleans’ WR1 is a extra dependable receiver for fantasy functions with a plus-matchup towards the Bears’ secondary.
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After seeing Pop Douglas glide previous the Saints’ protection for a giant rating in Week 6, I’d wish to assume Bears HC Ben Johnson tries one thing comparable with Luther Burden III. Chicago’s rookie WR exited the bye with season highs in route fee (39%) and goal share (14%). After an premature drop by Olamide Zaccheaus in primetime, the door could also be open for the rookie to earn extra taking part in time as Caleb Williams and the Bears proceed to roll on offense.
New England Patriots @ Tennessee Titans
Alright, TreVeyon Henderon Bros, Sunday is our final probability. If we don’t see something extra out of the Patriots’ rookie RB, there’s no extra hope left. Sure, I understand Henderson performed a season-low 29% of the snaps whereas Rhamondre Stevenson crossed 50% of the carries for the primary time this yr. However Henderson did have a larger speeding success fee and averaged extra yards per route run than the veteran in what was a poor outing for each RBs. Nevertheless, if there’s any protection that can give opposing rushers their time to shine, it’s the Titans, who’ve allowed the fifth-most speeding yards per sport.
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I really feel dangerous for Cam Ward. He’s six weeks into his NFL profession and is already down his head coach and offensive line coach. To be honest, this similar father-son duo was the architect of Ward taking 25 sacks in a month and a half of play, however some stage of continuity can be perfect for his improvement. Now, doubtless with out his WR1, he will get to face a protection coached by the previous chief of the Titans, and the identical unit that didn’t hand over a TD move in Week 6. I’ll go forward and pencil him in for 3 extra sacks.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings
Outdoors of all of the drama surrounding the passing sport, I’m to see if one core piece of the Eagles offense can get off the bottom: Their speeding assault. From yards per carry to explosive speeding fee, Saquon Barkley is, at greatest, a top-24 RB. His output (54.2 speeding YPG) is a far cry from the expectations we had for him as a top-three decide again in August. However towards the Vikings, who’re permitting 111.6 speeding YPG (sixth-most), the scenario units up for us to see Barkley again on the prime of the ranks in Week 7.
As of this writing, it’s unclear if Carson Wentz or J.J. McCarthy will begin below middle for the Vikings. However we’d have questions on how both would carry out towards the Eagles protection even when we knew who’d be at QB. The one two passers to finish a number of landing throws towards Philly’s secondary are Matthew Stafford and Baker Mayfield. 4 of six have completed with lower than 200 yards. With how usually Philadelphia’s move rush can pressure a QB off their spot (37.1% strain fee), Wentz or McCarthy may have a tricky time navigating the pocket on Sunday.
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Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
If there’s any weak spot to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ protection, it’s their short-area protection for RBs. They’ve given up 33.5 receiving yards per sport to the place (14th-most). David Montgomery simply tagged them for 37 yards, Justice Hill caught 5 passes for 41 again in Week 4, and Cam Skattebo was a menace as a receiver with a 6-61-0 statline. Ashton Jeanty has averaged three targets per sport because the Raiders proceed to mould their passing sport. If Geno Smith tries to maintain issues brief once more, Jeanty ought to be a viable choice to maintain the sport aggressive.
Each analyst will probably be monitoring Rashee Rice’s utilization in his first sport again from suspension. Earlier than his damage in 2024, the Chiefs’ slot man was averaging 9.7 targets per sport on a 34% share of Patrick Mahomes’ makes an attempt. After all, the offense has added a pair extra choices since. So it received’t be simply Rice’s involvement within the passing sport, however who he displaces to reclaim the WR1 position in Kansas Metropolis.
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Indianapolis Colts @ Los Angeles Chargers
I need to see the true Colts. Or, extra particularly, the truest model of Daniel Jones on this offense. Certain, by six weeks, Jones is the QB9 in PPG. However he’s exterior the highest 20 in move makes an attempt per sport. Thirty-one of his makes an attempt have come whereas Indianapolis has had a two-score lead (most of any beginning QB). With the accidents to their secondary, we could get the back-and-forth surroundings needed for Jones to drop again a number of extra occasions to move. After which, we’ll see if he’s actually improved as a passer.
Impartial of Quentin Johnston’s return to the lineup, I’m anticipating Ladd McConkey’s place because the “technical” WR1 to proceed. The air-quoted descriptor is barely as a result of he had yet another goal than Keenan Allen in Week 6, however McConkey bros will take the win. Plus, Justin Herbert’s adjustment to the weakened offensive line fits McConkey’s pre-snap alignment. Over the previous two weeks, Herbert has dropped his passing aDOT from 8.6 air yards to 4.9. McConkey’s aDOT has been lower than 10 in 5 of six video games. So whereas Herbert will nonetheless take his pictures downfield when he can, transferring the offense by his slot receiver ought to be their greatest recipe for fulfillment.
New York Giants @ Denver Broncos
Cam Skattebo is the John Wick of RBs. I don’t know his origin story, however the bits we’ve seen or heard would have me involved for my security as a defensive participant. But when I have been on the opposite aspect and despatched him to finish “An Inconceivable Job,” it’s a coin flip at greatest that he will get the job achieved. He’s had 15 or extra touches in 4 straight weeks and has greater than 20 PPR factors in all of them. And that’s towards the Chiefs, Chargers and Eagles. Certain, the Broncos are permitting the Tenth-fewest speeding yards per sport. However I’ve little doubt I’ll test the boxscore Sunday evening and see Skattebo with sufficient all-purpose yards to place him at or close to the highest of the RB ranks.
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I can’t put my finger on it, however one thing appears off with the Broncos’ passing sport. Bo Nix is third in play-action fee, however twenty eighth in passing success fee and thirtieth in passing aDOT. He’s the identical QB who was going toe-to-toe with Joe Burrow on the backend of his rookie season. Over the ultimate half of his rookie marketing campaign, Nix was within the prime half of all starters in explosive passing fee. However every thing appears muted in ’25. And the Giants’ move rush doubtless received’t give him any time to re-establish the swagger we noticed from final yr.
Inexperienced Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
Matthew Golden received the post-bye rookie bump most fantasy managers needed to see. His goal fee hit a season-high of 19%. Jordan Love appeared his means probably the most of any receiver in apparent passing conditions. However the sustainability of his workload is in query. The Packers can function any of their WRs (or TEs) every week with out a lot of a drop in general manufacturing. However towards the Cardinals, who’ve allowed the Twelfth-most YPG to WRs, no less than the surroundings would go well with Golden’s ability set.
After all, I’m a “correlation doesn’t equal causation” type of particular person. However I do discover it fascinating that in a single sport with Jacoby Brissett, Trey McBride discovered himself in the long run zone with the ball. Granted, McBride solely had measurement red-zone targets coming into Week 6. However Brissett’s skill to function the offense, sans Marvin Harrison Jr. for a lot of the contest, was notable. After all, each may have a more durable time towards the Packers’ protection, however this duo will probably be one to look at whereas the Kyler Murray hypothesis continues.
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Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys
Let’s hope Deebo Samuel Sr. will get some much-needed relaxation because the workforce tries to handle a heel damage that’s been hampering him for weeks. Though the previous 49ers receiver earned over 20% of the appears from Jayden Daniels, Samuel would solely muster 2.5 yards after the catch per reception (second-lowest on the season). The Cowboys have been everybody’s favourite secondary to focus on, however the well being of Washington’s receiving corps may not permit it to benefit from the scenario.
CeeDee Lamb is predicted to return for this sport. I need to see how George Pickens handles sharing the highlight. Not, like, from a psychological standpoint, however how a lot quantity will he earn and his stage of productiveness with out the WR1 title. He’s averaged 8.7 targets per sport within the three contests Lamb has missed. However with Dak Prescott dropping again to move 40.3 occasions every week (fifth-most amongst lively starters), I don’t assume Pickens will lose a lot fantasy worth.
Atlanta Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers
To not say I don’t like concentrated passing assaults, however I’ll be trying to the ancillary choices for Michael Penix Jr. on this sport. Certain, extra work for Drake London is nice. Added targets for Bijan Robinson is even higher. However Atlanta goes to wish greater than explosive performs from their prime two weapons. And with San Francisco down a few defenders, Week 7 is pretty much as good a time as any to get Kyle Pitts concerned.
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I don’t know who’s wholesome for the 49ers. Effectively, no less than in a situation robust sufficient to play within the sport and be productive. Jauan Jennings is, to place it kindly, going by it. George Kittle and Brock Purdy may be again, however they’re therapeutic. Ricky Pearsall remains to be per week away. Atlanta simply put Josh Allen in a blender and saved Buffalo’s offense below 300 yards for the primary time all yr. With as quick because the Falcons’ protection is taking part in, simply seeing our 49ers’ ability gamers get by the sport may be a win in and of itself.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions
Thanks, Soccer Gods, NFL Schedulers and Scriptwriters. I recognize you all for placing this sport in a primetime slot as a result of I’ve but to see a Baker Mayfield sport dwell. It’s like needing to look at a magician in particular person. Perhaps there’s some element you will discover to dispel the hype. As a result of with a number of lacking linemen and receivers, Mayfield posting top-five marks in passing YPG, EPA per dropback and speeding EPA is one thing you must witness whereas everybody else is watching.
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We lastly received the position adjustment for Jameson Williams that we would have liked for him to get again into fantasy viability. We’ve seen him earn targets from Jared Goff earlier than. Williams simply had a 32% share of the appears again in Week 4. However they have been principally downfield (25.1-yard aDOT). In Week 6, issues modified. Whereas nonetheless sustaining the second-most makes an attempt, the fourth-year wideout’s goal depth dropped to 4.6 air yards. In a sport towards one of many extra “pass-funnel” defenses, I’d count on to see extra of Williams to enhance Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Houston Texans @ Seattle Seahawks
The post-bye rookie bump was a spotlight for fantasy managers when it got here to the Bears and Packers. Houston has a few WRs in the identical boat. Jayden Higgins entered the Texans’ mid-season break with a 49% route fee and 13% of CJ Stroud’s targets. Usually, I’d take a look at his involvement as an outlier, however Christian Kirk’s routes and targets have been on the decline since Week 3. As Seattle continues to work by accidents to their secondary, having an inside choice alongside Nico Collins would maintain Houston’s offense on the transfer. However it could take one other week for Higgins to maneuver into fantasy relevance.
Monday evening may be Sam Darnold’s first true take a look at as Seattle’s QB. The Texans should not solely one of many higher models at attending to the QB (sixth in strain fee), however their protection is strong, as nicely. Three of the 5 passers to face them have left with out a TD move and no less than one interception. No one’s crested 250 yards. Darnold has been capable of maintain the ball out of hurt’s means and permit Jaxon Smith-Njigba to do the heavy lifting to maintain the offense on schedule. However towards the Texans, Darnold and new OC Klint Kubiak will want different solutions for an opportunity to guide the NFC West.
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