Start ’em, Sit ’em Week 7
Week 6 of the 2021 NFL regular season was a load of excitement for fans and fantasy. Owners everywhere got to see a few of the top players in the league display why they should be inserted into starting lineups while some other starters had proven that they belong on the benches. Setting aside NFL game betting and focusing on fantasy, here’s our guide on who to start and sit this week.
Start ’em: Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan has seemingly been the forgotten veteran quarterback. Yes, the Atlanta Falcons are one of the worst teams in the league, but Ryan is the only reason that they are sticking around games. He has scored two or more touchdowns in his last four games and now faces a Miami Dolphins secondary that allows the third-most passing yards per contest. It should be a hot game for Ryan coming off a bye week.
Sit ’em: Taylor Heinicke
You might be enticed to start Taylor Heinicke due to his matchup with the Green Bay Packers. They haven’t been the best defense and Heinicke has proven to be a fantasy game-winner from time to time. However, Terry McLaurin seems to be a little banged up as well as Antonio Gibson. With two of their best weapons in the offense being less than 100 %, it’s definitely not a great sign to a quarterback that had a rough game last weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs. He could explode, but he is likely better off on your benches this week.
Start ’em: Damien Harris
Damien Harris has bounced around from starting material to riding the bench but it looks like he should be back to starting in the majority of rosters around the world. He is coming off a game in which he totaled 101 yards and a touchdown and gets a New York Jets defense this week who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs. Harris could be in line for quite the afternoon. Many who bet online expect the Patriots to win this game going away.
Sit ’em: David Johnson
David Johnson gets a revenge game with the Arizona Cardinals but that’s not enough to get him placed in your starting lineups. He has been phased out of this Houston Texans’ offense the last few weeks with Mark Ingram getting the lion’s share of the carries and Philip Lindsay stepping in from time to time. Chances are this Texans group gets blown out, so there won’t be much time for Johnson to not only fight through the committee but have a positive game script to pick up any decent yardage.
Start ’em: Henry Ruggs III
Despite his inconsistent play, Henry Ruggs III should get inserted into lineups considering the number of bye weeks going on around the league. Ruggs has averaged 14 fantasy points per game this season and is always a threat to score a deep touchdown for the Las Vegas Raiders, just like he did last weekend. Why not give him a chance this week against the Philadelphia Eagles?
Sit ’em: Brandon Aiyuk
He was drafted so high in most leagues yet he has basically been invisible on this San Francisco 49ers’ offense. Aiyuk has scored one touchdown and hasn’t crossed the 100-yard mark. He hasn’t been close. He has a tough matchup against the Indianapolis Colts and this probably won’t be the game he overcomes his obstacles and has a big fantasy performance.
Start ’em: Mike Gesicki
With Tua Tagovailoa back into the starting lineup for the Miami Dolphins, Mike Gesicki is back in start territory in fantasy. He just took nine targets for eight receptions and 115 yards last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. He has also racked up at least six targets in every game since Week 2. Gesicki is a strong start no matter what scoring your league runs on.
Sit ’em: Mo Alie-Cox
For those of you that may be desperate for a replacement at tight end, Mo Alie-Cox is not likely your guy. He is going up against a 49ers defense that is Top 10 in points allowed to tight ends. He has gotten opportunities with Carson Wentz throwing the football but this offense is far too inconsistent to boost his value over San Francisco’s tight end dominance.
Start ’em: Younghoe Koo
Younghoe Koo hasn’t been a terrific fantasy option so far but has a wonderful matchup against the Dolphins this week. The Falcons are likely to find a way to get themselves a lot of scoring opportunities and if they stall out, Koo will be right there to clean up the drive and cash in on a few points. Miami has allowed one of the highest points-per-game totals to kickers in the league and that won’t change here.
Sit ’em: Austin Seibert
The Detroit Lions were able to score just 11 points in their loss last weekend and now have to play a tougher team with the Los Angeles Rams coming to town. Seibert may get a field goal or two, but the chances that he becomes a top option this week is incredibly small. Avoid the Lions for your NFL predictions and Seibert for fantasy.
Start ’em: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams just beat the brakes off of the New York Giants last weekend. Their stout defense got to the quarterback often and racked up multiple interceptions. They face the Lions and Jared Goff. A lot of these players already know how Goff likes to play, specifically Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald. These are two guys that could take advantage of that familiarity and give this group a nice fantasy boost.
Sit ’em: Tennessee Titans
We said not to start the last week and that was a pretty good idea despite the fact that they won the game against the Buffalo Bills. The defense actually saved the day, picking up a huge stop on the last drive of the game. However, they now have to go against the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes and are missing members of their secondary. This Titans group hasn’t been good all year and will probably get shredded.
