Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em Week 7
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen
Sportz Nation - 10/22/2026
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em
Kyler Murray vs IND
We've seen Kyler Murray get more comfortable for three straight weeks now in Minnesota with his last game in New Orleans being extremely efficient and getting 6.8 Fantasy points. Murray was able to get it done through the air while adding 51 yards on the ground too, showcasing his dual threat ability we had yet to see so far this season.
Now that Murray is feeling more comfortable as a Viking, he'll take on the Colts at home this week who are allowing the 9th most Fantasy points to QBs this season. The Colts are seemingly at the beginning of blowing up their team and rest of the season so there's a decent chance the Vikings walk all over them this week.
Kirk Cousins vs LAR
I can't keep undervaluing Cousins this season so I'm throwing it out there that 38-year old Kirk Cousins should be started against the once "daunting" Rams defense. Cousins has gotten less than 17 points only once this season in a tough matchup in New England.
The Raiders offense has been slow and steady but productive all season. Especially since Brock Bowers has returned, the Raiders receiving core has played a lot better than we'd predicted and Cousins stats are showing it with an average of over 19 points per game.
Sit 'Em
Bo Nix at ARI
It's no secret that Bo Nix has been not great this season but this "sit em" position comes from the fact that he'll be playing the 31st ranked Cardinals defense and people might say that he's due for a good game. I'm still not putting stock into it and even though the Broncos will win, Nix should still have AT MOST an average game.
Nix has faced some of the best Fantasy defense against QBs so far this season to be fair to him, at KC, at SF, at LAC, vs SEA and vs LAR but there's something more. His confidence is down and he hasn't shown any chemistry with Jaylen Waddle or even Courtland Sutton this year. I don't expect one game to change all that much.
Tyler Shough vs PIT
Shough came back last week after two weeks of down games for a 4-TD, 30-point week even if it came against a Giants' defense that's been underwhelming so far this season. Shough had his 4th multi score game so far this season in a comfortable win but next week should be a real test of how he deals while being UNcomfortable.
Shough will not only face the Steelers and their 3rd best defense against Fantasy QBs this season but will be doing so in Paris. His first international game against one of the best defenses in the league means that Shough should at least see a shaky game and at most throws multiple turnovers. He's a good QB but just isn't worth the start this week.
Running Backs
Start 'Em
Blake Corum at LV
Corum has been getting more and more touches every game this season and seems to have really found a niche as the Rams primary receiving back. He has yet to out touch Kyren Williams so far this season and isn't likely to soon but he's still getting enough points consistently to be worth a FLEX start at minimum.
J.K. Dobbins at ARI
With Bo Nix' woes already established, I do believe that both Dobbins and Harvey will be used heavily this week. Dobbins definitely has the edge in the Denver backfield where he's had double digit carries 5 weeks in a row now and a rushing touchdown in back-to-back weeks.
Sit 'Em
Bucky Irving at CAR
Irving's season has been largely misinterpreted. Over the last month, 31 of Irving's 50 points scored came in the one game against the Cowboys and has been stymied in most every other game so far. Still projected as the RB10 this week
Cam Skattebo at HOU
Skattebo was benched last week by coach John Harbaugh after an Overtime fumble in Week 5 being his 4th already on the season. The Giants' backfield consists of himself, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary and Najee Harris and if Skattebo loses his edge thanks to carrying issues there will be plenty of competition for touches. Moving forward, Skattebo should have the consensus still but even so, facing a Houston defense that ranks 10th against Fantasy RBs isn't the week he comes storming back.
Wide Receivers
Start 'Em
Marvin Harrison Jr vs NYG
This one is more of a "feel it" projection for me than one based on stats and matchups. We saw Maserati Marv get 3 catches for 34 yards in his Texans debut in London and I'd be shocked if they don't incorporate him as much if not more moving forward. We could definitely see play caller Nick Caley and CJ Stroud push to get him his first TD with the squad this week against a struggling Giants' Secondary.
Omar Cooper Jr vs MIA
Omar Cooper missed the last 4 weeks with an ankle injury and came back swinging with a 6-104-1 performance last week. Geno Smith has had a good season this year and is definitely ready to sling the ball while Breece Hall is out. There's an argument that Garrett Wilson could eat into his touches this week after only seeing 4 catches last week but I think we're seeing the beginning of a serious phenom in Cooper.
Sit 'Em
Chris Olave vs PIT
I spoke about Tyler Shough not being a great start this week with his first international start coming against the Steelers' defense and that goes for Olave as well. Add to that that Olave's targets have dropped from 12 per game to 6 per game over the last two weeks and like his Quarterback, this just isn't the week to start Olave who will continue to have a great season moving forward.
Rashee Rice at SEA
Rice's season has been very disappointing and he will likely be not qualified for the "sit em" list moving forward especially when facing the Seahawks' defense this week. His injury distinction has kept him out of practice so far this week even though it's likely he plays Sunday, but the fact that he won't be 100% and the Seahawks' defense has allowed only 2, double-digit Fantasy point receiver performances this season, he's not worth it.
Tight Ends
Start 'Em
Pat Freiermuth at NO
Freiermuth continues to be Aaron Rodgers favorite target and a huge Red Zonwe threat in Pittsburgh. Last week was an anomaly when he scored 2.1 points against Tampa Bay after dealing with a calf injury most of the week. now that he's healthy and facing a Saints team that's allowed the 6th most points to TEs, this is an easy start for me.
Mike Gesicki at BAL
Gesicki has a Touchdown in every game he's played so far this season and is the undoubted Red Zone target for Joe Burrow this season. With their biggest game of the season coming against division rival Ravens this week who is giving up the 10th most points to Tight Ends this season, I definitely see another score coming to Gesicki this week too.
Sit 'Em
Sam LaPorta vs GB
LaPorta had back-to-back weeks of being the best receiver for Detroit before the BYE but this matchup against the Packers should bring him back to Earth. The Packers are 6th against Tight Ends so far this season with a great Linebacking group and the Lions will likely fall back to leaning on Gibbs and St Brown for the week anyway.
Colston Loveland vs NE
Everything about Loveland's season makes me say he won't be much of a factor ronight on TNF. The Patriots' defense has been one of the best all season long and ranks 7th against Tight Ends with a Brock Bowers-outlier game being the only reason they're not Top-5. Loveland had his first double-digit game last week in Caleb's return but I can't believe it will be two weeks in a row against the Pats.
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-Z.D.
-Matt Hylen
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