Show 2000! Week 7 Matchups + Wheel of Shame - Fantasy Football Podcast for 10/23

A.J. Brown continues to struggle with an ankle injury; he is 3 for 48 on six targets and does not look himself. The source notes that high ankle sprains typically result in three weeks of negative production versus baseline, suggesting at least one more week of underperformance. Additionally, Brown is failing to catch balls that hit him in the hands, though some deep incompletions may involve defensive pass interference.

The source notes that while A.J. Brown's underperformance is not entirely fair to compare due to injury, he may have hurt fantasy teams more than Jalen Waddle so far this season, though Waddle may have been started more frequently.

AJ Brown received 6 targets in Week 7 against New England, placing him among the team's target leaders but behind Colston Loveland's 12-target performance.

Aaron Rodgers is ranked as the source's quarterback 10, making him a low-end starter option for the week.

Aaron Rodgers is ranked as quarterback 10 this week, making him a low-end starter; the source prefers Rodgers over Matthew Stafford based on stats, though both were considered close options.

The source states Algier has looked bad on every carry of the entire season; his price pick projection is 41.5 rushing yards, and the source would take the under on that projection due to the defense.

Bam Knight has been receiving increasing opportunities in the Cardinals backfield, outperforming starter Tyler Algier last week. However, his performance was mixed: he had a 31-yard run but otherwise averaged only 3.5 yards per carry on his other attempts. Knight got 15 carries, showing he's in line for significant work if Jeremiah Love remains unavailable.

Received 15 carries when Love was unavailable; outside of one 31-yard run, averaged 3.5 yards per carry. The source notes this as the headline opportunity count but acknowledges the performance was not great overall.

Blake Corum scored last week, which appears to be the source of Kyron Williams' frustration. The source questions whether Corum, despite being pretty good for fantasy, receives enough touches to be a realistic start given his limited role behind Williams. However, the source would start Corum in the Week 7 matchup because the game script is expected to involve heavy running, which could increase his opportunity.

The source expresses strong skepticism about starting Bo Nix, stating 'money where my mouth is. Bone X is not getting started by me' and noting that Denver has to make excuses every week about the play caller, head coach, or Nix himself. The source believes the problems won't be fixed overnight just by playing Arizona on the road, and is choosing to start Geno Smith instead in multiple leagues.

The source expresses concern about Bo Nix's play as a contributing factor to Jalen Waddle's underperformance, noting a decline from his early-season performance.

Bowers is described as a lock in his matchup this week, with the source expressing high confidence in starting him.

CeeDee Lamb moves into the slot against the Eagles, who are allowing the highest target percentage to slot wide receivers; the source notes Lamb has been making plays in this role, suggesting favorable matchup conditions for him in Week 7.

Colby Parkinson is a legitimate goal-line threat for the Rams, having scored eight touchdowns last year. He scored last week and is a consideration for DFS lineups or as a red-zone play, as opposing defenses seem to forget he exists when the Rams get near the goal line.

Cole Kmet was carted off with a right knee injury in Week 7 and is believed to have a serious season-long knee injury, per Ian Rappaport reporting. This removes him from fantasy consideration for the remainder of the season.

Loveland received 12 targets in Week 7 against New England, catching 7 for 69 yards and a touchdown with a couple drops. With Cole Kmet believed to have a serious season-long knee injury, Loveland will be more alone in the tight end room going forward, positioning him for increased volume and opportunity.

D'Andre Swift dominated on the ground with 22 carries for 78 yards and was also effective in the passing game in Week 7. The source notes Swift's strong performance and mentions uncertainty around when Monongai returns, suggesting Swift's workload may remain elevated.

Dak Prescott faces the Eagles' great defensive line in Week 7; the source notes the Cowboys' offensive line struggles have been clear the last few weeks, setting up a difficult matchup where the Eagles will likely focus on defensive pressure and run defense.

In a tight end comparison for Monday night against Dallas with a backup quarterback, the source would play Tyler Higbee over Dallas Goedert, indicating Higbee is the preferred play despite Goedert's matchup.

Dallas Goedert did not practice Thursday with a knee problem heading into Week 7 against Dallas; the source expects him to play despite the injury.

Darren Waller (referred to as 'Goddard' in context) is mentioned as a lower-tier tight end option compared to Travis Kelsey in this week's matchups.

Demario Douglas had only four targets in the Week 7 game against the Bears and was seemingly banished from the Patriots offense. This represents a significant drop in usage compared to other receivers, as the target distribution was concentrated on Hunter Henry and Ramondre Stevenson.

DeVonta Smith did not practice with a hamstring problem heading into Week 7; the source expects him to play and notes he had 14 targets last week despite limited practice, suggesting he remains a priority target even when banged up.

Drake May continues to look great despite the Patriots' offensive limitations and penalties. He scored a great touchdown on the ground in the Week 7 win over the Bears, demonstrating dual-threat capability.

Drake Maye scored and had a great touchdown on the ground in Week 7 against New England, showing dual-threat capability.

With Charbonnet returning from injury, Emmanuel Wilson will lose significant carries and opportunities; he will be part of a three-way timeshare with Charbonnet and Helani, facing a top-five run defense, making him an unattractive fantasy start.

The source is starting Geno Smith over Bo Nix in multiple leagues for Week 7, indicating a preference for Smith as a starting option against the Cardinals.

Harold Fannin has been disappointing with troublesome receiving totals; the coaching staff appears to have forgotten how to use him despite his strong production last year, suggesting underutilization in the current scheme.

Hunter Henry was a primary target for Drake May in the Patriots offense, scoring points in the Week 7 win over the Bears. The source notes that the Patriots offense was concentrated between Hunter Henry and Ramondre Stevenson, with no other receiver recording more than three receptions.

Hunter Henry was one of only two tight ends with significant target volume in Week 7 against New England, alongside Colston Loveland, with no other tight end receiving more than three receptions on the team.

The source expresses love for Jalen Hurts as a fantasy asset and person but expresses frustration with the Eagles offense's inability to execute consistently, noting the offense has struggled to get it together despite having talent.

The source has consistently loved Jalen Hurts as a fantasy asset and as a person, indicating strong conviction in his value.

Javante Williams faces the Eagles in Week 7; the source notes it's not an easy matchup but suggests it might be enough volume to make him playable, especially if the game gets out of hand with defensive plays or running game dominance.

The source's start of the week this week; projected to be a top 24 player against the Cardinals defense, which ranks 26th in fantasy points given up to wide receivers and has given up big plays to receivers—exactly what Waddle needs. The source argues this is the game to play him if you're ever going to play him.

Identified as possibly the biggest bust among top-round wide receivers; wide receiver 41 in five of his six games with only 13 receptions total. After a 49-yard catch in week two, his subsequent games yielded 9, 13, 10, and 8 receiving yards. The source does not like the utilization path and attributes the underperformance partly to Bo Nix's play.

Jeremiah Love did not practice on Thursday, creating uncertainty about his availability for the Cardinals-Broncos matchup and opening the door for backup running backs to see increased opportunity.

Jordan Mason is expected to return this week from a thumb injury and should be ready to go. The source notes he should be in shape to resume his role in the 49ers offense.

The source prefers Keenan Allen over Trey Tucker in start/sit decisions, citing preference for known volume in the matchup.

Kenneth Walker is expected to have massive volume against Seattle's defense due to the Chiefs' depleted receiving core. The source states Walker will tear apart the Seahawks defense and expects Andy Reid to get him a touchdown, especially in goal-line situations. Walker has forced 38 missed tackles and is slightly ahead of Gibbs in Offensive Player of the Year odds.

Kenneth Walker is one of only two players the source would start from this matchup between two Super Bowl contenders; he is the preferred Seattle running back option in this important game.

Kyron Williams dominated snap share last week at 72% for the Rams but received only 53% of running back attempts, a notably low number. He was visibly frustrated post-game about not getting more work, though the source notes Blake Corum's touchdown was likely the real source of his frustration. The snap dominance suggests he remains the lead back, but touch distribution remains a concern.

Luther Burden had 4 receptions for 130 yards and 1 touchdown in the first half of the Week 7 game, demonstrating significant offensive production and involvement in the Bears offense.

Luther Burden had 4 receptions for 130 yards and 1 touchdown in the first half against New England but never got another target in the second half, illustrating inconsistent usage despite strong early performance. The source questions whether Burden can be used for a full game given the rotation with other receivers.

The source advises against starting Stafford in Week 7 despite rating him a very good quarterback. The Cardinals defense presented a real struggle last week; more critically, with Devontae Adams out and Puka Nakua potentially re-aggravating an injury mid-game, Stafford's target tree collapses to Tyler Higbee as the primary option, which is insufficient for a pocket passer. The risk of Puka being active at kickoff but exiting mid-game creates an unacceptable downside scenario.

The last two weeks have been terrible for Wilson; he faces a horrible matchup this week. The source does not consider him a must-play and would start Jalen Waddell ahead of him in this matchup, though Wilson is acceptable compared to waiver wire pickups.

The source prefers Michael Wilson over Trey Tucker in start/sit decisions, citing preference for known volume over searching for one big play against the Rams.

Mitch Trubisky was acquired on waivers for $1, indicating low-cost availability and potential value in the source's league context during Week 7.

The source states they would not start Patrick Mahomes against Seattle's elite defense, despite him being Mahomes, indicating the matchup is too difficult even for an elite quarterback.

Puka Nakua is dealing with an injury that creates uncertainty for Week 7. Even if he is active at kickoff, there is a material risk he re-aggravates the injury mid-game, which would leave Matthew Stafford without his top target and force reliance on Tyler Higbee. This injury risk is a primary reason to avoid starting Stafford.

Ramondre Stevenson was the leading receiver in the Bears-Patriots game with 5 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown, including a 48-yard touchdown reception on a dump-off pass. This demonstrates significant receiving volume and efficiency in the Patriots offense.

Ramondre Stevenson caught a 48-yard touchdown reception on a dump-off pass in the first half of the Bears-Patriots game (Week 7), described by the source as an unusually long play for a dump-off pass.

Saquon Barkley is limited with a hamstring problem but the source expects him to play and emphasizes he should be started if active; the source views him as a volume play in a good matchup against the Cowboys, where the Eagles will likely run the ball defensively to control the game.

Tanner McKee is recommended as a starting quarterback option in the Dallas-Philadelphia matchup, paired with Patrick Mahomes as the preferred quarterback for this game.

Tanner McKee gets the Dallas Cowboys defense in Week 7 after his first start last week; the source notes the Cowboys defense is one where you can look okay, implying a favorable matchup for a backup quarterback in his second start.

In a direct tight end comparison, the source would play Tyler Higbee over Travis Kelce against Seattle in Week 7, indicating a preference for Higbee's matchup and floor over Kelce's upside in that particular week.

Kelce had four receptions for 53 yards last week and is considered fine for this week. The source would play Kelce over Hawkinson and Pitts, though earlier noted Higbee as the preferred tight end play against Seattle.

Trey Tucker had a big week last week but has never had back-to-back 10-point weeks; his pattern is hitting big games followed by disappearances. The source prefers Keenan Allen and Michael Wilson over Tucker, citing preference for known volume over searching for one big play against the Rams.

Identified as the auto-start for the Arizona Cardinals in this matchup against the Broncos defense.

The source identifies Higbee as a start of the week in Week 7 against the Raiders. The matchup is perfect; the Raiders are weak defensively against tight ends and weak against all fantasy positions. Higbee has a very high floor and is a strong play over other tight end options like Travis Kelce against Seattle or Dallas Goedert against Dallas with a backup quarterback.

In a direct comparison between Woody Marks and Saquon Barkley for Week 7, the source strongly prefers Barkley, indicating Marks is the inferior play despite being healthy.

Xavier Worthy is the only other Kansas City option to consider, having had seven targets for 73 yards last week with Rashee Rice and Thornton out. However, the source would not start him against Seattle's elite pass defense, which is as elite as any team against wide receivers.