Week 7 Squad Up Combo Plays
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Many owners were on the high-profile tandem of New England Patriots QB Tom Brady and TE Rob Gronkowski for a Week 6 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Brady finished as the week's QB5 with Gronkowski as the TE1. A slightly less popular play by this point in the season was New York Giants QB Eli Manning (QB4) and WR Odell Beckham Jr. (WR1).
This most surprising play of the week came from the Los Angeles Rams, where QB Case Keenum finished as QB2 and WR Kenny Britt finished at WR2. Britt went for 136 yards and two scores in a surprisingly high-scoring game against the Detroit Lions. Be careful of attempting to double down on this combo, as this was more than likely a one-time performance.
Jameis Winston (87K) and WR Mike Evans (63K), Buccaneers (at 49ers)
Evans has had double-digit targets each week since the first game of the season. His 62 targets on the year have him tied for third among all receivers, while he ranks 14th in receptions and 12th in yards. His 26 first down receptions rank fourth. He has been receiving a target share of 30.0 percent from Winston.
Winston hasn't topped 300 yards since he amassed 405 in a Week 3 to the Rams. He has thrown just one touchdown in his past two games and has only two multi-touchdown games on the season. His completion percentage is higher than his rate from his rookie season, but he has thrown eight interceptions to his nine touchdowns.
This combination is a little contrarian, as most fantasy minds expect the Buccaneers to run all over the 30th-ranked rushing defense of the 49ers. Should RB Doug Martin be forced to sit yet again and if Jacquizz Rodgers shows early signs of regression from his Week 6 performance, the passing attack might surge. Evans will line up against 49ers CB Tramaine Brock.
Philip Rivers (82K) and TE Hunter Henry (41K), Chargers (at Falcons)
The Falcons have allowed just one wide receiver to top 60 yards in their past three games. Meanwhile, they allowed Seattle Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham to catch six passes for 89 yards in Week 6, just two weeks after giving up six receptions, 76 yards and a touchdown to Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen. While these two players are well established, look for Henry to follow suit.
Henry has surpassed the rapidly deteriorating play of TE Antonio Gates. He has a touchdown in each of his past three games, while totaling 218 yards over the stretch. He has caught 19 of his 26 targets on the season. While his snaps are often limited by his poor blocking abilities, the Falcons' miserable pass rush should allow him to run more routes.
Henry has been playing approximately 80 percent of the snaps, far more than Gates. Most of the scoring from this game is likely to come via the running backs on both sides of the ball, but Henry already ranks 10th among NFL tight ends with six red-zone targets on the season.
Blake Bortles (92K) and WR Allen Robinson (64K) with TE Julius Thomas (37K), Jaguars (vs. Raiders)
Bortles salvaged his own miserable fantasy day against the Chicago Bears in Week 6 by throwing a game-winning 51-yard touchdown pass with the clock winding down. Unfortunately for owners of Robinson, Thomas and WR Allen Hurns, the pass was caught by WR Arrelious Benn.
Expect the usual suspects to feature more prominently for the Jaguars as they return to Jacksonville. The game features the fourth-highest projected point total of the week at 48.5, with the Jaguars favored by a single point. The rushing attacks of both teams have been inconsistent, if not bad, leading to plenty of work for the quarterback on either side.
The Raiders rank 29th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers and 26th in points allowed to tight ends. This will be an extremely low-owned stack, especially as a three player combo. Through Week 5, the Raiders ranked 25th and 24th, respectively, in Football Outsiders' DVOA against WR1s and TEs.