DFS: Pigskin Panel - The Three Biggest Questions of Week 7
Each week, theScore's DFS experts tackle the biggest questions of the week. Here are three of the most significant issues of Week 7:
Which Week 6 bust is primed for a bounceback?
James Bisson: DFS players who have spent up for Vikings RB Adrian Peterson have been largely frustrated - especially in Week 6, when AP had just 60 yards on 26 carries in a win over Kansas City. But don't shy away from the mega-star this week, as he takes on a Detroit Lions run defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground.
Josh Wegman: Steelers WR Antonio Brown has struggled mightily without Ben Roethlisberger. That will change with Landry Jones under center rather than Mike Vick. Jones is set to make his first career NFL start against a Chiefs defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to WRs this season. Jones' big arm should help Brown regain his "cash game hero" form.
Esten McLaren: If his receiving corps can get healthy, Matt Ryan is poised for a bounceback performance in Week 7. The Titans have allowed the fewest passing yards this season, but they rank No. 28 in yards allowed per attempt and No. 15 in passing touchdowns. Look for Ryan and the Falcons to go back to dominating their easy schedule following a road loss to a divisional rival.
David Chernish: Giants QB Eli Manning has been mostly solid this season, but sputtered in a Week 6 loss to Philadelphia. Expect Manning to rebound in a must-win home game against Dallas. He'll likely be low owned given his weak Monday performance, and the Cowboys have struggled mightily since the injuries to QB Tony Romo and WR Dez Bryant.
Which Week 6 star is headed for a fall?
James Bisson: Sorry, Matthew Stafford, but you're not winning us back with one great week. Stafford erupted for 405 passing yards and four touchdowns in a wild win over visiting Chicago, but is likely headed for a reality check against a visiting Vikings defense allowing the seventh-fewest passing yards and just six touchdowns. Leave Stafford unowned this week.
Josh Wegman: LeGarrette Blount had a 16-93-1 line on the ground vs. the Colts last week. The Patriots will go home to face a Jets defense on Sunday allowing the least amount of fantasy points to RBs. Expect the spread, rather than the power offense, for New England. Blount will be highly owned after a big week, but Dion Lewis will be the Pats RB to grab.
Esten McLaren: Chris Ivory is averaging 156 yards and a touchdown over his last two games. While he has certainly helped the cause, the strong play of his team has helped him. The Jets won both those games by at least 13 points. The game script can be expected to change in Week 7 with the Jets squaring off against the formidable Patriots in New England.
David Chernish: Dolphins RB Lamar Miller had a productive Week 6, posting a 19/119/1 line. Miller faces a top defense in the Houston Texans this week; DE J.J. Watt and company will be sure to slow down Miller's production, likely forcing the Dolphins' pass attack to take over. Miller's price is intriguing, but a fade this week could be beneficial.
Who is Week 7's top off-the-radar pick?
James Bisson: DeAndre Hopkins gets most of the attention among Houston pass-catchers, but the Texans' No. 2 option has also been a strong play most weeks. This week, that responsibility falls on Nate Washington, who returns from a two-week injury absence and will likely line up opposite Hopkins with Cecil Shorts III already ruled out. Washinton is a great low-salary option.
Josh Wegman: Landry Jones put up video game numbers in his college career at Oklahoma, and has a great chance to do it again this week in his first career NFL start. The Chiefs have allowed the third-most fantasy points to QBs this year, and all of Pittsburgh's offensive skill players are good to go. He'll be extremely cheap and has DFS MVP potential.
Esten McLaren: Devonta Freeman and Ivory gashed the Redskins for 393 total yards and two touchdowns over the previous two weeks. The road is paved for Doug Martin coming off a Week 6 bye. Muscle Hamster had the second best game of his four-year career in Week 5, his best since Week 9 of 2012. Martin should build on his strong performance against Washington.
David Chernish: Looking for a replacement for Bengals bye-week WR A.J. Green? Consider Chiefs WR Albert Wilson. Stud RB Jamaal Charles is shelved for the year with a torn ACL and the Chiefs RBs have shown no promise in his absence. The Chiefs must rely on the air attack, and Wilson saw a career-high six targets last week. He should see low ownership this week, as well.