Thanks for checking out Belly Up Start Em, Sit Em: Week 7! We’re missing these teams due to byes: Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and the Minnesota Vikings. I’m looking at guys with favorable matchups who might be on the fringe of your starting lineups or players to avoid if you’re in need of a homerun this week.

Start Em: QBs

Gardner Minshew @ LAC

Minshew has accounted for 2 TDs in each game since the debacle without #1 WR DJ Chark, and has been about as consistent as one can ask for. This week he visits the LA Chargers who have allowed back to back 300 yard passing days & surrendered a 369 yard 5 TD day to Tom Brady a couple weeks ago. The Chargers are tougher on RBs fantasy-wise, and there should be fireworks in this matchup. Fire up Minshew!

Ben Roethlisberger @ TEN

The Tennessee Titans defense has allowed 250+ passing yards and/or 3 passing TDs in every game since Week 1, and they allow the 7th most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Big Ben has led the Steelers to 38 points in back to back games, and has multiple TD passes in 4 of 5 games. He didn’t have to throw in last week’s beatdown of the Cleveland Browns. This game has the potential to produce some serious fantasy numbers! Big Ben should have an afternoon against the visiting Tennessee Titans.

Start Em: RBs

Latavius Murray vs CAR

The Saints come into Week 7 without both of the top 2 WRs, and are facing a defense that has allowed the 2nd fewest passing TDs this season. However, the Panthers are among the league’s worst against the RB position. Carolina allows 4.9 yards per carry and is tied for the 3rd most rushing TDs allowed this season. Murray has had 12+ carries in 3 out of 5 games, and should be in for a solid number of touches given the circumstances. Latavius Murray is a fantastic flex option in this matchup!

D’Andre Swift @ ATL

D’Andre Swift had a 14 carry 116 yard 2 TD effort out of nowhere in Week 6 at Jacksonville. The glimpse of what Swift owners were hanging by a thread to finally see. This week he will face off against a Falcons defense that has allowed 4 receiving TDs to RBs this season and Swift has 4+ targets in all but 1 game this season. Assuming Swift receives the volume of touches again this week, he could be in for a massive fantasy day back in Georgia against the Falcons.

Start Em: WRs

Christian Kirk vs SEA

Christian Kirk saw his largest snap percentage last week against Dallas in 38-10 beat down. With the health of Nuk Hopkins in question leading into their matchup vs Seattle, Kirk has an opportunity to take advantage of the league’s 2nd worst pass defense. Kirk is available in over 50% of leagues at the moment, he could serve at a last-minute waiver move that could win you your Week 7 contests!

Tee Higgins vs CLE

Tee Higgins has averaged 8 targets per game over the last month, tallying 60+ yards in 3 straight. Higgins owners, rejoice! This is the week the TD should follow the targets & receptions and bring Tee Higgins into the next tier of fantasy WR. The Browns have allowed 13 passing TDs and the 4th most fantasy points to WRs in 2020. Burrow looks for Higgins as much as any of his weapons. With RB Joe Mixon out with a foot injury, the Bengals will have to do their damage through the air in this one.

Start Em: TEs

T.J. Hockenson @ ATL

Hockenson hasn’t had the best production the last couple games from a yardage standpoint, however he has scored TDs in 3 of 5 games this season. The Atlanta Falcons have surrendered 7 touchdowns to TEs, and 55+ receiving yards to opposing TEs 4 times in 5 games. This game has an O/U of 56.5 pts, even Vegas is assuming this game will have a ton of scoring. Start Hockenson in Atlanta this week, he has a fantastic opportunity to hit pay-dirt yet again!

Hunter Henry vs JAX

The Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed a TD to opposing TEs in 4 of their last 5 games, including a 2 TD effort to Jonnu Smith. Henry has continued to receive targets from rookie QB Justin Herbert, and has played at least 80% of snaps for the Chargers. The Jaguars are the 6th worst fantasy defense against opposing TEs. With Herbert ripping it, and both secondaries vulnerable, plug in Henry against the lowly Jacksonville defense in Week 7.

Sit Em: QBs

Derek Carr vs TB

The Buccaneers defense is a stout unit, allowing a whopping 14 fantasy points per game this season. They made Aaron Rodgers look human last week, and have intercepted a pass in 5 straight games. Also, the Bucs are yet to allow a QB to throw more than 1 TD in a game. Carr is in jeopardy of going to battle without his entire offensive line due to Covid exposure. I am avoiding that mess for my lineups this week. Gruden may not get his revenge this week.

Jared Goff vs CHI

The Bears are the league’s stingiest fantasy defense against the QB position. They’re yet to allow a QB to pass for more than 1 TD, and have yet to surrender a 300-yard game to a QB. Goff has also thrown for 200 yards or less in 2 of his last 3 games. I am tempering my expectations for all of my Rams Week 7 on Monday Night Football.

Sit Em: RBs

David Montgomery @ LAR

David Montgomery is averaging under 3 yards per carry over his last 4 games. This week he faces off against the Los Angeles Rams defense who are the 10th best fantasy defense against opposing RBs. The Rams have allowed just two RBs to rush for 65+ yards, and have not surrendered a TD to RBs since Week 2. Montgomery only has 2 total TDs this season, I don’t like the chances of him adding to that total in LA.

Antonio Gibson vs DAL

Gibson comes into the week having amassed only 29 touches for 106 total yards in his last 2 games. The WFT RB is a touted pass catcher, yet the Cowboys have allowed the least receiving production to RBs this season. Gibson’s numbers have been reeling as of late, and I am avoiding him until I see him start churning out some yardage out of the backfield. the WFT isn’t a very potent offense to begin with.

Sit Em: WRs

Julian Edelman vs SF

Julian Edelman has had 6+ targets in each game this season, yet has only tallied 7 receptions for 66 yards over his last three outings. With the 49ers coming to town, Edelman will have a difficult road to correcting that trend. The 49ers have allowed the 8th fewest fantasy points to WRs, and have allowed only 3 WRs to record 75+ receiving yards. Edelman is a player to avoid yet again this week.

Robert Woods vs CHI

Robert Woods has had less than 40 yards receiving in 3 of his team’s 6 games in 2020. This week he gets a terrible matchup against the Chicago Bears. The Bears have only allowed 1 TD to WRs this season, Week 5 to Mike Evans. I’m sure you’re not fortunate enough to be able to bail on Robert Woods completely this week, however, be prepared for a disappointing stat line from Bobby Trees.

Sit Em: TEs

Hayden Hurst vs DET

Hayden Hurst has had fewer than 10 yards receiving in 2 of his last 4 outings, and is facing the Lions defense that has allowed the 3rd fewest fantasy points to opposing TEs. Detroit has allowed only 10 receptions to TEs through 5 games, and no TE has amassed more than 25 yards receiving vs Detroit yet this season. The Lions defense is dreadful against the RB position, and among the best against the TE. Hurst may be in for a long day Week 7.

Jared Cook vs CAR

Jared Cook will be playing without fellow pass-catchers Mike Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders this week against the Panthers. Carolina has only allowed one TE to reach 50 receiving yards, and only 2 TDs to TEs, both of those to backup TEs, I might add. Cook hasn’t had more than 2 receptions in his last 3 outings, and it won’t be hard for Carolina to key on Cook without the usual threats on the outside. I expect New Orleans to exploit the Panthers on the ground with Kamara & Murray.

Thanks for checkin’ out Belly Up Start Em, Sit Em: Week 7. If you want to see how I’ve done in previous weeks, check out my other Start Em, Sit Em’s. You can follow me on Twitter @bwhitt24, and the rest of the fantasy crew @bellyupfantasy. Join us live on Twitter and Facebook Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM CST for Belly Up Fantasy Live! The crew will be breaking down the upcoming week’s fantasy outlook, and as always answering your questions in the comments! Enjoy 20% off of your www.manscaped.com purchase by using our promo code BELLYUPFANTASY. You’re Welcome!