Jason’s HOT or NOT: Week 7 Sit/Start (2020 Fantasy Football)

HOT or NOT (Sit / Start)
Written By Jason Shallcross

As always, here’s my weekly list of players I’m higher and lower on this week in fantasy football. I try to involve as many fringe players as possible in case you need a plug-and-play flex player or a viable end-of-the-bench stash as we move into bye weeks.

HOT Quarterbacks in Week 7

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals vs. Seahawks

In what could be the highest scoring game of the week, look for Kyler Murray to get it going early and often against the Seahawks. The Hawks are giving up both the most pass yards (370) and completions per game (28.7). These two teams could easily combine for 80+ points. With Jamal Adams still not practicing and having no timetable to return, look for Kyler to light up the Seahawks Sunday night.

There’s only a few guys who can make this look so effortless.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions @ Falcons

I know, I know, I’m picking on the Falcons. You know what, serves them right. They’re THAT bad on defense this year, currently giving up the second-most yards per pass attempt (8.4) and third-highest opponent completion percentage (71.67%). Couple that with the fact that Stafford is averaging almost 18 FPPG since Golladay’s Week 3 return, and this is a match I’m firing up in multiple leagues.

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Giants - SOTW

Give me some Carson Wentz this week. While he’s not living up to expectations by any means so far this season, he’s been making the most of his motley crew of late. Did I mention that Giants’ opponents are completing almost 71% of their passes (fourth-most in the league) and that Adrian Colbert has been ruled out with a shoulder injury? Look for Wentz to keep the good times rolling in Week 7.

Honorable Mentions

Gardner Minshew II manages to right the ship against the Chargers and Teddy Bridgewater looks decent in his revenge game against New Orleans.

NOT Quarterbacks in Week 7

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams vs. Bears

Everyone has struggled against the Bears so far this season, and I expect Goff to do the same. The Bears are allowing the lowest opponent completion percentage in the league (57%) and are giving up the fifth-fewest yards per pass attempt (6.1). Goff and the Rams haven’t quite put the offense together so far this year, and I don’t expect that to change this week. Look elsewhere.

Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys @ Football Team

The starting offensive line for the Cowboys will have a combined 13 career starts, 11 of them from this year.

Blandy Dalton ain’t it.

Honorable Mentions

I’m fading Mahomes a smidge against Denver at Mile High and think Brees continues his mediocre ways this weekend.

HOT Running Backs in Week 7

Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers @ Texans

Aaron Jones is going to explode against the Texans this week. Houston is giving up the most yards per rush attempt (5.4) and rushing yards per game (177.5). Their defense is so bad that even Deshaun Watson couldn’t control his feelings after losing the OT coin toss against Titans last week:

***Aaron Jones has since been deemed questionable with a calf injury. Fire up Jamaal Williams confidently if Jones misses time.***

Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic, Football Team vs. Cowboys

Both Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic should finish in the top 24 at running back against the Cowboys this week. The ‘Boys are giving up the second-most rushing yards per game (173), with only Houston giving up more. In fact, the next-worse team after the Cowboys are giving up only 145 rushing yards per game. Woof, Dallas and Houston are bad against the run. Dallas is also giving up the second-most yards per rush attempt (5.1). Couple that putrid defense with an offense that has a marginal quarterback and an injury riddled offensive line, and I think Washington will be in control throughout on Sunday.

Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Raiders

Wow, has Ronald Jones taken over the running back duties for Tampa Bay, or what? He’s had 20+ touches in each of the last three games and more than 100 rushing yards in all three to boot. When you put that kind of volume and ability up against the Raiders’ Defense, who are giving up the second-most fantasy points to the running back position (33.3), I start to salivate. With news that the Raiders are struggling with a covid crisis among their offensive linement, I think that the Buccaneers have a chance to grab the reins early and coast to a win.

Honorable Mentions

D’Andre Swift looked like a man amongst boys last weekend and goes up against the awful Falcons defense this week, making him a viable flex play. Latavius Murray should get some run against the Carolina Panthers this week in a plus matchup.

NOT Running Backs in Week 7

Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers @ Patriots

Is Jerick McKinnon the starting running back for the San Francisco 49ers? I’m not so sure, as JaMycal Hasty out-touched McKinnon 9-8 and was on the field against the Rams as the 49ers sealed the game last week after Mostert went down. An ugly carry split and a tough matchup against the Patriots, who have given up only one rushing touchdown so far this year, make me want to steer clear of McKinnon this weekend.

James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars @ Chargers

Look for mid-to-low end RB2 production from James Robinson against the Chargers this week, who are giving up the seventh-fewest points to running backs. Robinson has now had back to back games with less than 50 rushing yards and managed just 2.4 YPC against the Lions last weekend in what was a plus matchup. He’s becoming less reliable and is proving to be a volume-based RB2. Don’t expect any more than that from him this week.

Honorable Mentions

Look for RB2 production from Josh Jacobs this weekend as his offensive line was unable to practice all week before hopefully suiting up Sunday against the Buccaneers.

HOT Pass Catchers in Week 7

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Browns

We keep talking about him, you keep ignoring him. FINALLY rostered in more than 50% of ESPN leagues, plug and play Tee Higgins with confidence this week. The Browns are giving up the third-most fantasy points to receivers, sixth-most pass yards per game, and are middle of the pack in yards per pass attempt. Tee Higgins has had six or more targets every week since being inserted into the starting lineup in week two, and is averaging 13.4 FPPG over the last four weeks.

The best part? It could be so much more.

Gimme some!

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Jaguars

I love what Keenan Allen is doing with Justin Herbert at the helm. Since Herbert’s first start in week two, Keenan Allen is averaging more han 14 FPPG and has two touchdowns. Did I mention that he’s averaging more than 11 targets per week if you take out his injury-shortened week five against the Saints? The volume and talent are there and this week he goes up against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, who are giving up the most yards per pass attempt (8.5) in the league. Keenan Allen keeps it going in week seven.

T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions @ Falcons

With four catches for 50+ yards in each of the last three weeks and the Falcons’ defense on tap this weekend, give me some T.J. Hockenson. The Falcons are proving to be week up the middle as they are giving up almost 21 FPPG to the tight end position. I can’t ignore numbers like those. Look for Hockenson to sneak into double-digit points this week.

Honorable Mentions

Travis Fulgham should be serviceable against the Giants and look for Chase Claypool to get into the end zone again this weekend in a shootout with the Titans.

NOT Pass Catchers in Week 7

Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears @ Rams

Thank goodness for Allen Robinson’s volume (averaging 12 targets per game since Foles was inserted as the starter), because the match up against Jalen Ramsey and the Los Angeles Rams isn’t appealing this weekend. The Rams are giving up the fewest yards per pass attempt in the league (5.9) and the Bears are 23rd in passing yards per game (222.8). Not Great. Look for WR2 production from Robinson this week.

Dallas Receivers @ Football Team

Also, Washington gives up the least amount of fantasy points to receivers.

Read Andy Dalton’s write up.

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers @ Patriots

So far this season, the New England Patriots have held:

  • Travis Kelce to 8.5 points

  • Darren Waller to 1.9 points

  • Mike Gesicki to 4.5 points

The Patriots are the best in the league at identifying a team’s number one weapon and taking him out of the game. Kittle will be lucky to reach double digits points against the Patriots this week.

Honorable Mentions

Both Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are low end WR2 options against the Bears this week, and look for Jaire Alexander to keep Will Fuller V to WR3 production this week.

Jason Shallcross
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