top of page

Best/Worst Matchups - 2025 Week 7






QUARTERBACKS


START Caleb Williams vs New Orleans Saints

Only 5 defenses have allowed on average over 20 fantasy points to opposing QBs this season so far. One of them happens to be the New Orleans Saints and lucky for Caleb Williams, that is the next opponent for him and the Bears. When Williams gets a plus matchup, he has torched defenses, including a 4-touchdown outburst against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 where he finished as the QB1 on the week. Don't hesitate to start Williams this week.


Honorable Mention: Matthew Stafford vs JAX, Daniel Jones vs LAC


SIT Sam Darnold vs Houston Texans

Darnold has been quite sharp so far this season, especially his previous four games where he's been a Top-10 fantasy QB option. Unfortunately, this week is where that streak ends as he faces the Houston Texans. The Texans have given up the least number of points to opposing QBs (just barely over 10 fantasy points per game). It is very unwise to start Darnold this week against one of the toughest defenses in the league. The Texans have been one of the fantasy nightmare matchups this season so don't forget to find another option.


Honorable Mention: Jaxson Dart vs DEN, Jordan Love vs ARI



RUNNING BACKS


START Kenneth Gainwell vs Cincinnati Bengals

I'm not convinced that Jaylen Warren is the clear-cut starter for the Steelers at the moment. Although Warren had almost twice the number of carries than Kenneth Gainwell, he almost equaled the number of total touches after catching 6 passes out of the backfield. Really, both Warren and Gainwell have a juicy matchup against the Bengals tomorrow night on TNF. I just believe that Gainwell offers more potential to explode with his pass-catching acumen when we saw him go off in Week 4 and finish as that week's RB3. Warren has yet to truly impress this season so far. I expect Gainwell to get going early and get more of the backfield share in the process.


Honorable Mention: Rhamondre Stevenson vs TEN, Kendre Miller vs CHI


SIT Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt vs Las Vegas Raiders

Just when I thought Hunt was starting to take over the backfield for KC, he gives it right back to Pacheco. It's never going to be a super-productive team and this week they get the AFC West rival in the Raiders. The Raiders are one of the best teams against RB's this season (3rd least total points to opposing RB's) Playing either Hunt or Pacheco will doom your team from the get-go.


Honorable Mention: Tony Pollard vs NE, Any Cardinals RB's vs GB



WIDE RECEIVERS


START Sterling Shepard vs Detroit Lions

You can't go wrong with Shepard here. He offers a safe floor if you need the spot-start for your FLEX spot. He may not go off but I think with Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka missing this game and Mike Evans still easing himself back in, Shepard will get plenty of attention. The fact that he gets to face the Lions who surrender the 4th most points to opposing WR's is even better. This game will be a shootout with two fantastic offenses and two lackluster defenses; play Shepard and expect him to hit your projection.


Honorable Mention: Josh Downs vs LAC, Troy Franklin vs NYG


SIT DeVonta Smith vs Minnesota Vikings

This Eagles team is on the downturn, it seems. The Eagles have dropped two straight games after starting 4-0. Unfortunately, DeVonta Smith and the Eagles get the Vikings this week who are one of the top teams against the pass this season. They allow the 3rd least points to QBs and the VERY LEAST to WR's this season with 15 PPG. That's 15 as a whole WR unit, not just one guy. So Smith would be sharing that 15 points with AJ Brown and whomever else gets a look from Jalen Hurts. That's not a lot. I would sit your Eagles receivers this week and wait for the revenge game against the Giants next week.


Honorable Mention: Cooper Kupp vs Houston Texans, Jakobi Meyers vs KC



TIGHT ENDS


START Harold Fannin Jr. vs Miami Dolphins

HFJ is emerging as "That Guy" for the Browns pass-catching corps. He's now consistently playing at least 80% of offensive snaps over the past 3 games and will likely play more this week. David Njoku is expected to miss this week and Harold Fannin Jr. will absolutely feast. This week vs the Dolphins (6th most points to opposing TE's) gives him an amazing chance to put up amazing numbers. If he can find the end-zone this week to go along with the 10 targets he garned from Dillon Gabriel last week, Fannin could be in for a Top 5 TE kind of week.


Honorable Mention: Mason Taylor vs CAR, Kyle Pitts vs SF


SIT George Kittle vs Atlanta Falcons

Getting Kittle back is HUGE for THEE Tight End University. Unfortunately for him, National Tight Ends Day is not until the following Sunday, the 26th. Although Kittle is expected to return, he does not have the ideal matchup for his return. The opposing Atlanta Falcons have one of the best defenses in the league thus far. They have allowed 4.3 fantasy points per game to opposing TE's this season. That is dismal. Yes, Kittle is a beast, but with him coming off of injury you cannot rely on him to have his comeback party this week. You best stick with the guy you've been playing in his place while Kittle was on IR.


Honorable Mention: TJ Hockenson vs PHI, AJ Barner vs HOU


Comments

Couldn’t Load Comments
It looks like there was a technical problem. Try reconnecting or refreshing the page.
bottom of page