Fantasy Football Start and Bench Advice: Week 7

Below is our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em Advice for week 7 of the 2007 season. Also, make sure you check out our Weekly Projections for Week 7 , and if that isn’t enough, swing by our Start / Bench Forum, where Tavaner, Craphonso and Smitty attack all of your questions daily.

Smitty’s Week 7 Studs & Duds

Player	Match-Up	Smitty’s Projections
RB Frank Gore	(@NYG)	110/34 yards, 2TDs
The Giants are 11th in the league against the run, but Gore is coming fresh off a bye and he isn’t an average back. I always worry about Gore’s healthy, but when he is on the field, he as a top 5RB. Expect him to blow up in week 7 and get into the end zone twice.
Player	Match-Up	Smitty’s Projections
QB Ben Roethlisberger	(@DEN)	145 passing yards, 1TDs, 2 INTs
Don’t expect monster numbers out of Big Ben this week, as he faces the #1 passing defense in the entire NFL. Denver gives up just 145.6 yards per game through the air, and while I think Roethy should score a touchdown, he probably won’t average much more than that 145.6 figure in the yardage department.
Player	Match-Up	Smitty’s Projections
QB Tony Romo	(vs. MIN)	325 passing yards, 4TDs
The Vikings just CANNOT throw the football, and while Adrian Peterson is sure to break off his share of runs, I see Dallas dominating this game (at home) from the start. Minnesota is the worst team in the entire NFL against the pass (giving up 288.4 yards per game), so expect huge yardage numbers out of the Dallas signal caller in this one. Romo should have no problem throwing 3-4TDs, at least one of them to Terrell Owens. Get your popcorn ready!
Player	Match-Up	Smitty’s Projections
RB Marshawn Lynch	(vs. BAL)	55/8 yards
I really like Marshawn Lynch, but the back has a tough match-up this week against the Ravens (3rd in the league against the run). Since Baltimore only surrenders 66.7 yards per game on the ground, fantasy owners might be smart to sit Lynch this week if you have a similar option (talent-wise), but with a better match-up.
Player	Match-Up	Smitty’s Projections
RB Larry Johnson	(@OAK)	135/20 yards, 2TDs
Johnson bounced back last week, as he rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. Well, expect more of the same in Week 7, as the Chiefs play the Raiders. Oakland gives up 144.8 yards per game on the ground (28th in the league), so expect big things from the Chief this weekend!

Ballgame’s Week 7 Studs & Duds

Player	Match-Up	Ballgame’s Projections
RB Brian Westbrook	(vs. CHI)	110/65 yards, 2TDs
The Bears are 7th to last in the league against the run, which means we’re going to see a lot of Westbrook this weekend. This feels like one of those two touchdown games to me. Westy as a top 3 start in Week 7.
Player	Match-Up	Ballgame’s Projections
RB Cedric Benson	(@PHI)	55/4 yards
Benson has actually looked a bit better as of late running the football, but he still isn’t seeing enough touches, or doing enough with them when he gets them, to be worthy of RB2 status. Benson faces off against the Eagles this week, and they only give up 91.2 yards per game on the ground. I don’t see Benson even sniffing that total. Oh, and don’t expect him to score either. The Eagles have only given up 2 rushing touchdowns all year long. I doubt Benson is the one to grab the third.
Player	Match-Up	Ballgame’s Projections
RB Willie Parker	(@DEN)	145/25 yards, 1TD
Willie Parker, like Westbrook, is a top 3RB start in Week 7. Denver is 32nd in the league against the run, giving up 187.6 yards per game. That spells a big day for FWP. Start him in all leagues no matter what!

Be sure to check out all of our Week 7 Projections.

Ask The Experts: Who Do I Start?

PICK TWO:

Andre Johnson (vs. TEN) or Kevin Curtis (vs. CHI) or Joey Galloway (@DET) or Jericho Cotchery (@CIN) or Andre Davis (vs. TEN) ?

ASK THE EXPERTS – A questioned asked by a FFX Forum user.

Well, if Andre Johnson is a go, he has to be one of the two. The second choice is between Galloway and Curtis, but since Galloway faces the 30th worst passing defense in the entire NFL, Galloway should get the nod. Don’t be fooled, though, as Chicago (Curtis’ opponent) is just 23rd in the league against the pass — but still, I think Chicago is capable of being a top 10 passing defense at any moment. Start Andre Johnson if he plays and start Joey Galloway next to him. Start Kevin Curtis if A.J. can’t go.

I’m not sure if Andre Johnson is going to play, but if he does he is a must-start. Past that, it is tough passing on Curtis, but his match-up is tough in Chicago. Garcia to Galloway is becoming a nice connection, and given they face Detroit, I go Galloway. Start AJ/Galloway or Galloway/Curtis if AJ doesn’t suit up.

PICK TWO:

Adrian Peterson (@DAL) or Reggie Bush (vs. ATL) or Willie Parker (@DEN) ?

ASK THE EXPERTS – A questioned asked by a FFX Forum user.

	Per the forum post, this is not a PPR league, which makes me think that Adrian Peterson and Willie Parker are the safest calls here. Bush deserves consideration, but he needs to produce in a major way before I sit FWP, and I’m certainly not going to bench "All Day" — Start Adrian Peterson and Fast Willie Parker.
	Since the forum user indicated that this isn’t a PPR league, I leave Bush on the bench this week. You may want to look into trading Bush, because AP and Parker are must starts. Depth is nice, so don’t trade just to trade, only do it if you need a top WR, etc.. Start Adrian Peterson and Willie Parker.

PICK TWO:

Adrian Peterson (@DAL) or Ronnie Brown (vs. NE) or Clinton Portis (vs. AZ) or Willis McGahee (@BUF) ?

ASK THE EXPERTS – A questioned asked by a FFX Forum user.

	This one isn’t even close. Both Ronnie Brown and Adrian Peterson are #1 and #2 for fantasy running backs in almost any scoring format – Start Ronnie Brown and Adrian Peterson without hesitation.
	Easy call. No RBs are playing better than Brown and Peterson, so there is absolutely no reason to bench either one no matter what. Start Adrian Peterson and Ronnie Brown.

Need Advice before kickoff? Swing by our FFX Start / Bench Forum and post your “tough calls” there!

Week 7 Fantasy Football Projections

49ers @ Giants

Sunday at 1PM EST

Player	Match-Up	Week 7 Projections
QB Eli Manning	vs. SF	300 yards, 2TDs, 0 INTs
RB Brandon Jacobs	vs. SF	45/10 yards, 1TD
RB Derrick Ward	vs. SF	45/35 yards
WR Plaxico Burress	vs. SF	6 rec, 75 yards, 1TD
WR Amani Toomer	vs. SF	5 rec, 65 yards, 1TD
WR Sinorice Moss	vs. SF	2 rec, 18 yards
TE Jeremy Shockey	vs. SF	4 rec, 55 yards

Player	Match-Up	Week 7 Projections
QB Alex Smith	@NYG	210 yards, 1TD, 1 INT
RB Frank Gore	@NYG	110/45 yards, 2TDs
RB Michael Robinson	@NYG	20/0 yards
RB Maurice Hicks	@NYG	0/0
WR Darrell Jackson	@NYG	4 rec, 45 yards, 1TD
WR Arnaz Battle	@NYG	3 rec, 35 yards
TE Vernon Davis	@NYG	0/0