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| Authored by Erick Arnold - 23rd October, 2010 - 12:30 am
With the Fantasy landscape now more defined and with four fantasy starter-filled teams on bye weeks (Colts, Jets, Texans, Lions), finding key fill-ins for Week 7 is crucial to picking up a win.
If you have a tandem QB/WR combo on byes this week, what better way to double up on your bye week fill-ins by not only starting a QB from this list, but the WR from the same team. The key is finding the right team to do this with and if they?re available.
Thus, this week?s list will have a handful of players to target not only for Week 7 but for their future potential as well. After all, championships are won by GM?s who grab the players before the competition.
Furthermore, all TE Dallas Clark owners or any Fantasy GM looking for TE help this week should re-read RealGM?s Week 6 Fantasy article and follow the same steps outlined to ensure production from the tight end position.
- QB Matt Cassel
This is the first player in a theme for Week 7: Play Kansas City this week. QB Matt Cassel has started to show signs of life as of late (102 passes without an interception and a QB rating of 101.3 the past three games); especially last week at Houston where he threw for 200 yards and 3 TD?s. More importantly, two of those touchdown passes were to KC?s most talented receiver, WR Dwayne Bowe. Earlier in the season, the two struggled to find chemistry but have now seemed to find rhythm together which is big news for the Chiefs offense.
Obviously, the Chiefs will run the ball but given that the Jaguars have surrendered a league high 14 touchdown passes and over 260 yards per game. Cassel netting at least two touchdowns in this game is almost a lock, especially considering that screen passes are very effective against a weak Jaguar linebacking corp. Start Cassel with confidence this week and put him down for 15 points. Best available Tandem: TE Tony Moeaki
- QB Matt Hasselbeck
The ?South Park? cameo star faces a mediocre Arizona Cardinal team at home this week in what will surely be a divisional fight at Qwest Field (aka ?False Start Field?). With the recent addition of Marshawn Lynch, the most obvious benefactor is Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck is most effective with a decent running game ? as evidenced last week against a strong Chicago defense. With the running game hitting it?s stride and Arizona being ranked 26th against the pass, Hasselbeck now has the tools and the matchup to be an effective fantasy QB this week. Best available Tandem: WR Mike Williams
- WR Craig ?Buster? Davis
With injuries to San Diego?s receivers that will more than likely be out this week (TE Antonio Gates, WR Malcom Floyd, WR Legedu Naanee), Fantasy free agents like Davis get an immediate boost for at least Week 7. You can include the underrated former Cowboy, WR Patrick Crayton, in this mix as well but given his production last week it?s possible another team swooped him up already. Thus, WR Craig ?Buster? Dougl?errrr?Davis is in line to put up some decent fantasy numbers this week. Granted, he is dealing with a rib injury that held him out of practice Thursday. If Davis can?t go, WR Richard Goodman will get the nod. Whichever receiver it is, one has to assume that they?re in line for some targets this week by default. After all, somebody has to catch passes from QB Philip Rivers and given that San Diego leads the NFL in passing.
- WR Mike Williams (SEA)
The former first round bust has reemerged as Seattle?s primary receiving option. With his first career 100-yd performance last week, Williams is an excellent option this week at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Williams? size and speed are certainly the reasons the Lions drafted him in the first round a few years ago but, unfortunately for them, he?s only maximizing his talents now. If Williams? can finally reach his overall potential with Seattle, the Fantasy owner who picks him up now could possibly have a hungry, younger, poor-man?s version of WR Terrell Owens in his prime.
- WR Blair White
Although the Colts are on a bye this week, WR Blair White is a player every Fantasy GM should add to their roster immediately. With TE Dallas Clark out for the season and WR Austin Collie out 3-4 weeks (coincidentally both have wrist injuries), White emerges as the next in line to play the slot for the Colts. Given that White got 8 fantasy points in his first NFL game (27 yds, 1 TD) playing for an injured WR Pierre Garcon, the upside for White is off the charts. White is almost a carbon copy of Collie, thus given Collie?s stat line this season (500yds and 5 TDs), one has to see that kind of production from White for at least two games if not more due to void left by TE Dallas Clark. Furthermore, there?s some guy named QB Peyton Manning throwing him the ball. Again, the upside is huge and White should be added to EVERY roster.
- RB Carnell ?Cadillac? Williams
This old Chevy has been spurting through 2010 thus far but it?s possible that Williams may be getting an engine overhaul this week against the Rams. Surprisingly, Williams is still the Bucs starter if only because none of the other back they have can pass block. Still, the Rams have an average run defense but are banged up all along the defense. I?d look for the Bucs to do everything and anything to win this game- starting with running the ball effectively and controlling the line of scrimmage. Given the lack of available RB?s, you could certainly do worse than Williams this week against the Rams as well as moving forward.
- RB Mike Bell
The Browns certainly did not trade away a talented back like RB Jerome Harrison to have their reward stay on the bench. With breakout fantasy stud RB Peyton Hillis fighting off a hamstring injury, it?s quite possible that Head Coach Eric Mangini brings RB Mike Bell into this game against New Orleans. Granted opposing RB Chris Ivory is the best fill-in this week but if he?s not available, Bell is a back that could sneak into the lineup this week but especially moving forward if Hillis? injury becomes more severe.
- DEF Seattle
The Seahawks play in the ?Bird Bowl? at Qwest field this week against the struggling Arizona Cardinals. The Cards are seriously rolling with rookie QB Max Hall moving forward and that fact alone should be reason enough to start Seattle this week. The loudest stadium in the NFL should certainly cause problems for any rookie QB. Additionally, Arizona?s best offensive weapon, WR Larry Fitzgerald, is playing hurt (knee) and has yet to find any rhythm with Hall ? or any rhythm for that matter. WR Steve Breaston is questionable but with or without him, it?s tough to imagine Hall having any success behind an offensive line ranked 30th; having given up 19 sacks this season. Not to mention, Seattle gets the Raiders the following week, Arizona again, and the Panthers in the distant future thus making them a defense to grab now to partner with another defense like?
- DEF Kansas City
I don?t think there is a defense (or team in the NFL for that matter) that has a friendlier upcoming schedule than the Chiefs do. KC gets a quarterback depleted Jacksonville team this week that looked dreadful on Monday night scoring a meager three points. All indications are that Jacksonville QB Todd Bouman will get the start against the Chiefs this week which is nothing short of a blessing. Bouman hasn?t played in a game since 2005 and in that season he started three games throwing two touchdowns compared to seven interceptions. With a lack of production around him, Bouman is guaranteed to struggle in a loud Arrowhead stadium. Looking forward, Kansas City gets the Bills, Raiders, Cardinals, and Seahawks in four of the next five games. With Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel calling defensive plays, KC should be just as sweet to Fantasy owners as some Kansas City barbecue sauce for the next few games. Thus, add them immediately.
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