FANTASY FOOTBALL: Goodbye-pocalypse arrives in week 7

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If you’ve done half-decently so far this season in your fantasy league, chances are you’re in for a rude awakening this week.

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This is because due to one of the best (or worst) teams being fired this week, you will have some gaps in your lineup. That’s right, all your Bills, Cowboys, Chargers, Jaguars, Steelers and Vikings will be sitting on their couches this weekend, just like you.

By our tally, that represents four of the top 10 fantasy QBs, seven of the top 20 RBs, 10 top 30 WRs, and two of the top four TEs.

That’s a lot of good meat left on the bone, so expect a low scoring week overall. Look for players on waivers with good matchups, but don’t go overboard by dropping players who could have long-term value if your team can take a loss. Remember: this is a marathon, not a sprint. Everyone is going to suffer from byes equally and having a ton of guys off this week just means you’ll be ahead in other weeks when you can do your best.

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BROWN OUTPUTS

At this point, it is easier to name the Cleveland Browns members who are not injured.

Thursday night’s game was missing QB Baker Mayfield, RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, while Odell Beckham Jr. entered the game with a shoulder injury that would aggravate. Before the game, Donovan Peoples-Jones suffered a groin injury and was ruled out and late in the game Jarvis Landry, who had just returned from IR, limped with an injury, although the team says it is not serious.

Well, the Browns’ backups pulled it off on the field, scoring a 17-14 win, but only one really shone in the realm of fantasy: D’Ernest Johnson. Cleveland’s third-line running back was dominant on the ground, rushing for 146 yards and scoring 23.8 fantasy points. We would go so far as to speculate that if even one of those top two RBs remains out of the game, Johnson will have some fantasy value and will be in FLEX’s consideration.

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However, the passing game is one to avoid. Case Keenum targeted 10 different players and Austin Hooper led the way with 42 yards.

A GIANT PROBLEM

Kadarius Toney has already become an important part of the Giants offense, and that was bad news for the team after he left the game last week after aggravating an ankle injury. He was ruled out this week, along with fellow stars Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay, but rookie WR is our focus here.

Toney has seen a target on 38.5% of his routes in the last three games, which is a higher rate than stud WRs Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams on that stretch.

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones admitted that the game plan against the Rams last week largely included Toney, who was later shot after he left the game. Toney is definitely a player to hold onto for the long haul.

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Deshaun deal coming?

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Dolphins and Texans are closing in on a deal involving Deshaun Watson, who has yet to play this season due to various factors that began with a rift between the player and management and then They were further complicated when the QB was hit with numerous allegations of sexual harassment. The latter is still a matter for the court and the NFL has yet to reveal anything about its investigation.

On the surface, one would guess that the Dolphins would have done their due diligence and that Watson will be able to play after a trade is made, but that remains to be seen.

Watson would be a clear improvement over Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami WRs would see a big boost. One player to watch out for is Will Fuller V, who racked up career numbers last year in Houston with the QB.

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As for Tagovailoa, who has struggled to find his footing in two turbulent seasons, reports indicate that he could be sent to Washington. With Taylor Heinicke struggling to replace the injured Ryan Fitzpatrick at DC, it could be the fresh start Tua needs.

As for this week, Tagovailoa is a decent play against a soft Falcons defense and their main target, Jaylen Waddle, will be looking to build on last week’s strong performance.

Another dolphin to watch out for: Mike Gesicki. He’s listed as TE, but he’s played just 16 plays online this season, compared to 164 at the slot and 70 at the width. He’s clearly more of a catcher than a blocker.

SIT / START

Start Matt Ryan, QB, ATL at MIA

He averaged 25.2 points in his two games before halftime and will have main target Calvin Ridley back.

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Sit Daniel Jones, QB, NYG vs. CAR

Jones, prone to turnover, was back in top form last week and will lose a ton of weapons again.

Start Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR in NYG

The Panthers want to focus more on the race and Canuck is still the best dog with Christian McCaffrey in IR.

Seat Khalil Herbert, RB, CHI at TB

Damien Williams could return from the COVID list to split the carries in an already tough matchup.

Start Darnell Mooney, WR, CHI at TB

The Bucs’ pass defense remains ready for the national team, and Mooney scored his first TD of the season last week.

Sit Tyler Boyd, WR, CIN at BAL

He has just five receptions for 31 yards in the last two games and has taken a back seat on offense.

Start Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, WAS vs. GB

He’s done well since replacing the injured Logan Thomas, with 20.4 points in his two starts.

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Seat Robert Tonyan, TE, GB at WAS

Last year’s touchdown monster is a flop, totaling 6.2 points in his last four games.

STATISTICAL CORNER

San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk has eight catches and one touchdown this season. Dallas Cowboys defensive back Trevon Diggs has seven interceptions and two touchdowns.

ADD OF THE WEEK

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE

After a lot of excitement in the preseason, a fumble on his first career carry left him in the doghouse for weeks. But the rookie has seen a heavier workload in the past two weeks and could earn more.

DROP OF THE WEEK

Taylor Heinicke, quarterback, WAS

He has averaged just 11 points in the past two weeks and that includes last week’s matchup against a Chiefs defense that had been torched the previous four weeks.

DEFENSE OF THE WAIVER WIRE

New England Patriots DEF

After being knocked down by many in their matchup with Dallas last week, the Pats now face a Jets team led by Zach Wilson who dominated in Week 2.