We are entering perhaps the most challenging week yet with four teams on a bye, injuries everywhere, and teams more than ever using a multiple-back approach at running back. Who is healthy? Who can play? Who can you add? In the interest of keeping your team competitive, it may be wise not to replace some players who are out or have bye weeks. It's better to take a zero for one week than lose out on a quality player that you may not be able to get back. The same goes for your defense. I'm talking to you if you roster Buffalo or Philadelphia Defense/ST, who both have a Week 7 bye.
The name of the game is scoring fantasy points. What are some factors that lead to scoring more fantasy points that can be beneficial to your decision-making?
- Players on high-scoring teams
- Players against teams who allow high-scoring
- Players on teams who run a lot of plays
- Players against teams who allow a lot of plays
Teams scoring the most points per game
- 29.8 Kansas City
- 29.3 Buffalo
- 28.0 Detroit
- 26.8 Philadelphia
- 26.3 Baltimore
- 25.0 Las Vegas
- 24.7 Cleveland
- 24.3 Seattle
- 24.3 Atlanta
- 23.8 NY Jets
Teams allowing the most points per game
- 34.0 Detroit
- 27.2 Cleveland
- 27.2 Seattle
- 26.3 New Orleans
- 26.0 Las Vegas
- 25.8 Miami
- 25.3 LA Chargers
- 24.8 Kansas City
- 24.3 Pittsburgh
- 24.3 Carolina
Teams running the most plays per game
- 72.0 Arizona
- 70.7 Philadelphia
- 69.5 Indianapolis
- 69.3 LA Chargers
- 68.8 Cleveland
- 67.2 Cincinnati
- 66.8 Buffalo
- 66.6 Detroit
- 66.3 NY Jets
- 66.3 Washington
Teams allowing the most plays per game
- 71.4 Houston
- 70.0 Pittsburgh
- 67.0 Carolina
- 66.5 Dallas
- 66.5 Seattle
- 66.0 Detroit
- 65.7 Baltimore
- 65.5 Kansas City
- 65.3 Atlanta
- 65.0 Tampa Bay
Target players on these teams
- Philadelphia (4th in points scored, 2nd in plays run)
- Buffalo (2nd in points scored, 7th in plays run)
- Detroit (3rd in points scored, 8th in plays run)
- Cleveland (7th in points scored, 5th in plays run)
Target players against these teams
- Detroit (1st in points allowed, 6th in plays run allowed)
- Seattle (3rd in points allowed, 5th in plays run allowed)
- Pittsburgh (9th in points allowed, 2nd in plays run allowed)
- Kansas City (8th in points allowed, 8th in plays run allowed)
- Carolina (10th in points allowed, 3rd in plays run allowed)
HELPFUL QUARTERBACK STATS
300-YARD PASSING GAMES
4 times
- Josh Allen, BUF
3 times
- Matt Ryan, IND
- Carson Wentz, WAS
2 times
- Tom Brady, TB
- Joe Burrow, CIN
- Joe Flacco, NYJ
- Justin Herbert, LAC
- Jalen Hurts, PHI
- Patrick Mahomes II, KC
- Geno Smith, SEA
1 time
- Teddy Bridgewater, MIA
- Derek Carr, LV
- Jared Goff, DET
- Lamar Jackson, BAL
- Mac Jones, NE
- Kyler Murray, ARI
- Kenny Pickett, PIT
- Matthew Stafford, LAR
- Tua Tagovailoa, MIA
- Russell Wilson, DEN
- Jameis Winston, NO
- Bailey Zappe, NE
300-YARD PASSING GAMES ALLOWED
4 times
- Tennessee
3 times
- Baltimore
- Kansas City
2 times
- Atlanta
- Buffalo
- Cleveland
- Detroit
- Houston
- Jacksonville
- Miami
- Minnesota
- Pittsburgh
- Seattle
1 time
- Arizona
- Carolina
- Dallas
- LA Rams
- New Orleans
- Washington
0 times
- Green Bay
- Philadelphia
- Chicago
- New England
- NY Jets
- NY Giants
- Cincinnati
- Indianapolis
- LA Chargers
- Denver
- Las Vegas
- Tampa Bay
- San Francisco
FANTASY WEEKLY TOP 12 FINISHES - QUARTERBACK
Six Times
- Josh Allen, BUF
Five times
- Patrick Mahomes II, KC
- Joe Burrow, CIN
Four times
- Jalen Hurts, PHI
- Lamar Jackson, BAL
- Patrick Mahomes II, KC
Three times
- Derek Carr, LV
- Kirk Cousins, MIN
- Justin Herbert, LAC
- Trevor Lawrence, JAC
- Marcus Mariota, ATL
- Kyler Murray, ARI
- Matt Ryan, IND
- Geno Smith, SEA
- Carson Wentz, WAS
Two times
- Tom Brady, TB
- Jared Goff, DET
- Ryan Tannehill, TEN
- Jameis Winston, NO
INJURED PLAYER? WHO BENEFITS?
QUARTERBACK
Carson Wentz, WAS - Carson Wentz is out four to six weeks with a hand injury that required surgery. Taylor Heinicke will assume the quarterback position, and he finished in the top 12 six times last season (in 15 games). Perhaps Heinicke's presence will elevate the receiving corps? This year's receiving group is an improvement from last year's squad.
Baker Mayfield, CAR - P.J. Walker is the last standing Panthers quarterback, but he's far from an improvement, despite what we've seen from Carolina so far in the season. The Panthers have not had more than one offensive touchdown since Week 1, and they can't or won't pass for more than 10 yards downfield.
Russell Wilson, DEN - Russell Wilson has a partial tear in his shoulder, and he has a hamstring strain or tightness in the least. He has performed poorly this season and has not met expectations. The larger the sample size, the more it seems like it's on Wilson rather than Nathaniel Hackett's offensive system. Wilson is not one to miss games, but if he does, Brett Rypien would assume the role of quarterback. In one career start (with Denver), Rypien was 19-for-31 for 242 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
RUNNING BACK
James Conner, ARI - James Conner is dealing with multiple injuries, including a rib fracture, a shoulder injury, and a knee sprain. While he is out, Eno Benjamin is slated to be the primary running back. A foot injury has limited him in practice this week and, therefore, could prove to be problematic in Week 7 against the Saints. Darrel Williams (knee) will probably be unavailable this week, thus making the Cardinals running back situation murky at best. Could Keaontay Ingram be in the cards? He's a good pre-emptive pickup, just in case.
Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL - With Patterson sidelined with a knee injury, Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley split the role of the Falcons running back. Damien Williams remains a possibility when he returns from his injury (rib). The longer he's out, the less likely it is that he may have an impact. Patterson is also due back in two to three weeks, so Williams' window is limited.
Javonte Williams, DEN - The ACL injury to Williams opened an opportunity for other Broncos backs to step up. Melvin Gordon doesn't appear to be in the mix after being benched in the Monday night game against the Chargers. This means Latavius Murray and/or Mike Boone could settle in as the fantasy back to own in Denver. Boone figures to be the man for the job, plus he is also a better receiving back than Murray. While there is a glimmer of hope for Gordon, he looks droppable at this point.
Jonathan Taylor, IND - Taylor is dealing with a moderate sprain of his right ankle. He missed Week 6 but may return in Week 7. If so, how effective will he be? Ankle injuries can linger and this may affect him longer than expected. Deon Jackson filled in admirably for Taylor in Week 6 and remains a strong understudy if Taylor is unable to play.
JK Dobbins, BAL - Dobbin's knee tightened up on him at some point in the Week 6 game against the Giants. Kenyan Drake took over and was the clear winner of the Ravens' backfield. However, will he stay that way? Will Dobbins return to form? When is Gus Edwards coming back? The best angle of approach here is to look at Dobbins as a possible start later in the year, but by no means is he a lock to provide a return on your investment. Drake is the short-term answer, but when Gus Edwards returns, he could steal some of that thunder. The Ravens, like usual, is a committee backfield that makes navigating it a challenge.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Marquise Brown, ARI Marquise Brown has a foot fracture that does not require surgery. He is expected to miss four to six weeks. In his absence, Arizona will gladly welcome the return of DeAndre Hopkins, who was serving a six-game suspension to begin the season. Hopkins will be the main beneficiary of vacated targets, but Rondale Moore and Zach Ertz will also see a decent share of the passing volume.
Kendrick Bourne, NE - Kendrick Bourne's turf toe and Nelson Agholor's hamstring have opened the door for Tyquan Thornton to emerge, and he did just that. The speedster dual-threat rookie scored both ways in Week 6, his second game in the league. Jakobi Meyers is the default top target, but Thornton has flex appeal, especially if New England utilizes his speed and talent.
Michael Thomas, NO - Michael Thomas has a fairly severe turf toe injury which has cost him three games already. With Chris Olave also out with a concussion, Tre-Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway have seen the target share shift in their direction. Their brief window of opportunity may be coming to a close with the expected return of Olave in Week 7.
Randall Cobb, GB - An ankle sprain to Cobb opens the door for Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, and also Robert Tonyan Jr to see more action. Tonyan saw a 27% target share in Week 6, his highest of the season. The above trio should see decent volume due to Cobb's absence.
Kadarius Toney, NYG - With Sterling Shapard out and Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay missing in action and not looking helpful to the lineup anytime soon, the door is now open for rookies WanDale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger, plus Darius Slayton, to see an increase in targets led by Robinson. Maybe later in the season, Toney will emerge healthy, but until then, it looks to be this trio pulling the weight in the receiving corps.
TIGHT END
Pat Freiermuth, PIT - The Steelers' top tight end suffered his third concussion in the last two years. His absence allowed Chase Claypool to temporarily thrive but with Kenny Pickett also out (concussion), the Steelers passing game has taken a dip.
Dalton Schultz, DAL - Schultz suffered a PCL injury to his knee in Week 2. He was out for Week 3 and returned in Week 4 with a 90% snap percentage with zero targets. He re-injured his knee again and is now questionable to play in Week 7. He doesn't have a catch since Week 2. CeeDee Lamb has been the main target for the Cowboys offense totaling 60 targets to lead the team. The next closest player is Noah Brown, with 32. Interestingly enough, Schultz is third with 17.
Cameron Brate, TB - Cameron Brate has a neck/head injury and is in danger of missing Week 7. If he is out, rookie Cade Otton figures to see an increase in targets. In Week 5, Brate was out, and Otton caught 6 passes for 43 yards (7 targets).
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