Fantasy Overview: Week 7

Fantasy Overview offers a weekly breakdown of key information, stats, and strategies to help you excel in your fantasy league. Stay informed about the ever-changing landscape and gain insights to boost your success.

Week 7 has arrived, and we are becoming more familiar with the fantasy season, identifying which players can deliver results and which cannot. Injuries and their replacements play a significant role in managing the season and having deeper insights into players, teams, coaches, medical teams, and more can provide that crucial advantage in your league. 

Managing the Bye Weeks and Using Them to Your Advantage

The next three weeks are a bit of respite for your roster with only two teams on bye in Week 7 (Dallas and Chicago), followed by a full slate of games in Week 8 with zero teams on bye, followed by two teams on bye in Week 9 (Pittsburgh and San Francisco).

Then things get more hectic with four teams on bye in Weeks 10 and 11, followed by six teams on bye in Week 12. Week 13 gives another break with no teams on bye, and then Week 14 will have another six teams on bye. Here is a helpful table to bring it all together.

If you have multiple players on bye during crucial playoff-determining weeks, consider trading for players on teams that have already had their bye. This can help you maintain a competitive roster throughout the season. Those teams include:

• Detroit
• LA Chargers
• Tennessee
• Philadelphia
• Kansas City
• LA Rams
• Miami
• Minnesota

The Name of the Game Is Scoring More 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

Detroit is leading the way with 30.2 points per game, and you should already be starting the regulars, like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, David Montgomery, etc. However, is Jameson Williams in your lineup every week as well? He should be. Aside from a poor Week 3 (that involved a minor ankle injury), he has produced quality points for us. He has a touchdown or at least 75 yards in every game but Week 3. He is second on the team in targets (5.8 per game) and tied with St. Brown with three receiving touchdowns. The Lions also score more points on the road than they do at home, and this week, they play at Minnesota, which is slated to be a high-scoring fantasy matchup. 

Detroit is just one example of a fringe player on a good team who should be in your lineup every week. Did you know that Austin Ekeler has double-digit PPR points in every game he has played this season? As long as Washington continues to put up points (29.7 per game), Ekeler remains a viable option. Also, Washington hosts Carolina this week - who allow 33.8 points per game. 

Teams allowing the most points per game

Carolina is the team to target starting your players against. Their next four opponents include WAS, DEN, NO, NYG

• They are second worst in rushing yards allowed (153.5 per game) 
• 12 rushing touchdowns allowed (worst)
• 12 passing touchdowns allowed (second worst)

Carolina isn't the only team to take advantage of. Did you know Baltimore allows 275.7 passing yards per game? (second worst). The Jaguars, Cardinals, Cowboys, and Bengals are also teams to exploit your players against. They have all allowed 18 total touchdowns and at least 25 points per game. 

Teams running the most plays per game

Running more plays means more opportunities for fantasy points. Would you have pegged the Giants in this category? They are the only team with two players with 50+ targets (Wan'Dale Robinson 58, Malik Nabers 52). Did you know Seattle leads the league with 251 pass attempts (41.8 per game) and passing yards? (276.7 per game). 

This information can help you make a lineup decision involving a player from this list versus someone not on this list. 

Teams allowing the most plays per game

Who allows the most plays per game? Who should you target your player against? There are some surprising teams on this list. The top 10 teams in plays allowed is one to take note of. We were already excited about the Lions this week at Minnesota. This further solidifies them as a team to target for your roster hopes. Interestingly, two of the top three teams on this list, Buccaneers, Vikings, and Ravens (not on list), allow the most pass attempts per game.  

Target players on these teams

• Detroit - 1st in points per game, 4th in plays per game at Minnesota, worst in plays allowed per game
• Washington - 2nd in points per game vs Carolina, worst in points allowed per game and 8th worst in plays allowed per game. 
• Seattle - 3rd in plays per game at Atlanta, 6th worst in plays allowed per game
• Miami - 7th in plays per game at Indianapolis, 2nd worst in plays allowed per game