Each week, I’ll be looking to spotlight players and defenses that I think have a strong matchup that should allow them to deliver above expectations. However, this is not intended as a blanket endorsement to play a fringe player ahead of an established stud—for example, even if I call out a plus matchup for Cam Ward, it doesn’t mean he should be played ahead of Josh Allen—so always consider your own lineup alternatives.
With that out of the way, let’s look at Week 7:
Quarterbacks
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C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Stroud put together his best game of the season in Week 6, throwing for 312 yards and three TDs against a tough Jacksonville Jaguars defense. This week they face the New York Giants, who rank 26th against opposing QBs and just gave up three TD strikes to Tyler Shough. With the Texans trading for Marvin Harrison Jr. and Tank Dell returning from injury, Stroud suddenly has a wealth of options.
Others I Like
- Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: Were it not for some bad drops, Love could’ve thrown for around 400 yards and four touchdowns on Sunday night. This week he faces a Detroit Lions team that has been comfortably the worst in the NFL against the pass.
- Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: Prescott hasn’t passed for multiple scores since Week 2. Stay the course. The usually stout Philadelphia Eagles have been a bottom-10 defense against QBs thus far in 2026.
- Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: If ever there were a week for Sean Payton to open up the playbook to try to get Nix and the passing game going, this is it. The Arizona Cardinals have allowed an NFL-high 16 TD passes on the year.
Running Backs
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Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Whether it’s Jalon Daniels or a returning Baker Mayfield (thumb), Irving should be featured against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. The former Duck has topped 20 touches each of the past two weeks, and he averaged 78 yards rushing against Carolina last season. In 2026, the Panthers are allowing 137 yards and 1.2 TDs per game to the position.
Others I Like
- Jaylen Warren/Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers: No team in the NFL has surrendered more scores to running backs than the New Orleans Saints (12). Given Pittsburgh’s injury issues at receiver, Warren and Dowdle both offer notable upside.
- Braelon Allen, New York Jets: It’s too early to know whether Breece Hall (quad) will return in Week 7, but either way, Allen should hold some appeal against a Miami Dolphins D allowing 141 yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game to opposing backs.
- Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings: Jones was running well before the bye, and a Week 7 tilt with the shaky Indianapolis Colts is a plus matchup. The only caveat is Minnesota could activate Jordan Mason (thumb) off IR, which would eat into Jones’ touches.
Wide Receivers
Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos
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As noted with Nix, this is as close to a “get right” game as Denver is likely to get this season. The offense has sputtered, and Waddle, their high-profile offseason addition, has finished with less than 25 yards in a game four times in six weeks. The Cardinals are giving up 153 yards per game to wideouts, and only the Buffalo Bills have allowed more TDs (10).
Others I Like
- A.J. Brown, New England Patriots: Brown returned from a four-game absence to post a 3-27-0 line. He’ll be better. Drake Maye has been dialed in, and the Chicago Bears got blistered by Green Bay’s downfield passing attack.
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles: The move to Tanner McKee didn’t hurt Smith, who caught seven passes for 75 yards and a score. Dallas ranks 26th in fantasy points allowed to WRs, and that would be even worse if Matthew Golden and Christian Watson hadn’t dropped three TDs on Sunday night.
- Konata Mumpfield, Los Angeles Rams: If you’re looking for a plug-and-play option, this is it. With Davante Adams (hamstring) out, Mumpfield should be the de facto WR2. He draws an enticing matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders here—only two teams have allowed more touchdowns to WRs.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Dan Powers USAToday Network via IMAGN images
Kraft has taken a backseat to Golden and Watson through six games, but it could be his time to shine in Motown. The Lions have been by far the worst defense against tight ends, allowing the most receptions (51), yards (545), and TDs (9) to the position this year despite having played in only five games. This is an elite matchup for Kraft.
Others I Like
- Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams: Minus Adams, the Rams could lean more on their stable of tight ends, led by Higbee. The Raiders have had issues defending opposing tight ends, and that includes allowing a TD per game to the position.
- Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets: Sadiq has done almost nothing since his 7-105-1 effort in Week 3. Perhaps a bottom-five Dolphins defense will be the cure for what ails him.
Defensive Teams
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- Kansas City Chiefs: Sam Darnold and company have really struggled the last two weeks, during which Darnold took 10 sacks, and the Seattle Seahawks turned the ball over seven times.
- Cleveland Browns: Yes, the Tennessee Titans won last week. They also totaled 186 yards of offense. Cleveland is a safe, high-floor option.
- Dallas Cowboys: Dallas at least generated some pressure on Love in Week 6, and if they can do the same on McKee, it could result in sacks and takeaways.
