Mario’s Hot & Not Fantasy Rundown: Week 7
Denver Broncos @ Cleveland Browns
Hot: D’Ernest Johnson
Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were both ruled out with injury. The Browns’ offensive line is also dealing with injuries. None of that mattered. In Johnson’s first career start, he capitalized on the opportunity with 146 yards and a TD on the ground, and 22 yards receiving on 2 receptions, totaling 25.7 fantasy points. As long as one of the Chubb/Hunt duo is out with injury, Johnson remains a flex play. If both are out, he’s a must start.
Not: Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams
The rushing attack on the other side of the field was not as successful. Gordon and Williams found little room to run, and were held to 38 yards on 12 carries. Both of their fantasy days were salvaged by receiving touchdowns, but both remain only flex plays moving forward.
Washington Football Team @ Green Bay Packers
Hot: Terry McLaurin
Scary Terry was back to terrorizing defensive backs on Sunday in Green Bay. The lone bright spot in an anemic Washington offense, McLaurin finished the game with 7 receptions on a team high 12 targets for 122 yards and 1 TD. McLaurin’s 25.2 fantasy points were his 3rd highest total of the season, and a welcome sight after single digit finishes the past 2 weeks. Reports say Fitzpatrick may be back in the next few weeks, and that is good news for any fantasy players that roster McLaurin.
Not: Aaron Jones
A date with the WFT defense has been a juicy matchup for most offensive players this season. On paper, Jones should have shredded the defense, but that was not the case. The shifty GB RB finished with only 39 yards on 11 touches for 8.9 fantasy points. He still led the team in carries, but the game plan seemed to be quick passes as a substitute to the running game. You shouldn’t have to worry about Jones moving forward. Chalk this up to a blip in the radar.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens
Hot: Jamarr Chase
Chase continues to dazzle. This time with the best game of his young career. The most impressive feat may be that most of his damage was done while covered by All-Pro CB Marlon Humphrey. 8 receptions, 201 yards, and 1 TD was the final stat line for 36.1 fantasy points. Chase has established himself as a WR1, and a must start from here on out.
Not: Ravens RBs
The Ravens have never had trouble running the football, regardless of who is taking the handoffs. However, the trio of Freeman, Williams, and Bell were a popular streaming option in a brutal bye week, and neither of the three could deliver. Lamar Jackson had more carries than those 3 combined. Until further notice, Jackson is the Ravens’ RB1. Avoid all others.
Atlanta Falcons @ Miami Dolphins
Hot: Kyle Pitts
I have to admit that I was one of those fantasy players that avoided Pitts at his 4th round ADP. It was just too expensive, and now myself and others like me look foolish. Pitts finished as TE2 in Week 7, hauling in 7 receptions for 163 yards for 23.3 fantasy points. TE is a desolate position, and Pitts is a must start from this point forward.
Not: Calvin Ridley
Pitts’ breakout seems to be coming at the expense of Calvin Ridley. Ridley’s fantasy day was salvaged by a short TD catch, but remove that catch and he finishes with just 3 catches for 21 yards. Ridley still received a team high 10 targets, and it’s possible he and Ryan will find their groove again. In the meantime, you have to continue to start Ridley.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Hot: Damien Harris
The only thing fantasy players can complain about is that Harris could have scored more, but he had 2 TDs vultured by JJ Taylor. Either way, it was a great fantasy day for Harris. He finished with 106 yards and 2 TDs on only 14 carries. Adding 2 receptions for 7 yards, Harris ended the day with 25.3 fantasy points.
Not: Elijah Moore
Moore is not having the impact that other early WR draft picks have had in their rookie seasons. Chase has exploded onto the NFL scene in Cincinnati, and Moore is left wishing he had steady QB play. Moore finished with only 1 reception for 13 yards. At this point, he may be a drop candidate in redraft leagues.
Carolina Panthers @ New York Giants
Hot: Daniel Jones
This game was not a great game for fantasy. No one really stood out above the others. Jones earns his way into the HOT column by playing his most efficient game of the season. 203 yards passing and 1 TD doesn’t blow you away, but for the first time this season, Jones did not turn the ball over. Add in 28 yards rushing and an incredible one-handed grab on a throwback pass, and Jones finished with 19.52 fantasy points. Jones is still only a streaming option at this point.
Not: Sam Darnold
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Darnold played so badly, he was benched in favor of former XFL star PJ Walker. Darnold was a popular streaming option that didn’t pan out as fantasy players planned. The former seemed to play just like he did in New York, throwing for 111 yards and an interception. He averaged a measly 4.4 yards per attempt, and was sacked 3 times. Darnold is nothing more than a desperation streaming play.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Tennessee Titans
Hot: AJ Brown
Brown had his way with a Chiefs defense on his way to his best game of the season in the surprising blowout win. The 3rd year WR caught 8 of 9 targets for 133 yards and a TD, totaling 27.3 fantasy points. He’s back to WR1 status.
Not: Patrick Mahomes
The entire offense played poorly, but Mahomes is the driving force so he takes the blame here with 206 yards and an interception on 35 attempts. The former MVP has an interception in 6 straight games, and now has 9 interceptions for the season. You are NOT, by any means benching Mahomes, but he is not playing his best football right now.
Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
Hot: Cooper Kupp
Kupp is the fantasy WR1 on the season, and he continued his dominance vs a helpless Detroit defense. Stafford had himself a day as well, but Kupp shone above all others with 10 catches for 156 yards and 2 TDs for a total of 37.6 fantasy points. Stafford and Kupp don’t show any signs of slowing down.
Not: Darrell Henderson
While the passing game was dominant, fantasy players rostering Henderson had to be disappointed. In a matchup vs one of the worst run defenses in the league, the Rams chose to throw the ball 41 times in a game that was closer than expected. Henderson only managed 45 yards on 15 carries, and finished with only 9.4 pts. Henderson is still the lead back in LA, and this game should be considered an outlier.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Las Vegas Raiders
Hot: Derek Carr
Jon Gruden being gone does not seem to be affecting Carr as expected. Carr finished the victory with 323 yards passing, 2 TDs, and 1 interception on an impressive 91% completion percentage. Carr should be started in 10-12 team leagues.
Not: Henry Ruggs
Despite Carr’s success, Ruggs was not a beneficiary. He notched 4 receptions for just 24 yards, totaling 6.4 fantasy points. Ruggs has been boom or bust this season, and is little more than a flex play in a good matchup.
Houston Texans @ Arizona Cardinals
Hot: Zach Ertz
The newest Arizona Cardinal made his mark with 3 catches on 5 targets for 66 yards and a long TD. This is just the beginning for Ertz, and fantasy players can hope that he turns into the TE1 that he used to be with Philadelphia.
Not: Brandin Cooks
The entire offense had a tough game, but even in other tough games, Cooks has delivered. This Sunday, however, he finished with only 21 yards on 5 receptions. Cooks may have to sit on your bench until Tyrod Taylor comes back.
Chicago Bears @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hot: Mike Evans
Evans is one of the best WRs in the league, but he has a reputation of being boom or bust. Fantasy managers were happy to see a boom day from Evans in Chicago. 6 catches for 76 yards and 3 TDs on 10 targets was his final stat line. With the potential for games like this, there is no other option than to leave Evans in your starting lineup at all times.
Not: Allen Robinson
On the other side of the field, Robinson continues to put up numbers that are even below pedestrian. 2 catches for 16 yards is hardly WR1 stats. I wouldn’t drop Robinson until after the trade deadline in case he falls into a more favorable situation.
Indianapolis Colts @ San Francisco 49ers
Hot: Elijah Mitchell
Shanahan’s offense is notorious for taking little known RBs, and turning them into fantasy superstars. It appears we can add Eli Mitchell to that list. Mitchell rushed for 107 yards and a TD on 18 carries, including 59 yards on the first drive alone. Mitchell had ZERO passing game work, which is a bit concerning, but he is a starting RB2 for the time being.
Not: Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk has been non-existent in this offense, and his usage gets lower from week to week. The 2nd year wideout put up only 1 catch for 6 yards. Aiyuk is droppable in redraft leagues.
New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks
Hot: Alvin Kamara
Kamara looked like the Kamara of 2020 under the bright lights in Seattle. The Saints do it all RB shone the brightest on the field, finishing with 51 yards on 20 carries, but most of his work was done through the air. Kamara caught 10 passes for 128 yards and 1 TD. It may have been expected vs this Seahawks defense, but was impressive nonetheless.
Not: Tyler Lockett
Lockett only caught 2 passes for 12 yards, and his production is really affected by the loss of Russell Wilson. Lockett may just be a bench stash until Russ is able to return as the Seahawks’ starting QB.
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