We’re now approaching the mid-point of the season already, about to start Week 7 of the 2021 season, and continuing our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. This week is where the injuries really start to bite, as there are six teams on bye too:
- Buffalo Bills
- Dallas Cowboys
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Pittsburgh Steelers
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Start 'Em
Tua Tagovailoa v ATL
Tagovailoa returned to action last week in London against Jacksonville, and managed to lead the team on offense. He showed enough in that game to make me confident in starting him this week. Sure, it’s against Atlanta, but with a number of top QBs out this week you could do worse.
Matt Ryan @MIA
I’ll stay in the same game here, with Ryan. Last time he saw the field was in London too, and now faces a shaky defense. With Miami’s struggles on defense against the Jaguars, the Falcons should be able to have a decent game too.
Ryan Tannehill v KC
Ok, there is risk with this pick. The Titans offense (quite rightly) goes through Derrick Henry. But, the Chiefs defense is really not great this season, and we could see a balance to the offense with the return of A.J. Brown and (potential of) Julio Jones back on the field.
Damien Harris v NYJ
Harris comes off the back of a game against Dallas where he had his way- 101 yards and a score. Harris is most likely going to be an auto-start if you have him on your roster, given the players on bye this week. But incase you weren’t sure, the Jets have really struggled against the position this season. That does also make Rhamondre Stevenson a flex consideration.
Cordarrelle Patterson @MIA
Patterson was a player that when I stated out in the preseason I dialed it back, because he ended up coming in as my WR12 I think as I anticapted him having rushing work. But, that has become such a part of his role he is now a RB (but still has WR eligibility in some platforms). I actually missed having Patterson in my lineup last week. Against Miami there’s no reason to delay putting him straight back in.
Chuba Hubbard @NYG
Christian McCaffrey on the sidelines again, and his backup becoming a good fantasy option. We saw this last year with Mike Davis, and now it’s Hubbard’s turn. The Panthers aren’t giving him a massive workload, but he is getting enough touches that he should be able to have a good outing against the Giants who have given up on 22.7 points on average this season.
J.D. McKissic @GB
McKissic is a starter in PPR leagues this week, as Washington are likely to be trailing in this game. At least, as a Packers fan that is what I’m hoping. Even if that isn’t the case, the veteran is likely to see more snaps with Antonio Gibson struggling with an injury.
Jakobi Meyers v NYJ
The Jets have been the best team in the league against WR production. But alot of that is because the team just allow teams to run on them. But, Meyers is effectively the receiving game for the Patriots with his target share. A divisional game is always good to mix things up, so in PPR leagues especially, Meyers is worth a start.
Darnell Mooney @TB
Mooney had a massive amount of hype in the offseason, and is now showing the signs of why. Mooney has been getting more work in the offense, and leads Allen Robinson in targets. Tampa’s secondary has given up some big performances, so if the Bears offense can take advantage, Mooney should be good.
Jaylen Waddle v ATL
Waddle played really well on Sunday. I was there, and he looked to be playing a different game at times. The chemistry that he has with Tua is fantastic, and he has great big game potential against a Falcons defense that is unlikely to be able to make many stops.
Rashod Bateman v CIN
This column is all about being bold. Bateman is the lead receiver for the Ravens. The thing is, it doens’t even feel that bold. Bateman started the season on IR, but made his season debut last week. In that game he was immediately given targets. This week he should have another opportunity to have a good performance against the Bengals secondary.
Zach Ertz v HOU
Ertz might not be fully firing in this matchup. Infact, the team might not be, with the head coach potentially missing on the sidelines. The matchup against Houston is a great one to start with, as they have struggled to limit TE production this season.
Dallas Goedert @LV
Goedert is now the leading TE for the Eagles, after Ertz left the team. That should give Goedert the potential for a good game in what should be his new era. The Raiders have also allowed a good amount of production at the position.
Ricky Seals-Jones @GB
I had Seals-Jones as a start last week, and he is another good option this week. Washington’s offense flows through the TE position recently, which gives him appeal against the Packers
New Orleans Saints @SEA
Given the number of Seahawks players I have as a sit (spoiler alert) it shouldn’t be too much of a shock to see the Saints as a starting DST. Geno Smith isn’t the guy, and the Saints DST has been massively effective this season, and should be fresh off of their bye week. If you are in real need you could start the Seahawks too, with Jameis Winston being inconsistent.
Arizona Cardinals v HOU
The Cardinals defense is a solid unit, with playmkaers at each level. The Texans offense is also not an effective unit. Could we see J.J. Watt return to have a big game too?
Younghoe Koo @MIA
Koo might actually be unowned in your league, as he had a bye week last week. If he is there PICK HIM UP. Koo is a great start this week against the Dolphins, who have struggled to make stops far enough out to stop kickers being able to convert.
Mason Crosby v WAS
Crosby bounced back agains tthe Bears, after struggling with accuracy against the Bengals the week before. Washington do have the ability to cause some stops, which should give some FG attempts to go with PATs.
Sit 'Em
Geno Smith v NO
This is a free square for me this week. It may not even need to be said, but with the players on bye this week I can’t not mention it. Smith is a tough start this week, with a tough matchup against the Saints DST, who are one of the best units in the league against the position. Part of that might be the only true top player they faced is Aaron Rodgers in a strange Week 1 matchup. But just avoid, there are better options this week.
Zach Wilson and Mac Jones NE v NYJ
The reason for sitting one, is the same as the other. Wilson looked shaky in London against the Falcons, and now heads to play the Patriots for the first time in his career on the road. Jones has been massively inconsistent this season and given the inability of the Jets to defend the ground game, I’d expect the Patriots to attack that way instead of through the air. So obviously, get ready for a shootout through the air for the both of them!
Devontae Booker v CAR
You might not be able to bench Booker, depending on your roster. But, if you have another option I’d look to use it. The Giants offense isn’t particularly potent, and Carolina have limited RB scoring to just 12.3 points on average this season.
Trey Sermon v IND
This 49ers backfield is a constant headache. Knowing which guy is going to have a good performance and see the field is a tough ask. The Colts are a great team at limiting RB production this season, and we don’t even know who the QB is going to be for the 49ers. I’d avoid.
Mecole Hardman @TEN
This week you are going to be tempted to play Hardman. The number of teams on bye, and Tyreek Hill suffering with injury. Combine that with the Titans being one of the worst teams against the position, and you are going to want to do it. Don’t. The Chiefs receiver hasn’t shown his ability to step up when he has had the opportunity.
Brandon Aiyuk v IND
Aiyuk has really struggled this season, and Deebo Samuel has massively stepped up as the lead receiver. WIth the question mark over who is going to be leading the offense too, keep Aiyuk on the bench for the time being.
Gerald Everett/ Will Dissly v NO
The Seahawks offense now has Geno Smith leading them, which is a downgrade on Russell Wilson (obviously). The fact is that the two of these are forming the timeshare that Everett had with the Rams. The Saints are a top unit against the position, so avoid.
O.J. Howard v CHI
Howard was an effective fantasy option last week, but don’t chase the points. The fact of the matter is that this Tampa offense is STACKED. With the TEs that are on bye not depleting the pool too much, unless you need a true homerun, avoid.
Washington Football Team @GB
What a difference a year makes. Washington were a top-tier unit last season, but are far from that this season. With their struggle to get sacks, and a matchup against Green Bay Packers it’s an easy sit.
San Francisco 49ers v IND
The 49ers DST has struggled for fantasy scoring this season, with 11 sacks this season and only a single interception for the year. The Colts offense is effective enough to put a score onto the 49ers too. Look elsewhere if you can.
Matt Gay v DET
This is one of the reasons why I don’t like kickers in leagues. Logically, I want an accurate kicker. But when the team is likely to be limiting their kicker to PATs it makes them a tough start, because FGs are where you get the true points.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 7 of the 2021 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta – USA TODAY Sports
