We’re now approaching the mid-point of the season already, about to start Week 8 of the 2021 season, and continuing our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. I’m hoping you weren’t too badly hit by the bye weeks last week, and managed to find the W’s you needed! This week there are just two teams on bye, far more manageable:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Las Vegas Raiders
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
Matt Ryan v CAR
Ryan is having a bit of a green patch, after throwing for 336 yards, 2TDs and one pick against Miami last week. Ryan seems to be getting used to the offense, and Kyle Pitts is now looking like the player many hoped he would be. If Ryan manages to get Calvin Ridley more involved, then he could really get firing towards for the second half of the season.
Teddy Bridgewater v WAS
Bridgewater is the standard streaming option this season it feels. Not good enough to keep each week, but can be played in good matchups comfortably. Washington are the worst team in the league at stopping QB production, so I’m comfortable playing Bridgewater this week. If you are the Lamar Jackson owner, go for it
Daniel Jones @KC
Jones has struggled with turnovers throughout his career, which has led to him being on shaky ground for fantasy. But one thing that he has been able to do is to exploit bad defenses, and at the moment the Kansas City Chiefs is one of the worst in the league. There is streaming ability here.
Damien Harris @LAC
Harris has really become the lead back for the Patriots, with two good performances against Dallas and the Jets. This week, the expectation has to be much of the same. The Chargers have struggled to stop teams running on them, and managed to limit passing production.
Kenny Gainwell @DET
Gainwell might’ve been picked up on waivers, and he deserves immediate consideration for your starting lineup. Even if Miles Sanders plays, Gainwell should see plenty of work. Gainwell is the teams passing down back, so in PPR leagues he is worth a play. Detroit just can’t stop running backs.
Darrell Henderson @HOU
Henderson didn’t do what was expected last week against Detroit, but he has a good opportunity to bounce back against Houston. You probably felt absolutely fine putting him in your starting linuep anyway, but incase you had some reservations- don’t.
Alex Collins v JAX
With Chris Carson on IR, Collins has been the guy that the Seahawks have looked to. There is no reason to not keep him in the starting lineup, as Jacksonville have struggled to stop teams running on them.
Michael Pittman v TEN
I loved Pittman coming into the league, and he didn’t do much in that first season. This season though, he has really stepped up in the offense. Pittman has a strong target share, and now faces the weakest secondary in the league. If the Colts can stay on the field, they are likely to look to Pittman often in the game.
Courtland Sutton v WAS
Washington’s defense isn’t what it was last season. To the point that they just can’t stop teams passing on them. As you’ll have seen, I have Teddy Bridgewater as a start this week, making Sutton an auto-start too. In deeper leagues you can roll with Tim Patrick too.
Tee Higgins @NYJ
Higgins feels like a bit of a forgotten man, with Ja’Marr Chase taking the headlines. The thing is, he is getting targets- especially in the redzone. The game will come where he reminds everyone just what he can do, this could well be it, as Joe Burrow should have plenty of time in the pocket.
Cole Beasley v MIA
Beasley has had flashes of his ability on the field, with his best fantasy game in the Bills last game against the Titans. This week, he faces a Miami unit that has struggled all season to limit WR production. If you are looking towards a TD-dependent option, you can go with Emmanuel Sanders in the same game.
Hunter Henry @LAC
If you believe in the revenge game narrative, then this has it. If you don’t then Henry’s recent usage (especially compared to Jonnu Smith’s) makes Henry a fine play this week. Oh, and the Chargers are one of the worst against TEs in the league.
Tyler Higbee @HOU
Houston are not a good defense. You knew that already, but they are truly awful. Higbee should be able to pick up where Zach Ertz left off last week in his first game for the Cardinals. Houston have allowed nearly a TD each game to a TE. Solid start.
Evan Engram @KC
Eventually this has to come good for Engram. He is getting targets in the offense, but just hasn’t done too much with them. The Chiefs defense have allowed alot of TE production. I mean, I hope you have another option, but Engram is fine.
Cincinnati Bengals @NYJ
The Bengals defensive line has massively improved on last year, with 19 sacks so far this season. Against a Jets offense that hasn’t been good at all, and now without it’s starting QB Zach Wilson.
Chicago Bears v SF
The Bears are struggling on offense, but they are effective enough on defense. The team lead the NFL with 21 sacks this season, and the 49ers offense is a bit confused at the QB position. Whoever it is, the pressure is likely to be too much for the 49ers offensive line.
Greg Joseph v DAL
Joseph is one of the league leaders in field goals made, and it kind of makes sense. The Vikings offense has been great at getting downfield, but hasn’t always managed to punch it in. A game in a dome is always a plus, and this game is expected to be high-scoring.
Brandon McManus v WAS
McManus has kicked all 12 of his attempted field goals this season. The Denver offense should have enough to get the ball downfield, but Washington could create enough stops to mean McManus gets to kick FGs. At home, with thin air, long-range attempts are on the table too.
Sit 'Em
Tua Tagovailoa @BUF
Tua isn’t the problem wit the Dolphins. He isn’t holding them back, so I don’t really understand why the team are rumoured to be making a move for Deshaun Watson. Either way, this week he faces the toughest team in the league against the position. With only two teams on bye, you don’t need to play him.
Mac Jones NE @LAC
Jones has been ok this season, not great but has had some streaming value. The thing is though, the running game has really improved and the Chargers struggle to stop ground attacks. They are one of the best units against QB though. Avoid.
Mike Davis v CAR
Davis seems to be the secondary guy in a RBBC for Atlanta. Cordarrelle Patterson seems like a guy that can’t do wrong at the moment. However, in a tough matchup against Carolina who are the best in league against the position, avoid.
Myles Gaskin @BUF
The signs were positive for Gaskin after Week 5, where he caught 10 passes and scored two TDs. Then the team travelled to London and since then he struggled to keep that same level of performance. The Bills defensive front is tough, so I’d limit the number of lineups that have Gaskin in.
Allen Robinson v SF
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Robinson has survived a multitude of bad QB play, but doesn’t seem to be on the same page as Justin Fields. The Bears have given up alot of turnovers, and against a 49ers defense that can create pressure, it might be time to bench Robinson.
Jakobi Meyers @LAC
Meyers is likely to get primary coverage from the Chargers, who have limited production to WRs all season. Meyers is yet to score his first TD of the season.
Dalton Schultz @MIN
In the midst of all of the byes last week, you might’ve looked at Schultz and though what could have been. But, this game isn’t the one to put him in. The Cowboys have rotated Blake Jarwin into the field more often, and the Vikings haven’t allowed a TD to the position yet.
Ricky Seals-Jones @DEN
Seals-Jones has the potential to hurt me here. He is heavily involved in the offense, so could get plenty of targets. But, I’m going to say that he struggles this week. Denver are yet to allow a single TD to the position this season, and have faced some decent players including Darren Waller who was limited to five receptions for 59 yards.
Minnesota Vikings v DAL
The Vikings defense has been decent for fantasy, recording 21 sacks so far this season. The issue is that they face a great offense this week in the Dallas Cowboys, who have limited scoring for defenses.
Philadelphia Eagles @DET
Its tempting to stream the defense that is going up against Detroit, and just automatically plug them in. This week though, there are better choices for your lineup. The Eagles have only recorded 11 sacks this season and have allowed the sixth most points in the league. Detroit are a deceptively good offense too- there are plenty of better options this week.
Jason Sanders @BUF
Sanders could hurt if the Dolphins manage to find success moving the ball downfield. But, I’m going to think that the Bills are going to be able to stop them out of field goal range. Sanders has been ok this season, but has only converted 70% of his attempted FGs.
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: Jim Dedmon – USA TODAY Sports
