Six teams are on a bye this week. This means we might have to be a little more forgiving in assessing who is hot and who is not…just a little.
QUARTERBACK HOT = AARON RODGERS, GREEN BAY PACKERS
Yes, this has a lot to do with the Packers’ Week 7 opponent, the Washington Football Team. The WFT is giving up 309.5 passing yards per game, and they have given up at least 30 points for the last three games, and they have surrendered 16 passing touchdowns while allowing opposing quarterbacks 26.9 average fantasy points per game (the worst).
QUARTERBACK NOT HOT = ZACH WILSON, NEW YORK JETS
I am unwilling to gamble with a rookie quarterback against a Bill Belichick defense even with six teams on bye.
RUNNING BACK HOT = DARRELL HENDERSON, LOS ANGELES RAMS
The narratives going into this game will have you believe it is a “revenge” game either for the Rams’ Matthew Stafford or the Lions’ Jared Goff.
Okay, but more important is that the Lions’ defense is giving up the most fantasy points to the running back position (25.2).
In a game that looks to get out of hand early (the Rams are a 16 point favorite), it could be all about the run game.
However, don’t blink on Matthew Stafford’s hotness and Sean McVay’s need to solidify his decision to bring Stafford to LA.
RUNNING BACK NOT HOT = DEVONTAE BOOKER, NEW YORK GIANTS
There have only been two running backs who have scored a touchdown on the Carolina Panthers: Dalvin Cook, and Ezekiel Elliott. No disrespect, but I have seen Booker, and he is neither.
In Booker’s last three games, his stat line reads:
- @ New Orleans 1 rushing attempt, 6 yards, 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
- @ Dallas 16 rushing attempts, 42 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 targets, 3 receptions, 16 yards, 1 touchdown
- v Los Angeles Rams 12 rushing attempts, 41 yards, 4 targets, 4 receptions, 28 yards
HOT WIDE RECEIVER = JAYLEN WADDLE, MIAMI DOLPHINS
With the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Waddle got his hotness back. Last week Waddle led the team in targets (13), receptions (10), and touchdowns (2).
This week Miami plays the Atlanta Falcons, who have given up seven touchdowns and 23.3 average fantasy points to the wide receiver position.
NOT HOT WIDE RECEIVER = RASHOD BATEMAN, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Last week Bateman had six targets, four receptions for 29 yards. This week Sammy Watkins is back, and Bateman’s target share will decrease.
HOT TIGHT END = ROSS DWELLEY, SAN FRANCISCO NINERS
The Niners are playing the Indianapolis Colts, who are giving up the seventh-most fantasy points to the tight end position, and they have also allowed four touchdowns from the position.
Without George Kittle, Dwelley is the next man up.