Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

WIDE RECEIVERS – SIT ‘EM

Jerricho Cotchery (New York Jets) @ Oakland

When healthy, Cotchery has built a solid rapport with quarterback Mark Sanchez and this is something that fantasy football owners were hoping they could rely on throughout 2009. Through three weeks, it seemed like Cotchery had developed into the star wide out that the Jets were hoping, but since then he has only posted 7 fantasy points in the past three weeks. We understand he was hurt in Week 6, but that is just all the more reason to sit him down for this week 7 match-up. The Raiders are right in the middle of the pack when it comes to defending the pass, so there is some opportunity but Cotchery is likely to be a game-time decision and with this being the late game you might be forced to make your decision hours prior.Despite a decent match-up it might be best to stay away from Cotchery until he puts together a few solid showings and his health is no longer an issue. Plus, expect a lot of Thomas Jones and Leon Washington pounding the ground in this game.

Mohammed Massaquoi (Cleveland Browns) vs. Green Bay

After such a promising Week 4 where he led all wide receivers with 148 receiving yards, he hasn’t exactly come to fruition since. Although he had a solid Week 6 going for 83 receiving yards, quarerback Derek Anderson has been bad and highly inconsistent, and his struggles make it tought having to rely on starting Massaquoi. The one thing Massaquoi has going for him is that he receives a healthy amount of targets on a weekly basis and that the Green Bay Packers secondary has allowed 9 touchdowns in five games, but they have also picked off 10 passes, which obviously doesn’t suit Anderson well to be successful in this Week 7 match-up.  Massaquoi has some upside because he is the only target in Cleveland, but the as mentioned downside that comes with this match-up is tough to overlook.

Antonio Bryant (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. New England

In what might be a rainy match-up in England (not the New one), quarterback Josh Johnson could find it hard to throw against a New England Patriots defense that is fresh off a Week 6 shutout victory over the Tennessee Titans. The Patriots have only allowed just 180 passing yards per game and 7 TDs through six games, and like we said are just coming off a 59-0 shutout that made the Titans look like a middle of the road NCAA school. Bryant has been average all season, but he should definitely not be started until he gains fantasy consistency (his highest fantasy point output is 10 points in week 4). 

TIGHT ENDS – SIT ‘EM

Brent Celek (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Washington

As bad as the Washington Redskins have been (They lost to the Detroit Lions. Just a reminder), their pass defense has been the only thing holding them together. They’ve allowed less than 170 passing yards per game and only 5 passing touchdowns through six weeks in 2009. Brent Celek has been a huge sleeper pick in 2009, and has been a top-5 tight end thus far. We think he may be able to post average receiving numbers, but don’t expect him to find the end zone in Week 7 versus the Redskins on Monday Night Football.

KICKERS – SIT ‘EM

Robbie Gould (Chicago Bears) @ Cincinnati

Picking a kicker to have a below-average game isn’t easy because so much of their success relies on if the offense stalls in the red zone or not. The Cincinnati Bengals have done a fine job defending the kicking position so far this season, as kickers have averaged slightly less than six fantasy football points per week. In weeks 3 and 4 they allowed 8 points each (which is their high for the season), so it doesn’t seem like the Bengals will be giving up the huge week of 12-14 points. The weather doesn’t seem to be much of an issue in Cincinnati, but Gould, who has only missed one kick, doesn’t get the most opportunities on what could be a high-powered offense.

DEFENSES – SIT ‘EM

Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST vs. Minnesota

It’s been a disappointment that the Steelers have not been the stellar defensive unit that fantasy football owners invest in during their drafts this past August In fact, by passing more and abandoning the run, their whole team mentality has changed in the Mike Tomlin regime. Outside of the first two games the Steelers offense has scored over 20 points in every game while allowing over 20 points in three of their last four games. They still have the talent to be a top-5 fantasy defense (especially with the return of Troy Polamalu), but this is a tough match-up for them against a high powered Minnesota Vikings offense. Facing a 6-0 Vikings team, the Steelers could have some trouble shutting down star running back Adrian Peterson and living legend Brett Favre. The Vikings are a strong offensive team, and they don’t turn the ball over (+8 TO differential) which is where the money is for a fantasy defense. Start the Steelers D/ST if need be, but don’t be surprised if they score you single digit fantasy points.

Week 7 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF  (click to read)

Week 7 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 7 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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