The Jacksonville Jaguars have a chance to get their struggling passing game rolling this week.
After spending nine total days in London after last week’s blowout loss to the Chicago Bears , the Jaguars get the New England Patriots in Week 7 at Wembley Stadium (9:30 a.m. EST on Sunday) in what should be their most favorable spot of the season.
The Patriots have been just as bad as Jacksonville this season, coming in with the same 1-5 record. The Jaguars should have a clear advantage with logistics (the Patriots had to travel this week), coaching (Jerod Mayo is six games into his career as a head coach) and quarterback (Sunday will mark Drake Maye’s second career start).
Can Jacksonville take advantage against a Patriots defense that ranks near the bottom of the NFL in opponent completion percentage (23rd) and opponent yards per pass attempt (tied for 23rd)?
Let’s break down the matchup for quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s top three wide receivers:
Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 7: Brian Thomas Jr.
The Bears focused their attention on two things last week: Pressuring Lawrence and limiting his electric No. 1 receiver.
Lawrence was pressured on 36.6% of his drop backs against Chicago, per PFF . As a result, 21 of his 35 pass attempts were thrown either behind the line of scrimmage, or less than 10 yards beyond the line. That wasn’t a good recipe for Thomas, who’s been more of a downfield threat for the Jags between the 20s.
One worry for Thomas Jr.’s fantasy owners in Week 7 is second-year corner Christian Gonzalez, who tends to shadow the opposing team’s top boundary corner. It’s not a full fade situation. Gonzalez is the 50th graded NFL corner in coverage this season. But that’s because he’s routinely competed against top guys like Ja'Marr Chase, Garrett Wilson, D.K. Metcalf, Tyreek Hill, Brandon Aiyuk and Stefon Diggs this season.
Thomas Jr. could have his work cut out for him in this one at times, but the overall matchup is favorable enough to make him a WR2 or high-end flex play.
Verdict: Start him.
Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 7: Christian Kirk
After a brutally slow start to the season, Kirk has been back to his consistent PPR ways as Lawrence’s slot receiver.
He had an excellent three-week stretch where he was targeted 26 times and hauled in 19 total receptions in that span. Tight end Evan Engram’s return definitely ate into Kirk’s target share in Week 6. Engram hauled in all 10 of his targets for 102 yards in that game.
Kirk should have a favorable matchup in this one against Patriots nickel Marcus Jones. Even with Engram back in the mix, Kirk is an excellent flex option.
Verdict: Start him.
Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 7: Gabe Davis
Davis finally had his breakout game as a Jaguar ... on paper.
The box score against the Bears looks great: five receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns. Lost in the box score was Davis’ brutal drop in the end zone on Jacksonville’s opening drive of the game. That play loomed large when the Jaguars trailed 14-3 at halftime.
Both of Davis’ touchdowns came with Jacksonville trailing by multiple scores in the second half. He doesn’t have much of a rapport with Lawrence at this point. As a result, he’s not on the fantasy radar.
Verdict: Sit him.
More start-sit for Week 7:
Tank Bigsby, D’Ernest Johnson
Trevor Lawrence, Evan Engram
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