Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 7: Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs

The Indianapolis Colts (3-3) are back home at Lucas Oil Stadium to host the Miami Dolphins (2-3) for a Week 7 matchup.

This AFC matchup will be crucial for both teams. The Colts are looking to stay in the playoff race while the Dolphins are hoping to simply tread water until Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) returns.

For fantasy football purposes, two intriguing options for the Colts have emerged in wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs.

While both players have been strong starts over the last two weeks with Joe Flacco under center, a wrench gets thrown into the plan with Anthony Richardson (oblique) returning.

With a tough matchup coming up against the Dolphins secondary, we're diving into the start/sit advice for Pittman and Downs right here.

Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Michael Pittman Jr.

Pittman has been dealing with a back injury, but he's expected to play on Sunday. With that in mind, managers will also have to decide whether Pittman's upside is worth playing him with Richardson under center.

It was clear through the first three weeks of the season that the connection between these two needs more work. During that span, Pittman averaged 4.8 fantasy points per game in half-PPR scoring. That includes just 6.7 targets and 3.7 receptions per game.

When Flacco was under center for the majority of the last three games, Pittman averaged 12.5 fantasy points.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game (18.7) to wideouts as well as the fourth-fewest receiving yards (116.4) and third-fewest receptions (8.8) per game to the position.

Weaving through bye weeks and injuries are difficult, but Pittman is a tough start this week. It might be best to sit him if possible.

Verdict: Sit 'Em

Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Josh Downs

The shifty slot receiver has been an explosive asset to the passing game since he made his debut this season after dealing with a high ankle sprain during training camp.

Downs, like Pittman, has benefitted from Flacco being under center. The connection between Downs and Richardson is probably a bit stronger even though the latter's accuracy in the short area has been erratic this season.

The matchup is a difficult one, and given the Dolphins' struggles against the run, the Colts may simply lean on that part of the game.

Downs is a good player and should still be rostered, but he's a flex play at best in what could be a low-scoring matchup.

Verdict: Sit 'Em

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