Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in NFL Week 7

The midway point of the NFL season is approaching fast. It hasn't come yet though, and that means your fantasy team – no matter how horrendous – could still make a massive comeback and burst into the playoffs. It won't be easy, but just imagine how cool your leaguemates will think you are after refusing to give up after an 0-6 start. You'll be a legend forever.

Of course, in order for such a miraculous comeback to occur, you'll have to perfect your roster moving forward. No more starting players that only garner three points. No more benching players that total 20-plus. From here on out, it's play it perfect or don't play at all. But obviously, disregard that last sentence if you're like 4-2 or 5-1! You've got plenty of leeway.

Here are eight players to start and eight more to sit ahead of your Week 7 matchup.

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Players to start in Week 7:

Quarterbacks

• Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers

In six games, the Washington Commanders' defense has surrendered 20-plus fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks four times. The two times they did not were against Deshaun Watson (which shouldn't count), and against the Arizona Cardinals. While the latter is an impressive defensive performance, the trends still show that Washington is a pretty easy opponent if you're a fantasy quarterback. Expect the Panthers to be playing from behind early, meaning a lot of pass attempts are in Dalton's future.

• Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Much like Dalton, Stafford has a pretty easy matchup coming up against the Las Vegas Raiders. While Maxx Crosby could prove an issue, Stafford has actually done pretty well under pressure this year, recording an 86.3 passer rating when under pressure on the year. Aside from Crosby, there really isn't much to fear from the Vegas defense. Throw in the fact that Cooper Kupp could return this weekend, and it's a win-win all the way around.

Running Backs

• Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

Heading into Monday Night Football, the Buffalo Bills had surrendered rushing touchdowns in two consecutive weeks. But even more important is how many receptions the Bills allow to running backs. Prior to Monday Night Football, they'd allowed opposing running backs to secure at least eight receptions in three of their last four games. In PPR formats, Pollard is a must-start.

• Devin Singletary/Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants

Depending on who gets the start for New York, either is a must-start against a pitiful Philadelphia Eagles run defense that has allowed five yards per carry on the season. There also hasn't been a game all year in which opposing running backs failed to secure at least four passes.

• Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars

The New England Patriots are no slouch on defense, but with Travis Etienne likely out of this weekend's contest, Bigsby should be in for a massive workload. Sure, there is concern that third-string back D'Ernest Johnson could cut into that workload, especially after Johnson outsnapped Bigsby in Week 6, but the Jags were down 14-3 at half, Bigsby fumbled, and the offense really struggled to get anything going. It was likely just a poor situation all the way around. Expect Bigsby to be the feature back against New England, in a game where Jacksonville could get out to a lead and run the ball more often.

Wide Receivers

• Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

The Houston Texans have not done well at defending wide receivers this year. While Jayden Reed is obviously a must-start in Green Bay's wide receiver corps, Doubs appears to be the next man up. With Dontayvion Wicks dealing with an injury, Doubs was terrific in the Packers' Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Opposing wide receivers have scored nine touchdowns against the Texans in six games. If Doubs can carry any momentum from his Week 6 performance into Week 7, he's pretty likely to find the end zone yet again.

• Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns

Yes, Deshaun Watson is horrible. Cooper owners are waiting for the moment that Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski wises up and starts Jameis Winston. That said, a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals is too good to pass up. Opposing wide receivers have scored at least 24 PPR points against the Bengals in five straight games. In fact, they've scored at least 30 PPR points in three of their last four contests. Cooper has the talent and the volume to go off any week. This could be a week where we see that happen.

Tight Ends

• Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

As bad as the tight end position has been this year, Ertz has provided a pretty safe floor for fantasy managers, only scoring fewer than five PPR points once all year. He's scored more than eight twice. Now, in Week 7, Washington faces a Carolina Panthers defense that has allowed at least eight PPR fantasy points to opposing tight ends in four straight games.

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Players to sit in Week 7:

Quarterbacks

• Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

Yes, the Vikings may be coming off a bye, but the Detroit Lions' defense has been no joke this year. Even without Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions should still be a dominant force on defense. It's still mostly the same unit that has forced at least one interception in every game this year, and has forced more interceptions than they've allowed touchdowns.

• Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Coming off his best fantasy production of the year, don't expect Herbert to become relevant in fantasy once again. The Chargers are incredibly focused on the run, and a Week 7 matchup against an Arizona Cardinals' defense that has allowed at least 100 yards on the ground in four straight games won't change the Chargers' game plan at all.

Running Backs

• Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

Coming off his best game of the season, managers will want to stay away from Harris, who is facing a tough New York Jets defense. The Jets had allowed only two rushing touchdowns all season heading into Monday Night Football and had forced as many fumbles from opposing running backs.

• Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

While the Houston Texans have not been good at limiting opposing wide receivers, they've been tremendous at limiting opposing running backs. They're allowing less than four yards per carry on the season and have only surrendered eight receptions to opposing running backs over their last three games. Barring a touchdown, Jacobs likely isn't worth a starting spot in your lineups this week.

Wide Receivers

• Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

The Kansas City Chiefs are masters at shutting down teams' top options, and Deebo Samuel has been the best weapon for the 49ers this season. With Jordan Mason listed as day-to-day, the Chiefs will do everything in their power to stop Purdy from beating them, and Samuel has been Purdy's favorite wideout when healthy.

• George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers

As great as the New York Jets have been against running backs, they've been even better against wide receivers. They haven't allowed more than 10 receptions to opposing wideouts in four straight weeks heading into MNF.

Tight Ends

• George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

Although Samuel might be Purdy's favorite wideout, Kittle has been the 49ers' best weapon in the passing game, tallying five touchdowns in his last four games. However, the Chiefs are coming off a bye, and Andy Reid is one of the greatest coaches ever when coming off a bye. They will do everything they can to stop the 49ers from reaching the end zone, and that means blanketing Mr. Kittle.

• Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

Evan Engram was great in his first game back from injury, totaling 10 receptions for 102 yards. He may have lost a fumble, but we can forgive him for that. Still, facing a New England Patriots defense that hasn't allowed a touchdown to opposing tight ends since Week 1, Engram will be in for a much tougher matchup this weekend.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in NFL Week 7