Thursday, October 28, 2021

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 8 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 2.6 (2nd)
  • Best ranking: 2nd (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 4th (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Bucs in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 2

Prediction we missed: Worrying about the Buccaneers after losing many players to injury.

Even with a bunch of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the Bucs are 6-1. The secondary was not considered a position of strength or depth going into the season. But the acquisitions of Richard Sherman, Pierre Desir, Dee Delaney and Rashard Robinson have been key. Cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross told ESPN, "If the group had remained young, and we were replacing young guys with young guys, I would say we could not do [this]," Ross said. "When you've got guys like Sherman, when you've got guys like Rashard, when you've got guys like Pierre -- these are veterans. They've been through some battles before. They understand how to play and what to do." -- Jenna Laine

NFL.com -- Rank: 2

Bucs stars come at you in waves. The Bears were lucky enough to miss Rob Gronkowski (ribs) and Antonio Brown (ankle) on Sunday, but they still had to contend with Mike Evans (three touchdowns), Chris Godwin (111 yards, TD) and the running game (182 yards and a score) in a 38-3 Tampa Bay romp. Tom Brady didn't even play a particularly good game by his lofty standards, but the G.O.A.T. still tossed four touchdowns without an interception, becoming the first quarterback to throw 600 TD passes in NFL history. The champs are humming, with a key division matchup against the Saints on deck.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 4

The Tampa Bay offense will be tough to stop for any team. They do get a tough challenge against the Saints this week on the road.

USA Today -- Rank: 3

Seems QB Tom Brady, uh, overcame his fourth-down issues from 2020 against Chicago. Next up, he tries to solve New Orleans in regular season after getting decisively swept last year ... before the playoffs anyway.

The Athletic -- Rank: 2

Trick or treat: What are the Bucs handing out to trick or treaters this year? Tom Brady's giving out Bitcoin, which is far better than last year's prize of TB12 protein bars. Rob Gronkowski's definitely a full-size candy bar kind of guy. And Mike Evans? He's giving away milestone footballs.

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Cincinnati Bengals Week 8 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Cincinnati Bengals rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 7.4 (7th)
  • Best ranking: 7th (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 8th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Bengals in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 7

Prediction we missed: Preseason concerns with WR Ja'Marr Chase.

Remember when Chase's drops created some questions about how the fifth overall pick would fare as a rookie? Well, I'd like not to. Because any reservations about Chase's play in the offseason have been blasted to Neptune. Chase is putting up absurd numbers and, along with QB Joe Burrow, has transformed Cincinnati's offense into something incredibly potent. Chase is second in the NFL in receiving yards, trailing only the Rams' Cooper Kupp. He has eight receptions of 30 or more yards, the most in the NFL. He is on pace to break the Bengals' record for most receiving yards in a season (1,440 by Chad Johnson, 2007). Sheesh. -- Ben Baby

NFL.com -- Rank: 7

That right there was a Statement Win™. The Bengals rolled into Baltimore and sent thousands of once-confident Ravens fans at M&T Bank Stadium streaming to the exits by the fourth quarter of a 41-17 triumph that makes us reconsider everything in the AFC North. Cincinnati has moved into a tie with Baltimore atop the division. and none of this feels unsustainable, with Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase producing at historic levels together. From the NFL Research team: Chase (35/754/6) has the most receiving yards by any player through his first seven career games in NFL history. It's still not too late to delete your "They should have taken Penei Sewell!" takes on social media. Scrub away! Save your Smart Football Internet Person reputation!

CBS Sports -- Rank: 7

That victory over the Ravens should have them gaining confidence by the week. This is a young team that will only get better.

USA Today -- Rank: 8

All the chatter about Cincinnati's (current) No. 1 seed and rookie WR Ja'Marr Chase's record-setting start is warranted. But props to TE C.J. Uzomah, who's rebounded from last year's torn Achilles and has already hauled in a career-best five TDs.

The Athletic -- Rank: 8

Trick or treat: What's scary for the rest of the AFC? Ja'Marr Chase is just 21 and he's already playing like a top-five wide receiver. Joe Burrow is a star, too, and last week he guided the Bengals to a breakthrough win in Baltimore, traditionally one of the league's scariest places to play. Are the Bengals real AFC title contenders? We'll see, but they're burying demons -- and assumptions -- of their recent past and their underrated defense has been solid. They're 2-0 in the AFC North, with both wins coming on the road.

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Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Washington Football Team Week 8 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Washington Football Team rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 26.0 (27th)
  • Best ranking: 24th (USA Today)
  • Worst ranking: 27th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for Washington in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 26

Prediction we missed: The defensive line would be excellent.

Oops. Washington ranked second in yards and fourth in points last season, and while it was facing a far more difficult schedule, it also had a young line considered one of the best in the NFL. There was reason to believe the unit would still at least be near the top 10. Instead, it's last in points allowed and 29th in yards. Washington played a strong game vs. Green Bay and the line has started to look much better. The issues also haven't just stemmed from facing better quarterbacks; a lack of adherence to details -- leading to poor rushes or blown coverage -- has undermined the team. -- John Keim

NFL.com -- Rank: 27

The Football Team outgained the Packers by 126 yards (430-304) and played -- by far -- their best defensive game of the season ... yet still found themselves on the wrong side of a double-digit defeat thanks to two crushing failures in the third quarter. Taylor Heinicke's overturned TD was highway robbery that should be addressed by the Common Sense Police (or, at least the Competition Committee in the offseason), but there was no excuse for the back-to-back fourth-down failures near the goal line that spelled doom at Lambeau Field. There were plenty of positives to take out of Sunday, but there hasn't been a more frustrating loss this season for Ron Rivera's team.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 27

It's becoming so obvious that they can't win games without a franchise quarterback. But that won't come anytime this season. The playoffs are done.

USA Today -- Rank: 24

Since start of 2020 season, they have five wins against NFC East teams and four against everybody else. Bummer WFT won't play another divisional game until Week 14.

The Athletic -- Rank: 26

Trick or treat: Scary Terry McLaurin is a great nickname in any season -- and McLaurin is a darn good player, too. But the Washington Football Team isn't having a happy Halloween because it has lost three straight games by double digits. Several scoring opportunities were missed Sunday in Green Bay, and though the final score was deceiving, it still goes down as another disappointing loss. Now, Washington is on to Denver for a battle of teams both headed in the wrong direction.

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Pittsburgh Steelers Week 8 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Pittsburgh Steelers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 15.8 (16th)
  • Best ranking: 15th (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 17th (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Steelers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 15

Prediction we missed: Matt Canada's offense would transform the Steelers.

Heralded as an innovative mind in the college game with his misdirection and pre-snap movements, Canada was positioned to mold the offense in his image -- while also taking input from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger even said he was doing extra studying during training camp to make sure he nailed all of Canada's verbiage and concepts. But through six games, the flashes of signature Canada plays -- jet sweeps, a robust vertical game and a flurry of pre-snap motion on the goal line -- haven't been regular occurrences. Instead of a complete transformation, Canada's concepts have been sprinkled in and adapted to fit the quarterback's preference and ability. -- Brooke Pryor

NFL.com -- Rank: 17

The Steelers reached their bye at 3-3 and look like the epitome of the 8-8 team (or 9-8 or 8-9 whatever) as we creep toward November. Rising above mediocrity will take Herculian performances from their best players: Ben Roethlisberger has to be better than a game manager, while T.J. Watt must continue to play like a Defensive Player Of The Year frontrunner. An X-factor is running back Najee Harris, who's come on strong in recent weeks. The first-round rookie leads the team in receptions, is in the top 10 in the league in rushing attempts and has handled his blocking assignments. If Pittsburgh's offensive line gives him more room to operate, he'll leap into the Offensive Rookie Of The Year conversation.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 15

They come off their bye week with a big division game against the Browns at Cleveland. The Steelers seemed to find something in winning two straight before the bye.

USA Today -- Rank: 16

Save OLB T.J. Watt, who has seven sacks, no one else on Pittsburgh's previously vaunted defense has more than two. That's gotta improve for Steelers to avoid missing postseason for third time in four seasons.

The Athletic -- Rank: 16

Trick or treat: A combination of poor offensive line play and Father Time made some wonder whether Ben Roethlisberger's career would be in the graveyard by Halloween. But the Steelers found a way to win their last two games to get back to .500, and now they come off a bye week with a big game in Cleveland. The Steelers' defense is still scary -- and it's good enough to push them to at least a couple wins. Can the offense follow suit? After facing Cleveland, Pittsburgh has winnable home games vs. the Bears and Lions, so it's now or never for a team trying to put one last run together.

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Arizona Cardinals Week 8 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Arizona Cardinals rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 1.0 (1st)
  • Best ranking: 1st (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 1st (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Cardinals in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 1

Prediction we missed: WR Christian Kirk's production.

It's no secret that DeAndre Hopkins was going to be the focal point of the Cardinals' offense and that A.J. Green would be the second option, but I didn't expect Kirk to have the type of season he's having. He is second on the team in receiving yards with 408 -- just two ahead of Green -- and second in receptions. -- Josh Weinfuss

NFL.com -- Rank: 1

With their marquee matchup against the Packers days away, the schedule makers did the Cardinals a favor with a nice tune-up against the worst team in football. Arizona took care of business against Houston in a game that showcased the Cards' newest weapon. Zach Ertz recorded a 47-yard touchdown catch, a career-long score that showed the tight end still has some juice in his legs. Last year, Kliff Kingsbury's offense too often felt like it was Kyler-to-Nuk or bust. Now, Arizona is getting contributions from Hopkins, yes, but also A.J. Green, Rondale Moore, Christian Kirk ... and Ertz, a former Super Bowl hero who looks like a man with something to prove.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 1

They continue to win games, but that will be put to a real test Thursday against the Packers. Kyler Murray is taking too many shots.

USA Today -- Rank: 1

Don't believe in league's only unbeaten team? Arizona also boasts the NFL's largest point differential (+111), is the toughest team to score on (16.3 points allowed per game), is getting defensive reinforcements off the COVID-19 list (including OLB Chandler Jones) and is already effectively integrating new TE Zach Ertz, the first player to catch a TD pass in successive weeks ... for different teams. Oh yeah -- and Kyler Murray.

The Athletic -- Rank: 1

Trick or treat: We call dibs on the Kyler Murray-as-Baby Yoda Halloween costume. The Cardinals just keep on winning, with a diverse offense and scary good defense, and a win Thursday against Green Bay could wind up being quite important in the eventual NFC playoff seedings.

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Las Vegas Raiders Week 8 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Las Vegas Raiders rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 11.0 (11th)
  • Best ranking: 11th (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 11th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Raiders in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 11

Prediction we missed: QB Derek Carr would thrive in his fourth season ... with Jon Gruden.

Carr was humming along in the Raiders' 3-0 start before hitting a couple of speed bumps in a two-game losing streak and Gruden's sudden resignation in the wake of his email controversy. The last two games, though, Carr has been sublime, especially in completing 91.2% (31 of 34) of his passes against the Eagles, the second-best such mark with 30 attempts in NFL history. New playcaller Greg Olson is seemingly giving Carr more freedom to get in and out of plays at the line, and Carr is responding. -- Paul Gutierrez

NFL.com -- Rank: 11

The Bisaccia Bump is real! The Raiders improved to 2-0 since Rich Bisaccia took over as interim coach, and you can argue that Las Vegas' best two games of the season -- their most complete efforts, anyway -- have come with Jon Gruden sitting on a couch in parts unknown. Derek Carr was simply brilliant against the Eagles, completing 31 of 34 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns. The quarterback's dominance was even more impressive considering star tight end Darren Waller was scratched before the game with knee and ankle issues. The MVP field is lousy with superstars having career years, but Carr absolutely deserves to be in the conversation right now. He's been one of the best players in the league.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 11

They are 2-0 without Jon Gruden. This group seems to have rallied after Gruden's scandalous resignation. Derek Carr is playing well.

USA Today -- Rank: 11

They're humming post-Gruden, all the way to top of the AFC West, averaging 33.5 points and 434 yards past two weeks. And with six players already exceeding 300 yards from scrimmage, this crew's on track to be best Las Vegas team in NFL history. Ever.

The Athletic -- Rank: 11

Trick or treat: This is not a trick: Derek Carr should be in the MVP conversation, not just for his play this season, but for how he's held the Raiders together after Jon Gruden's resignation. On the field, Carr rebounded from a tough two-week stretch earlier this month to put up ridiculous passing numbers against Denver and Philadelphia, including a 91 percent completion rate in Week 7.

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Green Bay Packers Week 8 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Green Bay Packers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 4.4 (4th)
  • Best ranking: 2nd (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 6th (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Packers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 4

Prediction we missed: Re-signing Aaron Jones is too big of a risk.

Even if Jones' numbers aren't quite what they were last season, his importance to the offense should not have been underestimated. He is so versatile in the running game and passing game. He already has four touchdown catches (a career high) and has four games with four or more receptions this season. Re-signing him went against the Packers' history of not paying running backs big money, but so far it has worked out. -- Rob Demovsky

NFL.com -- Rank: 6

The Packers have now won six straight since their ugly Week 1 defeat to Saints, but this still doesn't feel like a team firing on all cylinders. Green Bay was badly outgained by a middling Washington squad that could have scored one of the biggest upsets of the season had it executed better in the red zone. The Packers deserve credit for getting those big stops in close, of course, but Matt LaFleur's group will need to be better when the competition stiffens. That comes Thursday with a road matchup against the undefeated Cardinals -- a challenge that becomes far more imposing if Davante Adams (reserve/COVID-19 list) is unable to suit up.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 2

Despite a lot of injuries on defense, they keep winning games. That defense will be challenged in a big way by the Cardinals this week. They might not have Davante Adams, which will hurt.

USA Today -- Rank: 5

The first team to win six straight after losing the opener by at least 35 points, they head to desert for enticing matchup with Arizona -- which will mark the highest combined winning percentage (.929) of opponents in a post-September Thursday night game during Super Bowl era (since 1966). But pandemic is already putting a damper on showdown, All-Pro WR Davante Adams landing on COVID/reserve list Monday.

The Athletic -- Rank: 5

Trick or treat: A rash of positive COVID-19 tests has created a scare in Green Bay this week. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry will be out Thursday night and star wide receiver Davante Adams might miss the spotlight game at Arizona, too. The offense hasn't dazzled over the last two games but the Packers still have run their win streak to six. They visit Kansas City in Week 9, so we'll see how ready some of the Packers' young defenders are for the big stage.

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Saturday, October 23, 2021

Week 7 Fantasy Football TE Start'em, Sit'em

The decision on which player to start, or sit, largely comes down to the options on your roster (and/or possibly the players available on your league's waiver wire).

As an example, Ricky Seals-Jones is listed below as a "start" for Week 7. And I'd certainly be comfortable going into Week 7 with him as my starting tight end.

Then again, Seals-Jones may be a "sit" for your team.

In other words, if you roster both Travis Kelce and RSJ, you should start Kelce and, in turn, bench Seals-Jones.

For a more direct answer on whether we would start Player X over Player Y, check our Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings. Instead of making those direct comparisons, the goal here is to highlight players that we like, or dislike, for the week.

Week 7 Fantasy Football TE Start'em

Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team (at GB)

Topping our list of fantasy football waiver wire options at tight end, Seals-Jones is still only rostered in 50% of Yahoo! leagues as of Saturday morning. If you still need a bye-week replacement, RSJ could be a viable option.

Against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6, Seals-Jones had four catches for 58 yards and a score on six targets. It was his second consecutive solid performance with Logan Thomas on IR. In those two games, Seals-Jones almost never came off the field with 99% and 100% snap rates, respectively, and had a minimum of 15% target shares in both games.

The Green Bay Packers have allowed three top-five fantasy TE performances this season -- Juwan Johnson (Week 1, TE5), T.J. Hockenson (Week 2, TE3) and George Kittle (Week 3, TE4). As we head into a week with six teams on bye, RSJ is a plug-and-play option for at least one more week.

Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals (vs. HOU)

There are a couple of concerns with Ertz. A midseason trade could require an acclimation period as Ertz adjusts to his new team. In addition, the team's receiving corps goes four deep in terms of targets distribution. The team's top four receivers all have at least 28 targets (15.14% target share) through six weeks.

That said, Ertz was more productive for the Philadelphia Eagles than some might have expected and has a minimum of four catches in three of his past four games. During that span, he has finished as the TE7, TE13, TE54 and TE8, respectively.

Even if he doesn't extend his four-week 18%-plus team target share streak, Ertz gets the most favorable matchup of the weekend against the Houston Texans. Not only have the Texans allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, they have allowed a league-high five touchdowns to the position. In addition, the Cardinals have the week's second-highest implied total as 18-point favorites.

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs. NYJ)

Henry had a season-low two targets in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, but he converted one of his two receptions into a touchdown to extend his scoring streak to three weeks. On the season, Henry is averaging a receiving line of 3.7/40.2/0.5. While not elite, that's certainly solid.

The Patriots are touchdown favorites over the New York Jets, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.

Week 7 Fantasy Football TE Sit'em

Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers (vs. WAS)

Good news first: Tonyan had his second-best game of the season last week. The bad news? He scored two fantasy points (half-PPR) and ended with 10 receiving yards.

Outside of a Week 2 matchup against the Detroit Lions, Tonyan has no more than two catches, 10 yards or two fantasy points in any game this season. At this point of the season, Tonyan is droppable.

Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots (vs. NYJ)

Once again, if I have to play a Patriots tight end, I'd prefer Henry over Smith due to his consistency.

Smith is averaging career lows in Y/R (7.8) and Y/TGT (5.0) and he has zero top-12 weekly performances this season. Over the past four weeks, Smith has 14 yards or less in three of four games. During that same four-week stretch, he has finished the week as fantasy's TE50, TE15, TE27 and TE43, respectively. The TE15 performance was the one week this season in which he caught a touchdown.

Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks (vs. NO)

Everett returned in Week 6 and finished with two catches for 40 yards on three targets against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Russell Wilson out and Geno Smith in, the Seahawks have a bottom-five implied total this week. In addition, the defensive matchup isn't a favorable one, as the New Orleans Saints have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.

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Week 7 Fantasy Football WR Start'em, Sit'em

The decision on which player to start, or sit, largely comes down to the options on your roster (and/or possibly the players available on your league's waiver wire).

As an example, Jaylen Waddle is listed below as a "start" for Week 7. And I'd certainly be comfortable going into Week 7 with him as one of my starting receivers.

Then again, Waddle may be a "sit" for your team.

In other words, if you roster Calvin Ridley, Chris Godwin and Waddle and start only two receivers, you should start Ridley and Godwin and, in turn, bench Waddle.

For a more direct answer on whether we would start Player X over Player Y, check our Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings. Instead of making those direct comparisons, the goal here is to highlight players that we like, or dislike, for the week.

Week 7 Fantasy Football WR Start'em

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. ATL)

Waddle had the best game of his young career last week in London. The first-round rookie converted 10-of-13 targets into a career-high 70 yards and scored his second and third NFL touchdowns.

Especially if DeVante Parker misses another week, Waddle should be peppered with as many targets as he can handle. The Atlanta Falcons have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans (at ARI)

Cooks had nine catches for 89 yards on 13 targets in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts. It was the third time this season that Cooks had nine catches and double-digit targets. Heading into Week 7, Cooks ranks fifth amongst wide receivers in receptions (40), eighth in targets (57) and 11th in receiving yards (481).

The Texans are this week's biggest underdog (18 points), so while their implied total is lowest of the week, the team should be throwing often and Cooks is a target hog (32.76% share). Even if Cooks fails to score his second touchdown of the season, the volume alone keeps him in the WR2 mix.

Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (vs. CAR)

Shepard left Week 3 early as he played only 34% of the team's snaps that week and then missed the next two games. In his other three games (90%-plus snap rates), Shepard had 7/113/1 on nine targets (Week 1), 9/94 on 10 targets (Week 2) and 10/76 on 14 targets (Week 6).

If we only look at the three weeks where Shepard played a full complement of snaps, he scored the ninth-most half-PPR fantasy points. In addition, he was tied with Adam Thielen for the most receptions (26), tied for fourth in targets (33) and was sixth in receiving yards (283) over that timespan.

Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots (vs. NYJ)

Meyers has a minimum of four catches and five targets in all six games this season. While he has yet to catch a touchdown in his NFL career, Meyers entered Week 7 with the 12th-most targets (52) and 11th-most receptions (36).

Even though he was quiet in his first matchup (4/38) against the New York Jets this season and the Jets have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, a couple of their games were against teams missing their best receivers. For example, they played the Falcons without Calvin Ridley, the Titans without A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, etc.

In a week with six teams on bye, Meyers consistent volume makes him at least a low-end WR2.

Week 7 Fantasy Football WR Sit'em

Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals (at BAL)

In Week 4, Boyd had nine catches for 118 yards on 11 targets (34.38%) target share. That game actually extended Boyd's streak of 30% target shares to three games. Since then, however, it's been a much different story.

Boyd had 4/24 on five targets (13.51%) and 1/7 on three targets (10.34%) in Weeks 5 and 6, respectively. What changed in Week 5? Tee Higgins returned from a two-game absence. Over the past two weeks, Boyd (eight) is a distant third among the team's wide receivers in targets behind rookie Ja'Marr Chase (16) and Higgins (13).

Especially against a top-five defense at limiting opposing fantasy wide receivers, it'll be difficult for the Bengals to support three viable wide receivers. Boyd is just outside my top 36 fantasy wide receivers in Week 7.

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (vs. IND)

Through five games, Aiyuk has eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. The second-year receiver had more receiving yards in four of his final seven games played as a rookie.

On a (moderately) positive note, Aiyuk has a 14% target share or better in two of his past three games. If that number continues to trend upward, he would eventually beocme startable again. That said, he has finished outside of the top-75 fantasy wide receivers in four of five weeks. Given his low floor, fantasy managers are wise to continue to take a wait-and-see approach.

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Philadelphia Eagles Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Philadelphia Eagles rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 24.0 (24th)
  • Best ranking: 23rd (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 25th (The Athletic)

Below you will find a Week 7 roundup for the Eagles in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 24

A 32-6 thrashing of the Falcons in the opener shot the confidence meter to places unexpected, but the Eagles have since crashed back to reality. Shaky playcalling, injuries along the offensive front and inconsistent play from quarterback Jalen Hurts have limited the offense, while the defense has had wild fluctuations in its performance. The good news for Philadelphia is that it is past the most difficult part of its schedule. There are wins to be had against the likes of the Giants, Jets, Lions and Washington. The confidence meter should tick up, even if it never reaches its Week 1 post again. -- Tim McManus

NFL.com -- Rank: 24

Jalen Hurts continues to fill up the fantasy stat sheet, but the jury remains very much out on whether the second-year QB should be a permanent fixture for the Eagles under center. Perfunctory cosmetic scores aside, Hurts struggled to lead the offense for much of Thursday night's 28-22 loss to the Bucs. The Eagles' attack -- which abandoned the running game against Tampa Bay's top-ranked rushing D -- put the team in a deep hole in a first-half performance that featured four three-and-outs and one interception. The problem -- and this is more on rookie coach Nick Sirianni than on his young QB -- is that Philadelphia is far too dependent on Hurts on a weekly basis. It's time to find some balance.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 23

They made it close against Tampa Bay, but it really wasn't that kind of game. At some point, they have to run the ball better.

USA Today -- Rank: 24

Since a strong performance on opening day in Atlanta, QB Jalen Hurts has completed fewer than 60% of his passes and is averaging just north of 240 yards through the air. His ability to make plays with his legs is nice, but the arm better do more if he wants to keep this job into 2022.

The Athletic -- Rank: 25

Rookie Heat Check: DeVonta Smith's 345 receiving yards and 16 first downs are second and third only to Ja'Marr Chase and former Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle, respectively, among rookies. Smith's best game was against the Chiefs on Oct. 3, when he had 122 yards on seven receptions (17.4 yards per catch).

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New Orleans Saints Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the New Orleans Saints rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 12.0 (12th)
  • Best ranking: 9th (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 14th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 7 roundup for the Saints in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 14

The Saints might have had the most radical up-and-down swings in the entire league over the first four weeks: dominant win over Green Bay, blowout loss at Carolina, convincing victory at New England, epic fourth-quarter collapse against the Giants. But I have them right back at the exact same confidence number I would've chosen before Week 1. They have some flaws, most notably a lack of proven pass-catchers. But I still think this is a playoff-caliber team that will only get better as Jameis Winston keeps getting more comfortable in the offense and they get eight starters back from injuries (including WR Michael Thomas) and suspension. -- Mike Triplett

NFL.com -- Rank: 12

In the wake of a Week 6 bye, it feels like a good time for a check-in: How are we feeling about the Jameis Winston Experiment? Statistically, the veteran quarterback has been solid, throwing for nearly 900 yards with 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions during the Saints' 3-2 start. Of course, a closer study of the game tape reveals hints that the Winston of New Orleans is the same Winston who ran himself out of Tampa Bay. His usage -- topping 23 pass attempts in just one game so far -- tells you Sean Payton is loath to give his QB too much responsibility. We're a hard HOLD on this one.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 9

They come off the bye at 3-2 on the verge of getting a lot of key injured players back. Watch out as they get healthier. Sean Payton has done a nice job with this team.

USA Today -- Rank: 11

Though somewhat skewed after bye week, who would have guessed a Sean Payton team would have attempted 29 fewer passes than any other club in the NFL?

The Athletic -- Rank: 14

Rookie Heat Check: New Orleans has uncovered a nice little trio on defense with rusher Payton Turner, linebacker Pete Werner and defensive back Paulson Adebo. The collective is playing well at every level of the defense, and each has had their bright moments. Adebo may be the best of the group, though. He's started all five games and is fourth in tackles (23). That's two behind Werner's 25.

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Week 7 Fantasy Football RB Start'em, Sit'em

The decision on which player to start, or sit, largely comes down to the options on your roster (and/or possibly the players available on your league's waiver wire).

As an example, James Conner is listed below as a "start" for Week 7. And I'd certainly be comfortable going into Week 7 with him as one of my starting running backs.

Then again, Conner may be a "sit" for your team.

In other words, if you roster Alvin Kamara, Jonathan Taylor and Conner and start two running backs, you should start Kamara and Taylor and, in turn, bench Conner.

For a more direct answer on whether we would start Player X over Player Y, check our Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings. Instead of making those direct comparisons, the goal here is to highlight players that we like, or dislike, for the week.

Week 7 Fantasy Football RB Start'em

Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams (vs. DET)

For the majority of fantasy managers, Henderson has become an every-week starter regardless of matchup. In our Rest-of-Season (ROS) Fantasy Football Rankings, Henderson is the RB14.

Some of the running backs on bye this week include Austin Ekeler, Najee Harris, Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott and more. A week of rest for those elite backs means that Henderson catapults into our top three with a mouth-watering matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Favored by more than two touchdowns at home, the Rams should be feeding Henderson all of the touches that he can handle. In fact, it would not be a shock for Sony Michel to get a flex-viable volume of touches in garbage time.

In a 27-point win on Sunday, Henderson had a season-high 23 touches, but he has a minimum of 16 touches in every game that he has appeared. Yet to finish any worse than RB19 in half-PPR scoring, Henderson ranks top 12 in fantasy points despite missing a game this season.

In addition to having the week's highest implied total, the Lions have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. The Lions have allowed a league-high 12 touchdowns to opposing running backs, a league-high 93.1% catch rate, 9.44 Y/R (third-most) and 4.58 YPC (eighth-most). Regardless of how you slice it, this matchup gives Henderson RB1 overall upside.

[Note: If you roster Henderson, the good news is the Rams have another dream matchup (Houston Texans) in Week 8.]

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. HOU)

Mostly a non-factor in the receiving game, Conner has as many rushing touchdowns (five) as he has receptions (five). Only Derrick Henry (nine) has more rushing touchdowns this season than Conner, who has one of the week's highest TD equities. The unbeaten Cardinals are 18-point home favorites over the Houston Texans.

Only the Los Angeles Chargers (5.29) have allowed more yards per carry to opposing running backs than the Texans (5.15). Even though Conner has only finished as a top-30 fantasy running back in the weeks he has scored two touchdowns, the floor and ceiling are incredibly high this week.

Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs (at TEN)

In last week's win, Williams carried the ball 21 times for 62 yards and two scores and added three catches for 27 yards on four targets. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire on Injured Reserve, Williams ended the week as fantasy's RB7 (half-PPR scoring). Only Dalvin Cook (31), Najee Harris (30) and Leonard Fournette (28) had more touches than Williams (24) last week.

While he may not get 24 touches again this week, the Chiefs are one of three teams with an implied total north of 30 points and the Titans-Chiefs game has the highest total (by a wide margin). Williams is a top-10 fantasy running back in our rankings this week.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons (at MIA)

Those waiting for Patterson's production to return to earth are still waiting. The only thing that was able to slow him down was the team's Week 6 bye.

Through the first five weeks of the season, Patterson has racked up 173 rushing yards, 25 catches for 295 yards and five total touchdowns. Even when we don't adjust for last week's bye, Patterson has scored the 10th-most fantasy points through Week 6.

Patterson played a season-high 46 offensive snaps (59%) with Calvin Ridley out in Week 5, but he had played only 23-26 offensive snaps per game in Weeks 1-4. If there's a concern it's the relatively modest snap counts, but he has been much more effective than Mike Davis.

The Dolphins have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Averaging more than 20 half-PPR fantasy points per game over his past four games, Patterson is ranked inside our top 10 fantasy running backs for Week 7.

Week 7 Fantasy Football RB Sit'em

Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears (at TB)

Bye weeks may necessitate that we start players that we would otherwise prefer to sit. Herbert could be one of those for you this week (as he is for me in the Scott Fish Bowl). It was an easy choice to start the rookie running back last week, but the difficult matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes him more of a flex option even in a week with six teams on bye.

In the two games without David Montgomery, Herbert has carried the ball 37 times for 172 yards and a touchdown and added two catches for 15 yards. Damien Williams missed last week's game, but he has been activated for Week 7. Even so, The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain believes Herbert has leapfrogged Williams on the depth chart.

Tampa has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and only the New Orleans Saints (2.84) have allowed fewer yards per carry to opposing running backs than the Bucs (3.39) this year. Not only are the Bears double-digit underdogs, but they rank in the bottom three this week in NFL implied totals.

Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins (vs. ATL)

One player that had a great game against the Buccaneers was Gaskin, who caught 10 passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns and finished that week as fantasy's RB4. I had noted that week that Gaskin could have sneaky upside, only if we could trust his volume, since he's a talented receiving back and the Bucs are so stout against the run. Because I noted we couldn't trust the volume, I listed him as a "sit" that week.

In a game that should have been more favorable for the running backs in general, Gaskin had five carries for nine yards and two catches for five yards againt the Jacksonville Jaguars in London last week. As I've said before, we can't trust Gaskin or the Dolphins coaching staff to give him a consistent workload.

Here are Gaskin's workloads and weekly finishes over the past four weeks: 16 touches (RB32), two touches (RB77), 15 touches (RB4) and seven touches (RB49), respectively.

Unless forced to start him out of necessity, I'd prefer to keep Gaskin on my bench despite the plus matchup.

Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. PHI)

Scoring twice (once on the ground and once through the air), Drake had his best fantasy performance of the season (RB9) in Week 6. Even though he totaled a season-high 73 yards, Drake had only six touches and managed to play only 12 offensive snaps (21%).

In the first three weeks of the season, Drake had a minimum of 11 touches in each game. Since then, he has a total of only nine touches over his past three games. On such limited volume, it's highly unlikely that Drake is able to repeat his Week 6 performance.

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