Week 7 Fantasy Football: Vikings Defense and Will Reichard Lead Start 'Em Lists

Key points

• Vikings defense is a top start against the Colts, who have committed 11 giveaways and allowed 15 sacks.
• Will Reichard is the top kicker start, benefiting from the Colts' defense allowing four kickers to score 12+ points.
• Seahawks defense is a sit against the Chiefs, who have the fifth-most points per game and strong offensive line.
• Jake Bates is a sit against the Packers, the only defense to limit enemy kickers to under seven points in a game.
• FantasyPros advises caution with waiver pickups, noting the 'redemption' potential for players like J.J. McCarthy.

Background

This Week 7 analysis follows a turbulent Week 6 where Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy were debated as starts or sits. The current week is marked by significant special teams instability, particularly for the Rams, who are relying on punter Ethan Evans after kicker Blake Grupe's injury, and the Dolphins, who recently signed veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez after releasing Riley Patterson. These roster moves underscore the volatility in the kicker category, which Fabiano's rankings address by highlighting stable performers like Reichard and McPherson.

How outlets are covering it

Sports Illustrated focuses on statistical matchups, emphasizing the Colts' defensive weaknesses to justify starting their defense and kicker. FantasyPros takes a broader view, focusing on waiver wire opportunities and the potential for player redemption, such as J.J. McCarthy, rather than specific weekly matchups. While SI provides concrete 'start' and 'sit' recommendations based on current season data, FantasyPros offers a more strategic, long-term perspective on roster management. Both sources agree on the importance of special teams but differ in their approach: SI prioritizes immediate matchup advantages, while FantasyPros looks for undervalued assets in the waiver wire.

Why it matters

Fantasy football managers must navigate a week with significant special teams volatility, particularly for teams like the Rams and Dolphins that have recently changed kickers. The analysis highlights the importance of matchup-based decisions, where a team's defensive performance can be heavily influenced by the opponent's offensive struggles. For example, the Vikings' defense is a must-start due to the Colts' high turnover rate, while the Seahawks' defense is a risk against the Chiefs' strong offense. This week's decisions could significantly impact fantasy standings, especially in categories like defense and kickers, where variance is high.

What to watch

Fantasy managers will need to monitor the performance of the recommended starts and sits, particularly in the defense and kicker categories. The week's outcomes will likely influence future waiver wire decisions, as players like J.J. McCarthy and Marvin Harrison Jr. may see changes in their value. Additionally, the special teams situations for the Rams and Dolphins will be closely watched, as any further changes could impact fantasy managers' lineups. The next week's analysis will likely focus on the results of these matchups and any new developments in the waiver wire.