2012 Fantasy Football: NFL Week 7 Sit’em

By Evan Stancil

Featured Contributor

Photo by Matthew Emmons – US PRESSWIRE

Each week during the NFL season FST brings you our Fantasy Football Sit’em column, which takes a look at unfavorable match-ups and how they might impact lineup decisions for your fantasy football roster. Let’s take a look at some players that you may want to consider benching for Week 7. If you have any start’em sit’em questions feel free to post them in our Fantasy Football Forum.

Running Backs

BenJarvus Green-Ellis CIN VS. PIT

The Law Firm hasn’t exactly been doling out the punishments that many fantasy owners expected this season in his transition from New England’s RB committee to the Bengals committed ground game. Instead he looks better on the trading block for fantasy owners trying to salvage any remaining value. However, at this point BJGE’s value is dropping by the day. Run DMC is the lone running back this year to topple 100 yards against this black curtain defense so don’t expect this Bengal to approach those stats. He’s better left on the bench because this matchup just doesn’t fit and if there’s one thing we learned from Johnnie Cochran, if the glove doesn’t fit we must acquit. You’re free BenJarvus, free from the starting lineup.

Shonn Greene NYJ VS. NE

This Jet jumped onto the fantasy running back scene last week in a BIG way. I don’t know if any owners expected Greene to punish the Colts the way he did and put to rest the idea that he’s a pure bench player. However, not so fast my friends. Stash this Jets back on your bench again this week. This is New England who locked up Beast Mode in Seattle last week to under 50 yards rushing. Obviously this game is going to be have huge implications as divisional foes and if Sanchez doesn’t bring his A game, then the Jets will be throwing early and often, which will leave Green with few carries. Greene was mean in Week 6, but I expect he’ll plop back to pedestrian status this week, sit him and stop fantasizing that he’ll replicate last week’s performance.

Quarterbacks

Matt Schaub HOU VS. BAL

Schaub has a tremendous matchup. The shutdown corner for the Ravens and legendary linebacker are both out this week. To add insult to injury they are already missing Suggs and the game is in Houston where Houston is coming off a loss. So why do I say sit Schaub? First, he’s just not a first or second tier fantasy QB consistently. Second the Texans ground game is too good and Ravens too poor not to exploit. I don’t expect the Ravens to layover for him but I expect Texans to compile points via Foster and the ground game and not through the air. Call it a hunch, but Ed Reed isn’t allowing a Schaub errant pass to get through his hands.

Matthew Stafford DET VS. CHI

Stafford has been about desirable as a staph infection this season. He’s been good at getting a consistent chunk of yards in the air, but translating those into TD passes is another thing entirely. Last week he threw and ran for a TD, but up until then he maxed out at 1 TD a game. So against the Bears D, that ranks first in fantasy football statistically, this matchup is less than ideal. I am hedging my bets that the Lions will have their hands full and for Lions fans, just hope he’s standing up by the end of Monday night.

Wide Receivers

Steve Smith CAR VS. DAL

Steve Smith, where art thou? This once dynamic, highly-sought member of a high-flying offense has felt the trickle-down effect of QB Cam Newton’s severe sophomore slump. Smith suddenly can’t get open and his routes are less precise. The Cowboys will be missing their top draft pick from their secondary so there is some potential to get back on track but Carolina’s offense looks a bit like Charlie Brown in a pumpkin patch. Lonely and mildly confused is a nice way of putting it. At this point the brave preseason statement of SuperBowl or Bust from the Panthers looks like a BUST. So let Smith bust on your bench this Sunday until this team can prove otherwise.

Andre Roberts AZ VS. MIN

Larry Fitz nearly made the sits list, but I’ve learned my lesson that Larry the Conductor, even when the team isn’t doing much on offense, is the one who does the heavy lifting. Roberts however has magician potential for disappearing acts, like last week’s game against the Cardinals. Minnesota’s D is massive and Skelton is seeing his first action of the season since going down in week 1 to injury. Arizona’s got a make-shift running back crew going as well. It’s not the best time to roll Roberts out so let him acquire those splinters on your bench Sunday.

Tight Ends

Jermichael Finley GB VS. STL

Finley has been easily the biggest disappointment in Green Bay’s receiving corps. Finley is a matchup nightmare for most defenses, but lately he’s had a case of the drops and last weekend when everyone was catching TD passes from Rodgers (6 of them), Finley was kept to only 2 catches. The Rams have guarded the TE well this season too and it’s safe to say there are much better options out there for fantasy owners. If you can get your hands on Cook, Miller or Bennett then do it. Leave Finley’s sack of suds on the bench. I do say that with guarded pessimism since the last sit’em suggestion of a Packer player was Nelson last week and he erupted for 3 TD day.

Fred Davis WAS VS. NYG

Davis has been a bum in DC this season. Having grown up with the Washington Redskins in my childhood I usually found a player or two to gravitate towards. Davis does nothing for me and makes me wish the lovable and dynamic personality of Chris Cooley was still in town. Davis has yet to find the end zone, with an offense that is setting Redskins records by the game. RGIII either doesn’t like dumping the ball off to him or he just figures he can do it himself. Davis’ value has hit the skids and don’t expect that to change in the Meadowlands this weekend.

Defense

Baltimore Ravens BAL VS. HOU

It pains me to put the Ravens here but given the recent surge of injuries and the matchup it’s probably best to keep these guys stashed on the bench. The Raven’s run defense has been unbelievably subpar and don’t expect that to improve with heavy doses of Arian Foster. The emotional leader and glue of the defense along with shut down cornerback will be sidelined. So in wake of this perfect storm sit the black and purple crew. To quote some Edgar Allen Poe: “Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore – Of ‘Never-nevermore.” Not this week B’more.