Every Thursday during the 2022 NFL season, Matt Bowen will break down players' fantasy football value through the lens of a former NFL safety. And he'll mix it up, too. The matchups to play (or avoid), scheme trends, tape study and more.
It's Week 7 of the NFL season. And, at this time of the year, we have a much better feel for offensive tendencies and player deployment. So, what is the tape telling us this week on the players to upgrade and downgrade in your fantasy lineups? And who should we keep an eye out for on Sunday?
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is in here. He's an upgrade for me versus the Washington Commanders' defense. A couple of running backs, too. And I'm down on some receivers this week who are not producing volume numbers.
Upgrades for Week 7
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
The Week 6 tape on Rodgers and this Green Bay pass game isn't great. But I'm buying the veteran here in the Sunday matchup versus a Washington defense allowing 7.71 yards per attempt, plus an average of 19.1 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Rodgers, who is still the league's best at identifying and throwing the one-on-ones, will have opportunities to target Allen Lazard against this Commanders secondary. Outside verts and slot fades here. Tight end Robert Tonyan saw a bump in volume last week, too. Look for unders and seam balls when Washington jumps into its zone shells. And let's remember, Rodgers threw two touchdowns per game Weeks 2 through 5. He's my QB11 this week in the rankings, and I would start him based on the matchup.