1. Drew Brees (NO) – He has without question been the most consistent top flight fantasy QB so far this season. Brees’ average game in 2008 consists of 332 passing yards with 2 TD’s, and only 1 interception. He will face off against Carolina’s #2 ranked pass defense in week 7. While the Panthers pass defense looks excellent on paper, they have only faced one legitimate fantasy QB all season. That was a week 1 game against Phillip Rivers in which he torched them for 3 TD passes. In spite of what appears to be a difficult match up, Brees should excel once again in week 7, especially if WR Marques Colston and TE Jeremy Shcokey return to the Saints starting line up as expected. Brees threw for 260 yards and 3 TD’s in his last meeting with the Panthers in 2007.2. Peyton Manning (IND) – We can’t think of a better way that Manning could have jump started his season than by lighting up the Ravens top ranked pass defense. After a mediocre start to his 2008 campaign, he returned to form in week 6 by torching Baltimore for 271 yards and 3 TD’s. With a week 7 match up against Green Bay on the horizon, Manning stands a good chance to stay on track, full steam ahead. The Packers deceptively rank 7th in the NFL in passing yards allowed, but when you look at the level of competition they have faced in opposing QB’s this season, it is easy to comprehend why. The couple of times that they have faced an elite caliber QB this season, the results were not as rosy, and they rank near the bottom of the NFL with 9 passing TD’s allowed. After only one big game, it is still a bit pre mature to say that Manning has returned to elite fantasy QB status, but things are certainly looking up, and we like his chances against a beat up Green Bay secondary.
3. Jay Cutler (DEN) – While Cutler’s numbers have dropped off over the last few weeks, he remains a top flight fantasy option when the match up calls for it. A week 7 meeting against New England is just favorable enough. The Patriots pass defense has been solid ranking 12th in yards allowed, but they have been shaky at best in keeping opposing WR’s out of the end zone, allowing 9 TD’s through the air on the season. In addition, they have struggled against big play WR’s this season, and it just so happens that Cutler has a big play WR in his arsenal with Brandon Marshall. Cutler might have his shaky moments, which have been fairly common lately, but all in all, this match up bodes well.
4. Matt Schaub (HOU) – He might seem a little risky based on his overall performance this season, but Schaub has been hot of late, and he has a great match up in a tough week for fantasy QB’s. In his last 2 starts, Schaub has thrown for 687 yards and 4 TD’s while adding another TD on the ground in week 6. In week 7, he will face the Lions 30th ranked pass defense. Detroit has allowed over 250 yards passing per game and they have also given up 9 TD’s through the air this season. It would not be surprising to see Schaub’s name at the top of the fantasy leader board in week 7 with this match up.
5. Aaron Rodgers (GB) – Whether it is through the air or on the ground, he simply has a knack for finding the end zone. Rodgers now has 14 TD’s on the season and he is proving to be almost as dangerous running the football as throwing it. That said, he might be forced into using his feet a little more in week 7 in order to be successful. Rodgers will likely be challenged by a stingy Colts pass defense that has only allowed 1 passing TD in 5 games this season. In addition, Indy ranks 6th in the NFL in passing yards allowed, giving up just over 173 yards per game. It will be a tall order for Rodgers to dominate the Indianapolis secondary through the air, but how can you bench a fantasy QB that has 6 TD’s in his last 2 games and has played at a top flight level all season? Rodgers remains a must start for week 7 in spite of the difficult match up. Check injury report: shoulder
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE TOP 20 QB RANKINGS TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHO TO START/SIT IN WEEK 7.
