NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – Quarterbacks

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

Quarterback depth will be tested in Week 7 with a season-high four teams on a bye. Combine that with Chiefs and Falcons playing Sunday and Monday night, respectively, and great quarterbacks including Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, and Matt Ryan all won’t be available for the main Sunday afternoon slate in DFS. Let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

Tom Brady vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $6,100

Brady had nine touchdown passes across his first four games this year, but he failed to post more than 277 passing yards in any of those contests and had less than 250 passing yards twice. The return of Julian Edelman in Week 5 has been a big boost for Brady, who has thrown for at least 340 yards in both games with one of his favorite targets on the field. The Patriots are still without Rex Burkhead, but Sony Michel has done a great job in his absence to help make the Patriots offense one of the most potent in the league.

It should be noted that Brady’s success the last two games did come against the Colts and Chiefs, two teams that have struggled against the pass. The Bears have been middle of the pack in terms of passing defense, but they have already generated 10 interceptions. In one of the most shocking performances during Week 6, they were lit up by Dolphins backup quarterback Brock Osweiler for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Brady has so many weapons around him now that he still has a high floor even in what isn’t the greatest of matchups on the road.

Andrew Luck vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $6,200

Luck missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, but he’s returned to his productive ways this year. He’s already thrown for at least 300 yards in four of six games and has at least three touchdown passes in each of the last three games. His recent performance is especially impressive when you consider both T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle have missed time with injuries.

Working in Luck’s favor is that the Colts running game hasn’t been great and their defense gives up a lot of points. That has required him to attempt an average of 48 passes per game. Even though the Bills have allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per game (219), the amount of passes Luck has to throw still gives him a high floor. The Bills might also have a hard time moving the ball with Josh Allen out due to his elbow injury, which could set the Colts up with some short fields.

Kirk Cousins vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $6,400

Cousins had arguably his worst game of the season Week 6, throwing for 233 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It marked the third time in the last four weeks that Cousins has failed to throw multiple touchdowns passes in a game, although he did help salvage his performance with a rushing touchdown. He also completed 70.6% of his passes in that game and has a 71.2% completion percentage for the season, overall.

The one thing that Cousins certainly isn’t lacking is weapons around him. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen may be the most dangerous wide receiver duo in the league and he has a great red zone target in tight end Kyle Rudolph. The Jets were lit up by Luck for  301 yards and four touchdowns last week and have shown to have some holes in their secondary, potentially setting up Cousins for a valuable performance.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

Jameis Winston vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,300

Winston made his first start in Week 6 after serving a three-game suspension to begin the season. It was a great matchup against a porous Falcons secondary and he certainly didn’t disappoint, throwing for 395 yards and four touchdowns. However, he did throw two interceptions and has had problems with turnovers in his career.

Everything is shaping up for Winston to be a valuable performer from here on out. The Bucs rushing attack has been terrible, but Winston has plenty of excellent pass-catching options at wide receiver and tight end. Their defense has also been one of the worst in the league, which forces their offense to throw a lot to try and stay in games. The Browns defense has provided more resistance to opposing offenses this season and turnovers are always a concern with Winston, but he’s still someone to consider in tournament play.

Mitch Trubisky vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,600

The Bears went into their bye Week 5 riding the high of a 48-10 victory over the Bucs in Week 4. Trubisky exploded in that game for 354 yards and six touchdowns on only 26 passing attempts. Week 6 didn’t exactly bring a great matchup against the Dolphins, but Trubisky carried over his improved play by throwing for 316 yards and three touchdowns. He was aided by that game going into overtime, but he has now thrown at least two touchdown passes in three of his last four games.

Working in Trubisky’s favor Sunday is the fact that the Patriots have allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (15) behind only the Falcons and Bucs. He may also be required to throw the ball more to keep up with the Patriots offense. This game being played at home also helps his cause since he has 12 touchdowns across eight career games at Soldiers Field compared to just six over nine road contests.

Baker Mayfield vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $5,800

Mayfield had an ugly game Sunday, but his receivers didn’t exactly help his cause. Mayfield finished with an unsightly 47.8% completion percentage and has failed to complete more than 58.1% of his passes in any of his three starts. Not only did record just 238 passing yards and one touchdown, but Mayfield also threw two picks against the Chargers and picked up an ankle injury.

Initial reports have been positive about Mayfield’s injury, so everything is trending towards him playing against the Bucs. This is certainly a matchup to exploit considering the Bucs have not only allowed the most passing touchdowns in the league, but they’ve also allowed the most passing yards per game (356). They’ve only recorded one interception, as well. At this cheap price, Mayfield is a great option in tournament play.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Drew Brees vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $5,700

After finishing with only 23 touchdown passes last year, Brees also has 11 through five games. He still hasn’t thrown a pick and is averaging 331.6 passing yards per game, which would be the second-highest mark of his career. So, why should you avoid him Sunday? Well, for starters, the Ravens are tied for the fewest passing yards allowed per game (188) and have only allowed six scores through the air. With Mark Ingram also back from suspension, the Saints have their two-headed monster of Ingram and Alvin Kamara back. That duo produced 20 rushing touchdowns last season. Brees could be someone to avoid on both sites, but I’d especially stay away from him at his price on FanDuel.

Deshaun Watson vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – TIAA Bank Field
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,500

Watson has constantly been under pressure this season. He was sacked seven times by the Bills on Sunday and has been sacked 25 times already this season. Although he has some talented receivers, it’s hard to have a lot of success when you don’t get any time to throw to them. Turnovers have been a problem, as well, with Watson throwing seven picks compared to nine touchdowns. The Jaguars defense hasn’t been as stout as last year, but they do have 14 sacks. They have also allowed only five touchdowns through the air, the fewest in the league. With limited upside, this isn’t shaping up to be a week to roll with Watson.