Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 7: Panthers vs. Packers

The Green Bay Packers had their rough patch early in the season, starting 1-2 before winning three straight to get to 4-2. The Carolina Panthers' struggles have been more recent, as they have gone 1-2-1 since a 2-0 start. Both teams sit near the top of their divisions entering Week 7, looking to strengthen their winning records.

The Panthers have been dealing with plenty of injuries, mostly among the running backs. Fozzy Whittaker and DeAngelo Williams are unlikely to make the field Sunday, while Darrin Reaves is questionable. Jonathan Stewart is expected to make it back to action, meanwhile. In the passing game, wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin has been dealing with a concussion most of the week, but appears likely to be fine for Sunday's game. The Packers, on the other hand, enter Sunday basically healthy from a fantasy perspective.

Start 'em: Well, the Cam Newton worries basically evaporated after his huge game in Week 6. He can run again, and a Cam Newton that can run is a Cam Newton you want to use. ... It looks like Kelvin Benjamin will play Sunday, and that means he's a must-use, especially considering the missing defensive players on the Green Bay side. ... Greg Olsen has been one of the league's best tight ends (non-Julius Thomas division).

Start 'em?: Six games for Graham Gano, five with seven-plus fantasy points. He's probably starting everywhere. ... The Panthers' defense has played six games. The unit has 12-plus points three times, and negative-4 or worse three times. It's a defense that plays to the extremes -- huge risk, huge reward.

Sit 'em: The Carolina running backs are an awful situation. Even with Jonathan Stewart back on the field, you can't use him or any of the other options.

Start 'em: You'd like to see him manage back-to-back huge games, instead of going up-and-down, but Aaron Rodgers is still a must-start quarterback. ... His stock is slipping, but Eddie Lacy still profiles as a decent RB2, especially against a Carolina defense that has struggled against the run. ... So Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb just keep producing. They're both WR1's in most leagues.

Start 'em?: You'd have expected more production from Mason Crosby so far. He's still a good kicker, but he's not doing anything fantastic thus far.

Sit 'em: If Lacy continues to struggle, James Starks will see more time, but until that happens in some significant way, he's nothing but a handcuff on fantasy rosters. ... Davante Adams' stock is rising, and probably ought to be owned in most leagues, but he's not a starting candidate yet. ... Andrew Quarless only has value if he catches a touchdown pass, and he doesn't do that often enough to really consider him. ... The Packers' defense had a great game when Christian Ponder was the opposing quarterback; otherwise it's been fair-to-middling at best.