Fantasy football advice, Week 7: Who to start/sit for Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

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Fantasy owners have much to consider after a week of carnage knocked out a few mainstays in leagues of all formats. Additionally, with the Panthers and Cowboys on byes, setting lineups for Week 7 gets even more tricky.

But before hitting the “submit lineup” button, there are fantasy implications in each game that have to be carefully considered. The Bears-Packers matchup on Thursday night is just one of 15 that do.

Even at 3-2, the Packers are a mess right now. Aaron Rodgers isn’t the dominant quarterback he was from 2009-14, and the entire offense’s production has suffered because of it. Oh yeah, also — they don’t have a running back anymore. Eddie Lacy is out, James Starks is out, and those absences have left them with practice squad running back Don Jackson and recently acquired Knile Davis.

All of this is to emphasize that no one can be considered a slam dunk in this offense anymore, but there’s still fantasy value to be had, as long as expectations remain tempered. Jordy Nelson has WR1 upside, and Ty Montgomery and Randall Cobb both deserve flex consideration due to backfield usage. Rodgers, meanwhile, is a low-end QB1 even in a plus matchup against a Bears secondary that should be outmatched.

Davis and Jackson aren’t ready to be trusted, although a strong performance by either could quickly dispel that notion. Richard Rodgers and Davante Adams should also remain on benches in all formats.

There’s a good Brian Hoyer and a bad Brian Hoyer, but fantasy owners have seen much of the good version of him in 2016. Hoyer is the first Bears quarterback to throw for 300 yards in four consecutive games since at least 1960, and fantasy owners continue to reap the rewards. Cameron Meredith and Alshon Jeffery deserve starting consideration as well, since Green Bay could potentially be without their top three cornerbacks due to injury. Zach Miller remains a TE1 despite limited practice on a short week.

Jordan Howard has been quite effective, but fantasy owners have to be aware of his downside as well. With Ka’Deem Carey on the mend from a hamstring injury, Howard’s snap count percentage decreased to 68.8 after logging 93.5 in the previous two games. That still isn’t enough to bench Howard, but the Packers remain the NFL’s No. 2 run defense even after Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys’ offensive line trampled them. Which version of the Packers defense shows up is anyone’s guess, but fantasy owners would be wise to err toward caution. Howard is still an RB2 at such a thin position.

Eddie Royal doesn’t have a clean bill of health, and Carey doesn’t have the volume to warrant fantasy consideration in Week 7 or beyond.