Fantasy football advice, Week 7: who to start/sit for New York Giants vs. Los Angeles Rams

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 Giants-Rams matchup on Sunday is just one of 15 that do.

Whoever bought low on Odell Beckham, Jr. must be grinning from ear to ear after he posted an absurd 8-222-2 line against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. Now, Beckham has the advantage of facing a banged-up Rams defense that won’t have No. 1 cornerback Trumaine Johnson on the field. Beckham is, once again, a WR1 that doesn’t deserve a second thought before insertion into lineups. Sterling Shepard also deserves flex consideration, especially in PPR formats.

Eli Manning has a middling matchup against a Rams defense that ranks 16^th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, but has surrendered the ninth most touchdowns through the air. The Rams have also allowed 30 points or more in three of their last four games, leaving a pretty high ceiling for Manning on Sunday. Fantasy owners know all too well how streaky he can be, but with a good matchup at hand, Manning is a worthwhile streamer for Week 7.

Victor Cruz started the season off promising, but fantasy owners aren’t likely in a dire situation regarding wide receivers, since it’s just the Panthers and Cowboys on byes. Rashad Jennings and the Giants’ committee backfield can also take a seat in 10 and 12-team leagues.

What Todd Gurley is lacking in efficiency, he makes up for in volume, as the second-year back continues to be force-fed carries. The Giants’ run defense ranks sixth in the NFL, allowing just 3.5 yards per carry, so it could be another grinding effort by Gurley to be fantasy relevant, but there is still value in that. He is an RB2.

Kenny Britt drew the attention of fantasy owners with Week 6’s 7-136-2 line, but he also has at least 75 receiving yards in four of his last five contests. It could be that after so many years of never living up to his level of raw talent Britt incidentally has a career year with Case Keenum at the helm. While fantasy owners won’t be blamed if they don’t hold their breath for that, Britt remains a high floor WR3 for Week 7 even against Janoris Jenkins and company.

Tavon Austin is too streaky to be relied on, and doesn’t have the ceiling to warrant fantasy owners taking that gamble on Sunday. After a marvelous outing against a putrid Lions defense in Week 6, Keenum ought to have a much tougher time against a capable Giants unit. He is only worth consideration in two-quarterback leagues.