Fantasy football advice, Week 7: who to start/sit for Washington vs. Detroit Lions

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 Washington-Detriot matchup on Sunday is just one of 15 that do.

With Jordan Reed out in Week 6 and again ruled out for Sunday, Washington could opt for a run-heavy game plan like they deployed against the Eagles in Week 6. That plan appeared to have worked, as Matt Jones led a committee that piled up 230 yards on the ground and will need to be effective to minimize the loss of Reed. With 100 yards or more in two of his last three games, Jones is emerging as a solid RB2 after a slow start to the season.

As for the tight end position, it was Vernon Davis, not Niles Paul, who soaked up 97 percent of Washington’s snaps, caught a touchdown, and had a 37-yard gain on a wheel route. For Reed owners in a bind, Davis has streaming potential once again against a leaky Lions secondary. While still having weapons to choose from, Kirk Cousins has low-end QB1 appeal with upside.

In the passing game, Pierre Garcon could be Washington’s top target once again. Garcon led the offense with 11 targets against the Philadelphia Eagles, and now draws a Lions defense that has allowed a league-worst 17 passing touchdowns. Garcon can be considered a high-floor WR3 while DeSean Jackson can be considered a far more volatile flex option despite the plus matchup at hand.

Jamison Crowder caught a touchdown in Week 6, but had just four targets. Until he assumes a heavier workload, he can remain on benches. Chris Thompson and Robert Kelley do not need to be considered in Week 7, either.

With Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron out, Golden Tate erupted for an 8-165-1 line against the Rams. Ebron and Riddick did not practice all week, likely leaving Tate as an integral part of the game plan. He can be considered a WR2 with Matthew Stafford’s options depleted once again.

Although Dwayne Washington is slated to return to the lineup, Stafford will need to be relied upon to throw the ball often, as the Lions have struggled all season to move the ball effectively on the ground. Stafford remains a high-volume QB1, although his upside could be limited after Washington has effectively held quarterbacks to modest outputs since Week 2.

Marvin Jones is the most likely receiver to be blanketed by Josh Norman, who is once again excelling despite changing teams and schemes. Jones has also not garnered more than eight targets in a game over his last four contests, and few balls could come his way again if he has to do battle with Norman. Jones is still start-worthy, but fantasy owners need to keep this downside in mind. Jones is a boom-or-bust WR3, as is Anquan Boldin, though the latter has the far better matchup.

The Lions’ backfield is a mess without Riddick, leaving Washington and Zach Zenner worthy of bench spots.