By virtue of its Week 6 loss, Washington is in last place in the NFC East, with its 2-4 record a half-game worse than that of the 2-3 Dallas Cowboys. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also have two wins, though thanks to their bye, they were 2-3 and a half-game ahead of the 2-4 New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.
Fantasy football advice, Week 7: Who to start/sit for Buccaneers vs. Washington
One of these teams is in last place. The other might be, if it hadn’t already had its bye to save it from one more loss.
Basically, whoever loses between Tampa Bay and Washington on Sunday has a clear line on last place in its division. Tampa Bay will be without tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins for another week as he deals with his shoulder problems, but otherwise comes into Week 7 largely healthy from a fantasy perspective.
Washington will be without DeSean Jackson again with his hamstring injuries, though the team has more problems. Running back Chris Thompson is doubtful, while positionmate Matt Jones is probable. Tight end Jordan Reed appears likely to make his return from his concussion in the game.
Washington will host Tampa Bay Sunday, with game time scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
BUCCANEERS
Start ‘em: Washington has a good run defense, but Doug Martin has shown enough his last two games (52 combined fantasy points) to be a solid RB2 even in this matchup. ... It’s not time to give up on Mike Evans as a star receiver yet, but a lot of eyes will be on him this week in what should be a good matchup. ... The Buccaneers’ defense is a strong option against a team with a turnover-prone offense.
Start ‘em?: With three straight games of 11-plus fantasy points, Charles Sims could be a deep-diving flex play, even with Martin in front of him. ... Vincent Jackson still slots behind Evans in the Tampa Bay pecking order, but that could change. ... Connor Barth put up 14 fantasy points in his return to the Tampa Bay kicking rotation. He’s a mid-range play.
Sit ‘em: Four of Jameis Winston’s five career games have featured 14 or fewer fantasy points. He doesn’t appear to offer much in the way of upside at this point in his young career. ... The absence of Austin Seferian-Jenkins has put Brandon Myers back in the fold, but from a fantasy perspective, he hasn’t been helpful.
WASHINGTON
Start ‘em: Since taking over the team’s starting kicking job, Dustin Hopkins has been strong, with 8.8 fantasy points a game.
Start ‘em?: Even with DeSean Jackson out since Week 1, Pierre Garcon has only been mediocre. He has one double-digit fantasy day, and even that was only 11 points. He’s averaging 7.5 fantasy points a game. ... Jordan Reed should be heavily targeted in his return, though he’s always at risk for re-injury. ... The Washington defense has yet to blow anyone away, but matches up well with Tampa Bay.
Sit ‘em: Remember a few weeks ago when Kirk Cousins put up 21 fantasy points against Philadelphia? He’s put up 15 points in two games combined since then. Don’t use him. ... The mess of the running game in Washington has rendered both Alfred Morris and Matt Jones useless in fantasy.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Doug Martin, Mike Evans, Tampa Bay defense, Dustin Hopkins
Start if you’re desperate: Charles Sims, Vincent Jackson, Connor Barth, Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed, Washington defense
Bench: Jameis Winston, Brandon Myers, Kirk Cousins, Alfred Morris, Matt Jones
