Fantasy football advice, Week 7: Who to start/sit for Saints vs. Colts

The Indianapolis Colts, expected before the season to be a Super Bowl contender, instead sit at 3-3 through six weeks. They’re in first place in the AFC South, but still have to be disappointed with the season thus far. Also dealing with disappointment are the New Orleans Saints, who are 2-4 and in last place in the NFC South. The two teams face each other Sunday, looking to get their season going back in the right direction.

The Saints come into Sunday’s game largely healthy, at least from a fantasy perspective. They’ll get wide receiver Marques Colston back from injury, and none of the team’s other fantasy contributors appeared on the week’s injury report. The Colts appear to be mostly healthy as well; wide recievers T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson were both on the injury report, though both should be fine for Sunday.

Indianapolis hosts the Saints Sunday, with game time scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:

Start ‘em: There was a time, not that long ago, when Drew Brees was regularly a top three or top four quarterback. These days, he’s barely a fantasy starter, though against the Colts, he still makes it into QB1 territory. ... Mark Ingram hasn’t had a huge, blow-you-away game yet this season, but he’s been at least helpful every week and looks like a definite RB1.

Start ‘em?: The top two New Orleans receivers -- Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead -- are both marginally attractive, though they don’t have much in the way of huge upside. ... Benjamin Watson has had a big last two weeks, but did nothing before that. He has potential, but is far from a sure thing. ... In a game with two middling defenses, there could be a lot of points scored, which bodes well for Zach Hocker.

Sit ‘em: Between C.J. Spiller and Khiry Robinson, the two have combined for one game of double-digit fantasy performance, and that came by virtue of Spiller’s fluke touchdown against Dallas. If you’re using one of these two, it’s Robinson, but the best bet is to stay away. ... Marques Colston and Brandon Coleman are too far down the pecking order to be of fantasy help. ... Josh Hill has been left behind by Watson. ... The Saints’ defense had a big Week 6, but had been terrible before that. Steer clear.

Start ‘em: Week 6 was the first flash of 2014 Andrew Luck we’ve had all year. It should continue. ... Frank Gore doesn’t appear likely to have any of those win-you-your-week games in him anymore, but he’s a solid RB2. ... T.Y. Hilton scored his first touchdown of the year in Week 6. More should follow. ... Donte Moncrief has at least seven fantasy points in five of six games this year. He’s a WR2 at least.

Start ‘em?: Just like Hocker, Adam Vinatieri should be at least moderately helpful in a bad defensive game.

Sit ‘em: The longer he’s back with the team, the more Ahmad Bradshaw will offer some numbers, but we aren’t there yet. ... After his big Week 5, Andre Johnson fell right back to his largely unhelpful numbers in Week 6. ... Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener aren’t offering much in the way of help. ... The Colts’ defense isn’t special.

Start in every league: Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, Andrew Luck, Frank Gore, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief
Start if you’re desperate: Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, Benjamin Watson, Zach Hocker, Adam Vinatieri
Bench: C.J. Spiller, Khiry Robinson, Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Josh Hill, New Orleans defense, Ahmad Bradshaw, Andre Johnson, Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener, Indianapolis defense