Games between the New York Jets and New England Patriots rarely need help to be interesting and enticing, but this year’s first matchup between the two gets help anyway, as these have been two of the league’s most successful teams so far this season. They come into their Sunday game with a combined one loss, with the winner seizing first place in the AFC East.
Fantasy football advice, Week 7: Who to start/sit for Jets vs. Patriots
This has to be the game of the week, in a rivalry matchup between two contenders.
The Jets will be without running back Bilal Powell Sunday as he deals with an ankle issue. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker were all on the injury report as well, though all three should be fine for the game. New England has plenty of injury concerns, though the only fantasy-relevant name on the injury report is running back Dion Lewis, who is listed as questionable, but should be fine for Sunday’s game.
The first of two New England-New York games of the regular season will be played Sunday in Foxboro, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:
JETS
Start ‘em: Every time Chris Ivory has been healthy this year, he’s put up 20-plus fantasy points. He’s been a monster. ... Brandon Marshall hasn’t put up fewer than 12 fantasy points in a game all year. ... There is some fluke to Eric Decker’s production, with touchdowns in all four games despite fewer than five catches a game, but he’s earned a start in all leagues. ... Nick Folk still doesn’t have a game of 10-plus fantasy points, but he also hasn’t gone below seven.
Start ‘em?: Week 6 was Ryan Fitzpatrick’s best fantasy day of the season. He’s more likely to put up mid-teens fantasy numbers each week, making him a mid-to-high QB2. ... This is one of the few matchups that wouldn’t have the Jets’ defense as a must-start, but it’s defensible in a pinch.
Sit ‘em: Because I feel like I should list someone at tight end for every team, Jeff Cumberland still appears in this space, but that’s the only reason.
PATRIOTS
Start ‘em: Even against a good defense, Tom Brady -- at least 22 fantasy points in every game this season -- is a must-start. ... Both Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount have earned weekly starts; even in a tough matchup they’re flex plays in most leagues. ... Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski continue to be Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. ... Stephen Gostkowski put up four fantasy points in Week 1 and hasn’t gone below 11 since. ... The Patriots’ defense is good-not-great, but the Jets are always a risk for a turnover or two.
Sit ‘em: The impending return of Brandon LaFell should mean the end of much fantasy relevance for Aaron Dobson and Danny Amendola. ... Scott Chandler doesn’t appear to have as much touchdown potential as we originally guessed.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Chris Ivory, Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Nick Folk, Tom Brady, Dion Lewis, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski, New England defense
Start if you’re desperate: Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York defense
Bench: Jeff Cumberland, Aaron Dobson, Danny Amendola, Scott Chander
