Week 7 presents some intriguing quarterback matchups that could shake up your fantasy football lineups. Several signal-callers find themselves in favorable spots against defenses that have shown vulnerability this season. The streaming market offers compelling options for managers looking to capitalize on matchup-based advantages. These under-the-radar plays could provide the edge you need to secure a crucial victory this week.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (vs. HOU)
Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks face a tough test against the Houston Texans’ vaunted defense in Week 7. However, the journeyman quarterback is the seventh-ranked quarterback in PFSN’s QB Impact metric this year and has become a difficult player to bet against.
Having joined Seattle with a point to prove, he has performed admirably for his new team, even though the offense underwent a significant makeover in the offseason. The former third-overall pick is the QB11 in fantasy, and the QB3 over the last two weeks.
Houston has allowed the fewest passing yards per game (175.2), the fewest passing touchdowns (three), and the lowest touchdown percentage (2.0%). That makes their matchup with Darnold one to watch, with the quarterback ranking fourth in both passing yards per game (256.8) and touchdown percentage (6.8%).
Houston is typically a defense to avoid in fantasy, but Darnold has more than earned the trust of fantasy managers this year.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN)
Aaron Rodgers is a far better real-life quarterback than a fantasy one, but the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Thursday night matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals has shootout potential. Of course, for the Bengals, no quarterback (besides Jameis Winston) would have seamlessly replaced Joe Burrow from a fantasy perspective.
However, Joe Flacco has enough experience and accuracy to get the ball to his elite receivers and should also do wonders for Chase Brown’s fantasy value. The Steelers have allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game (245), and will do well to keep Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins quiet.
READ MORE: Fantasy Football Streamers Week 7: Top Options Include Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, and Cade Otton
Thankfully for Pittsburgh, the Bengals have given up the second-most passing yards per game (258.5) and the eighth-highest passing touchdown percentage (6.4%). Rodgers has thrown a touchdown on 7.2% of his pass attempts this year, the third-highest rate in the NFL.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (at NYJ)
I stuck my neck out with Bryce Young last week, and he paid off with a QB10-overall performance against the Dallas Cowboys. Things looked shaky for the young quarterback early in the year, but he and his team have found a groove with back-to-back wins.
A confident Young is a fantasy-relevant one, and he should be more optimistic than ever on the back of two fourth-quarter comeback wins. He faces the New York Jets this weekend, who have lost six straight games to start the year and have struggled defensively throughout.
Aaron Glenn’s defense has allowed the 11th-most yards in the NFL (1,983) and the fifth-most points (170). They have allowed the fourth-highest passing touchdown percentage (7.1), and have recorded the third-fewest sacks (tied – eight).
The Jets have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this year (18.9), and I expect Young and the Panthers to capitalize on Sunday.
