Geno Smith, Quarterback, New York Jets

If for some reason you are considering to start Smith this week in a deep or two quarterback league or as a bye week replacement for Drew Brees, rethink your plan. Smith operates like is a light switch where he is basically up or down from week to week. He has talent and can knock your socks off some weeks, even outscoring some elite quarterbacks on occasion. Week 7 against the New England Patriots is a lights off week for Smith. Think back to Week 2 where he scored less than five fantasy points against New England. The Patriots defense got the best of Brees and company last week putting the ax to Brees’ passing yards. One can imagine the fate in store for the rookie Smith this week.

Projected Statistics: 18/35, 204 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions

Sam Bradford, Quarterback, St. Louis Rams

Bradford owners have been riding high on the fantasy points he has rewarded over the past couple of weeks, but that will come to a halt this Sunday when he faces the stingiest defense against Quarterbacks, in a match against the Carolina Panthers on their home turf. The Panthers have only allowed four passing touchdowns by opposing quarterbacks in five weeks. Erase last week’s memories of Bradford’s three passing touchdowns against the beaten down Texans. The Rams passing game will be limited and so will Bradford’s fantasy points as they struggle through the Carolina air. If you have a more ideal quarterback matchup this week look to switch gears.

Projected Statistics: 19/34, 205 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons

Poor Ryan is definitely dealing with a dump truck load of misfortune this season. The already struggling Falcons are dealing with four game losses and one huge player loss of wide receiver, Julio Jones, who will be out for the remainder of 2013. The fantasy outlook for Week 7 for Ryan as the Falcons play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and face Darrelle Revis is less than appetizing. Not only is best weapon Jones out, it has not been determined if Ryan’s other star receiver, Roddy White will play due to an ailing ankle injury. If you’re rolling with Ryan to reward huge QB1 fantasy points this week, disappointment lurks overhead. I recommend another quarterback if you a better alternative.

Projected Statistics: 26/39, 272 yards, two touchdowns, one interception

Anquan Boldin, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers

Boldin, who has been an utter letdown in the fantasy department over the last two weeks, barely scrounging together 10 fantasy points total looks to follow the same path once again in Week 7. If you’re thinking that this will be the week that Boldin suddenly returns as a WR1, you will want to hold your breath. The 49ers travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans who do not allow opposing wide receivers many fantasy points. Colin Kaepernick will be challenged also in this bumpy matchup on the road, plus his targets as of late are mainly landing in the hands of his trusted tight end, Vernon Davis. Week 7 does not present Boldin owners with a friendly matchup, so once again, look for dismal WR3 fantasy points. Boldin fares better this week on your bench.

Projected Statistics: Four receptions, 41 yards, zero touchdowns

Dwayne Bowe, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs

Talk about substandard fantasy football underperforming players and Bowe has got to be in the top five. With many wide receivers injured and on byes this week, don’t even think about starting or continuing to place Bowe into your fantasy lineup this week. He currently ranks 55th among wide receivers and he’ll look to retain that dreadful ranking in Week 7 against the Houston Texans, who restrict opposing wide receivers to the fifth least fantasy points. Alex Smith and the 6-0 Chiefs are finding continue success on the ground and that will be par for the course in Week 7. Bowe is lucky to be on your bench if you haven’t tossed him to the waivers already.

Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 39 yards, zero touchdowns

Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami Dolphins

Miller and the Miami Dolphins are coming back from a bye week to play against the Buffalo Bills. Fantasy owners are probably looking forward to putting Miller back into lineups or contemplating starting him this week, as the current pool of healthy and capable running backs is nearly dry. Be advised that Miller is not the most ideal player this week facing the Buffalo Bills who do not surrender tons of points to running backs. Miller has not shone brightly enough with only two touchdowns on the books to become a must start fantasy running back. Until the Dolphins decide to award Miller the lead role, and limit the timeshare with Daniel Thomas, he will continue to award low-end flex fantasy numbers, especially when facing the more challenging defenses.

Projected Statistics: 17 attempts, 46 yards, one reception, 7 yards, zero touchdowns

Le'Veon Bell, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers

Talk about miserable defenses for running backs to face, Bell is the lucky recipient of the worst of them as he and the Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7. Bell had one monster performance in Week 4, then came back to earth last week against the Jets’ tough run defense which kept him capped. You’ll likely have to start Bell out of no other reliable options, but expect RB3 numbers from him against a brutal matchup against the Ravens.

Projected Statistics: 16 attempts, 42 yards, three receptions, 23 yards, zero touchdowns

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Trent Richardson, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

Richardson’s fantasy owners have been wringing their hands in frustration week after week upon seeing his dismal low-end RB2 numbers at the end of each of his games. Whether Richardson is facing tough defense, or splitting the carries with fellow running back Donald Brown, he is just not getting the job done and has sadly managed only an average of 60 rush yards over his past few games. I don’t see Week 7 when the Colts open their doors to the Denver Broncos the week where Richardson displays miraculous improvement. The Colts will be attempting to overcome an embarrassing loss to the Chargers last week and turn the tables against the NFL’s highest ranked team. Expect Andrew Luck and the Colts to be airing the game out as they will surely be playing from behind, therefore putting their run game on the back burner which is where Richardson should be placed this week.

Projected Statistics: 14 attempts, 41 yards, one reception, 7 yards, zero touchdowns

Willis McGahee, Running Back, Cleveland Browns

McGahee had his fantasy owners thrilled a couple of weeks back in a breakout performance rushing for two touchdowns against a staunch Buffalo defense. Well perhaps that performance got the better of the 31-year-old veteran as last week his top stats came from a 12 yard run. Chris Ogbonnaya was called to duty in last week’s game against Detroit to pick up his failing slack. The Browns will play the Green Bay Packers in Week 7 which will not offer much upside to McGahee this week. Look for him to share the carries and perhaps the goal line work as well, limiting his fantasy status to a low-end RB3 this week. Let McGahee rest until he catches his breath again.

Projected Statistics: 11 attempts, 39 yards, one reception, 8 yards, zero touchdowns

Garrett Graham, Tight End, Houston Texans

This matchup spells doomsday as the Houston Texans travel to Kansas City to play the undefeated Chiefs. Fantasy owners who drafted Graham after fellow tight end Owen Daniels broke his leg thinking that Graham would rake in the fantasy points have been clearly deceived. Matt Schaub has been horrifying and has suddenly forgotten what to do with a football. It’s questionable if Schaub plays in Week 7, but it’s safe to say that Graham along with any recipients of whoever is quarterbacking for the Texans this week will suffer significantly and so will the fantasy points. Steer clear of Graham unless desperation calls.

Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 48 yards and zero touchdowns