Week 7: Start 'Em
Week 7 is another week with six teams off on bye, you add that to the growing list of injured players and that leaves many fantasy owners looking to benches and wondering which guy is the right one to get the chance to crack the starting lineup and gives them the best chance to win their week. Take a look at the guys below and if any of them are the players in question, give them a shot and let them start. Good luck and may the force be with you.
QB Colt McCoy, ---
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Colt McCoy is definitely not the flashiest guy to have as your starting quarterback this week, but if he is an option and you need a QB this week, then you should seriously consider starting him. While McCoy hasn't been spectacular this season, he has thrown for at least 210 yards in every game and has passed for 2 touchdowns three different times already. Again, not flashy numbers, but when there are six teams on bye and other QBs out with injuries, Colt makes for a fine start this week. So if you're one of those looking for a QB, give Colt a chance.
RB Jackie Battle, ---
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It only took Jackie Battle 5 seasons to get a chance to play and boy did he take advantage of that. With Jamaal Charles out for the season with an injury and Thomas Jones looking even older than his age, the Chiefs gave Battle a look in week 5. Rushing 19 times for 119 yards and 2 receptions for 21 yards, all game and career highs, not to mention that the 119 yards was more than his total accumulated in his previous four seasons put together. Battle should be well rested after the Chiefs were off on bye last week, and ready to build on his week 5 performance. With so many running backs off on bye this week and others missing due to injuries, Battle makes for a great start this week at either running back or flex. Make sure to get him off your bench and into your starting line up.
RB DeMarco Murray, ---
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It looks like 3rd round pick DeMarco Murray will get his first NFL start this Sunday afternoon. Cowboys' starting running back Felix Jones got injured in the last game vs. the Patriots. Early word is Jones has a high ankle sprain, the kind of injury that could keep someone out for several weeks. Murray finished up the Patriots game with a team leading 10 carries and 32 yards -- nothing too impressive -- but he looked better than his numbers would indicate. This week Murray faces the worst rush defense in the league -- the St. Louis Rams, who are giving up 163 yards rushing per game this season (a league high). The Cowboys have a lot of faith in Murray, so look for them to get him involved early and often. Don't be surprised if he rushes for over 100 yards and scores his first NFL touchdown. Murray is a must start this week.
RB Ryan Torain, ---
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Putting Ryan Torain in your starting lineup next week is definitely not something you would expect to read. After finally getting a chance to start last week, Torain led the Redskins with 10 carries for a measly 22 yards -- not the kind of numbers that get you many more chances. While he did have a brutal game, the 'Skins were down early in the game and Washington was in pass mode from the start. This week has the chance to be a very different story as Washington faces Carolina. The Panthers have the 2nd worst rush defense in the NFL (giving up 140 yards per game on the ground) and with the Redskins looking hard at giving John Beck the start, look for Torain to get over 20 carries this week and have another big performance. He's definitely not an every week starter and will most likely get hurt very soon, but with bye weeks and injuries and facing a good match-up, Torain is a solid start this week.
WR Eric Decker, ---
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Eric Decker's slow climb to becoming the #1 receiving option in Denver just got accelerated a lot faster with the trade of Brandon Lloyd to the St. Louis Rams. With Lloyd gone, Decker can step into the role of #1 option to new starting quarterback Tim Tebow. If Tebow is going to do anything as a starter, it will have to be with the help of Decker as the other receivers on the team are coming back from injuries. Decker was averaging 9 targets per game through the first five weeks and that was with Lloyd on the team. That number can only go up and the more targets he sees the more receptions he will have. Look for Decker to have a good game this week, put him in your starting lineup.
