{
  "id": 15765749,
  "title": "Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in Week 7",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/fantasy-football-start-em-sit-em-16-players-to-start-or-sit-in-week-7",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-20T16:22:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/fantasy-football-start-em-sit-162214132.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season, fantasy football managers are faced with tough decisions on which players to start and which to sit. Here are eight players to start and eight to sit, according to USA TODAY Sports.\n\nStarters:\n1. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. New York Giants) - Stroud has been solid for the Texans, averaging 285.7 passing yards per game and throwing nine touchdowns with only one interception. He faces a defensive unit that allows the seventh-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.\n2. Quarterback Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Indianapolis Colts) - Murray had a strong performance against the Colts' defense in Week 6, so he should continue to perform well against their sixth-ranked rushing defense.\n3. Running back Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers (at New Orleans Saints) - Dowdle is a solid backup option against a lowly Saints defense that allows the most rushing yards to running backs in the league.\n4. Running back Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Indianapolis Colts) - Mason is expected to return from injury in Week 7, providing a quality flex option against the Colts' sixth-ranked rushing defense.\n5. Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets (vs. Miami Dolphins) - Cooper had a strong return from IR, and he will face a Dolphins defense that allows the fewest receptions to wide receivers.\n6. Tight end Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (at Las Vegas Raiders) - With Davante Adams out, Higbee should see increased volume against a Raiders defense that allows the sixth-most FPPG to tight ends.\n\nSits:\n1. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at Seattle Seahawks) - Mahomes' first no-touchdown game of the season and a tough matchup against a Seahawks defense that allows the second-fewest FPPG to quarterbacks.\n2. Quarterback Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers) - Shough faces a Steelers defense that allows just six total touchdowns to quarterbacks, making him a lower-ceiling start.\n3. Running back Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (at Houston Texans) - Skattebo has been inactive in Week 6 and may struggle after facing the Texans' strong rushing defense.\n4. Running back Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Kansas City Chiefs) - Wilson is facing a Chiefs defense that allows the second-fewest FPPG to quarterbacks, making him a poor start.",
  "summary": "The Buffalo Bills are among four teams on bye in NFL Week 7. How can you replace Josh Allen? Here's who to start and sit in Week 7.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "College Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings Hub: Lineup advice to help you with start/sit decisions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/college-fantasy-football-week-8-rankings-hub-lineup-advice-to-help",
        "published": "2026-10-20T16:21:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}