Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 7 (2025)

October 19, 2025

Quincy's top fantasy football matchups for Week 7 of 2025. His favorite start 'em, sit 'em picks and predictions -- strong start/sit matchups that he loves.

The NFL season is now one-third over, and what a season it has been so far. We are seeing offenses outperform their preseason expectations, while several defenses are falling short of the level at which they played in 2024. That combination of events is leading to exciting fantasy performances from several players.

Week 7 will see the Bills and Ravens enjoy a bye. Several fantasy starters on both teams will need to be replaced. Perhaps even more pressing are the injuries that are occurring throughout the league this season. Fantasy managers will be without several running backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks in Week 7.

With so many players out of fantasy lineups this week, it is time to look ahead at who may be able to replace some of our favorite players. Without further ado, let's dive into the best and worst matchups of the week at each position.

Quarterback Matchups We Love

Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: at DET
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 28th

Baker Mayfield is playing at an MVP-level in 2025. Even with the weapons around him and continuing to suffer from injuries, Mayfield is getting the job done. He is a true gamer. Given the status of his weapons, many fantasy managers have been hesitant to continue starting him. However, he has given us no reason not to fire him up as a weekly QB1.

Todd Bowles is all of us watching this play 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Vcwwx7LWnI

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 14, 2025

The Lions are decimated by injuries in the secondary once again. Additionally, safety Brian Branch is suspended for an altercation in Week 6. As such, Mayfield should be able to carve up the Lions on the backend. Detroit still has a solid run defense, which will force the Bucs to air it out in what should be an exciting game.

Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Opponent: TB
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 27th

Let's take the other side of perhaps the best game on the slate this week. Jared Goff is the everyman streamer. He is generally great at home when he has a great matchup. Much like his counterpart, Mayfield, Goff will likely be forced to air it out against a struggling pass defense anchored by a strong rush defense.

Goff has a great chance for one of his classic 300-yard and three-touchdown games. With several teams on bye this week, many fantasy managers will be looking for a plug-in. Goff is a great streaming option in Week 7.

Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: at MIN
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 2nd

Jalen Hurts has provided fantasy managers with a solid floor this season due to his rushing upside. However, the Eagles are beginning to stumble as a team. Minnesota's defense is not a great matchup for struggling offenses. As such, Hurts may struggle this week.

Hurts is unlikely to completely destroy your week due to his rushing ability. He is as good a bet as anyone to score a rushing touchdown and push for 50-plus rushing yards. However, expect the passing output of Hurts to be tapped in Week 7.

Running Back Matchups We Love

Jaylen Warren - Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: at CIN
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd

After a quiet Week 6, Jaylen Warren is in a great position to succeed in Week 7. Cincinnati's defense continues to be the gift that keeps on giving in 2025. We picked on them by recommending Josh Jacobs in Week 6, and Warren has a chance for greatness in Week 7.

In Week 6, Warren was coming off an injury that sidelined him in Week 4. He was relatively eased back into the mix in a tough matchup with the Browns. Frankly, the Steelers could run away with this game. Expect Warren to catch plenty of passes and find himself with multiple scoring opportunities.

Jordan Mason - Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: PHI
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 26th

Jordan Mason has been relatively locked down of late, but he draws an Eagles defense that has been surprisingly leaky to opposing running backs in fantasy this season. Philadelphia was just lit up by Giants running back Cam Skattebo for three touchdowns in Week 6. While Mason may not reach that level of play this week, he should still enjoy success on the ground if Minnesota plays competently on offense.

Mason could push for 100 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown this week. Additionally, Mason's passing game work has been solid of late. He earned seven targets in his last two games. He is a safe RB2 in Week 7 with potentially elite upside.

Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Bam Knight - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: GB
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 4th

Bam Knight was an exciting addition at the top of Arizona's depth chart in Week 6. He scored a touchdown, which padded his fantasy stats and is likely enticing fantasy managers to thrust him into their lineups in Week 7 with bye weeks and injuries running rampant. That may not be the best idea, given the state of this offense and the terrible matchup this week with the Packers.

The backfield on everyone's mind @RotoBallerNFL

Who is the RB1 on the Arizona Cardinals?
Bam Knight or Michael Carter?

My thoughts👇https://t.co/FHntCex3vH

— Andy Smith (@A_Smith_FS) October 14, 2025

The Cardinals' running game was not particularly efficient in Week 6, but Knight was especially bad. Fellow running back Michael Carter outperformed Knight. This situation could even flip back into Carter's favor.

Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Ladd McConkey - Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: IND
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 29th

Let's run it back with Ladd McConkey this week. With no Quentin Johnston in the lineup, McConkey reminded fantasy managers that he is that dude. He exploded for 100 receiving yards and a touchdown, while outpacing fellow wideout Keenan Allen for targets.

ladd mcconkey.

📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/Frb9xmCeYx

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 12, 2025

Johnston could return in Week 7, but even if he does, McConkey may be reasserting himself to be at least second in the pecking order in this offense. Indianapolis has allowed a lot of fantasy points to wide receivers because teams have to constantly throw to them to keep up. Indy should be able to put up points in this game, which will keep the ball airborne for Los Angeles. Start McConkey with confidence once again.

Xavier Worthy - Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: LV
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 27th

Rashee Rice is returning from his suspension in Week 7 just as the Chiefs are finding their offensive groove. Rice's return may temper some volume for Worthy, but these players operate at different levels of the field. Both players should open opportunities for the other.

Las Vegas is coming off a solid defensive effort against the lowly Titans in Week 6. Depending on your format, the Raiders are allowing approximately 36 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receiving corps. The Chiefs are a different beast. Frankly, they should roll right through the Raiders. Worthy should perform as a WR2 with upside in Week 7.

Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

A.J. Brown - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: at MIN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 1st

Anyone with a Hurts and A.J. Brown stack may be in trouble this week. Minnesota's secondary is a swarming force that has made life difficult for every opposing quarterback this season. Brown has not exactly been consistent this season. He has turned into a matchup-based player. This is not a comfortable matchup for the talented 28-year-old.

Minnesota is allowing a league-low 18.8 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Brown has only cracked double-digit fantasy points once in a game this season. It's simply unlikely that there will be enough points to go around in the Eagles' passing game in Week 7.

Tight End Matchup We Love

Mason Taylor - New York Jets
Opponent: CAR
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 31st

Mason Taylor was on fire until the Jets' offense forgot to show up overseas in Week 6. The Panthers have played solid defense all around this year, but they have been vulnerable to tight ends. Carolina is clearly the better team, but this game may end up being semi-competitive, giving Taylor a chance at success.

Carolina has been absolutely tormented by Hunter Henry, Darren Waller, and Jake Ferguson over the last three weeks. Those are three of the better tight ends in the league, but Carolina clearly has issues defending the middle of the field. Taylor can be streamed this week in a pinch.

Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

AJ Barner - Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: HOU
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 3rd

AJ Barner has burst onto the scene this season with four touchdown receptions. He also recorded a huge 61-yard play in Week 6. Barner is going to be a popular pickup in Week 7, but you should temper your expectations.

The Texans' passing defense has been fantastic this season. Additionally, Barner is not seeing the volume necessary to predict success. What is more, the Seahawks' passing volume could be relatively low against a team that does not project to put a lot of pressure on Seattle's defense. Barner is a worthy bench stash, but this is not the matchup in which you can confidently fire him up.

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