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Mike Fanelli gives his fantasy football bold predictions for Week 7 of the NFL season, giving fantasy players something to think about when setting their lineups.
Week 7 is here, and I’m back with another edition of fantasy football bold predictions. This week’s list of bold predictions will include Gardner Minshew, Brian Robinson Jr., Rhamondre Stevenson, Rashee Rice, and Luke Musgrave.
Every week, I will provide some fun and bold fantasy football predictions. While these bold predictions aren’t the most likely outcomes, they are things I believe could happen this week.
Let’s look at my five bold predictions for Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season.
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Gardner Minshew…
And the Indianapolis Colts offense severely struggle
Last week was a nightmare for the Indianapolis offense. Minshew had 329 passing yards but needed 55 attempts to hit that number. More importantly, the veteran quarterback couldn’t hold onto the ball, turning it over four times, including three interceptions. Yet, he faced an average defense in Week 6. Unfortunately, Minshew and the Colts face the Cleveland Browns this week.
The Browns have arguably the top defense in the NFL. They held the San Francisco 49ers to 17 points last week after they dropped 42 on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. More importantly, their defense has been a fantasy football killer this season. Cleveland has surrendered only 10.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. They have given up 10.3 or fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks in all but one game.
Furthermore, the Browns have suffocated every other fantasy position this year. Running backs have averaged only 66.6 rushing yards and 14 half-point PPR fantasy points per game against Cleveland. The team's secondary has been outstanding, holding wide receivers to only 14.3 fantasy points per game, the fewest in the NFL. No Colts player will score double-digits against the Browns' defense.
Brian Robinson Jr.…
Bounces back and has over 100 rushing yards
Robinson started the season on fire. Over the first two weeks, the former Alabama star was the RB3, averaging 20 touches for 97.5 scrimmage yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 20.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he has struggled over the past month, averaging 12 touches for 55 scrimmage yards and 9.5 fantasy points per game, scoring only two touchdowns. However, Robinson is prime for a bounce-back performance on Sunday.
The second-year running back faces the New York Giants and their awful run defense in Week 7. New York has surrendered 22.8 fantasy points per game to running backs this season, the sixth-most in the NFL. They have allowed running backs to score 24.4 or more fantasy points in half of their matchups. Furthermore, the Giants have given up seven rushing touchdowns to the position this year, the third-most in the league.
More importantly, New York’s run defense has been awful all season. They have given up at least 102 rushing yards to running backs every game. Furthermore, the Giants have surrendered an average of 166.5 rushing yards, one touchdown, and 23.8 fantasy points per game to the position over the past two weeks. Robinson hits the century mark against the NFC East division rivals.
Rhamondre Stevenson…
Is a top-five running back
Fantasy players had high hopes for Stevenson after he finished the 2022 season as a top-12 running back. Unfortunately, the third-year player hasn’t lived up to expectations. He is the RB22, averaging 9.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the former Oklahoma star has scored fewer than 6.8 fantasy points in half the contests this season, including three of the past four matchups.
However, Stevenson is coming off his best fantasy performance of the year against the Las Vegas Raiders. The star running back had 10 rushing attempts for 46 yards and a touchdown last week. He also had five receptions for 24 receiving yards, his highest totals since Week 1. More importantly, the former Oklahoma star scored 15.5 fantasy points, a season-high.
Stevenson faces the Buffalo Bills in the first matchup against the division rivals this year. The Bills have surrendered 20.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to running backs this year, the 12th-most in the NFL. Furthermore, Buffalo has given up at least 108 rushing yards to running backs in three consecutive games. According to Fantasy Points Data, the Bills have allowed the third-highest explosive run rate this season (7.4%).
Rashee Rice…
Finally has his breakout game and totals over 100 receiving yards.
Earlier this week, the Kansas City Chiefs traded for Mecole Hardman Jr. However, Rice remains the top fantasy wide receiver on the team. The former SMU star is only the WR48 for the season, averaging 7.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Yet, the rookie has been far and away the most consistent wide receiver on the roster. Rice has accounted for two of the top four highest receiving totals by a Chiefs wide receiver this year.
Last week, the former SMU star only had four targets in the win over the Denver Broncos. Yet, he caught all four for 72 receiving yards. Rice showed off an ability to make things happen after the catch. According to Fantasy Points Data, the rookie averaged nearly seven yards after contact per reception last week. Furthermore, he accounted for 23.5% of the team’s receiving yards market share, a career-high.
More importantly, the rookie has been a highly targeted player by Patrick Mahomes. According to Fantasy Points Data, Rice has a 36% target per route run rate, the same as Travis Kelce. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers have surrendered 220.8 receiving yards per game to wide receivers, the most in the NFL. Rice will take advantage of the matchup and have a career performance against the division rivals.
Luke Musgrave…
Is a top-five tight end
The Green Bay Packers offense has been hot and cold in Jordan Love’s first year as the starter. After scoring 38 in Week 1 and 24 in Week 2, the Packers have scored under 21 points in three consecutive contests, averaging 17 points per game. Unfortunately, Christian Watson and Aaron Jones have dealt with injuries. However, the rookie tight end has been a bright spot for the offense.
Musgrave is the TE24, averaging only five half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he played only 25% of the snaps in Week 4 because of a concussion. The rookie has averaged 6.1 fantasy points per game in the other four contests this season. More importantly, the former Oregon State star has been a target machine over his past two healthy games, totaling at least seven in both matchups.
Meanwhile, the rookie has an excellent fantasy matchup against the Denver Broncos this week. Denver has surrendered 13.7 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the most in the NFL. Furthermore, they have given up 9.3 receptions for 110 receiving yards and 19.7 fantasy points per game to tight ends over the past three weeks. Musgrave will have the best performance of his career on Sunday.
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