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Week 7 Thursday Night NFL Matchups Analysis: Start/Sit for Fantasy Football

It's time for the Week 7 installment of Thursday night matchups with my start/sit recommendations. This week, divisional foes meet as the Bears travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers.

Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down every game and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and injury information as well. Later this week, you will find parts one and two of our Week 7 NFL matchups, which should help you prepare your lineups to win this week. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive our full season NFL (or NBA) Premium Pass for free, a $59.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium pass.

 

Bears @ Packers - Thursday 10/20 @ 8:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love:

Cameron Meredith (WR, CHI)

Cameron Meredith has been the hugest benefactor of the Kevin White injury. Over the past two weeks, he has caught 20-of-27 targets for 243 yards and a TD. Eddie Royal has already been ruled out this week, and with Brian Hoyer still at the helm there will be more of those short-to-intermediate passes to go Meredith’s way. He is a great play this week against the Packers who have let up the most fantasy points in the league to opposing WRs. As long as Hoyer remains the starting QB and doesn’t get replaced with Cutler, Meredith will be a strong play.

Zach Miller (TE, CHI)

Miller has been a solid fantasy QB play since Hoyer took over as QB. Since Week 3, Miller has averaged nearly six receptions on eight targets for 55 yards, with three TDs in four games. Green Bay has given up the eighth most fantasy points to the TE position. Miller has had back and forth games of high-to-low receiving yards, but he is receiving a high number of targets from the TE position which puts him in TE1 territory. Look for Miller to have a solid receiving game including a TD this week.

Jordy Nelson (WR, GB)

If there is one Packer player you can rely on every week, its Jordy Nelson. He leads the team in targets this season with 47, yards with 312, and TDs with five. He is also tied for second in the league with 10 red zone targets. The offense isn’t totally fixed with the return of Nelson, but it’s working much better than it did last season. Even with the loss of Eddie Lacy, Nelson will remain as the focal point of the passing attack.  In two games against Chicago in 2014, Nelson averaged eight catches for 130 yards and two TDs per game. Start Nelson with confidence this Thursday.

 

Matchups We Hate:

Jordan Howard (RB, CHI)

Coming into last week, the Packers had the best run defense in the NFL. They proceeded to get shredded by Ezekiel Elliott, who ran 28 times for 157 yards against them. The Bears however, are a different animal than the Cowboys. Dallas’ offensive line is far and away the best in the league, and Elliott is an elite level talent. The Bears offensive line is average at best, and Jordan Howard is good but not Elliott-level good. I think the Bears will have better luck through the air than on the ground.

Aaron Rodgers (QB, GB)

Chicago has had a mediocre defense at best overall this season, but they have been pretty good at limiting opposing QBs. They have given up the 13th fewest points to the QB position this season, allowing only about 246 yards passing, with a TD and an INT per game. Eddie Lacy has been ruled out of action this week, meaning we will see a heavy dose of Rodgers in the passing game. Since the bye week, Rodgers has a 3:3 TD:INT ratio, and still has yet to throw for 300 yards this season. The matchup may be decent for Rodgers, but I would not rank him among the elites at the position in this one.

 

Notable Players:

Alshon Jeffery (WR, CHI)

The Packers, as previously mentioned, are the worst team in the league at stopping opposing fantasy WR production. Things won’t get any easier for them this week, as CB Sam Shields was placed on the IR. The remaining Packers secondary is nothing to write home about, meaning a big day is in store for this Chicago offense. The only things holding Jeffery back is the volume he receives. Last week was his most highly targeted outing at 13, but before that the most he had in a single game was seven. He is the Bears most talented receiver, but Hoyer does not like to force the ball his way. We will see how many chances he gets to perform this week.

Randall Cobb (WR, GB)

After a slow start to the season that had many questioning Cobb’s ability as a receiver, he and Rodgers have turned things around. During each of the past two weeks Cobb has received a whopping 11 targets, compared to the six he averaged before the bye week. He has caught 16 passes for 161 yards and a TD over these past two weeks. If the rapport these two have gained recently continues, Cobb will be in line for another solid week. However, if the running game has trouble going the offense as a whole could stunt.

Ty Montgomery (WR, GB)

Ty Montgomery is expected to help fill the void left by the injury to Eddie Lacy. Last week, Montgomery received three carries while rushing for six yards. He also caught plenty of passes out of the backfield, piling up 10 catches on 12 targets (his first targets of the season) for 98 yards. Davante Adams will be out of this game while dealing with a concussion, meaning there will be plenty of opportunities once again for Montgomery to show his abilities. He is still a risky play, but has flex upside this week against the Bears.

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF