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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

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

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RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
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1B
2B
3B
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OF
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