week 7 2025 nfl season Here it is, and what our NFL analysts tell you about last-minute preparations. Get everything in order before Sunday’s action.
First, analytics writer Seth Walder breaks down three statistical trends that could be important this weekend. Then fantasy football writer Eric Moody looks at five players who have been covered under 50% espn fantasy football league By Saturday and can be started in the jam. NFL analyst Matt Bowen then predicted three potential big surprises and sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado revealed her favorite bets for Week 7.
What can we expect in a strength-at-strength matchup between the Broncos’ offensive line and the Giants’ pass rush? Is there a fantasy aspect to the Buccaneers’ receiving corps? Can the Browns rookie running back? quinshawn judkins Rush for over 100 yards against the Dolphins? And will the Colts-Chargers matchup exceed its point total? Let’s dive in.
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Walder: Three key statistical trends that could determine the winners of Week 7
Will the Lions be able to take advantage of the Buccaneers L.B. cervosia dennis In coverage?
I sure hope they do Monday nightDennis has allowed 1.9 yards per coverage snap this season, which is worst among all linebackers with at least 100 coverage snaps. Sometimes coverage metrics can be volatile or misleading, but after watching every goal against Dennis, that’s not the case here. Dennis has struggled in coverage, and those plays have included missed tackles in space.
This is perfect for the Lions, who already attack linebackers a lot. This season, 34% of Detroit’s targets have been directed at linebackers, third-highest in the league according to NFL Next Gen stats. running back Jahmir Gibbs and tight end Sam Laporta There may be days of great achievement.
Can the 49ers stop the Falcons? A game going on in the outdoor area?
Offensively, the 49ers are known as an outside zone team. But defensively, they have struggled to stop outside zone runs this season, allowing opponents 6.2 yards per carry in those games. This is not ideal for San Francisco this weekBecause the only team that drives from the field more than the 49ers (57% of the time) is the Falcons (64%).
atlanta also happens bijan robinsonJoe is probably the best running back in the NFL right now. Add the fact that the 49ers will have to do it without a linebacker fred warner ,ankle injury), and this matchup becomes particularly challenging.
Who will win in the gap between the Giants and Broncos?
We got real strength-on-strength combat HereThe Giants’ continued pass-rushing talent is facing off with the Broncos’ strong pass protection. denver offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey And Garrett Boles They rank first and fourth respectively in pass block win rate at their respective positions. should be just as equipped to handle them as anyone else brian burns, abdul carter And Kayvon ThibodeauxEven though Burns and Carter are in the top 10 in pass rush win rate over the last three weeks.
Denver’s interior isn’t rated that high, so maybe this one will dexter lawrence ii game. Who will win? I believe the offensive line has more control in situations like this, but the opposite has certainly been true many times before. I think it’s safe to say that a big part of this game will depend on whether or not the Giants defenders can get past the Broncos line.
Moody: Five fantasy sleepers you need to pick up – and start doing this week
tiejay spearsRB, tennessee titans (28.7% roasted)
Spears led the Titans’ backfield in snaps and route runs. week 6 However, against the attackers tony pollard Still more touches were seen (12 compared to Spears’ nine). Spears outperformed Pollard in fantasy, scoring 9.0 points to Pollard’s 6.7. Yes, New England’s defense allows the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs and ranks fourth in run stop win rate. But with the Titans offensive line ranked 24th in run block win rate, Spears may see more targets as a receiver out of the backfield.
kayshon boutewr, new England Patriots (24.7% roasted)
Bout is a classic boom-or-bust sleeper vs. tennesseehe burst in week 6 With five receptions on five targets, two touchdowns and 26.3 fantasy points against the Saints. The Titans’ defense has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards per game to wide receivers. drake may Tennessee’s defense must have time to attack downfield, and Boutte is in a great spot to take advantage.
cad otontee, tampa bay buccaneers (22.0% roasted)
Otton is poised to be a key part of the Buccaneers’ passing game as a receiver emeka egbuka And chris godwin jrdeal with Sports injuriesThe young tight end has stepped up with nine receptions for 132 yards over the past two games. When the Bucs struggled with injuries last season, Otton accumulated 30 receptions, 293 yards and 3 touchdowns over a four-game span.
Tampa Bay is a 5.5-point underdog against detroitWhich points towards a pass-heavy game script. Otton could surpass his season tally of six goals (week 6) against the Lions.
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Has Cade Otton finally become a viable fantasy TE option?
Mike Clay explains why Cade Otton is positioned for increased fantasy success in light of injuries to Buccaneers skill players.
fast johnsonwr, tampa bay buccaneers (13.2% roasted)
Let’s stick with the Bucs, as quarterbacks Baker Mayfield Has a history of delivering strong performances regardless of his receiving options. Like Otton, Johnson has a prime opportunity given Tampa Bay’s injury situation.
Over the last two games, the rookie has scored a total of seven goals and 21.4 fantasy points. He faces a Lions defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Detroit has also been in high-scoring games recently, with higher point totals in eight of their last 12 contests.
spencer rattlercubby, New Orleans Saints (3.8% roasted)
Rattler is in excellent position against the bearsJoe allows the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Over the course of six games, he has thrown for 1,217 passing yards and six touchdown passes, adding 143 rushing yards while remaining relatively turnover-free. Rattler has been particularly efficient with wide receivers. Chris OlaveAnd both can take advantage of this favorable matchup in a high-scoring game.
Bowen: Don’t be surprised if…
Bears WR Luther Burden III scores a touchdown against the saints
Burden brought all of the Bears’ wide receivers in. monday night win on the Commanders with 51 receiving yards, and he can be schemed on the touches produced in Ben Johnson’s offense. Burden returned his only touchdown. week 3 Against Dallas, but with an increased role, the rookie could find the end zone against a Saints defense that has allowed 18 touchdowns (tied for fourth-most in the NFL).
browns rb quinshawn judkins rushes over 100 yards against dolphins
Judkins was limited by the Steelers’ defense week 6 lossRushed for a season-low 36 yards on 12 carries. However, with a more positive matchup against Miami, Judkins could bounce back. The Dolphins are allowing a league-worst 168.5 rushing yards per game. It should be a big day for Judkins, who has 18 or more carries in three of his five appearances.
Commander QB jayden daniels throws three touchdown passes against the cowboys
Daniels had three touchdown passes against Chicago last Monday, and has thrown multiple touchdown passes in two of his last three games. It works against a Dallas defense that has given up a league-high 15 touchdown passes. Look for Washington to fall into the high red zone on Sunday.
Maldonado: My favorite bet for Week 7
Under 48.5 points indianapolis colts But los angeles chargers
this competition That’s where regression meets reality. Indianapolis leads the NFL in red zone efficiency, scoring touchdowns on 10 consecutive trips, but the Chargers’ defense is second in preventing touchdowns in the red zone.
jonathan taylorThe NFL’s leading rusher can still find success, yet Los Angeles forces long drives and limits explosiveness with heavy Cover 3 and Cover 4 looks. And Justin Herbert Has become reliant on a smaller passing game this season (7.0 air yards per pass attempt, tied for 11th-lowest). Both teams control the pace and protect the football. The efficiency remains, but the fireworks fade away.
