Fantasy football is basically a weekly exercise in self-sabotage. We spend hours staring at projected points, convinced that a little green arrow next to a player's name means they’re a lock for twenty points. Then Sunday hits. Your "sleeper" gets two targets, and the guy you benched because of a "tough matchup" goes off for a career-high on your sidelines. It’s brutal.
Looking at the start em sit em week 7 2024 slate, things are getting weird. We've got the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys on a bye, which honestly feels like a relief for some managers who are tired of the Dallas rollercoaster, but it leaves a massive hole in lineups. If you’re used to plugging in CeeDee Lamb or DJ Moore, you're currently scouring the waiver wire for anything with a pulse.
The mid-season grind is where championships are actually won. It's not about the draft anymore; it’s about navigating the injury reports and realizing that some "stars" are currently just names on a jersey.
The Quarterback Quagmire: Trusting the New Guard
Geno Smith is an interesting case this week. He's leading the league in passing yards, which sounds fake, but the numbers don't lie. He’s throwing the ball a ton because the Seahawks' defense can’t stop a nosebleed. Facing an Atlanta Falcons team that can actually put up points means Geno is going to have to air it out again. He’s a high-floor start.
On the flip side, you’ve got someone like Kirk Cousins. People saw that 500-yard game against Tampa and thought he was back to his prime Minnesota days. Slow down. Week 7 against the Seahawks is a different beast. Seattle’s secondary, led by Devon Witherspoon, is opportunistic. If you have a better option, maybe a rushing QB with a safe floor, Cousins might be a "sit" candidate despite the recent hype.
Then there's Brock Purdy. He’s the ultimate "don't overthink it" play. People keep waiting for the regression, but the 49ers' system is just too efficient. Even with injuries to the receiving corps, Purdy finds a way to distribute the ball. He's facing a Chiefs defense that is statistically stout, but Kyle Shanahan usually has a specific plan for Steve Spagnuolo’s blitzes.
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Running Backs: Volume vs. Efficiency
If you have Kyren Williams, you’re starting him. Period. The Raiders defense is a mess, and Sean McVay is riding Williams like a workhorse. It doesn't matter if he's averaging 3 yards a carry or 6; the volume is king in fantasy football. He's getting the goal-line looks. He’s getting the targets.
But what do we do with the New York Jets backfield? Breece Hall has been... frustrating. It’s not his fault; the offensive line has looked like a revolving door at times. However, under the new coaching structure after Robert Saleh's firing, there's a clear intent to get him the ball in space more often. Week 7 against the Steelers is a "tough" matchup on paper, but Hall’s involvement in the passing game makes him "sit-proof." You can't bench a guy with his ceiling, even if the floor feels like it's dropping.
Tony Pollard is another one. With Tyjae Spears dealing with a hamstring issue, Pollard is suddenly looking like a 20-touch-per-game guy again. The Bills defense isn't the brick wall it used to be against the run. If you’ve been holding Pollard as a flex, this is the week he moves into your RB2 slot.
Wide Receivers: The Boom or Bust Brigade
Drake London has finally become the player we were promised. It only took a few years and a veteran quarterback. He’s a "start" every single week now. The chemistry with Cousins is undeniable.
Jordan Addison is a tricky one. With Justin Jefferson drawing every double team known to man, Addison should have space. But Sam Darnold has cooled off slightly from his scorching start. Against a Lions defense that can be vulnerable to the deep ball, Addison is a high-upside flex play, but realize you're chasing a touchdown there. If he doesn't score, his yardage floor is a bit scary.
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Let’s talk about the "sit" candidates. Amari Cooper. Now, this is a mess. Whether he’s in Cleveland or getting acclimated to a new system in Buffalo after the trade, the volatility is insane. If he’s playing his first game with Josh Allen in Week 7, there’s a massive temptation to start him. Don't. Wait a week. Let them figure out the timing. There is nothing worse than watching a star receiver run the wrong route while his QB throws a pick.
- Deebo Samuel: Start him. He’s a gadget king and the 49ers need him more than ever.
- George Pickens: The talent is there, but the QB play is a coin flip. He’s a desperation flex.
- Terry McLaurin: Jayden Daniels has unlocked "Scary Terry." Start him with confidence against a weak Panthers secondary.
The Tight End Wasteland
Honestly, if your tight end gets five catches for 40 yards, you’ve basically won the week. That’s how bad the position is in 2024. Travis Kelce is obviously a start, but he isn't the 20-point lock he was two years ago.
George Kittle is the only one who feels "safe." Brock Purdy looks for him when things break down. Beyond that, you’re looking at guys like Evan Engram or Dalton Schultz. Engram, coming back from injury, immediately reclaimed his role as a target monster. If he’s healthy, he’s in your lineup.
Defense and Special Teams: Playing the Matchup
The Buffalo Bills against the Titans? Yes, please. Will Levis has been a turnover machine, and the Bills' pass rush is going to have a field day. It’s the easiest "start" of the week.
Alternatively, stay away from the Ravens' defense this week. They’re facing a Bucs offense that has been clicking on all cylinders with Baker Mayfield playing out of his mind. The Ravens' secondary has been surprisingly leaky, and Mike Evans/Chris Godwin is a nightmare matchup for anyone right now.
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Why We Get It Wrong
The biggest mistake in start em sit em week 7 2024 decisions is "points chasing." You see a guy score two touchdowns on your bench in Week 6, so you rush to put him in for Week 7. By then, the defense has the tape. They’ve adjusted.
Fantasy football is about process, not just results. Are the targets there? Is the snap count high? If a player is on the field for 90% of the plays, eventually the production will come. Don't bench a high-volume player for a "lucky" one.
We also tend to overvalue "revenge games." They’re fun for narratives, but coaches don't call plays based on who used to play for the other team. They call plays to win. Trust the scheme, not the storyline.
Actionable Strategy for Week 7
Check the late-afternoon injury reports. In Week 7, we often see players who were "limited" on Thursday suddenly get downgraded on Saturday.
- Pivot Early: If your RB is a "game-time decision" for a Sunday night game, and you don't have a backup from that same game, bench him for a 1:00 PM starter. A guaranteed 8 points is better than a potential zero.
- Watch the Weather: We’re hitting that time of year where wind becomes a factor. A 20mph gust matters way more than a light drizzle for your kickers and deep-threat receivers.
- The "Third Receiver" Rule: On teams with elite WR1s (like the Vikings or Lions), the WR3 often has a better matchup because the safeties are cheating toward the star. If you're in a deep league, those are the guys to target for a "sneaky start."
- Trust the Vegas Totals: Games with an over/under above 48 are where you want your players. If the projected score is 17-13, stay away. There aren't enough touchdowns to go around in a slog like that.
The reality is that Week 7 is a survival week. With the byes and the mounting injuries, your goal isn't to have the "perfect" lineup. Your goal is to have a lineup of players who actually touch the ball. Don't get cute with triple-reverse-sleeper picks. Start the guys who get the targets, pray to the fantasy gods, and turn off the TV if it gets too stressful.
Next Steps for Your Roster:
Open your league app right now and look at the "Targets" column for your flex players over the last three weeks. If someone is averaging fewer than 5 targets and doesn't have rushing upside, drop them for a high-volume backup. Consistency is the only way to beat the mid-season slump.