Team of the Week

 

QB: Justin Herbert

Herbert was again phenomenal in Week 7, throwing for 347 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions while adding nine carries for 66 yards and another score on the ground. Over the past three games, Herbert has thrown for ten touchdowns with just one interception, and he looks like a surefire QB1 option the rest of the way.

 

RB: Jeff Wilson

The limited usage of Wilson a few weeks ago combined with reports that Jerick McKinnon and rookie JaMycal Hasty would lead the backfield made this a tough breakout to see coming, but the veteran back rushed 17 times for 112 yards and three touchdowns in a career day. Unfortunately, a high-ankle sprain will knock Wilson out for multiple weeks, so it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be the lead back in Kyle Shanahan’s offense—especially with Tevin Coleman (knee) nearing a return.

 

RB: James Robinson

Robinson had been quiet as a runner in recent weeks (152 yards and zero touchdowns over the previous three games), but he re-emerged on Sunday with highs in carries (22) and rushing yards (119) while continuing to produce as a pass-catcher (4/18/1). We’ll see if he can stay hot in a plus matchup next week versus Houston.

 

WR: Tyler Lockett

Lockett is another player that had been quiet, but he absolutely exploded on Sunday night—catching 15-of-20 targets for 200 yards and three touchdowns. The performance included several highlight grabs, and the connection between Russell Wilson and Lockett is as good as it gets right now.

 

WR: Davante Adams

Before Lockett went off last night, the dominant showing for Adams (13/196/2) would have made him the overall WR1, and Houston had zero answers for him as the Green Bay offense got back on track. In three healthy games this year, Adams has been targeting a whopping 43 times.

 

TE: Harrison Bryant

The Cleveland tight ends hadn’t been overly productive this season, but Austin Hooper (appendix) being out opened the door for Bryant to lead the way, and he capitalized with four receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns. David Njoku also scored, so we’ll see if all three tight ends can carry some fantasy value in Kevin Stefanski’s offense with Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) out for the year.

 

FLEX: A.J. Brown

While there are plenty of worth candidates to take the FLEX spot, Brown gets the nod after continuing his hot pace since returning from a knee injury suffered in the opener. Including yesterday’s outing (6/153/1) that was headlined by a 73-yard touchdown, Brown has averaged 20.8 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks.

 

D/ST: Chiefs

Wintry weather can boost D/ST options, and that’s what happened with the Chiefs on Sunday as they compiled two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, two touchdowns, and three sacks to give them 21.0 fantasy points.

 

K: Zane Gonzalez

Gonzalez missed a would-be game-winner in overtime, but he got another shot and completed Arizona’s comeback victory on Sunday Night Football by hitting from 48 yards in the final seconds (after tying it with a 44-yarder in the final seconds of regulation). Overall, the 25-year-old hit seven-of-eight kicks and scored 15.0 fantasy points.

 

Surprise of the Week: San Francisco backfield

The disappointments far outweigh the surprises in Week 7, but for those who took a shot on Jeff Wilson, it certainly paid off. On the other side of the coin, Jerick McKinnon—who could have easily been the Disappointment of the Week—finished with negative fantasy points.

 

Disappointment of the Week: Cam Newton

Newton is another player that finished with negative fantasy points, and quarterback is the position where it’s most difficult to overcome a disastrous performance for fantasy owners. The accuracy just hasn’t been there for Cam recently (zero touchdowns and five interceptions over the past two games).

 

Rookie of the Week: Justin Herbert

Perhaps the most impressive part of Herbert’s immediate stardom has been his ability to spread the ball around, and yesterday’s performance included scores to Jalen Guyton, Virgil Green, and Donald Parham. Through five starts, the No. 6 overall pick is on a 16-game pace of 4,934 passing yards, 44 total touchdowns, and ten interceptions.

 

Week 7 MVP: Tyler Lockett

Lockett’s career-best stat line led to 45.5 fantasy points, and he was undoubtedly responsible for tons of Sunday night miracles or heartbreaks for fantasy owners. Boosted by a couple of three-score games already this year, Lockett has seven touchdowns in six games.