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Don’t expect much from Forte, Ajayi Murray, Blount both are better backs to bank on
We’ve reached the midpoint of the fantasy regular season, so it’s prime time to make a move in the standings. Here are helpful hints for owners in need of a win.
STUDS
RB DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans: Any running back going up against the Indianapolis Colts is a must- start. And suddenly the Titans backfield doesn’t look so cluttered. Murray touched the ball 21 times Sunday to only four for Derrick Henry. QB Andy Dalton, Cincinnati
Bengals: Dalton hasn’t been nearly as good a fantasy option as he was in 2015, but he should be getting one of his top targets back this weekend. Tyler Eifert, who caught 13 TD passes a season ago, returned to practice Wednesday and should be good to go against the Cleveland Browns.
WR Brandon Marshall,
New York Jets: Don’t be scared off by the switch to Geno Smith at quarterback. Marshall has a great matchup and should still be productive. The Baltimore Ravens have been horrid against the pass, and their top cornerback, Jimmy Smith, could miss the game with a concussion. RB LeGarrette Blount, New
England Patriots: Blount has quietly been a top- 10 fantasy back. The yardage numbers aren’t huge, but he’s found the end zone in all but one game. DUDS
RB Matt Forte, Jets: His huge game in Week 2 feels like it was months ago. Forte had three touchdowns that night and hasn’t scored since. He is averaging 3.5 yards per carry and hasn’t done his usual damage in the passing game. Baltimore’s run defense has been stingy against fantasy backs, so don’t expect Forte to
turn his season around in Week 7. TE Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks: The Arizona Cardinals have held tight ends to a league- low 10 fantasy points. Surprisingly, Graham hasn’t been much of a red- zone threat with one touchdown in five games. QB Carson Palmer, Cardinals: Coach Bruce Arians said Arizona would be more of a runfirst team going forward, which is bad news for Palmer owners. Even worse news? The Cardinals have scored 12 points combined in their last two home meetings with the Seahawks. RB Jay Ajayi, Miami Dol
phins: We had Ajayi in our sleepers section a week ago, and he rewarded us with a big game. He’ll come crashing back down to earth this weekend against a tough Buffalo Bills run defense that has allowed only one 100yard rusher all season and has surrendered one rushing touchdown since Week 3. SLEEPERS RB Duke Johnson, Browns: The Bengals have been generous to pass- catching running backs the last few games. In Johnson, the Browns have one of the best. If Cleveland decides to attack
Cincinnati’s linebackers with Johnson out of the backfield, he’ll have a big day. QB Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins: Despite being the 12th- ranked fantasy quarterback, Cousins is available in nearly 30% of leagues. Pick him up. He’s a good play against the Detroit Lions’ 23th- ranked pass defense. WR Mike Wallace, Ravens: The Jets secondary is in a bad place, having allowed the secondmost fantasy points to receivers. It has been particularly vulnerable to the deep ball, which happens to be Wallace’s specialty. WR Cameron Meredith,
Chicago Bears: The secondyear pro has blossomed since Brian Hoyer took over for Jay Cutler at quarterback. He has been targeted 27 times over the last two weeks and has produced back- toback 100- yard games. The Green Bay Packers secondary hasn’t been good of late and will have had only three days to adjust after being exposed by the Dallas Cowboys. MORE FANTASY TIPS FOR YOUR WEEK 7 LINEUP Get the latest news, analysis and rankings at fantasy. usatoday. com.