Start/Bench - Week 7 Oct 17, 2012 | More
More articles from Jim Bukowski

It's Week 7 and we have a couple of old faces rejoining the 'Studs' list. I'm in no mood to make small talk this week so let's get to the reason why you're here...who to start and who to bench. 
 

QUARTERBACKS

STUDS

Tom Brady
Drew Brees
Robert Griffin III
Eli Manning
Peyton Manning *Bye*
Cam Newton
Aaron Rodgers
Ben Roethlisberger
Matt Ryan *Bye*
Matthew Stafford

START

Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee at Buffalo: Titans head coach Mike Munchak has already announced Hasselbeck as the Titans Week 7 starter at Buffalo. The Bills are the most generous team versus quarterbacks in fantasy and with wide receiver Kenny Britt finally back healthy Hasselbeck should be able to exploit a defense that has allowed multiple passing touchdowns in four out of six games.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo vs. Tennessee: One good turn deserves another, as Fitzpatrick will be facing a Titans defense that is the second most generous versus quarterbacks in fantasy. The Titans have allowed multiple touchdown passes in five out of six games this season while allowing a total 13 touchdown passes while only picking off four. Fitzpatrick is coming off of two miserable games where he threw for a combined 279 yards and zero touchdowns, but don't let that sway you, he should feast this week.

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets at New England: Sanchez has thrown for one-or-less touchdowns in four out of six games this season, yet those with a quarterback on a bye should consider him for a start this week. The Patriots defense has allowed three-or-more touchdown passes in four straight weeks while allowing over 300 yards passing in three out of the last four weeks. Plus, how much fun would it be to defeat your opponent while using Mark Sanchez at quarterback?

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis vs. Cleveland: Look for the 'good' Andrew Luck to return in Week 7 as he'll be facing a Browns defense that has allowed three touchdown passes in four of their last five games. Luck failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in his career in Week 6 so look for him to be extra motivated this week.

BENCH

Matthew Stafford, Detroit at Chicago: Do you have the guts to sit Stafford and play Sanchez? That's a move that will either get you laughed out of your league or make you a legend. While the yardage has been there, Stafford has thrown only four touchdown passes on the season. That's incredible! Couple that with the Bears who are the top defense in fantasy versus quarterbacks and you have a recipe for a beat down. The Bears have only allowed four touchdown passes on the season while picking off a league high 13.

Alex Smith, San Francisco vs. Seattle: Only the Patriots Tom Brady has been able to throw for more than 251 yards and/or multiple touchdowns versus the Seahawks defense. In fact, prior to Week 6, the Seahawks had allowed zero passing touchdowns in Weeks 3 through 5, and that included games against Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton.  And just for fun, let me mention that Smith is coming off of a three interception game versus the Giants.

Russell Wilson, Seattle at San Francisco: Wilson couldn't have picked a worse time to be heading into San Francisco as the 49ers are coming off a total humiliation in Week 6 having lost to the Giants 26-3. Prior to his stellar Week 6 performance, Wilson had thrown one touchdown and five interceptions combined in Weeks 4 and 5.

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