Week 7 Fantasy and Game Predictions

Ok I coming back off a couple bad weeks of picks and it's time to turn things around. I'm not gonna put it as one of my picks but expect the 49ers to turn it around this week as well. I'm sure it wasn't a fun bye week for Singletary's boys. Here are my picks for Week 7:

Steelers over Vikings
The difference between these two teams so far has been the way they've been able to close out games. The Vikings have made big plays at the end of games to pull out a couple tough wins against the Niners and Ravens. The Steelers have had a couple of fourth quarter collapses to lose games. You can't expect the resilient Steelers to continue this trend. I like them at home against a Minnesota team that is coming off a long, tiring win over Baltimore. The Vikings have given up some big plays as of late so I like Roethlisberger (league leader in passing yards in case you didn't know) to find Ward and Holmes often. And you gotta think it's about time for Brett Favre to have a down game.

Giants over Cardinals
You know that Eli Manning is pissed about his sub-par homecoming performance in New Orleans last week. I think he'll take out his frustration against the 31st ranked pass defense in the league. If the Giants' front four gets pressure on Warner, it could be a long day for the most immobile QB in the league.  I think the Giants win big at home.

Falcons over Cowboys
Yes, the Cowboys have had a bye to regroup after an ugly win in KC. Yes, Tony Romo may have found something with Miles Austin. Yes, they are at home. But Dallas gives up too many big plays. I like Matt Ryan to find my boy Roddy White (I own him both of my fantasy leagues) for at least one long TD.  I think Atlanta is the most underrated and least talked about team in the league. They are only one game behind the surging Saints who are stealing all the headlines. That signature win that Dallas is looking for will have to wait.

Bears over Bengals
This is an important game for teams in very competitive divisions. All season I've felt that the Bengals were overachieving, pulling out all their wins in the closing minutes. Last week showed it...losing to the Texans at home. The Bengals are too reliant on the run game and are going to wear out Cedric Benson if they keep giving him 30 handoffs a game. The Bears rank 6th against the run, allowing just 89 yds/game. I know Carson Palmer has made some big plays this season but I don't think he has enough weapons to be able to do it for an entire game against this Bears D. I like the Bears as long as Cutler doesn't choke it off.

Upset Special
Raiders over Jets
The Raiders shocked the world last week with their win over the Eagles. Their defense dictated the game and gave McNabb and Andy Reid fits. The Jets are really reeling right now, losing three straight. Mark Sanchez isn't the golden boy anymore, especially after single-handedly giving the Bills game away with 5 picks. He won't have Jerricho Cotchery for this one and Braylon Edwards is banged up as well. Not to mention Edwards has to face Nnamdi Asomugha this week. Oakland has played much better at home than on the road this year and the Jets have historically played badly on west coast trips. I like the Raiders to win in low scoring fashion and expects plenty of Sanchez criticism from the New York media next week.

Fantasy Studs
1. Laurence Maroney RB NE

I'm expecting the Pats to be close to as dominant against the Bucs as they were last week against the lowly Titans. This means the Pats will have a big lead early and can settle with running the ball. The biggest obstacle for Maroney will be Belichick. We all know how Belichick loves to run up the score and have Brady throw bombs to Moss when they're up by 40. That's the only way I see Maroney not putting up numbers.

2. Joseph Addai RB IND

Addai's situation is similar to that of Maroney's: pathetic opponent, will get big lead early, lots of touches late.

3. Dwayne Bowe WR KC

Last week we saw Matt Cassel and Bowe start clicking. I like to see more of the same from him against the Chargers pass defense. I think Bowe's size can handle the physical play of San Diego's Antonio Cromartie and allow him to make some plays.

4. Giants entire receiving corps
Like I said Eli is mad. That used to mean nothing...but now it means everything. And lately Eli has been spreading the ball around a lot more. Steve Smith will get his catches but he's not being targeted on half the plays anymore. I like Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks to have good games as well. Nicks is going to be the #1 receiver sometime next year. Unless you're stacked at WR, I start any of those three tomorrow.

5. Heath Miller TE PIT

Miller is quietly having a very good year for Pittsburgh with four TD is his last three games. He has at least five catches in every game except for one (he had 3 against the Bears). Minnesota gives up a lot of fantasy points to tight ends. Look for Miller to be on of Roethlisberger's favorite targets.

Fantasy Duds
1. Cedric Benson  RB CIN

I know this is sort of a revenge game for Benson against his former team but Benson has no control over whether he has holes to run through or not. Without Urlacher, this Bears defense has continued to be great against the run. I think they will make it their top priority to stop Benson this week.

2. Saints RB's
Don't get me wrong, I don't think there's anything wrong with the Saints' running game. But they have a three headed monster now with Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush (Bush is a tiny head). I don't see any of them getting enough touches against a very good Dolphins run defense (3rd in NFL). Brees will burn the Fins in the passing game which will be enough for New Orleans

3. Owen Daniels TE HOU

The 49ers are allowing the third least amount of fantasy points to opposing tight ends according to default ESPN scoring. Patrick Willis has been a big reason why. Quarterbacks are afraid to throw it his way because he is a turnover-forcing machine. I know most of you will start Daniels, but if you have a decent 2nd option I'd reconsider.

4. Steve Smith WR CAR
Opposing defenses have finally figured out that if you take out Smith you pretty much take out Carolina's passing game. The result has been an uncountable amount of Jake Delhomme INTs and a very disgruntled Smith. The Bills have a very good secondary (4th least amount of passing yds given up in NFL) and will focus on shutting down Smith just like the rest of the league already has. Plus, the Panthers are going to run the ball all day against the Bills poor run defense anyway.

5. Cadillac Williams RB TB
The Caddy's engine will be shut off after the first quarter because running will no longer be an option for the Bucs. Bench him now.