Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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DEF to Start
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ defense should be a top start in Week 7 against the Raiders. Geno Smith has thrown six interceptions over his last three games, and Las Vegas has surrendered six sacks in its past two outings while scoring only 26 combined points in that span. Kansas City’s defense hasn’t been a consistent fantasy force this season due to tough matchups, but this game sets up perfectly. The Raiders have committed the most interceptions in the NFL and rank bottom five in sack rate, which gives the Chiefs plenty of upside. They’ve also given up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. With 18 sacks allowed and 11 giveaways already, Las Vegas’ offense is struggling in every phase. Fantasy managers should fire up the Chiefs’ defense as a strong start in all formats this week.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are another defense you can confidently start in Week 7. While they’ve been inconsistent, New England has shown the ability to exploit favorable matchups, and facing the Titans is one of the best on the slate. Tennessee has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses while giving up pressure at the fifth-highest rate and taking sacks at the third-highest clip in the NFL. The Titans are also top five in turnovers per game, and their offensive line has been one of the worst in football. To make matters worse, they’re in disarray after parting ways with head coach Brian Callahan, which adds more volatility. With 25 sacks allowed already, Tennessee gives this Patriots defense an elite ceiling. This week, New England is a must-start fantasy defense.
DEF to Sit
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers’ defense is a sit for Week 7 despite last week’s strong outing against Miami. They racked up two sacks and three interceptions, but this week’s matchup against the Colts is a completely different challenge. Indianapolis has allowed just five sacks all season, the lowest in the NFL, and has turned the ball over only four times. On top of that, the Colts offense has scored 71 points across its last two games and has topped 20 points in every contest this season. The Chargers’ defense has only posted double-digit fantasy points once this year, showing how unreliable they’ve been. The Colts are also giving up the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses, which kills any streaming appeal. Sit the Chargers defense this week and look for a better matchup.
Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Both the Lions and Buccaneers defenses should be on the sit list for Week 7. While Tampa Bay has delivered two solid fantasy performances over the last month, including 11 points last week, facing Detroit is a nightmare for fantasy defenses. The Lions have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses and rank bottom five in giveaways. They also take a sack on just four percent of plays, one of the lowest rates in the NFL, making it difficult for defenses to generate fantasy production. Meanwhile, Detroit’s offense is rolling at home, averaging 43 points per game and ranking top six in total yards. With both offenses playing well and limiting turnovers, this could easily turn into a shootout. Fantasy managers should sit both the Lions and Buccaneers defenses this week.
Kickers to Start
Mike Badgley IND
Mike Badgley makes for a sneaky start at kicker in Week 7. This is a revenge game for the former Chargers kicker, and the matchup is lined up perfectly. Every kicker facing Los Angeles this season has connected on at least two field goals, which gives Badgley top-10 upside. He made a field goal and four extra points in his Colts debut last week and should see more scoring chances in a matchup where Indianapolis has been red-hot offensively. The Colts have scored 71 points in their past two games, and Badgley’s accuracy makes him a safe play. If you’re looking for a kicker with floor and ceiling, he’s one of the best start options this week.
Will Reichard MIN
Will Reichard is another strong kicker to start in Week 7. He has scored eight or more points in four of his first five games this season, showing both consistency and upside. The matchup against the Eagles is appealing, as their defense has surrendered more than 10 fantasy points per game to kickers. Four different kickers have already scored at least nine points against Philadelphia, and two of them topped 15. Reichard has been efficient, with steady volume as Minnesota’s offense continues to move the ball, even if drives stall in the red zone. Given his consistency and the matchup, Reichard should be trusted as a top-10 start at the position this week.
Kickers to Sit
Chad Ryland ARI
Chad Ryland may have had a solid Week 6 with two field goals and three extra points, but he’s a sit in Week 7. The matchup against Green Bay is brutal, as the Packers rank top four in fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing kickers. Only two kickers all season have hit multiple field goals against them, which severely limits Ryland’s upside. Arizona’s offense has been inconsistent, and scoring opportunities may be hard to come by in this spot. Ryland simply doesn’t offer the floor or ceiling you want in a kicker this week. Sit him in all fantasy formats.
Jason Myers SEA
Jason Myers had an impressive 10-point fantasy performance last week against the Jaguars, but he’s a sit for Week 7. The Seahawks kicker now faces Houston, which has been the league’s toughest matchup for the position. The Texans have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to kickers, holding every opponent under six points. While Myers has shown he can deliver in tough spots, this defense is a different level of challenge. With Houston giving up so few scoring opportunities, Myers’ chances to rack up points are extremely slim. Fantasy managers should bench him this week and find a better streaming option.t them, and only three have surpassed 200 passing yards, with Patrick Mahomes topping out at just 258. That makes it an extremely tough spot for Jones on the road. While his overall fantasy football production has been strong, this matchup sharply lowers his ceiling and floor. He’s best left on the bench in one-QB formats, though he remains an option in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
