Seattle @ Arizona
Bobby Wagner was sidelined in Week 6 with a high ankle sprain and has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game. That’s an injury you never want to hear associated with your players, and it’s one that has the potential to sideline Wagner for multiple weeks. Keep a close eye on this situation if you happen to own Wagner. K.J. Wright will again man the middle, but he’s no more than an LB3 based on the matchup and his low fantasy ceiling. The Seahawks will also likely without Chris Clemons in Week 7 due to a hyperextended elbow. This is a strong matchup for defensive ends, so look for Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett to be in Carson Palmer’s face all day. I especially like Bennett’s matchup against Cardinals’ LT Bradley Sowell.
Karlos Dansby continued to be a one-man wrecking crew last week. He had his third double-digit tackle performance of the season, and added a half sack. He’s now a borderline LB1. That doesn’t take anything away from Daryl Washington. Sure, he had a down game last week, but that happens. You’re still starting Washington with confidence in this extremely strong matchup against a Seahawks team that currently gives up the most tackles per game to opposing linebackers. Calais Campbell should also benefit from this matchup. Campbell was cleared to play after a scary scene last week. He’s a borderline DL1. Oh, and if you haven’t heard the news, Tyrann Mathieu is an every-week start.
Dallas @ Philadelphia
The Eagles aren’t quite the best fantasy matchup for linebackers, but there’s no way you’re sitting Sean Lee. For all of the talk about Kiko Alonso over the past three weeks, consider this: Alonso has 39 total tackles over that span, and Lee has 44 total tackles. Yep. He’s that good. DeMarcus Ware will be sidelined for at least this week, but his timeline remains unclear. Initial reports suggested 3-4 weeks, but Ware disputed these claims. Ware is one of the league’s most durable players, so it wouldn’t be completely shocking if Ware only misses one game. Barry Church is now in must-start territory, and makes for a high-end DB1 play against the fantasy friendly Eagles.
DeMeco Ryans had 12 solo tackles last week, and has posted double-digits in two of the last three games. However, Ryans is grading out as Pro Football Focus’ second-worst linebacker, behind only teammate Mychal Kendricks. It’s tough to get behind either player as anything more than an LB3, especially this week in a poor fantasy matchup against a depleted Dallas run game. Likewise, Fletcher Cox gets a downgrade here. Tony Romo’s mobility bodes poorly for Cox’s chances of recording a sack. Nate Allen posted another strong stat line in Week 6 with nine total tackles (seven solo). He’s squarely in the DB2 tier.
Tampa Bay @ Atlanta
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Jeff Ratcliffe is the Assistant Managing Editor and resident IDP maven of Pro Football Focus Fantasy. Follow him on Twitter – @JeffRatcliffe.
Jeff Ratcliffe is the Assistant Managing Editor and resident IDP maven of Pro Football Focus Fantasy. Follow him on Twitter – @JeffRatcliffe. Jeff Ratcliffe is the Assistant Managing Editor and resident IDP maven of Pro Football Focus Fantasy. Follow him on Twitter – @JeffRatcliffe.
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