Defense and Kicker Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 7

It's week 7, folks! Time to set those fantasy lineups! Start 'Em, Sit'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups in a given week for fantasy football leagues. Each week, I'll examine the kickers and defenses that may or may not exceed expectations based on their weekly opponents … like Chris Boswell and the Steelers on D/ST week!

For your final lineup decision, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, make sure you're subscribed to the Fantasy Dart Podcast with Lindsey Rhodes and me, as we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

All Positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | K and DST

1. Harrison Butker at age 49
2. Yongho Koo vs. Seahawks
3. Justin Tucker at Buccaneers (Mon.)
4. Evan McPherson at Browns
5. Chris Boswell vs. Jets
6. Chase McLaughlin vs. Ravens (Mon.)
7. Austin Seibert vs. Panthers
8. Jason Myers on the Falcons
9. Matt Gay vs. Dolphins
10. Will Lutz at Saints (Thursday)

Complete Week 7 kicker rankings

Farewell: Bear, cowboy

start of the week

Austin Seibert vs. Panthers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Seibert has emerged as a starting asset in fantasy leagues, scoring at least nine fantasy points in five of his games this season. What's more, he's posted at least 10 points in three straight weeks. He should also have a good line against the Panthers, who have allowed 10.7 points per game to kickers.

get started

Chris Boswell vs. Jets (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Boswell, listed as the starter last week, put up 17 fantasy points in the win over the Raiders. He's now averaging 12.2 points per game, and a home game against the Jets makes him a tough option. Their defense surrenders an average of 14.7 fantasy points per game to kickers on the road, so stick with Boswell.

Jason Myers on Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Myers hasn't been great lately, scoring seven or fewer fantasy points in three of his last four games. Still, a matchup in Atlanta makes him a nice steamer. Their defense has allowed four kickers to score at least eight points this season, and three have produced more than 12 points … and they were all at home.

Kickers with good matchups

sit of the week

Ka'imi Fairbairn at Packers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Fairbairn is a tough kicker to sit, so I'll temper expectations before this week's game at Green Bay. Their defense has only allowed one kicker (Jake Elliott) to beat them for more than seven fantasy points, and that was in Week 1. Overall, Green Bay allowed the third-fewest points per game to kickers.

sit down

Greg Zuerlein on Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Zuerlein had a disastrous game, missing two field goals and scoring just six fantasy points against the Bills. I'll keep him on the bench this week too, as he faces a tough matchup in Pittsburgh. Their defense has given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season.

Daniel Carlson at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Carlson has struggled the past two weeks, scoring a combined five fantasy points after scoring 10 in Week 4. He has now hit single digits in all but two games, and the matchup against the Rams in Hollywood puts him on the bench. Their defense allowed kickers just six points per game.

Kicker with bad matchups

1. Bills defense vs. Titans
2. Bengals defense at Browns
3. Colts defense vs. Dolphins
4. Saints Defense vs. Broncos (Thursday)
5. Falcons defense vs. Seahawks
6. Eagle Defense at Giants
7. Broncos defense at Saints (Thursday)
8. Jaguars Defense vs. Patriots (London)
9. Steelers defense vs. Jets
10. Commander Defense vs. Panthers

Complete Week 7 defense rankings

start of the week

Bills defense vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Bills have the best matchup in the league this week, facing Will Levis and a lackluster Titans offense. The defense has put up the most fantasy points against them, and Tennessee has given up 10 and allowed 16 sacks despite already having a bye. Start the bills this weekend.

get started

Colts defense vs. Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Colts' defense is a nice steamer this week based on a favorable matchup against the Dolphins. In their last three games, without Tua Tagovailoa, Miami has averaged a league-low 10 points and just 253.7 yards of offense. Their O-line surrendered 11 sacks of their quarterback.

Rams defense vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): The Rams defense isn't great, but neither is the Raiders offense, which is now without superstar Davante Adams. Defenses averaged the second-most fantasy points when facing the Silver and Black, and no offense gave up more. This makes RAMs a streamable option.

Defense with good matchups

sit of the week

49ers defense vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Niners defense has struggled this season, but it still ranks in the top 10 in fantasy points scored. Still, I'd fade this unit even in a home matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Defenses averaged just 4.5 fantasy points against them and Mahomes was sacked just nine times.

sit down

Vikings defense vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Vikings have the best defense in all of fantasy football, but is a defense a “must-start?” The defense did little from a fantasy perspective against the Lions, as their offense allowed just 10 sacks and gave up four. So, don't be surprised if the Vikings D disappoints.

Ravens defense at Buccaneers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): The Ravens defense was a sit M last week, and it finished with just five points against the Commanders. I'll bench this unit this week as well, as it travels to Tampa Bay on Monday night to face a formidable Bucs offense that's averaging nearly 30 points and 367 yards per game.

Defense with bad matchups