Fantasy Football Week 7 Quarterback Start Decision: Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins, Bo Nix, Kyler Murray, Jordan Love and More

Taking a look at several fantasy quarterback starting options for week 7.

Week 7 is about to get underway, which means it’s time to do our weekly quarterback start decision story.

The reason we do this story on Thursday is to include both QBs from the night’s game along with some of the QBs starting on Sunday and Monday. Even though this week’s Thursday quarterbacks are not great fantasy options, we’ll still include them.

We’ll discuss Bo Nix, Spencer Rattler, Baker Mayfield, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy, Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers, C.J. Stroud, Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, Geno Smith, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Josh Allen.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Season Stats

Nix has thrown for 1,082 yards, completed 61.1% of his passes and tossed five touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He’s added 180 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. He’s had back-to-back strong fantasy outings.

Rattler made his NFL debut last week, completing 55% of his passes for 243 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He rushed for 27 yards.

Mayfield has 1,489 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season. He’s completed 70.9% of his passes and added 136 rushing yards and two scores. Mayfield has been an above-average fantasy quarterback in five of six games this season.

Love has 1,131 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 58.9% of his passes in four games played. He’s only got 29 rushing yards. Love has at least put up average fantasy totals in his four starts.

Hurts is up to 1,194 passing yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions on 67.5% passing across five games. He’s added 196 rushing yards and two scores. Hurts has two above-average fantasy showings and three pretty average or slightly worse outings.

Purdy has completed 65.4% of his passes on his way to 1,629 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has 127 rushing yards. Purdy has scored in double digits every week, but only had two really good fantasy showings.

Murray has 1,186 passing yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions this season. He’s rushed for 261 yards and a touchdown, while completing 68.2% of his passes. Murray has a couple good fantasy showings, but four average or worse outings, although he’s also scored in double figures each week.

Rodgers is up to 1,387 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 61.8% of his passes. He’s rushed for 44 yards. He’s topped 20 fantasy points once, and only been over 15 points one other time.

Stroud has completed 68.3% of his passes and has 1,577 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions on the season. He’s also got 75 rushing yards. He’s been an average or better fantasy performer in four of the six weeks, while scoring in double figures every game.

Darnold is at 1,111 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions through five starts. He’s completed 63.5% of his passes and rushed for an additional 61 yards. Darnold is coming off his worst fantasy outing of the season after starting the season with one average and three above-average outings.

Cousins is up to 1,589 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions on 66.7% passing. He’s actually lost seven yards as a ball carrier. He only has two average or better fantasy showings this season, but is coming off two of his better showings.

Goff has completed 71.1% of his passes for 1,330 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s rushed for 21 yards. Goff has been hot over his past two games, and only has one game in which he didn’t reach double-digit fantasy points.

Smith has 1,778 passing yards, but six touchdowns and interceptions this season. He’s completed 68.9% of his passes and added 146 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Mahomes only has 1,235 passing yards, six touchdowns and six picks across five games. He’s completed 69.4% of his passes and rushed for 83 yards. He’s reached double figures in fantasy points in all five starts, but has been slightly below average most weeks.

Herbert has 815 passing yards, six touchdowns and an interception across five games. He’s completed 64% of his passes and rushed for 26 yards. He’s only failed to reach double digits in fantasy points once, but he’s been below average every week.

Allen has 1,160 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions this season across six games. He’s completed just 62.8% of his passes, but added 178 rushing yards and three scores. He’s got three great fantasy showings, one average one and two below-average marks this season.

Week 7 Matchups

In the Thursday night game, Nix and Rattler have tough matchups. New Orleans allows 13 points a game, while Denver gives up only 12.

In the Packers, Texans battle, Love has a more favorable matchup than Stroud. Green Bay only allows 14 points a game, while Houston gives up 18.

For the Lions, Vikings matchup, it’s a slightly below-average matchup for Goff and Darnold. Detroit allows 15 points a game, while Minnesota is at 14.

In the Seattle, Atlanta game, both Smith and Cousins have at least average matchups. The Seahawks allow 17 points a game, while the Falcons surrender 19.

For the Chiefs, Niners showdown, it’s a pretty even and average matchup for Mahomes and Purdy. Kansas City allows 16 points, while San Francisco gives up 15.

In the Chargers, Cardinals matchup, it’s a tough matchup for Murray and favorable matchup for Herbert. LA allows only 13 fantasy points a week, while Arizona surrenders 19.

Mayfield has a favorable matchup against the Ravens, with Baltimore allowing 20 points a game to opposing QBs. Hurts’ game against the Giants is a pretty average matchup, as New York gives up 17 points per week.

Rodgers has a very tough test against the Steelers, who allow only 12 points a game. Allen’s clash with the Titans is below average, but more favorable, as Tennessee allows 15 points per week.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

In the weekly projections, it’s Allen on top with 23 projected points. Stroud is projected for 21 points, while Hurts sits at 20.

Purdy is projected for 19 points, while Murray is at 18. Love, Mayfield, Goff, Cousins and Smith are all at 17 points. Mahomes and Herbert sit at 16 points each, Rodgers and Darnold are at 14 each, Nix is projected for 13 and Rattler is at just 11.

I usually tend to side with the top-end draft picks for the best weekly options, but the past three weeks, Justin Fields, Cousins and Caleb Williams have led the way, so I’m changing my rankings up this week.

Give me Love for the top spot in this big QB start decision. He’s been great this season and has a pretty favorable matchup ahead.

I’d take Mayfield next. He’s been one of the best fantasy quarterbacks and has a favorable matchup on paper, so why not roll with him again?

I’d then take Allen. He is certainly capable of big fantasy games against tough defenses (he did it in week 6), and I think he does enough to overcome the tough matchup and post another big fantasy score.

I’d take Hurts here. He’s got his top pass catchers back, and I think Hurts continues putting up strong fantasy numbers this week.

I’ll surprise you again and take Smith here. He’s actually been a top-10 fantasy QB this week, and the matchup is right for him to deliver another big game.

I’d follow him up with the other QB in that game, Cousins. I like the matchup, and he’s looked better of late.

I’d finally take Stroud here. I feel like he could erupt for a huge fantasy day, or also lay an egg against a sneaky good Packers’ pass defense, so putting Stroud in the middle of my rankings feels right.

I’ll take Mahomes next. I can’t believe I have so many QBs ranked above him, but he’s struggled a bit this season and the matchup scares me a bit.

I’d then roll with Goff. The matchup is tough, but the Lions’ offense has enough playmakers to help Goff still be an average or better fantasy performer.

I’d take Purdy here. He’s been inconsistent, and the matchup scares me again, so putting him here feels right.

I’ll play matchups and try Herbert here. He’s been underwhelming in the new-look Chargers’ offense this season, but the matchup is right for him to deliver a good showing.

I’d then take Darnold. I think his past game was a sign of things to come, so I’m trying to avoid starting him this week. This is where I prefer to stay away from quarterbacks.

Murray is next for me. He’s been underwhelming as a fantasy performer this season and his matchup is rough, so I’m sitting Murray if I can.

Give me Rodgers here. I know he’s got Davante Adams now, but the Steelers’ defense is no joke, and I think Rodgers will struggle to reach his 14-point projection.

That leaves Nix and Rattler for the final two spots, and I’d have them in that order. You can read more on my reasoning here.

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