NFL: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Oct 18, 2026; London, ENG; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) gestures during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix headline the Week 7 fantasy football quarterback start ’em list, while Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes lands on the sit side against Seattle.
Arizona allows 22.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, fourth-most in the NFL, and the Giants rank sixth at 21.7. New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, playing through two broken bones in his left hand, should sit against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense allowing 14.5.
MORE: Week 7 fantasy football PPR rankings: Josh Jacobs returns, Davante Adams in limbo
Week 6 QB start-sit recap
NFL: Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) prepares for the snap in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills | David Brytus-Imagn Images
Before we begin this week’s writeups, I want to try to be accountable for last week’s picks. My hat is in my hands. You might be surprised to learn I’m actually halfway decent at this! Usually. Most of the time. Better than you would expect. I’m not stalling…
All four Week 6 quarterback calls held up!
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 23 of 41 passes for 313 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in a 33-30 loss to Buffalo. His 44-yard touchdown pass to Tre Tucker with 1:32 left pulled the Raiders within a field goal, and it was his fifth game this season with multiple touchdown passes.
Shough threw touchdown passes to Bryce Lance, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave and ran for a fourth score in the Saints’ 34-27 win over the Giants. His 144 passing yards were modest, but the four total touchdowns delivered on the start call.
Nix completed 17 of 27 passes for 107 yards with no touchdowns in Denver’s 17-14 overtime win over Seattle, and the Broncos finished with 168 total yards.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completed 22 of 37 passes for 204 yards with an interception and took four sacks in a 22-6 loss at Kansas City. It was his first game this season without a touchdown pass. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey left early with a concussion, and the 0-6 Chargers are on bye in Week 7.
MORE: Week 7 fantasy football waiver wire FAAB: Germie Bernard, Omar Cooper Jr. top adds
Week 7 QB start ’em: C.J. Stroud
NFL: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws the ball during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Week 7: vs. NY Giants, 21.7 FP/game to QBs (27th)
Week 6: at Jacksonville, 312 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Stroud has nine touchdown passes and one interception through six games, and he faces a Giants defense that has allowed 12 passing scores plus three rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks. He completed 24 of 34 passes in Sunday’s 34-31 win over the Jaguars in London.
His first interception of the season let Jacksonville tie the game late. Stroud then drove Houston into range for Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 49-yard field goal as time expired. “His mindset was, ‘Hey, I got you, Coach, don’t worry about it,’” head coach DeMeco Ryans said.
Nico Collins and Marvin Harrison Jr., who made his Texans debut Sunday, give the fourth-year passer two outside targets. Houston has won back-to-back games.
Stroud is the QB15 in average fantasy points per game, so he’s been borderline and trending up, and he has a good matchup.
How exposed is the Giants’ secondary?
The 3-2-1 Giants have allowed 1,192 passing yards and 12 touchdowns through the air, with six interceptions. Shough threw three touchdown passes and ran for another against them Sunday, while New York played without cornerback Colton Hood and safety Tyler Nubin.
Stroud is a fringe QB1 in 12-team leagues and a locked-in superflex start at home.
MORE: 3 NFL teams that should be worried after Week 6
Week 7 QB start ’em: Bo Nix, Broncos
NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks to throw in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Week 7: at Arizona, 22.6 FP/game to QBs (29th)
Week 6: vs. Seattle, 107 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
This pick is dedicated to r/fantasyfootball. This one’s for y’all. And wipe that incredulous look off your face!
Nix completed 17 of 27 passes for 107 yards in Thursday’s 17-14 overtime win over Seattle, and Denver finished with 168 total yards. “I don’t know why we can’t really push the ball vertically right now,” Nix said.
Head coach Sean Payton built Denver’s two touchdown drives around well-timed screens. That approach should work well against Arizona, and the Broncos have 10 days to prepare after Thursday’s contest.
Nix is the *checks notes*… QB32 in average fantasy points per game and has only scored more than 20 fantasy points once this year. He’s been in the single digits in three of six games. Oh boy. Well, I’ll earn my keep with this sort of call. Don’t let me down, Arizona! Speaking of…
Why is Arizona a plus matchup?
The Cardinals have allowed 16 touchdown passes with three interceptions in six games. Arizona entered Week 6 allowing a league-worst 8.5 net yards per pass attempt.
Arizona did hold the Rams to 286 yards Sunday by blitzing Matthew Stafford behind a backup left tackle. Still, Nix’s short passing game gives Denver an answer to pressure. He’s a superflex starter and a streaming option in one-quarterback leagues.
MORE: Steelers’ Mike McCarthy applauds team’s adjustments after viral injury scare
Week 7 QB sit ’em: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) greets fans after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers | Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Week 7: at Seattle, 13.5 FP/game to QBs (2nd)
Week 6: vs. LA Chargers, 272 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Maybe you’ve heard of him? Mahomes completed 23 of 30 passes in Sunday’s 22-6 win over the Chargers, and Kenneth Walker III ran for both Kansas City touchdowns. The 5-0 Chiefs leaned on the run with receivers Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton injured.
Kansas City’s offense runs through Walker right now, which limits the passing volume. Mahomes ranks QB12 in average points per game, and he’s cooled off after two good games to start the season. The trend continues in week 7.
How good is Seattle’s defense?
The Seahawks have allowed only 941 passing yards in six games, with eight touchdown passes and seven interceptions. They held Denver to 2.9 yards per play Thursday.
Seattle also gets extra rest before hosting Kansas City on Sunday night. Mahomes ranks as a QB2 this week, so one-quarterback managers should start Stroud or Nix over him.
Week 7 QB sit ’em: Tyler Shough, Saints
NFL: New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) calls the snap count at the line of scrimmage against the New York Giants | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh (Paris), 14.5 FP/game to QBs (5th)
Week 6: at NY Giants, 144 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Shough threw touchdown passes to Bryce Lance, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave and ran for another in Sunday’s 34-27 win over the Giants. But he finished with 144 passing yards on 30 attempts and has 242 passing yards over his last two games.
The second-year passer is playing with two broken bones in his left hand, which has forced him to hand off with his right. Shough rebounded nicely in Week 6, I should know, I called him a start after a dud in Week 5 against Minnesota. We’re a slave to the matchups here at start-sit, and this week is no different.
Shough is the QB11 in average points per game so far, so we’re counting on Pittsburgh to step up in Paris.
Why is Pittsburgh a bad matchup?
The 4-2 Steelers have allowed six touchdown passes and made six interceptions in six games. A turnover-neutral defense like that removes the touchdown volume Shough needs when his yardage stays this low.
The game kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET at Stade de France, and the Saints’ bye follows in Week 8. Shough is a sit in one-quarterback leagues and a low-end superflex option.
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Matt De Lima
Matt De Lima brings 15+ years of elite sports media experience to the table. From covering the gridiron to the hardwood, this Virginia Tech graduate has established himself as a versatile editor and writer for heavy hitters like Sports Illustrated and DraftKings. A twice-nominated FSWA finalist, Matt combines a digital-first philosophy with an eagle eye for breaking news, consistently delivering the engaging coverage today’s audience demands across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and beyond.
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