We’re back again for Fantasy Football: Fact or Fiction Week 7! Join me and Erika Brown as we highlight some of the biggest stories in the NFL and determine if they’re fact or fiction.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be the No. 1 seed in the AFC
Erika: Fact
There’s just no stopping the Chiefs. Sure, they have one loss on the season, but they’re figuring out ways to win. They currently have the best record in the AFC West. They do have a tougher remaining schedule, with matchups against the Dolphins, Eagles and Bills, but the Chiefs have one of the best defences currently in the NFL. If they can figure out offensively who to get the ball to, (hint, it’s a tight end) they can continue to run to the top of the AFC and the coveted bye week for the No. 1 seed.
Dustin: Fact
Until a team can overtake them, the crown is theirs. While the offence hasn’t clicked and performed to the level that they were at with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the defence is playing at another level. The Bills and Bengals are underperforming and perhaps the biggest threats to the Chiefs. However, the Miami Dolphins still loom large and could make a run at the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Najee Harris should be dropped in redraft leagues
Erika: Fact
In PPR leagues, Najee Harris just isn’t getting it done. He currently sits at RB45 on the year, while his counterpart Jayle Warren is RB29. And it’s not just stats. Najee looks like a different running back. He is getting stuffed at the goal line and not getting the lanes he needs. He is averaging only 3.9 yards per carry and has no touchdowns on the year. It could be an offensive line problem, but until that is fixed, I think Najee is a drop candidate this week.
Dustin: Fact
The Steelers’ offence has been anemic until Sunday’s 24-17 win against the Los Angeles Rams. Harris finally found pay dirt this week, but at best, Harris is probably best on the bench for now. He is only averaging 6.7 fantasy points per game and, while he might not be a drop candidate due to other running backs’ injuries in the NFL, a bench spot is very tempting for him at this point.
Calvin Ridley is a bust so far this season
Erika: Fiction
Calvin Ridley has had a couple of boom games that are helping his overall ranking of WR26 in PPR formats. For the most part, Ridley has been average on the season. The only reason I won’t call him a bust is because of his preseason ADP. He was drafted in the fourth round in most leagues, with players like DeAndre Hopkins, T.J. Hockenson, and Christian Watson. You were taking a shot on the upside of Ridley after his absence since 2021. While I didn’t believe in the upside, he is averaging 10.97 fantasy ppg with his boom/bust games. They take on Pittsburgh in week 8 and then roll into the bye week. I see more upside in Ridley in the coming weeks.
Dustin: Fiction
I was very high on taking Ridley in the mid-to-late third-round area in fantasy drafts this preseason, and I still stand by that thought. Sure, Ridley put up a sub-two-point game this week in fantasy, and he has had some other low-scoring affairs this year. But, his boom opportunity is still present. He looked good in Week 1 and against the Buffalo Bills in London, although for this to work he needs Trevor Lawrence to look his way more often.
Bijan Robinson will finish as a Top-15 RB in 2023
Erika: Fact
For those who watched the game on Sunday, I know we were all yelling at the TV and cursing Arthur Smith and his coaching habits. It came out mid-game that Bijan was dealing with an illness, but tried to play through it. Other than this game though, Bijan has been averaging 15 fantasy points per game, and looking like an elite running back when he has the opportunities. He currently is the RB8 on the season, and I think he can sustain that number for the rest of the year.
Dustin: Fact
I agree with all of the points that Erika brought up and think that the team might be using some early workload management for the rookie running back. In today’s instance, Robinson was dealing with a headache, hence the minimal workload. However, I think that the Falcons need to give him the majority of carries and spell him with Tyler Allgeier, instead of the other way around.
D’Onta Foreman will be the Bear’s featured back for the rest of the season
Erika: Fact
Since the departure of David Montgomery to the Detroit Lions, Chicago has struggled to find its running game identity. They have had success with Khalil Herbert, but with him going onto IR, he will not be eligible to play until Week 10. By that point, Foreman will have solidified his RB1 status for the Bears. His three-touchdown game this week against the Raiders scored 33 fantasy points, and the Bear’s coaching staff trusted him continuously in the red zone. Just as he did in Carolina after the McCaffrey trade, I think Foreman supplants the starter in Herbert and has a great rest of the season for the Bears.
Dustin: Fiction
This is a tough one following Foreman’s performance on Sunday. However, I believe Herbert will take back the role of RB1 upon his return from the IR. This does not necessarily correlate to being the more productive back in fantasy though, as the Bears might decide to use Foreman as the goal-to-go back, as well as the passing down back. It would be hard to argue that the Bears have their offence in tune — or anything close to it — but the addition of Foreman should at least translate to some better scoring opportunities. Even if he is the RB2 once Herbert returns.
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Dustin Brown
Dustin Brown is a writer for The League Winners. He enjoys hanging out with my family and friends when not trying to delivering NFL news or fantasy content to win your league. There is no sports stone left unturned when it comes to what he will watch.