Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple — identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 7.
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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 7
Jared Goff (QB – DET) vs. Minnesota Vikings
Jared Goff has been outstanding lately, totaling 25.1+ fantasy points in back-to-back games. The veteran quarterback has been extremely efficient, completing 81.8% of his passes over the past three matchups. Furthermore, he has a 10.6% touchdown rate since Week 3, totaling two or more scores in every contest. However, his past three opponents have been struggling pass defenses. By comparison, Goff had only one passing touchdown and 20.2 fantasy points over the first two weeks. Unfortunately, the veteran quarterback has an awful fantasy matchup in Week 7.
Minnesota has held quarterbacks to 14.4 fantasy points per game this season, the ninth-fewest in the NFL. They surrendered 389 passing yards, four touchdowns and 28.2 fantasy points to Jordan Love in Week 4. However, Love was chasing points most of the game, totaling a career-high 54 pass attempts. Meanwhile, the Vikings held Brock Purdy, C.J. Stroud and Aaron Rodgers to 0.29 fantasy points per pass attempt. Those three averaged 1.3 passing touchdowns and 12.9 fantasy points per game, totaling 14 or fewer in their matchup against Minnesota.
Jordan Mason (RB – SF) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Hopefully, Jordan Mason can play in the Super Bowl rematch on Sunday after suffering an AC joint sprain in Week 6. The star running back has practiced this week, giving him a fair chance to play. However, fantasy players will want to avoid starting him, if possible. Mason lacks a role in the passing game, totaling eight receptions for 75 receiving yards this season. Therefore, he is a touchdown-or-bust running back. Mason has averaged 20.5 half-PPR fantasy points per game in the three contests when he finds the end zone.
While the former Georgia Tech star has scored at least 16.9 fantasy points in every game where he had a touchdown, Mason has totaled only 26.8 fantasy points in the three contests without finding the end zone, scoring 9.8 or fewer in every matchup. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have held running backs to 12.6 fantasy points per game, the fewest in the NFL. More importantly, they’ve surrendered only two touchdowns to running backs, the second-fewest in the league. Fantasy players should temper their expectations if they must start Mason.
Aaron Jones (RB – MIN) vs. Detroit Lions
Unfortunately, Aaron Jones suffered a hip injury in the Week 5 win over the New York Jets, totaling eight touches for 53 scrimmage yards before leaving the game. Thankfully, the Vikings had their bye in Week 6, giving the veteran running back time to heal. Minnesota held a bonus session practice on Monday, where Jones was on the field. Therefore, fantasy players should feel confident he plays this week against Detroit. However, the veteran running back will face his toughest matchup this season while coming off an injury.
The Lions have held running backs to only 14.6 half-PPR fantasy points per game, the third-fewest in the NFL. They have surrendered more than 9.8 fantasy points and over 43 rushing yards to running backs in only one game since Week 1. More importantly, Jones averaged only 3.6 yards per rushing attempt against Detroit last year. The veteran hasn’t had more than 48 rushing yards or a touchdown against the Lions since the 2021 season. Expect the Vikings to take advantage of Detroit’s poor pass defense, limiting Jones’ upside.
Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Last year, Brandon Aiyuk was the WR14, averaging 13.2 half-PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, he is the WR45, averaging 7.8 fantasy points per game this season, totaling 7.3 or fewer in all but one game. Yet, Aiyuk has averaged more targets per game this year (6.8) than last season (6.6). However, his efficiency has fallen off a cliff. After averaging 3.27 yards per route run and 0.52 fantasy points per route run in 2023, the veteran has averaged 1.85 and 0.25 in 2024, per Fantasy Points Data.
Meanwhile, Aiyuk has an awful matchup this week. The 49ers face the Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch, where the star receiver had three receptions on six targets for 49 receiving yards (6.4 fantasy points). Kansas City has shut down opposing wide receivers despite losing L’Jarius Sneed in the offseason. They have held wide receivers to 22.7 fantasy points per game, the seventh-fewest in the NFL. Ja’Marr Chase had only 5.5 fantasy points against the Chiefs earlier this season. Expect a similar stat line for Aiyuk on Sunday.
George Pickens (WR – PIT) vs. New York Jets
George Pickens had high hopes as the Steelers’ No. 1 wide receiver. Unfortunately, he is only the WR46, averaging 7.7 half-PPR fantasy points per game. The third-year pro has scored fewer than 8.3 fantasy points in all but one game since Week 1 despite averaging 7.4 targets per contest, totaling seven or more in four consecutive matchups. Pickens hasn’t found the end zone, with all but one of Pittsburgh’s five receiving touchdowns going to tight ends. He has had a catch rate of 42.9% or lower in back-to-back weeks.
Whether Justin Fields continues to start or Russell Wilson takes over this week, fantasy players want to avoid playing Pickens when making fantasy start sit decisions. The Jets have held wide receivers to 20.5 fantasy points per game, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. They have surrendered fewer than 98 receiving yards in three of their past four games. More importantly, New York has shut down No. 1 wide receivers. Justin Jefferson, Courtland Sutton and Brandon Aiyuk have averaged 3.7 receptions for 60 receiving yards and 9.8 fantasy points per game against the Jets.
Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF) vs. Tennessee Titans
The Bills traded for Amari Cooper earlier this week. However, the veteran has an awful matchup against L’Jarius Sneed. Furthermore, he will need time to learn the offense, limiting his fantasy value in Week 7. Therefore, Kincaid could be Josh Allen‘s No. 1 target for at least one more game. Yet, fantasy players want to avoid starting him against the Titans. Despite averaging 6.7 targets per game over the past three weeks, seeing six or more in every matchup, Kincaid has averaged only 6.6 half-PPR fantasy points per contest.
Furthermore, he has had every chance to succeed. Kincaid leads the team in routes run (124), target share (18.9%) and first-read target share (21.3%) this season, per Fantasy Points Data. Meanwhile, Tennessee has held tight ends to only 3.8 fantasy points per game, the fewest in the NFL, surrendering 15.6% fewer than the next closest teams (Philadelphia Eagles). The Titans haven’t given up a touchdown to tight ends this year, surrendering the fewest receiving yards (24 per game). Don’t be surprised if this game is a low-scoring matchup.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.