Week 7 Fantasy Football Decisions: Start or Sit Pittman and Smith?
The Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles are entering Week 7 of the fantasy football season with contrasting offensive trends. The Colts are leading the NFL in scoring, having accumulated a total of 194 points while outscoring their opponents by 78 points. Conversely, the Eagles are facing challenges, currently on a two-game losing streak and struggling to establish their run game, averaging only 3.7 yards per rush.
Week 7 Fantasy Football Decisions: Start or Sit Pittman and Smith?
Michael Pittman of the Colts has had mixed performances this season. Recently, he experienced a season-low game, catching just two passes for 20 yards on three targets. However, he has had notable highlights, scoring four times across six games. In two of his matchups, he gained over 41 receiving yards, recording figures of 6 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, and 6 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Pittman’s Playing Time and Performance
Pittman has been a significant part of the Colts’ offense, participating in 84.2% of the team’s plays. In comparison, teammates Josh Downs and Alec Pierce participated in 53.5% and 51.9% of plays, respectively. If he maintains his pace, Pittman is on track to finish the season with 79 catches for 830 yards and 11 touchdowns on 108 targets. Historically, his performance from 2021 to 2023 shows an upward trend, with seasons of 88 catches for 1,082 yards, 99 catches for 925 yards, and 109 catches for 1,152 yards.
Devonta Smith’s Struggles
On the other hand, Devonta Smith of the Eagles is facing challenges, particularly in finding the end zone. Smith registered only one touchdown this season, after scoring 7, 7, and 8 touchdowns in his previous three seasons. His best performances so far included games where he caught 8 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, and 8 passes for 114 yards. However, he has had fewer than six targets in several games, with his target counts being 3, 6, 2, and 5.
Home vs. Road Performance
Smith’s performance has varied, averaging 10.14 fantasy points at home compared to 15.80 on the road. The Eagles’ passing offense has struggled this season, limiting Smith’s opportunities. In previous matchups, teams facing the Vikings have demonstrated that their wide receiver defense has been vulnerable, presenting a potential for Smith to regain his form.
Conclusion: Start or Sit Decisions
Both Michael Pittman and Devonta Smith exhibit considerable upside as top-18 wide receivers in their respective offenses. The Colts have a slight edge in scoring via the passing game, particularly in comparison to the Eagles. Given these dynamics, Pittman appears to be a more favorable start option than Smith for this week’s fantasy football lineup.
Fantasy managers should weigh the scoring opportunities carefully, as both players navigate competitive matchups in Week 7.
