Fantasy Football: Love/Hate for Week 7

JM VanSant '16, Sports EditorIn my weekly love/hate column, I take a look at who are the top candidates to put together either good or bad performances in fantasy football. Just remember, I am human, so if you bench someone who I hate and they go off, take your anger out on your TV, not me.Teams on bye: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Green Bay PackersQuarterbacks I Love:Carson Palmer, Cardinals: Palmer had 421 yards through the air last year and with the reemergence of Larry Fitzgerald and the speed of second-year man John Brown, I expect the USC-product to have a monster game against a weak Baltimore Ravens secondary. And of course I'm playing against him, so he's bound to go off.Andrew Luck, Colts: Going up against a Saints' defense that has allowed the second-most yards per attempt (8.6) and third-highest passer rating (106.8). With a healthy T.Y. Hilton to go along with Andre Johnson and Donte Moncrief, big numbers are to be anticipated from Luck.Landry Jones, Steelers: This is a stretch; even I can admit that. But Jones flashed some ability in the second half of last Sunday's game versus Arizona, including an 88-yard touchdown to Martavis Bryant. With the aforementioned Bryant and superstar Antonio Brown running all over the field against a horrible Kansas City secondary, it wouldn't be too surprising if Landry had 200+ yards to go along with 2 touchdowns.Quarterbacks I Hate:Colin Kaepernick, 49ers: In five career games where he's started against the Legion of Boom, Kaepernick has averaged 161.6 yards-per-game through the air and has a 2:7 touchdown-interception ratio, including two multi-interception games. Stray away from this guy, especially if running back Carlos Hyde (foot) doesn't play and help open up the offense.Joe Flacco, Ravens: Flacco is 30th in total yards-per-attempt among 34 qualified quarterbacks and faces a Cardinals defense that has given up the fifth-fewest yards-per-attempt. Stray away from the questionably elite quarterback.Running Backs I Love:Todd Gurley, Rams: Coming off a bye-week, facing a weak Browns defensive-line, averagin 152.5 yard-per-game in his two real starts. Play. This. Dude.Latavius Murray, Raiders: Before the Raider's bye-week and excluding the game against the stingy Broncos defense, Murray was averaging 74.25 yards-per-game and 11.5 fantasy points per game. Facing a weak San Diego front-seven, don't be afraid to put some faith in Latavius.Running Backs I Hate:Melvin Gordon, Chargers: 49.8 yards-per-game, 4 fumbles on the season including two in the first half of last week's game, and no touchdowns on the season. I still believe brighter things are ahead for the promising rookie out of Wisconsin, but this week's game against Khalil Mack and the Raider's defense is not that time.LeGarrette Blount, Patriots: Getting primarily garbage time work and facing an intimidating Jets defensive front that's tops in the league in rushing yard per game for opposing backs. Not a good play for Week 7.Every Cowboys Running Back: Although it was announced that Christine Michael would be the go-to guy this week, it's hard to believe Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden won't be getting touches. No telling if new quarterback Matt Cassell will open up the offense, so I expect defenses to stack the box against Dallas.Wide Receivers I Love:Pierre Garcon, Redskins: Desean Jackson is most likely STILL out for this week, so Garcon should put up solid numbers against a poor Tampa Bay secondary.Antonio Brown, Steelers: Last week this guy was on my hate list, but going up against a Chiefs team that has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers and with Oklahoma University-alum Landry Jones running the offense, it finally feels okay to put some assurance in Antonio.Wide Receivers I Hate:Tavon Austin, Rams: Just in case you were thinking of falling into the Tavon-trap, don't. He'll be lined up against Pro Bowl-corner Joe Haden and has averaged only 28.8 receiving yards-per-game to go along with 19.8 rushing yards-per-game. His fantasy production is primarily reliant on touchdowns, all three of which have come in his last two games. Keep this guy on your bench.Tight Ends I Love:Jordan Cameron, Dolphins: Cameron currently ranks number one among tight ends in average air yards-per-target and faces a Texans defense that has allowed 52 yards-per-game to that position. The new offense under interim head coach Dan Campbell looked good last week and it seems they're looking to get their big free-agent acquisition more involved.Charles Clay, Bills: Sammy Watkins is doubtful to play and the Jaguars have allowed the tenth-most yards to opposing tight ends on the season. Clay should get a lot of targets whether it's EJ Manuel or Tyrod Taylor playing.Tight Ends I Hate:Zach Ertz, Eagles: Can't seem to break out and a matchup against Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, and the Carolina Panthers doesn't bode well for this Eagle.Defense/ST I Love:Dolphins D/ST: Matchup against the Texans and coming off a 6-sack, 25 fantasy point outing in their first game under Dan Campbell after not recording a single sack in their previous four games. Things are looking up.Defense/ST I Hate:Rams D/ST: This team remains reliant on sacks for fantasy points, and this Cleveland Browns O-line is not going to let that happen. Josh McCown is playing very well and I don't see that trend ending against St. Louis.Last Week's Hit/Misses:Let's review how many player I accurately predicted in last week's column:Hits:Loves:Tom Brady, Patriots: 22 pointsChris Ivory, Jets: 25 pointsLeGarrette Blount, Patriots: 22 pointsBrandon Marshall, Jets: 15 pointsAnquan Boldin, 49ers: 10 pointsGreg Olsen, Panthers: 19 pointsHates:Josh McCown, Browns: 11 pointsChris Johnson, Cardinals: 4 pointsAntonio Brown, Steelers: 2 pointsMisses:Loves:Julio Jones, Falcons: 9 pointsHates:Cam Newton, Panthers: 19 pointsJimmy Graham, Seahawks: 14 points *All fantasy point totals are ESPN standard-scoring**Credit to Matthew Berry for the influence on this column