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The Week 7 matchup between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams features two teams riding the hot hand at the wide receiver position. We've got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
New York Giants
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. hasn’t exactly done a great job keeping his emotions in check this season. That’s been well-documented. Fortunately he’s put up some solid fantasy numbers the last two weeks. In a win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6, Beckham finished with eight catches for a whopping 222 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. The yardage total represents a career high for Beckham. A month ago he was taking out his anger on kicking nets and now he’s proposing to them. What a difference four weeks can make. Despite the fact the Los Angeles Rams have a defense-first mentality, they are the fifth-worst team in the league at defending opposing wide receivers. Beckham could be doing touchdown dances for the third week in a row in Week 7. It seems he’s got his groove back.
Hopefully teammate Sterling Shepard can find his. After displaying tons of promise early on in the season scoring twice in his first three NFL games, Shepard’s production has fallen off a cliff. He does have 10 catches over that stretch, which isn’t too bad. Those receptions, however, have only gained him a grand total of 69 yards. He’s also been held out of the end zone since scoring in Week 3. Maybe now that opposing teams have to re-focus their attention on Beckham, things will open up for the rookie. Shepard will be hard pressed to get anywhere near his projected totals considering the way he’s playing at the moment.
Los Angeles Rams
Believe it or not, wide receiver Kenny Britt is currently on pace for over 1,300 receiving yards this season. He’s always been gifted but his blessings haven’t translated into on-field success. Perhaps 2016 is the year we finally see the best of Britt. He scorched the Detroit Lions in Week 6 for seven catches, 136 yards, and two touchdowns. The scores represented his first and second of the season. What’s most positive about Britt’s current hot streak is that he’s been targeted at least six times in all but one game this year. If he continues to develop chemistry with quarterback Case Keenum, Britt will be one of the biggest surprises of 2016. It’ll be interesting to see whether he can keep his production levels up against the Giants in Week 7.
Perhaps his improved play will help to open up a running room for the centerpiece of the offense, Todd Gurley. That was not the case in Detroit. Gurley rushed for just 58 yards on 14 carries. He is only averaging 2.9 yards per carry this season. Nobody really blames him, but it’s tough to see him struggle as a fantasy owner. Perhaps a trip to London will give Gurley the change of pace he needs to get over the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time this season against New York.