Week 7 winners and losers: Nix, McCaffrey, Eagles WRs soar; Jeanty posts season low

Week 7 of the 2025 fantasy soccer season featured breakout performances by some names who've been quiet this season, in addition to a number of disappointing season-low efforts.

Who had been the large winners and losers?

Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft supply their analyses.

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Rating winners | Rating losers
Largest accidents and what's subsequent

Rating fantasy winners of Week 7

1. Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos: Nix's 39.96 factors within the comeback win over the Giants are a season-high for a quarterback. After a tough begin, Nix took over in a 33 level fourth quarter for Denver, throwing for 174 yards and two touchdowns, whereas including 46 yards speeding and two extra scores within the remaining body. Aggressive with the ball within the go recreation right here, whereas creating as runner on designed carries and scramble makes an attempt. Nix completed 27 of fifty passing for 279 yards, and he will get the Dallas protection up subsequent in Week 8. Lock him in as a lower-tier QB1 there. — Bowen

2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers: For the seventh consecutive week, he scored at the very least 22 fantasy factors, and his 39.1 on Sunday Evening Soccer represented his greatest single-game effort to this point this season. McCaffrey was a one-man wrecking crew for the 49ers of their 20-10 victory, and he now has a league-leading 187.1 factors for the season. That is probably the most by any operating again by his group's first seven video games since Alvin Kamara's 195.7 in 2020, and it is tied for the ninth-most on the place this century. McCaffrey can be hard-pressed to repeat the hassle in opposition to a tricky Houston Texans protection in Week 8, however he ought to nonetheless be a top-five choice at his place for that recreation. — Cockcroft

3. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: We won't name the Eagles' passing recreation disappointing anymore, as for the primary time collectively, Brown and Smith every scored as many as 28 PPR fantasy factors, Smith ending with 33.3 and Brown with 28.1. Jalen Hurts delivered his greatest passing efficiency to this point within the course of, persevering with to focus on each receivers on deep throws — all three touchdowns he threw to them (Brown two, Smith one) traveled at the very least 20 yards downfield — and steadily within the seams (two of the scores and 6 of their catches). Maybe it's going to convey some momentum into their Week 8 assembly with the New York Giants, a group that contained each extensive receivers of their Week 6 matchup, as Brown ought to be a borderline WR1 and Smith a low-end WR2. — Cockcroft

4. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: If Thursday's recreation was consultant of what fantasy managers can count on from Chase with Joe Flacco as his quarterback for many, if not all, of the rest of 2025, coloration them thrilled. Flacco focused Chase 23 instances, a profession excessive for the extensive receiver and the third-most targets for any participant in a recreation for the reason that NFL started monitoring them in 1992, leading to 38.1 PPR fantasy factors for the No. 1 choose on common in ESPN drafts. That got here on the heels of a 25.1-point efficiency in Flacco's Bengals debut in Week 6, back-to-back scores which can be all of the extra outstanding if you happen to think about that Chase, who has scored 21% of his profession fantasy factors on throws at the very least 20 yards downfield, hasn't but caught such a go from his new quarterback and has seen just one goal on these. There's each purpose to assume that Chase's potential as his place's prime scorer going ahead has been restored following the commerce. — Cockcroft

5. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts: For the third time previously 5 weeks, Taylor exceeded 30 PPR fantasy factors, scoring a season-best 34.2 in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers. He is rapidly remodeling right into a potential fantasy league-winner, regardless of being drafted at (or after) the Rounds 1-2 flip in ESPN leagues in the course of the preseason. Taylor now has 179.2 factors for the season, probably the most by any operating again by his group's first seven video games since Derrick Henry in 2021 (186.5). Taylor ought to be in for an enormous recreation subsequent week in a particularly favorable matchup in opposition to the Tennessee Titans, in opposition to whom he tallied 32.8 factors in Week 3. — Cockcroft

6. Matthew Stafford, QB; Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams: With out Puka Nacua (foot), each Stafford (27.38) and Adams (26.5) posted season-high factors within the blowout win over the Jags. Stafford completed with solely 182 yards passing, however he threw 5 touchdowns, with three of them going to Adams on finish zone targets. And Adams reminded us simply how good he's versus press protection by being sudden and explosive off the discharge. With Nacua anticipated to return after the upcoming bye, Adams will slide again into the WR2 ranks for the Week 9 matchup versus the Saints, and I am going to have Stafford (25 or extra factors in three of his previous 4 video games) as a fringe QB1. — Bowen

7. Patrick Mahomes, QB, and Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs:

For the fourth consecutive week, Mahomes exceeded 26 fantasy factors (26.24), and this one was important in that it marked Rice's 2025 debut following his serving a six-game suspension. Rice, regardless of operating solely 16 routes, immediately snapped again to the position of Mahomes' go-to man, seeing a team-high 10 targets, catching two quick landing passes and totaling 23.2 PPR fantasy factors. That is instantly a a lot, a lot scarier Chiefs passing offense than we have seen in a number of years, with Rice, Xavier Worthy, Travis Kelce, Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Lock these two into all your lineups for what may very well be an enormous scoring day for every in opposition to the Washington Commanders in Week 8. — Cockcroft

8. Justin Herbert, QB, and Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: Saddled with a 20-point deficit on the scoreboard getting into the second half, Herbert tried a whopping 55 passes, his most in a recreation in three years and two days, “volume-ing” his strategy to 27.9 fantasy factors. He made efficient use of Allen out of the slot, because the extensive receiver scored 28.9 PPR fantasy factors on 14 targets. It isn't one thing you need to count on each week, because the Chargers, getting into the week, had run solely 36% of their offensive performs whereas trailing (any time and any quantity within the recreation). Herbert has been made extra of a focus of the offense this season, nevertheless, so he is a succesful fantasy QB1 in opposition to a Minnesota Vikings offense that surrendered 326 yards and three touchdowns on solely 23 passes by Jalen Hurts on Sunday. — Cockcroft

9. Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants: I used to be a bit of down on Dart heading into Week 7 due to the defensive matchup with the Broncos. Nevertheless, Dart scored a season-high 28.42 factors within the final second loss to Denver. Sure, Dart solely accomplished 45.5% of his throws, and his 41 yards landing go to Theo Johnson was off a deflection. However we're watching a quarterback with playmaking traits right here. Dart completed with three landing throws on this one, plus a speeding rating, and he has posted 19 or extra factors in three of his 4 professional begins. Along with his dual-threat capability, Dart ought to be performed as a QB1 in 12 group leagues for the Week 8 recreation versus the Eagles. — Bowen

10. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals: McBride had a season-high 29.4 factors within the Week 7 loss to the Packers, catching 10 of a team-high 13 targets for 74 yards and two touchdowns. McBride now has over 20 factors in back-to-back video games – with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback – and at the very least one landing seize in every. Keep in mind, McBride at all times carries a high-floor within the Arizona offense resulting from his constant goal quantity (9.3 targets per recreation), however the landing manufacturing separates him as the highest TE in fantasy. The Cardinals head into the bye subsequent, and beginning quarterback Kyker Murray (foot) ought to be anticipated to return for the Week 9 matchup versus Dallas, the place McBride can be ranked as my total TE1. — Bowen

11. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints: Olave's 26.8 factors within the Week 7 loss to the Bears had been a season excessive, as he caught 5 of seven targets for 98 yards and two touchdowns. The Saints schemed for Olave on each of his landing grabs, transferring him to inside/slot alignments. Olave's first rating was on a seam route versus Cowl 2, and he discovered the tip zone for a second time by operating away from man protection on a crosser. Olave has now posted back-to-back weeks with 98 yards receiving, and he is seeing a median of 10.1 targets per recreation. We all know the Saints' offense has limitations, however Olave's goal share (31%) retains him as a fringe WR1 for the Week 8 residence recreation versus Tampa. — Bowen

12. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

With poor climate in Cleveland and a optimistic run recreation matchup, Judkins had a season-high 26.4 factors in a blowout win over the Dolphins. Though Judkins did not produce environment friendly numbers (3.4 YPC), he noticed a profession excessive in carries (25) and cashed in on low crimson zone touches, as he scored three touchdowns on makes an attempt from contained in the 5-yard line. Judkins will get a a lot more durable matchup in Week 8 versus the Patriots' protection, however with at the very least 19 touches in 4 of his previous 5 video games, he'll stick in my ranks as a volume-based RB2. — Bowen

Rating fantasy losers of Week 7

1. Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears: He set a profession worst along with his 4.68 fantasy factors, and though it is true that he wasn't wanted to do a complete lot in a recreation his Bears commanded for the close to entirety, it is a concern however that he tried solely 26 passes, his fourth fewest in a recreation. The Bears had been completely content material to lean closely on their operating recreation, however Williams could not get a lot of something accomplished from the pocket or on deeper throws. If that is certainly a sign of the group's future offensive technique — and it actually appears to be the case — Williams will not be a slam dunk starter for what would in any other case be a good Week 8 matchup in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens. — Cockcroft

2. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders: Jeanty's 4.4 factors within the blowout loss to the Chiefs had been a season low, and his position was diminished due to the Chiefs' capability to regulate tempo. With Kansas Metropolis scoring three first-half touchdowns on drives of 9, 16 and 17 performs, Jeanty noticed simply 4 touches within the first two frames. That is it. And Jeanty completed the sport with six carries for 21 yards, whereas including a reception for 13 yards. The Raiders head into the bye subsequent, earlier than returning in Week 9 to play the Jags. Let's have a look at if Vegas could make some offensive changes throughout its break day. — Bowen

3. Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets: The query of if he ought to proceed to begin was loudly raised final week, after he misplaced extra yards on sacks (55) than he totaled on throws (45), and on Sunday, we obtained our reply. Fields started the day simply 6-for-12 passing for 48 yards and 4.04 fantasy factors, earlier than being benched for Tyrod Taylor early within the second quarter. Although Taylor did not fare significantly better (2.14 factors on 22 passing makes an attempt and three carries), chances are high that it is a everlasting slightly than single-day swap. Downgrade all of your Jets ability gamers as a result of though Taylor brings extra to the group from a passing perspective, he'd nonetheless fee among the many league's backside half on the place. He is a tricky promote as a superflex/2QB starter even with a matchup with Cincinnati up subsequent. — Cockcroft

4. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints: Kamara remained inefficient as a runner in Week 7 regardless of a optimistic matchup versus the Bears' protection, averaging 2.5 YPC on 11 makes an attempt. And with out the receiving numbers (three catches, 1 yard), Kamara posted his worst recreation of the season, ending with simply 5.9 factors. With very restricted scoring upside (one landing this season), Kamara must provide the receiving totals to create some sense of upside within the lineup. Kamara will look to rebound in Week 8 versus the Bucs' protection. — Bowen

5. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders: He (and his group) disenchanted in a giant method dealing with considered one of their softest matchups, as Croskey-Merritt scored 4.2 PPR fantasy factors on 14 touches, whereas the Commanders surrendered 44 factors and 409 whole yards to the Dallas Cowboys and had been left to throw for many of the second half. The Commanders' defensive woes have grow to be a critical obstacle to Croskey-Merritt's success, as they completed the late video games having allowed the league's sixth-most whole yards per recreation (364.3). He is a tricky promote as something greater than a low-end fantasy RB2 rating for Week 8 in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. — Cockcroft

6. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins: The climate in Cleveland impacted the Dolphins' go recreation. That Browns protection can play, too. However this Miami offense regarded tough within the blowout loss on Sunday. In a recreation the place quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for simply 100 yards — with three picks — Waddle caught 1 of 4 targets for 15 yards (2.5 factors). Tagovailoa has now thrown three interceptions in back-to-back video games, and we've to surprise concerning the course of this offense (and this soccer group) transferring ahead with the Falcons up subsequent in Week 8. Keep tuned right here. — Bowen

7. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers: In his return to the lineup following a five-game absence resulting from a hamstring damage, Kittle was notably quiet. He performed 82% of the offensive snaps and ran 22 routes, third-most among the many group's receivers, however noticed solely two targets and did not catch both. It wasn't a straightforward matchup for Kittle, nevertheless, because the 49ers entered the week having afforded tight ends the fewest PPR fantasy factors per recreation (5.2), and opponents as a complete the fewest passing yards per recreation (139.4). Sadly for Kittle, subsequent up are the Houston Texans, who've allowed the fifth-fewest factors per recreation to tight ends (8.7). — Cockcroft

Harm impression

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

What we all know: Daniels left the sport within the second half versus Dallas after injuring his hamstring when he was sacked contained in the pocket. He didn't return. Daniels threw for 156 yards and a landing, plus he had 35 yards speeding and a rating (17.74 factors).

What's subsequent: If Daniels cannot play subsequent week at Kansas Metropolis, Marcus Mariota would get the nod. Mariota averaged 18.8 PPG in two begins for an injured Daniels again in Week 3 and 4. Nevertheless, as a result of extensive receiver accidents in Washington, and the matchup versus the Chiefs' protection, Mariota would have restricted fantasy worth right here. –Bowen

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

What we all know: He left Sunday's recreation in London within the fourth quarter with a shoulder damage and was unable to return. Thomas seemed to be coping with the damage for a lot of the sport.

What's subsequent: Travis Hunter had an enormous second-half efficiency, albeit in rubbish time, scoring all 24.1 of his PPR fantasy factors on 11 targets after halftime, and would vault to the highest of the depth chart ought to Thomas have to miss extra time. The Jaguars have a Week 8 bye, so we would not get a firmer learn on the 2024 breakout star for an additional week or so. — Cockcroft

Bryce Younger, QB, Carolina Panthers:

What we all know: Younger left Sunday's recreation versus the Jets within the third quarter with an ankle damage, and he didn't return. Earlier than exiting, Younger threw for 138 yards and a landing, and added 10 yards speeding (10.52 factors).

What's subsequent: If Younger cannot go for the Week 8 matchup versus Buffalo, veteran Andy Dalton could be in line to begin. Dalton accomplished 4 of seven passes for 50 yards in reduction of Younger on Sunday, and he would carry minimal worth in deeper, 2QB Superflex codecs. — Bowen