[dropcap]H[/dropcap]as anyone else been perturbed by the phrase “moral victory” lately? It’s been thrown around the last two weeks in the NFL regarding the Dallas Cowboys’ close loss to the Broncos in Week 6 and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ surprising effort against said Broncos in Week 7. Please, enough with the “moral victories” already. There aren’t any standings for moral victories, much to the chagrin of the Cowboys and Jaguars; although, luckily for Dallas, they’ve actually won more real games than moral contests. Moral victories aren’t a determinant for tie-breakers.

There are more fitting terms we can use to describe a “moral victory,” such as a positive outlook, a silver lining, an excuse or just a loss. “Moral victories” are a shallow veneer to hide the bitterness of defeat. Yes, the losing team may have played well, but a loss is a loss.

No one likes losing, in the NFL and in fantasy football. So, if I were you, I’d start any of the following professional football players if you want to avoid any “moral victories” this week.

Note: numbers are based on PPR scoring via FFToday.

Quarterbacks

Jay Cutler @ Washington

Marc Trestman has done wonders for the Bears’ offense as a whole this season, but specifically with Jay Cutler, who is on pace for career highs in completion percentage, touchdowns and rating. The addition of tight end Martellus Bennett has been a huge bonus for Cutler, but throwing to the likes of Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery hasn’t hurt either.

This week should see Cutler put up some more big numbers against the Washington Redskins. Washington is giving up 25.1 fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season. That’s ninth most in the NFL. Jay Cutler should continue to surprise as a Top 10 quarterback in Week 7.

Philip Rivers @ Jacksonville

Marc Trestman is to Jay Cutler what Mike McCoy is to Philip Rivers. McCoy and Rivers have melded together, in the words of Forrest Gump, like peas and carrots. Rivers is also on pace for career highs in yards, touchdowns and rating. Rivers should continue that pace this week in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have allowed 14 passing touchdowns, tied for most in the league, and are 11th worst in the NFL in FPPG allowed to quarterbacks at 24.2. I can’t believe I feel comfortable saying this, but start Rivers again with confidence.

Nick Foles vs. Dallas

The Philadelphia Eagles may have a quarterback controversy on their hands, and so might your fantasy team, at least for this week. Nick Foles is a tremendous play this week, particularly for Drew Brees and Terrelle Pryor owners. In his first start of the year Foles threw for just under 300 yards and totaled four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing).

While the Dallas defense was able to contain Robert Griffin III on Sunday night, they’ve still been susceptible to the pass throughout the season. As the numbers stand, the Cowboys are still allowing the most FPPG to quarterbacks at 29. Not only would I start Foles this week, but he’s an extremely viable Top 10 option.

Running Backs

Brandon Jacobs vs. Minnesota

Brandon Jacobs seemingly came out of nowhere, to take the Giants’ starting running back role, to be one of the best fantasy running backs in Week 6. It was a pleasant reminder for those of us who remember Jacobs run for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2008. With David Wilson’s cloudy future and Da’Rell Scott’s recent release, the New York backfield is Jacobs’ for the taking.

While Jacobs may be a quandary for fantasy owners this week, it would behoove you to put him in at least your flex spot, although he could easily produce similar numbers to what he did last week. The Vikings’ defense has been atrocious against the run this season, yielding a league-worst 31.7 FPPG to the position. If you were lucky enough to grab Jacobs off your waiver wire, put him in your lineup.

DeAngelo Williams vs. St. Louis

Is anyone else reminded of the Biblical story of the prodigal son when DeAngelo Williams comes to mind? This guy had a great future and he’s squandered it in Carolina’s backfield. It seems like we’re always wanting more from the veteran running back. Despite his consistent disappointments, he’s still on pace for over 1,200 rushing yards in 2013.

The glaring drawback in Williams’ game, however, is his lack of touchdowns. He’s put up a big goose egg in the touchdown column after five games played. Fortunately for Williams and his owners, he goes up against the second worst fantasy rush defense in the NFL right now in the St. Louis Rams. The Rams have given up the most rushing yards (764) and rushing touchdowns (T6) in the NFL. Kill the fatted calf for Williams this week.

Danny Woodhead @ Jacksonville

San Diego has been full of fantasy football surprises in 2013 and Danny Woodhead may be at the forefront. The 5’8” running back has proven to be the most versatile backfield weapon for the Chargers since Darren Sproles. It seems like we expect this every week with the Jaguars’ opponent, but don’t be surprised if San Diego builds a lead on Jacksonville and runs out some clock. Heck, the Chargers didn’t even need a lead to run out the clock on the Colts Monday night.

Woodhead will shatter his career best in receptions and receiving yards as the wild card in San Diego’s potent offense. He’s averaging six catches and over 40 receiving yards per game, not to mention the three receiving scores. With Jacksonville allowing 25.9 FPPG to running backs, Woodhead is a solid PPR RB2 option in Week 7.

Wide Receivers

Justin Blackmon vs. San Diego

Has any player burst on to the 2013 fantasy scene faster than Justin Blackmon? It’s only taken him two games but he’s become one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the game. Even if an ailing Cecil Shorts is able to take the field this week, expect another big outing from Blackmon against the Chargers. As we usually expect the Jaguars’ opponents to be running a lot, we conversely expect the Jaguars to frequent the pass.

It hasn’t taken long for quarterback Chad Henne to develop a nice rapport with Blackmon. That should continue this week in Jacksonville. Even better news for Blackmon owners is that the Chargers are allowing 41.7 FPPG to opposing wide receivers. You probably won’t see Justin Blackmon any more in this column, because you should be starting him every week from now on.

Reggie Wayne/T.Y. Hilton vs. Denver

Last week I said the Monday night game between the Colts and Chargers would be a barn-burner, which it wasn’t. So I’m going to try again this week. The Sunday night Colts – Broncos game is going to be a barn-burner. We could see 90-100 combined pass attempts between Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. Wayne and Hilton are the obvious beneficiaries of the Colts’ passing attack.

If facing the Broncos at home against Manning isn’t enough of an incentive, the Colts are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Chargers on Monday night in which the offense, and the passing game in particular, was completely stagnant. Despite the Broncos’ hot start in 2013, their defense allows 42.6 FPPG to wide receivers. Consider Wayne a high-end PPR WR2 and Hilton a high-end PPR WR3 this week.

Mike Wallace vs. Buffalo

The last time I included Mike Wallace in this column it turned out pretty well, so I’m doing it again, mainly because they play the Bills. Buffalo is second worst to the Eagles in FPPG allowed to wide receivers at 47.5.

While Wallace hasn’t had the most consistent season, when he’s on, he’s on. In the game against the Ravens before the Dolphins’ bye week, Wallace caught seven passes for 105 yards. If quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins know what’s good for them, they’ll keep looking Wallace’s way.

Tight Ends

Jordan Cameron @ Green Bay

There hasn’t been much talk of Jordan Cameron the last couple weeks, but don’t let that make you fall asleep on him. He’s still a Top 5 fantasy tight end and worthy of a weekly start, especially this week against the Packers. Green Bay surrenders 18.7 FPPG to tight ends. Cameron is still second among tight ends in targets (53) and touchdowns (5). Keep playing Cameron, especially this week.

Kyle Rudolph @ New York Giants

Well, well, well. Look who finally showed up. Kevin Rudolph easily had his best game of the year on Sunday, tallying 11 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. While that will probably be one of, if not, the most productive games of Rudolph’s 2013 campaign, he should have another solid outing in Week 7 against the New York football Giants. The magic number for the Giants this season is 15.6 FPPG allowed to tight ends. Don’t be surprised if Rudolph approaches that kind of production against the reeling Giants.

D/ST

Ravens @ Pittsburgh

The Ravens’ defense is starting to prove that their Week 1 shellacking at the hands of the Broncos’ offensive juggernaut was an anomaly. The Steelers have been a gold mine for defenses this year, although, their 8.8 FPPG allowed may not sound like it, but that’s fourth most in the league.

Chargers @ Jacksonville

Has anyone got the hint that I like the Chargers this week? What was most surprising about the Monday night win against the Colts was San Diego’s defense. It’s hard to keep Indy’s offense as constricted as it was that night. If Andrew Luck and Co. couldn’t get things going against the Chargers, Chad Henne and Co. will be even more hard-pressed to do the same (except for the aforementioned Justin Blackmon, of course), especially when the Jaguars allow 9.3 FPPG to defenses.

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