Fantasy football: Start-em, sit-em players for Week 7

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CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 12: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Start-em: Christian McCaffrey (CAR) @ Chicago

Christian McCaffrey is one of the safest plays at running back in all of fantasy football. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield consistently makes him a near must play every week.

The Carolina offense started the season slow, but has picked it up over the last few weeks. In Week 7 they get to face off against a mid tier defense in Chicago. McCaffrey has gained more touches as the season has went on and more playing time in general.

McCaffrey has a touchdown in each of the last two weeks, and this week could be a third. Without tight end Greg Olsen, Carolina has chosen to make McCaffrey the beneficiary of those lost catches that used to go to Olsen.

The one thing that McCaffrey is yet to do well in his rookie season is run the ball. This week is the week that changes. Last week Ravens running back Alex Collins ran for 75 yards against this Bears defense. McCaffrey has far more talent than Collins and should be in store for that type of production at minimum.

Adding what he does through the air to that type of ground game equates to great fantasy football production. This is the week Christian McCaffrey breaks out.

Other options: Jerrick McKinnon (MIN) vs. Baltimore and Duke Johnson Jr. (CLE) vs. Tennessee