Tebow has been the starting quarterback for seven halves in his young career.  In those seven halves he has averaged over 12 fantasy points per half.  If you haven’t already done the math, that’s 24 fantasy points per game.  He hasn’t shown the ability to be effective through the air (career 48.9% CMP%) which forces him to use his fantasy friendly ability to use his legs.  Tebow has a rushing touchdown in all four games where he has been the starter, so starting Tebow is essentially like using a running back in your QB slot with the added bonus of a few passing points.  Tebow might not be the answer at QB for the Broncos, but he is a must start for fantasy owners.

QB Sit: Matt Schaub (Houston Texans, Week 7: @ Tennessee)

Schaub has had three good games which came against three defenses that all rank in the top five of most fantasy points per game allowed to opposing quarterbacks.  In two of those three games, Schaub had Andre Johnson to throw to.  This week Schaub faces a defense that has allowed the 11th fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and Andre Johnson isn’t available (hamstring).  Two “wrongs” don’t make a “right.”

RB Start: Mike Tolbert (San Diego Chargers, Week 7: @ New York Jets)

The J-E-T-S are N-O-T good against the run.  They’ve allowed the second most rushing yards in the league and are tied for the most rushing touchdowns allowed.  Ryan Mathews is sure to benefit from the matchup as well, but the two San Diego backs have shared success in the same game before as they each scored double digit fantasy points in weeks 1 and 4.  Tolbert is reportedly healthy and still the goal line back as well as an option in the passing game.  He’ll find some yardage either on the ground or through the air and will get a chance to punch it into the end zone.

RB Sit: Handcuffs starting this week

Montario Hardesty, DeMarco Murray, and Maurice Morris are all getting the start this week as the lead backs in front of them are out with various injuries.  However, it might be best to take a wait-and-see approach with the trio.  

Murray will be running behind a bad offensive line and alongside some competition in Tashard Choice.  Wait and see how the carries are distributed among the two Dallas backs and whether either of them is able to be effective behind that line before starting them.

Morris just may not be any good.  Wait and see to make sure he doesn’t suck before using him.

Of the three, Hardesty has the best chance to be a viable RB2 going forward.  However, this week he faces a Seahawks defense that has actually been pretty good against the run.  Use him if you must, and you may have to with six top 20 running backs on bye this week, but temper your expectations.

WR Start: Nate Washington (Tennessee Titans, Week 7: Houston)

Washington has been extremely consistent this year as he’s recorded at least 60+ receiving yards in every game.  If and when he gets in the end zone, Washington will easily get into the double digits in fantasy points.  During the bye weeks, you could do much worse than a safe six points with a pretty decent chance of cracking ten or even fifteen fantasy points.

WR Sit: Brandon Lloyd (St. Louis Rams, Week 7: @ Dallas)

Lloyd will be good in St. Louis, and he’ll likely be good sooner rather than later as he’s already familiar with Josh McDaniel’s offensive scheme.  But it seems a little much to expect much from him after six days as a St. Louis Ram.  Not to mention Sam Bradford is out and A.J. Feely will be throwing Lloyd the ball.  Give Lloyd a week or two to get acclimated and Bradford a week or two to get healthy before reinserting Lloyd in your starting lineup.

TE Start: Kellen Winslow (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Week 7: Chicago, game in London)

The Bears D finally held an opposing tight end in check last week, but they only managed to do so against Visanthe Shiancoe with McNabb and Ponder throwing him the ball.  And even after shutting down Shiancoe the Bears still allow the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.  Winslow leads the Bucs in receptions this year, but has yet to find the end zone.  With such a good matchup, expect Josh Freeman to continue to heavily target Winslow and for Winslow to finally find pay dirt.

TE Sit: Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers, Week 7: @ San Diego)

Let’s be clear, if Gates is healthy, he could go off.  Even though it’s not the most favorable matchup, Gates is on a level where matchups don’t matter too much when he’s 100%.  But is he 100%?  He seems likely to go on Sunday, but the Chargers chose not to let Gates practice three days in a row this week.  Will he be able to play in three straight series’ on Sunday?  It’s just that Gates’ questionable tag raises a lot more questions than one might normally have for a guy listed as questionable.

Because there are so many questions and because the matchup isn’t ideal, it might be smart to leave Gates on your bench until he proves he can make it on to, and stay on, the field.  If you are a Gates owner, you have likely found a decent backup option by now.  If that’s the case, roll with your plan B for one more week.  If you’ve been piecing together your TE starters with waiver wire slop, you can understandably roll the dice with Gates.

Written by Brett Talley exclusively for thefantasyfix.com.  Brett is a law student in Dallas who really “went out on a limb” with that Brandon Lloyd call.  You can follow him and/or ask him for fantasy advice on Twitter @therealTAL.

Photo Credit: (October 8, 2011 – Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)

Tags: 2011 Fantasy Football, Sit Em Start Em, Lineup Advice, Brett Talley, Week 7, Week seven, Sit Start, Time Tebow, Antonio Gates, Kellen Winslow, Nate Washington, Matt Schaub, Mike Tolbert, Brandon Lloyd