NFL Fantasy Dream Team: Here’s who you needed in your Week 7 line-up

QB – Aaron Rodgers, GB, 43.76pts

He’s the greatest the game’s ever seen – don’t @ me Tom, Peyton or Gardner (heh) – but hadn’t quite hit the dizzying heights he can under new coach Matt LaFleur until this week.

The plucky, Chucky Raiders were the unwilling victims as the 35-year-old slashed his way to five passing TDs, a rushing score of his own, 429 yards and the first perfect passer rating in the Super Bowl era for a Green Bay Packer.

That’s a lot of games. He was so great they even gave him the game ball.

Aaron Rodgers got the game ball and a gigantic group hug from his @Packers teammates after throwing 5 TD against the Raiders. pic.twitter.com/C9hkBJnTpQ

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 20, 2019

RB – Chase Edmonds, ARI, 34pts

A big gold star for you if you started Chase Edmonds this week (I did!) We’ve lauded David Johnson in recent weeks for his rabbit’s-foot-like quality of appearing in winning line-ups this season, but it was his Cardinals back-up Chase Edmonds who stormed in from waiver wire chatter magnet to RB1 for the week with a three-score return that makes him look like a potential fantasy star for the rest of the season – and all at the low,low price of £5,500 in PPFantasy.

That’s so much value I need to lie down.

RB – Latavius Murray, NO, 29.5pts

But wait. what’s this? Another second-fiddle ball-carrier at RB2 – and even cheaper at £5,300?!

Dios Mio.

With Alvin Kamara afforded a week off against the (supposedly) fearsome Bears defence, the Saints had such a good time against Chicago that you’d wonder if the Super Bowl should be played between the Saints starters (Brees and Kamara) and the Saints reserves (Bridgewater and Murray) on New Orleans’ practice field as soon as the former pair are healthy.

Latavius Murray, a former Raider and Viking brought in this offseason to fill Mark Ingram’s roster spot, had 150 yards from scrimmage, two TDs and five receptions as the Bears wondered who spiked their drinks the night they drafted Mitch Trubisky.

WR – Marvin Jones, DET, 38.3pts

Hard as it might be to believe, there was a season a few years ago when the Bengals with Andy Dalton at QB looked like possible Super Bowl contenders. Marvin Jones was a big part of why, but since hitting free agency and landing in Detroit he’s not really hit the same level consistently.

Here’s hoping this four TD explosion is a sign of things to come from a player who you may find has slipped onto the waiver wire in your season-long league but who won’t be there much longer after this week.

WR – Zach Pascal, IND, 25.6pts

I thought it was all Andrew Luck making these guys look good last season? *raised eyebrow*

Jacoby Brissett’s showing that he can be more than just a placeholder at the Colts QB spot, and Pascal was the beneficiary of his play and coach Frank Reich’s scheming. The 2017 undrafted receiver had a first 100-yard receiving game and found the endzone twice to break the Sunday slate.

WR – DeAndre Hopkins, HOU, 21.4pts

There have been seasons where nine receptions, one TD and 100 yards would’ve been considered par for Nuk Hopkins, but the proliferation of options in Houston has seen Hopkins statlines dip this season. This was his first week with a touchdown reception since the opener, so anyone who kept the faith and paid his hefty pricetag were rewarded with some production.

Nov 26, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a reception as Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (25) defends during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

TE – Darren Waller, OAK, 28.1pts

One of the bright spots in a sea of darkness at the tight end position this season, the Raiders primary pass-catcher had his second game with over 100 yards on Sunday, and this time, to the delight of anyone who started him, he added two scores as well, sealing his spot as the week’s best option at tight end in the Raiders defeat at Lambeau Field.

FLEX – Dalvin Cook, MIN, 27.4pts

The Packers’ big purple rivals dominated their opponents too on Sunday, as a Lions team who’ve been getting ideas about winning the NFC North – and maybe more –  were well beaten. RB Dalvin Cook played a big part in bringing them back down to earth with 142 yards rushing gained at 5.7 yards per carry and two touchdowns in a 42-30 win.

D/ST – LA Rams, 21pts

Marcus Peters out, Jalen Ramsey in, and all looks good in LA again? Well, for this week it did. They were helped by an Atlanta team coming in with their season already in tatters, but the Rams unit made the most of the opportunity grabbing two fumbles, an interception and collecting a TD and their offence took care of a Falcons team who want the season to end now.