The Guru Gridiron Report: Week 7 Bench/Start Defenses

Week 7 is upon us and with some critical players on the BYE week managers will have to make some tough decisions in order to squeak out a win. Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Cardinals are all on the BYE. All positions except TE are taking a hit, but the most affected is runningback. There are also injuries to account for like Romo, Felix Jones, Kellen Winslow, Joseph Addai and Matt Hasselbeck to name a few. So with a rough week ahead of us, here are our week 7 picks:

DEFENSES AND YOU MUST START
Dallas should have a great week on the road against a Rams team they are build to beat. It is important that they get healthy and that Newman is back starting at CB. Chicago Bears and Minnesota have a great defensive matchup in store for us. Minnesota will be touch and go, but Chicago should have a big day and we have a feeling Hester will take one to the house. Tennessee should have its way with a Larry Johnson-less Kansas City Chiefs. Finally, Tampa Bay has to deal with Seneca Wallace and Seattle at home. A must start.

Others: Pittsburgh, NY Giants

Other DEFENSES To Consider Starting With Some Risk
The New York Jets could have a big game against the Raiders, so we think you should start them if you are in a hole. Maimi is another team on the rise defensively and face the Ravens and mastermind Joe Flacco. Miami should easily dominate this game at home. The Baltimore Ravens are a bit over matched by the Miami run game, but should keep the score down and could force some turnovers and maybe a TD. Buffalo is at home against the Chargers who travel across the continent for this matchup. As we know from past experience that is always a disadvantage for the traveling team. Start the Buffalo Bills with the hope they can contain the well travelled Philip Rivers and Co.

Others: San Diego, Washington, New Orleans, Denver, New England

Please Bench These DEFENSES

Cincinnati, Detroit, Oakland, San Francisco, St. Louis, Green Bay, Kansas City

Sleeper Defenses

We love the Houston Texans against the miserable Detroit Lions. They have a young inexperienced QB in Dan Orlovsky and are now without the services of Roy Williams. They are a team in decline. Start the Texans. Seattle could show some life this week against division rival Tampa Bay. Its a longshot, but we think they matchup well and if Seattle can execute it could be a long day for Jeff Garcia.

The True Guru