Facts vs. Feelings: Should you start Josh Jacobs and other lineup questions

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  Liz LozaOct 21, 2026, 08:21 AM ET

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  Liz Loza is a writer for fantasy football and betting at ESPN and host of the "Facts vs. Feelings" podcast. Liz also appears on "Fantasy Football Now" and contributes to the "Fantasy Focus Football" podcast.

I went to a football game this weekend. Like a real one. Not a youth sports outing (because I'm at one of those every day but Sunday). Rather, a professional contest featuring adults and sanctioned by a league. I definitely got some food poisoning from a suss chicken sandwich. Other than that, though, it was awesome to be washed in the collective energy pulsing through the state-of-the-art stadium. From the call and response to the unfiltered views, the 4D experience remains unmatched.

Even if the Super Bowl-contending team I was rooting for fell flat against a 12.5-point road dog. Even if the squad's new kicker tore his ACL in the first quarter. Even if one of the corps' brightest stars suffered a multiweek injury on the offense's final possession.

Because I was living in real time... I didn't know all of those gritty details at the moment.

Yes, I was aware the offense was flat and could see the team struggling to put up points. But I was also confounded by the "why" of it all and hopeful for a turnaround. During halftime, both myself and the gentleman seated behind me theorized that L.A. was spent after dueling Buffalo in extra time just six days prior. We also got into the weeds about Blake Grupe having gone to the medical tent and how -- using fan math -- mandatory 2-point conversions might help the Rams gain ground. Neither one of us, however, clocked Davante Adams pulling up on a route with 1:18 left in the contest.

If I had been following the broadcast on a second screen, or frantically scrolling social media between whistles, maybe then I would have been more "locked in." I would have been able to astutely identify the breakdown along the interior of the offensive line. I could have repeatedly hemmed and hawed over Josh Wallace's unnecessary roughness penalty. I would have known all the things in specific detail as they were each unfolding.

Actually, that's not true. Because the severity of Grupe's injury wasn't confirmed until Monday morning. Adams' ruptured hamstring wasn't reported until nearly 25 hours after kickoff. And the validity of the call wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game.

I also would have missed a lot if I was busy trying to know everything. Like bumping into a beloved former colleague at the concession stand while buying my daughter $15 ice cream. Taking in the commentary of the surrounding die-hards (even if they were working blue). And chuckling in relief when my son decided not to employ some of the new words he had just learned.

I got to watch live football like a fan on Sunday. I got to work the details as an analyst on Monday. Both instances filled me with delight and satisfaction. The difference between the two, though, reminded me that more information can always be culled. That my first take doesn't have to be last. And that additional data creates room for nuance. I'm allowed to change my mind. And so are you.

Start and Sit Questions for Week 7

C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans

On last week's episode of the Facts vs. Feelings Podcast, a caller named Ross from Rhode Island shared his success in streaming Stroud, questioning why the Texans quarterback remains consistently buried in the weekly rankings. I explained that I wasn't sold on Stroud's reliability and that his virtual numbers had been boosted by a flukey rushing score in Week 5. Then the 25-year-old signal-caller flew across the ocean and completed more than 70% of his passes for 312 yards and three scores, earning managers nearly 23 fantasy points while facing the Jaguars. So, Ross, I was wrong. And I am willing to stand corrected.

Stroud is quietly putting together a career-best campaign, posting peak numbers across the board. He has reached personal bests in completion percentage (65.3%), interception rate (0.5%), off-target rate (15.7%), QBR (65.6) and fantasy points per game (18.7). Those metrics figure to be further bolstered by an expanding receiving corps that features the addition of former Buckeyes teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. and the return of Tank Dell.

Given the Texans' struggling ground game -- one that ranks fourth lowest in yards per attempt (3.6) and second worst in yards after contact (1.43) -- Stroud should continue to air it out. In fact, Houston's 65% pass rate ranks ninth in the NFL, and 76% of the team's total yards have come via the pass (fourth in the NFL). That sets up nicely against a Giants defense that has surrendered 240 passing yards and just one short of 2 passing scores per game through six weeks. As such, Stroud enters Week 7 as the ESPN consensus ranked QB6.

Kyler Murray, QB, Minnesota Vikings

On the final day of Libra season, here I am, once again, talking myself into Murray. He's been a flummoxing player since his professional arrival, yet the arguments in his favor are beginning to erase the years of trauma. Although Murray's post-injury mark of 28 rushing yards per game sits below his previous five-season baseline of 30 to 38, his rushing floor remains vital, accounting for almost a quarter of his fantasy output .

Furthermore, the Justin Jefferson factor provides a legitimate reason for optimism, as the star wideout is helping lift Murray toward higher efficiency and production. In their first healthy game together, in Week 5, Murray benefited from Jefferson's presence by posting an 81% completion rate and a robust 7.8 yards per attempt. When targeting Jefferson specifically, Murray has completed 10 of 11 passes for 122 yards on the year. Now, both players come off a Week 6 bye completely fresh and primed to post numbers in a solid matchup.

The Colts are allowing 18.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. In fact, three of the six quarterbacks to face them -- Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers -- have managed at least 22 fantasy points. This matchup could become even softer as cornerback Sauce Gardner is currently week-to-week with a calf injury. With byes in full swing and injuries mounting at the position, Murray needs to be on streaming radars. He draws the easiest strength of schedule at the position while remaining available in over 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers

Presently rostered in 88% of ESPN fantasy leagues, Jacobs has officially been removed from the commissioner exempt list and is eligible to return to the Packers in Week 7, with the NFL investigation into personal conduct policy violations stemming from his misdemeanor battery charge earlier this year still ongoing. The Packers have struggled to find a consistent replacement in Jacobs' absence with Pierre Strong Jr, MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson each getting a shot at, and failing to, grab the alpha role.

This turnstile approach to the position has contributed to massive efficiency woes. In fact, Green Bay ranks among the NFL's bottom-three rushing units in yards before contact per rush (1.47, 30th) as well as yards after contact per rush (1.40, last). Moreover, the Packers have tallied only nine explosive runs this season (T-fewest in NFL) and are managing a first down on just 18% of their rushing attempts (second worst).

There's a clear expectation that Jacobs' return will restore stability to the backfield. How long that takes remains another matter, however. The 28-year-old suffered a noticeable statistical drop-off during the second half of last season, and his overall workload was reduced as the year progressed. Because Jacobs will likely need to shake off rust, and given that the Lions' defense is much stingier against the run than the pass, managers need to temper their expectations ahead of his 2026 debut. Consider the Packers' presumed primary ball carrier a fringe RB2 heading into the weekend.

Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers

We had a hunch Coker might make a fantasy impact heading into the season, but no one expected him to outpace Ja'Marr Chase and Drake London in fantasy points per game, averaging 17 per contest (WR13). Even Panthers head coach Dave Canales probably didn't anticipate the Holy Cross alumnus would outproduce Carolina's designated top target. Yet, that is exactly what Coker has accomplished over three full games playing alongside Tetairoa McMillan.

Coker looked sharp in his return from injury last Sunday, drawing a career-high 13 targets, registering 97 receiving yards and posting 15.7 fantasy points (WR20). The 24-year-old has now recorded at least 14 fantasy points in five consecutive healthy efforts. Those numbers should hold in a neutral matchup against the Buccaneers.

Moving forward, however, the schedule stiffens as five of Coker's next 11 games come against top-10 pass defenses that limit wide receiver fantasy scoring, This brutal stretch includes the entire fantasy playoffs: the Bengals in Week 15, the Steelers (sixth hardest) in Week 16 and the Seahawks (second hardest) in Week 17. Investors might consider trading away the surprise asset now while his stock is undoubtedly high.

Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions

The boom/bust nature of Jameson's game requires a constant calibration between floor and ceiling, gumption and get out. If, however, you possessed the audacity to draft him, then this is a week in which you need to gather the courage to flex him.

The Lions host the Packers in what's expected to be a high-octane matchup featuring the week's highest projected game scoring total (53.5 points). This explosive environment sets up nicely for Williams, who historically thrives on his home turf. Williams has commanded a noticeably higher target share at Ford Field (16%) than on the road (13%), averaging 5.6 targets per game at home compared to 4.3 away.

Green Bay's defensive vulnerabilities line up well with Williams' skill set. While the Packers have stifled opposing tight ends, surrendering the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the position, the banged-up defensive unit has struggled elsewhere, giving up the third-most fantasy points to running backs and the 13th-most to wide receivers. With Green Bay's defense forced to respect Detroit's ground game and locked in on limiting Sam LaPorta, Williams is in a prime position to break loose. As the Lions' premier lid-lifter, he should see plenty of high-value targets, potentially flirting with the 16.2 fantasy points per game he averaged from Weeks 9 to 18 of last year when LaPorta was sidelined.

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Andrews draws a prime matchup by 2025 standards. The Bengals, however, are no longer a sieve against tight ends. That's presently Detroit's claim to fame. Things change, much like Andrews' standing among the bona fide brand names at the position. Believe it or not, the 31-year-old hasn't registered 50 receiving yards in a single contest since Week 3 of 2025, coincidently against those very same Lions.

Andrews has now posted back-to-back seasons under 1.6 yards per route run -- an efficiency metric that never previously dipped below 2.10 -- and is averaging a mere 7.5 fantasy points per game (FPPG) this season, marking his lowest production since his 2018 rookie campaign. Operating with a career-low 6.24 average depth of target (aDOT) alongside the increased involvement of Josh Cuevas and the emergence of Ja'Kobi Lane, Andrews isn't likely to roll the clock. At this point, it is perfectly fine to drop him and live the stream instead.

AJ Barner, TE, Seattle Seahawks

Speaking of streams, Barner presents with such appeal in Week 7. The Seahawks lead with the ground game, so Barner's receiving numbers aren't particularly impressive. He ranks third on the team with 15 receptions, and top-four among Seattle pass catchers in targets (24) and receiving yards (138). What is surprising, though, is the fact that he's second on the squad in routes run (167), red zone targets (4) and end zone targets (2).

With fellow tight end Elijah Arroyo expected to miss "significant time" with a shoulder injury, Barner should remain atop the team's TE depth chart. He should also see an uptick in opportunities in what's projected to be a competitive outing against the Chiefs (Seattle -2.5). Kansas City's defense has been generous to tight ends, inviting the second-most targets (57) while allowing third-most fantasy points per contest (20.0 FPPG) to the position. For reference, six tight ends have posted 10 or more fantasy points versus the Chiefs in just five outings. Available in over 90% of ESPN fantasy leagues, Barner is a widely available and under-the-radar dart throw for managers seeking a spark.