Ten unheralded players set to shine in NFL Week 7

With the onset of NFL Week 7, we’re moving closer to the halfway point of the 2017 NFL season. Yet, even with as much football as we’ve seen in 2016, we can still be surprised.

We can be surprised when someone we don’t expect to play well has a big game. This happens sometimes because of a favorable matchup. It could come from someone finally getting healthy, or just getting his chance to play.

There are many ways that an unheralded player can get a favorable assignment. NFL Week 7 features plenty that have such an assignment

Which under the radar players will have a big hand in the outcomes on Sunday? Which 10 unheralded players are in the best position to shine during NFL Week 7 action?

Kenny Britt, wide receiver, Los Angeles Rams

Given that the Rams are playing in London, starting with a Britt is appropriate.

Not long ago, it looked like Britt was on his way to a disappointing NFL career. In 2016, he’s shown a lot of game.

With Case Keenum throwing him the ball, Britt is on pace for an 80 catch, 1,312 yard season. Yet, he’s not garnering a lot of attention.

As we head into Week 7, that should change. The New York Giants’ secondary has been improved from 2015, but is still a long way from being good.

Additionally, in a strange way, having a quarterback like Keenum works to Britt’s advantage. Quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Drew Brees distribute the ball to many different receivers. Someone with Keenum’s skills is more likely to lock into one or two targets.

He’s developed a connection with Britt over the first six weeks. That’s not likely to change on Sunday.

Marcus Cannon, right tackle, New England Patriots

While nursing an injury, Cannon was not having a great season for the Patriots. He missed Week 5 and in his Week 6 return, the pressure was on New England’s right tackle to deliver.

Cannon did just that. Cannon not only had a solid game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but was Pro Football Focus’ highest graded right tackle for Week 6.

“With Carlos Dunlap on the other side of the line of scrimmage, Marcus Cannon deserves special mention for not just playing well, but doing so against excellent opposition,” Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus said in his grading. “He consigned Dunlap to the worst day of the DE’s season, allowing just two total pressures on 41 pass-blocking snaps and run blocking well against a tough defender.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled at getting to the quarterback this year. Only the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants have sacked the quarterback less.

With Tom Brady back and really into the swing of the 2016 season, Cannon is in line for another strong week.

Kamar Aiken, wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens

A season ago, Steve Smith Sr. missed all but seven games due to an injury and Mike Wallace was with the Miami Dolphins. Aiken had a nice season for himself, catching 75 passes for 974 yards.

Wallace and a healthy Smith have limited Aiken in 2016. But in Week 6 with Smith injured, Aiken had a solid game, catching four passes for 64 yards. So, if Smith is out again in Week 7, Aiken becomes even more relevant.

But in truth, even if Smith suits up, we should have high expectations for Aiken. In the event that Smith plays, Baltimore would do well to be conservative with him, opening up more playing time for Aiken. So, in a favorable matchup, big numbers are not out of the question.

Make no mistake, a game against the secondary of the New York Jets is a good matchup.

The New York defensive backfield has been nothing short of a trainwreck this season. Opposing quarterbacks have a 114.7 passer rating against the Jets. Only the Detroit Lions have allowed a higher total.

That should translate into a good game from Joe Flacco. Naturally, that means a good day for his receivers. While the Jets are trying to contain Wallace and/or Smith, Aiken should roam free into soft spots in the defense. If nothing else, he should be good for a few big plays.

Hunter Henry, tight end, San Diego Chargers

Over his last four weeks, Henry has caught 18 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns. In Week 6, he had the best game of his young career, catching six passes for 83 yards and a score.

Now, we could just dismiss this as a hot few weeks, but it would not be well advised. From his years of connecting with Antonio Gates, we know that Philip Rivers likes to throw to his tight end.

The Atlanta Falcons have also struggled to defend opposing tight ends, surrendering 37 catches for 438 yards against them through six weeks. That’s even with a complete shutout in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos.

Look for Rivers to keep targeting his young tight end in Week 7.

Nickell Robey-Coleman, cornerback, Buffalo Bills

Opposing quarterbacks have not enjoyed a great deal of success when throwing the ball at Robey-Coleman this season.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Billy/status/788071214963105792

When lined up in the slot position, Robey-Coleman has been even better.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had trouble against Ryan Tannehill in Week 6, but that really stemmed from a weak pass rush. The Steelers couldn’t sack Tannehill once and only hit him twice.

With Jerry Hughes and NFL sack leader Lorenzo Alexander attacking Tannehill from the edges, expect the Miami quarterback to be more rushed in the pocket.

That’s been a winning formula for defenses this year.

Tannehill has thrown seven interceptions already. That number is likely to go up if the Buffalo pass rush does its job. Robey-Coleman may well be a beneficiary when that happens.

Marqise Lee, wide receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars

While not a big play receiver, Lee has been a consistent target of Blake Bortles throughout the season. He caught only two balls in Week 1. But in each of the subsequent four games, Lee has hauled in no fewer than four passes.

Granted, that may not necessarily make the highlight shows, but those numbers do make Lee a solid target. He can make the third down receptions. He can catch the ball on first or second down, keeping the Jacksonville offense on schedule.

Don’t be surprised to see Lee make a few big plays this week, either.

The Oakland Raiders’ pass defense has been awful in 2016. It ranks 24th in passing touchdowns surrendered, 28th in opponent’s passer rating and sadly, that’s the strength. The Raiders are dead last in both total passing yards allowed and yards allowed per attempt.

Until this defense shows that it can be a little tighter in the passing game, we should continue to expect good things from opposing receivers.

Derrick Morgan, outside linebacker, Tennessee Titans

Morgan enters Week 7 hot, having recorded three sacks over the last two games. That bodes very well for the Titans this week, as they take on the Indianapolis Colts.

For centuries, we’ve thought that death and taxes were the only guarantees in life. We can now throw in a third — Andrew Luck will get pulverized under center.

The Indianapolis offensive line is just abysmal. The Colts have surrendered 23 sacks, four clear of any other team in the league. When Luck isn’t sacked, he’s pressured. This week, the pass rushers on the Titans get to take advantage of that.

Given that Brian Orakpo is on Luck’s blindside and has a better reputation than Morgan, he’ll get most of the attention from the Colts’ line. That will leave Morgan with favorable matchups on the other side.

By the end of the game, Morgan and Luck should be well acquainted with one another.

C.J. Fiedorowicz, tight end, Houston Texans

Through three games, Fiedorowicz had caught two passes for a grand total of seven yards. Bill O’Brien took over play calling duties in Week 4.

In the subsequent three games, Fiedorowicz has caught a solid 14 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s not a coincidence. O’Brien’s playbook has been favorable to Fiedorowicz. This week, he gets the Denver Broncos. Now, a defense like Denver’s may not seem like a favorable assignment. But in actuality, the Broncos’ defense works in Fiedorowicz’s favor.

Denver has one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. To beat a good pass rush, a quarterback needs to rely on short, quick routes.

That will lead to a lot of passes headed Fiedorowicz’s way.

Brandon McManus, kicker, Denver Broncos

McManus enters Week 7 kicking well. He’s missed only twice on the season and is perfect from inside of 50 yards. That bodes well for the Broncos.

Field goals should be a big part of this one. Denver has allowed 13 field goal attempts in 2016, tied for ninth in the league. Houston’s opponents have attempted only one fewer. Both teams have allowed 12 made kicks.

Additionally, neither offense is rolling particularly well.

Denver has scored a combined 29 points over the last two games.

Meanwhile, Fiedorowicz may get plenty of targets, but it would be ill advised to think that those will translate into many points — especially against the Broncos’ defense. We can’t expect them to allow a bevy of touchdowns against a Brock Osweiler led offense, can we?

So, while touchdowns are great, Monday’s game could come down to which team converts the most field goal attempts. In that case, the Broncos have an advantage. McManus enters the week kicking well, while Texans’ kicker Nick Novak has been inconsistent.

The signs certainly point towards McManus being a big factor.

Jacquizz Rodgers, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In Week 5, with Doug Martin and Charles Sims out of action, Rodgers became Tampa’s primary back and had himself a solid night against the Carolina Panthers.

Coming off of a Week 6 bye, Rodgers gets a date with the San Francisco 49ers. Since the injury to NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco’s defense has looked like it’s been playing two men short, especially against the run.

On top of that, quarterback Jameis Winston has struggled in 2016, throwing eight interceptions. Playing on the road against a poor opponent, the Bucs would be wise to run a simplified offense. That should mean a lot of carries and touches for Rodgers.

Based on what we’ve seen from the 49ers’ run defense, a lot of carries figures to translate into a nice chunk of yards.