As Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season arrives, fantasy football managers face tough decisions with bye weeks and injuries impacting quarterback availability. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the best streaming options like Bryce Young, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, and Jacoby Brissett, offering unparalleled analysis, historical context, and bold predictions to give you the edge in your league.
The 2025 NFL season is in full swing, and for many fantasy football managers, Week 7 presents a familiar challenge: finding a reliable quarterback. Whether it’s due to injuries to key starters or the dreaded bye week blues, the waiver wire often holds the key to victory. This week, six teams are on bye: the Bengals, Cowboys, Titans, Jets, Panthers, and Texans, according to reports from October 2025. Additionally, the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are also off this week, as noted by USA Today Sports. This extensive list of inactive teams, coupled with several significant quarterback injuries, makes the streaming market more critical than ever.
Key Quarterback Injuries Shaping Week 7 (2025)
The landscape of Week 7 has been significantly altered by a rash of quarterback injuries. Here’s a breakdown of the situations to monitor:
- Justin Fields (CHI): Sidelined with a dislocated thumb, Tyson Bagent is expected to step in for the Bears.
- Trevor Lawrence (JAX): Dealing with a mild knee injury, he might be cautiously held out for their Thursday night game against the Saints, potentially making way for C.J. Beathard.
- Jimmy Garoppolo (LV): His status is unclear following a back injury, with Brian Hoyer or Aiden O’Connell as potential replacements against the Bears.
- Deshaun Watson (CLE): His lingering shoulder injury has kept him out for two games, meaning P.J. Walker could start again versus the Colts.
- Daniel Jones (NYG): Trending towards playing after a neck injury, but Tyrod Taylor remains an option if he can’t go against the Commanders.
- Kyler Murray (ARI): Missed Week 6 with a foot injury and has a Week 8 bye, paving the way for Jacoby Brissett to continue starting.
These injuries underscore the volatile nature of the quarterback position in fantasy football and highlight why a strategic approach to waiver wire pickups is paramount, especially in deeper leagues or formats like Superflex.
Top Quarterback Streamers for Week 7 (2025)
Identifying quarterbacks rostered in fewer than 50% of leagues (or 25% in Superflex) is key for streaming. Here are our top picks for Week 7, focusing on favorable matchups and recent performance:
Bryce Young (QB – CAR) vs. New York Jets | 19.9% Rostered
Despite some initial fantasy apprehension, Bryce Young has shown flashes of upside in fantasy-friendly matchups. He previously posted 21.3 fantasy points against the Arizona Cardinals and was impressive last week with three touchdowns and 18.5 fantasy points against a struggling Cowboys defense. The Jets’ defense has been unexpectedly generous to quarterbacks, surrendering 2.2 passing touchdowns and 20 fantasy points per game over the first five weeks, ranking sixth-most in the league. This makes Young an appealing high-ceiling play for Week 7.
Aaron Rodgers (QB – PIT) vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 13.7% Rostered
After a strong Week 1 (25.7 fantasy points), Aaron Rodgers had a rocky stretch but rebounded significantly last week against the Browns, throwing for two touchdowns and 17.5 fantasy points. His Week 7 matchup against the Bengals is highly favorable, as Cincinnati has historically struggled on defense, giving up an average of 263.2 yards, 2.2 touchdowns, and 19.3 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks over the past five weeks. Rodgers is also an excellent two-week streaming option, facing his former team, the Green Bay Packers, in Week 8.
Joe Flacco (QB – CIN) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 4.6% Rostered
In a surprising Week 6 debut for the Bengals, Joe Flacco excelled with 219 yards, two touchdowns, and 18.8 fantasy points, his best performance of the season without a turnover. He achieved this against a Packers defense that had previously contained quarterbacks. Facing the Steelers in Week 7, Flacco benefits from a matchup against a defense that, despite its reputation, has been far from elite this season. Pittsburgh has allowed 1.8 passing touchdowns and 21.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the first five weeks, the fourth-most in the NFL, per fantasy analysis from October 2025.
Jacoby Brissett (QB – ARI) vs. Green Bay Packers | 0.5% Rostered
With Kyler Murray’s status uncertain due to a foot injury, Jacoby Brissett is expected to make his second consecutive start. Last week, Brissett impressed, completing 61.4% of his passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns, and 20.7 fantasy points, even after losing Marvin Harrison Jr. to a concussion. While the Packers started strong against quarterbacks, they have struggled in recent weeks, giving up 269 passing yards, 2.5 touchdowns, and 24.9 fantasy points per game over their last two matchups. Brissett’s performance indicates he can capitalize on this defensive vulnerability, making him a solid QB2 option.
Historical Insights on Quarterback Streaming
The art of streaming quarterbacks isn’t new; it’s a strategy that fantasy veterans have honed over the years. Players like Justin Fields (2022) have historically demonstrated high rushing upside, which can compensate for lower passing totals. In 2022, Fields averaged 62 rushing yards per game and scored 17+ PPR points in back-to-back weeks, a valuable asset for fantasy managers seeking a high floor. Similarly, Daniel Jones (2022) also showcased rushing prowess, with a 47.5 rushing-yard average over a four-game span, proving that dual-threat quarterbacks often provide a safer floor in uncertain matchups.
Even veteran quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield have a history of being viable streamers when the matchup is right. In 2018, Mayfield had a rough game in Week 6 but maintained high volume with over 40 attempts, which is always encouraging for fantasy production. His 2023 season saw him average 16.9 fantasy points per game before a bye, demonstrating his capacity for solid fantasy outings. The key often lies in targeting defenses that concede significant passing yards and touchdowns, a trend that remains consistent across seasons.
Streamers to Approach with Caution (2023 Context)
While streaming offers high upside, it’s also crucial to identify players who might disappoint. In a 2023 analysis, Joshua Dobbs was highlighted as a streamer to avoid. After an impressive three-week run where he averaged 21.9 fantasy points per game, his production sharply declined, completing only 49.3% of his passes for 200.5 yards and 9.4 fantasy points per game over two weeks. His Week 7 matchup against the Seahawks, who typically hold quarterbacks to around 15.1 fantasy points per game, further solidified his ‘avoid’ status. This serves as a timeless reminder that recent performance and defensive matchups are paramount in streaming decisions.
Full Week 7 Quarterback Rankings (2025)
For a complete picture, here are the Week 7 quarterback rankings, provided by Elisha Twerski and updated by USA TODAY Sports. Remember to double-check player statuses before kickoff:
- Jayden Daniels (WAS) at DAL
- Patrick Mahomes II (KC) vs. LV
- Drake Maye (NE) at TEN
- Dak Prescott (DAL) vs. WAS
- Jalen Hurts (PHI) at MIN
- Jared Goff (DET) vs. TB
- Baker Mayfield (TB) at DET
- Caleb Williams (CHI) vs. NO
- Justin Herbert (LAC) vs. IND
- Bo Nix (DEN) vs. NYG
- Daniel Jones (IND) at LAC
- Justin Fields (NYJ) vs. CAR
- Jordan Love (GB) at ARI
- C.J. Stroud (HOU) at SEA
- *Brock Purdy (SF) vs. ATL
- Jaxson Dart (NYG) at DEN
- Sam Darnold (SEA) vs. HOU
- Matthew Stafford (LAR) at JAC
- Trevor Lawrence (JAC) vs. LAR
- Dillon Gabriel (CLE) vs. MIA
- Aaron Rodgers (PIT) at CIN
- Bryce Young (CAR) at NYJ
- Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) at SF
- Spencer Rattler (NO) at CHI
- Joe Flacco (CIN) vs. PIT
- *Jacoby Brissett (ARI) vs. GB
- Geno Smith (LV) at KC
- Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) at CLE
- Cam Ward (TEN) vs. NE
- Carson Wentz (MIN) vs. PHI
- Mac Jones (SF) vs. ATL
- *J.J. McCarthy (MIN) vs. PHI
- *Kyler Murray (ARI) vs. GB
The quarterback position in fantasy football is dynamic, constantly influenced by performance, matchups, and injuries. By leveraging detailed analysis and historical trends, managers can make informed decisions on the waiver wire, turning potential weaknesses into weekly strengths.
