RandBall's Week 7 Fantasy Football Challenge

W eek 7 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses a QB, WR and RB. The only players off-limits are those selected by the previous week's guest. Sam DeRusha, an avid Star Tribune sports section reader and son of WCCO personality Jason DeRusha, will go head-to-head against the Star Tribune's Michael Rand. At age 7, Sam likely will become the youngest person to win this challenge. Rand is not allowed to pick anyone projected to score in the top 10 at their respective positions:

QB: Tom Brady, New England

NFL.com QB projection: No. 7

Matchup: Jets

I was thinking about picking Aaron Rodgers, but my brother Seth said, "If they put that in the paper you're dead." Tom Brady is back and the Jets are bad. He scores a bunch of points. Well, he doesn't score them. But you know.

RB: DeMarco Murray, Dallas

NFL.com RB projection: No. 1

Eddie Lacy! Oh no. Can't pick a Packer. DeMarco Murray is going against the Giants — and their defense is bad (they have a good offense). Six TDs and six games with 100 yards rushing or more? Good pick.

WR: Demaryius Thomas, Denver

NFL.com WR projection: No. 10

Matchup: 49ers

Demaryius Thomas. Dad just asked, "who's that?" He's super-fast. I feel like Peyton Manning is going to have a good game, even though San Francisco is a good team.

NFL.com QB projection: No. 23

Matchup: Titans

I don't generally recommend starting a guy a week after some pundits call for him to be benched in favor of Colt McCoy (!), but I'm betting on a rebound game from Cousins against the woeful Titans. Even when he's bad, his fantasy numbers are usually decent.

RB: Lamar Miller, Miami

NFL.com RB projection: No. 19

Knowshon Moreno is on injured reserve, meaning Miller should get even more carries for Miami going forward. He has three touchdowns in the past two weeks. More of the same, please?

WR: T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis

NFL.com WR projection: No. 20

Matchup: Bengals

I thought about Randall Cobb here, but I like my young competitor's no-Packers rule. So instead I'll hope that Hilton, who had a huge game against the Texans, stays hot this week.

Loser: Michael Rand — Ryan Tannehill (18.7), Ben Tate (19.8), Cordarrelle Patterson (1.7). Total: 40.2.

Overall standings: Guest pickers 5-1.