Fantasy Football Week 7 Rankings: QB

So Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates go down, and now you're thinking about benching Philip Rivers in your fantasy league? Say it ain't so!

Despite only connecting on four passes between the two key cogs of the passing game, Rivers still piled on nearly 250 yards against a good Rams passing defense. He hit Patrick Crayton six times for 117 yards, and Buster Davis caught a Rivers TD pass.

Even with the injuries to his receiving corps, Rivers proved he can be a successful fantasy QB regardless of his targets, a la Peyton Manning or Drew Brees. Not only do I think he needs to stick in your lineup even if Gates can't go (and even though Floyd has been ruled out), I have Rivers as the No. 2 QB in Week 7. New England won't be able to stop him, so he needs to be starting in all fantasy leagues.

Week 7 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | K | Sleepers | Popular Adds/Drops

1. Drew Brees, NO vs. CLE
2. Philip Rivers, SD vs. NE
3. Kyle Orton, DEN vs. OAK
4. Aaron Rodgers, GB vs. MIN
5. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT at MIA
6. Joe Flacco, BAL vs. BUF
7. Tony Romo, DAL vs. NYG
8. Tom Brady, NE at SD
9. Eli Manning, NYG at DAL
10. Donovan McNabb, WAS at CHI
11. Jay Cutler, CHI vs. WAS
12. Josh Freeman, TB vs. STL
13. Matt Ryan, ATL vs. CIN
14. Matt Cassel, KC vs. JAC
15. Ryan Fitzpatrick, BUF at BAL
16. Matt Hasselbeck, SEA vs. ARI
17. Sam Bradford, STL at TB
18. Carson Palmer, CIN at ATL
19. Kevin Kolb, PHI at TEN
20. Chad Henne, MIA vs. PIT
21. Brett Favre, MIN at GB
22. Max Hall, ARI at SEA
23. Matt Moore, CAR vs. SF
24. Alex Smith, SF at CAR
25. Vince Young, TEN vs. PHI
26. Colt McCoy, CLE at NO
27. Todd Bouman, JAC at KC
28. Michael Vick, PHI at TEN
29. Jason Campbell, OAK at DEN
30. Kerry Collins, TEN vs. PHI
31. Bruce Gradkowski, OAK at DEN
32. Kyle Boller, OAK at DEN

• Facing a terrible Buffalo defense, Joe Flacco ascends from his normal borderline QB1 level to being a surefire starter in Week 7. While Ray Rice should be unstoppable in the rushing game, Flacco seems to be a lock for multiple passing TDs in what may be the biggest blowout of the season. Flacco comes in at No. 6, and that may actually be conservative this week.

• Kevin Kolb has been on a tear since being given a second lease on life after Michael Vick's injury, and he may be one more great performance from reclaiming his starting job for the remainder of the season. Unfortunately for Kolb and his owners, the odds of him turning in another great game are a little low. Tennessee plays great defense, and with the Eagles on the road, Kolb will face a pretty big test. I'd shy away from using him if you can.

• Our deep QB sleeper of the week is Arizona's Max Hall, and while he checks in only at No. 22 in our rankings, he has quite a bit of upside. We'd like to see a little more before using him in a league, but he's set up for success in Arizona -- elite No. 1 receiver, secondary receivers relatively healthy, easy schedule. I'd grab him now before he blows up and you miss out, but owners should exercise caution with him this week.