#StanfordNFL: Week 7 Preview

Players to Watch

Shayne Skov
After poor performances from inside linebackers Nick Bellore and Michael Wilhoite, head coach Chip Kelly told the media on Monday that there would be changes at that position for Week 7. The 49ers surrendered 312 rushing yards in Sunday's 45-16 loss at Buffalo and Skov, one of San Francisco's most reliable special-teamers, is expected to see significant snaps on defense for the first time in 2016.

Ty Montgomery
"Frankly, we need to get Ty the ball," said head coach Mike McCarthy after reviewing the tape of a Week 6 loss against Dallas. With running backs Eddy Lacy and James Starks both out, Montgomery could see even more action than last weekend. Montgomery, Stanford's all-time leader in kickoff return yards, carried the ball three times and was targeted 12 times by Aaron Rodgers against Dallas.

Coby Fleener
On Sunday, Fleener became the first NFL tight end to catch and run for a touchdown in the same game since Rob Gronkowski in 2011. With complementary tight end Josh Hill back in the mix, Fleener and the Saints are confident that they can do more to exploit mismatches in multiple tight end sets. Chemistry continues to improve between Drew Brees and Fleener, whom the Saints signed to a five-year, $36 million contract this past offseason.

Matchups to WatchSeattle at Arizona
Four former Cardinal -- including Richard Sherman, Doug Baldwin, Josh Mauro and Stepfan Taylor -- will appear on Sunday Night Football. Seattle, on the heels of a dramatic Week 6 win against Atlanta, faces off with the surging Arizona Cardinals. Mauro, who holds a +4.2 season rating in run defense according to Pro Football Focus, faces a Seattle offensive line which ranks dead last in run blocking, according to PFF.

Indianapolis at Tennessee
Andrew Luck and the 2-4 Indianapolis Colts look to right the ship in a divisional matchup against the 3-3 Tennessee Titans. Despite the Colts' record, the 2012 draft's top pick has enjoyed a successful return from injury. Luck, Pro Football Focus' second-rated quarterback in 2016, goes up against a porous Tennessee pass defense, which ranks 25th in the league in pass coverage, according to PFF.Injury UpdatePeat and Anderson both left Week 6 contests briefly with injuries before returning. Peat was held out of practice on Wednesday, while Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano has declared Anderson week-to-week. As of Thursday, it remains unclear whether Peat or Anderson will suit up for Week 7. On Wednesday, Houston Texans' linebacker Brennan Scarlett was placed on injury reserve with a hamstring injury.

Week 7 Schedule