Packers Host Big Matchup

Players to WatchJohnson Bademosi • CB/ST • New England Patriots • Sixth season • @J_Bademosi24

Bademosi stepped into a starting role on short notice for New England's 24-17 win at the New York Jets. Stephon Gilmore (concussion/ankle) remains absent from practice and may sit out the Patriots' game against Atlanta, in which case Bademosi would likely keep his place in the starting lineup. Bademosi allowed three catches for 39 yards, but faces a Falcons' receiving group which features All-Pro Julio Jones.

David DeCastro • G • Pittsburgh Steelers • Sixth season

DeCastro and the Pittsburgh offensive line put on a clinic in last week's win at Kansas City, and they face another challenge when they host Cincinnati's defense that is allowing 3.8 yards per carry. Entering Week 7, DeCastro's 89.9 overall grade leads NFL guards by nearly four percentage points (Shaq Mason, 86.1), and his run blocking grade (93.1) also leads the league. On 231 pass blocking snaps, DeCastro has allowed zero sacks or quarterback hits and just seven pressures.

Christian McCaffrey • RB • Carolina Panthers • First season • @run_cmc

McCaffrey leads NFL running backs with 37 receptions, a number which ties for fifth among all players. Carolina heads to Chicago on Sunday to face a defense which ranks fifth in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. McCaffrey, who has scored a touchdown in each of his past two games, leads all running backs with an 89.9 receiving grade from PFF.

Matchup to Watch

Four former Cardinal take the field when New Orleans travels to face Green Bay on Sunday. Packers linebacker Blake Martinez will likely meet Saints guard Andrus Peat in run blocking and tight end Coby Fleener in pass coverage – Martinez enters the week as Pro Football Focus' 14th-highest graded linebacker in the league (83.1 grade), and his 13 percent run stop rate leads inside linebackers.

Peat has yet to miss a snap on offense this year and looks to settle in at left guard with the Saints' offensive line back to full health. Fleener, who is in the second year of a five-year, $36 million contract, has caught two touchdowns in his first five games. Packers running back Ty Montgomery was limited to 20 snaps in Week 6 after missing Week 5 with a ribs injury. The Packers offense will be challenged without Aaron Rodgers against a much-improved defense that owns the 12th best rating in the league, per PFF.

Injury Report

• Ty Montgomery was a full participant in practice this week after missing time prior to Week 6 with a ribs injury.
• After resuming practice last week, Andrew Luck was shut down on Wednesday for a cortisone injection in his throwing shoulder, according to general manager Chris Ballard.
• Richard Sherman (achilles) was limited in practice this week.

Week 7 Schedule