Fantasy managers deciding between Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Germie Bernard and Tennessee Titans rookie Carnell Tate for Week 7 must weigh matchups and team passing totals. Tate posted his first career touchdown last week, but Bernard offers a higher floor with more volume.
Why Carnell Tate’s Week 6 performance stands out
Tate rebounded from a poor Week 5 performance against the Houston Texans with a strong showing against the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded six receptions on seven targets for 70 receiving yards and a touchdown. In PPR formats, he ranked as the WR11 for the week.
The Titans will travel to Cleveland to face the Browns this week. The Browns are allowing just 205.2 passing yards per game, the eighth-lowest average in the NFL. Despite this low yardage total, opposing wide receivers have found success against Cleveland’s defense. Of the last three WR1s they faced, two recorded over 100 receiving yards. Pittsburgh WR1 DK Metcalf had five receptions for 115 yards, and New York Jets WR1 Garrett Wilson had seven receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown.
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Statistics show the Browns are allowing the 11th most standard fantasy points and the 13th most PPR fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. While Tate scored a touchdown last week, the team’s passing offense is struggling to move the ball consistently.
Volume and matchup favor Germie Bernard
Bernard has stepped up in a significant way following injuries to teammates Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson. In Week 7, he posted his best game of the rookie season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He recorded 11 receptions on 12 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown, ranking as WR3 in PPR formats.
Bernard will face the New Orleans Saints in a Sunday early game. The Saints are giving up the eighth-most passing yards per game this season, at 239.7. They also rank near the top of the league in points allowed to opposing wide receivers, 17th in PPR and 14th in standard formats.
The Saints have not been able to stop WR1s recently. The last three wide receivers to face New Orleans recorded over 75 receiving yards, with two exceeding 90 yards. Atlanta WR1 Drake London had 96 yards, and New York Giants WR1 Malik Nabers had 165.
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Comparing the two situations reveals a clear difference in team context. The Steelers are averaging 221.3 passing yards per game, whereas the Titans are averaging 153.5, the lowest total in the NFL. This disparity means Bernard faces a softer secondary and a more productive passing offense than Tate does.
Depth Chart Injuries Benefit Bernard
Multiple wide receivers have gained opportunities after a teammate got hurt this season. However, few have increased their play in those spots. Bernard is among that few.
Start or sit?
While Tate is a solid option, Bernard is the safer play for Week 7. His higher target volume and the Saints’ porous defense offer more consistent production than what Tate can expect against Cleveland.