Week 7 fantasy football focus: Broncos vs. 49ers

Quarterbacks:

Peyton Manning (DEN)

Peyton is coming off of a "rough" week of football, where he threw for a "measly" 237 yards and three touchdowns. Yes, Manning's performance was less than what we're used to seeing from the legendary quarterback, but the fact that those numbers (and 21.48 fantasy points) are low for Manning tells you just how good he is, and how valuable he is to have on your fantasy team. This week's outlook is a little tougher, considering the Broncos are playing the 49ers, who have been stingy against opposing quarterbacks, allowing just 17.5 points on average to the opposing team's pivot. That being said, the Niners have played just two quarterbacks in the Top 15 fantasy QBs to this point in the season, those being Jay Cutler (3rd in fantasy points per game), and Nick Foles (15th in FPPG). On the other side of the field, Manning has managed 25.2 and 24.0 points in games against the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs, who are ranked 7th and 8th against QBs respectively, so there's not much to worry about in regards to starting Peyton in Sunday night's game against the 49ers.

Verdict: Start as high-end QB-1

Prediction: 290 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT- 21.6 fantasy points

Colin Kaepernick (SF)

Colin Kaepernick went up against a weak fantasy pass defense in Week Six, and he exploded for 32.9 fantasy points (343 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 37 rushing yards). Kaepernick has had an up-and-down fantasy season: he's posted scores as low as 15.9, but as high as 32.9, and the 49ers QB has ranked 4th, 5th, 13th, 15th, 18th, and 24th in scoring for QBs over the six weeks of the season (not in chronological order). On the other side of the field, the Broncos have allowed the 5th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks over the past three weeks, but they're also one of only seven teams in the league to allow over 100 total yards rushing by opposing QBs, and it's no secret what Kaepernick can do with his legs. It's hard not to start a player as dynamic as Kaepernick, considering the fact that most people will not have a better option on hand; however, with a tough match-up against the Broncos this week, use your personal discretion if you've got an equal-tier QB who has a better match-up in Week Seven.

Verdict: Start as low-end QB-1

Prediction: 200 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 40 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD- 20.0 fantasy points

Week Seven Top 20 QB Rankings:

Week Seven Top 20 Fantasy Quarterback Rankings
1.	Andrew Luck (vs. CIN)	11.	Matt Stafford (@ NOR)
2.	Aaron Rodgers (vs. CAR)	12.	Joe Flacco (vs. ATL)
3.	Peyton Manning (vs. SF)	13.	Drew Brees (@ DET)
4.	Russell Wilson (@ STL)	14.	Kirk Cousins (vs. TEN)
5.	Tom Brady (vs. NYJ)	15.	Ben Roethlisberger (vs. HOU)
6.	Cam Newton (@GB)	16.	Carson Palmer (@ OAK)
7.	Tony Romo (vs. NYG)	17.	Eli Manning (@DAL)
8.	Jay Cutler (vs. MIA)	18.	Matt Ryan (@BAL)
9.	Philip Rivers (vs. KC)	19.	Ryan Tannehill (@ CHI)
10.	Colin Kaepernick (@ DEN)	20.	Kyle Orton (vs. MIN)

Running Backs:

Frank Gore (SF)

Frank Gore is still the number one running back in San Francisco, that's still not a question; however, Carlos Hyde continues to steal carries from Gore, even in key red-zone situations (see Week Six vs. Rams, 4th Quarter). Despite a 23.4 point Week Four against the Eagles, Gore is averaging just 9.8 fantasy points per game in standard scoring leagues, and only 10.5 fantasy points per game in PPR. Gore has an extremely tough match-up against the Broncos' defense this week, after they allowed just 3.6 fantasy points to the Jets' running backs in Week Six and have been stifling against the run over the last few weeks.

Verdict: Start as RB-3 or flex in all leagues

Prediction: 55 rushing yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 10 yards- 12.5 fantasy points (14.5 PPR)

Ronnie Hillman (DEN)

Ronnie Hillman exploded onto the NFL scene last week, registering over 100 yards in his first ever official NFL start. Hillman also jumped onto the fantasy scene, registering the 14th-most points by a running back in Week Six. The concerning thing for Hillman in his debut was the fact that he couldn't find the end-zone, despite multiple carries from inside the 10-yard line. Despite that concern, the Hillman's performance clearly established him as the workhorse in Denver, at least for the time being. This week, Hillman will likely have a much harder time running the ball, considering the state of the Broncos' run blocking, and the ability of the 49ers' defense against the run. Despite the tough match-up, Hillman is still worth a start as a flex player in deeper leagues.

Verdict: Start as RB-3 or flex in deeper leagues

Prediction: 65 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 20 yards- 8.5 fantasy points (12.5 PPR)

Carlos Hyde (SF)

Hyde has progressively been given more opportunities in the 49ers' run game, but he is yet to produce for fantasy owners. After an 11-point performance in Week One, Hyde has only put up more than seven points once in the five weeks since then. Hyde is still worth holding on the bench if you've got Frank Gore, but isn't worth much elsewhere, other than in dynasty leagues, where he'll undoubtedly be valuable in years to come.

Verdict: Sit- handcuff with Gore

Juwan Thompson (SF)

Ronnie Hillman has a clear grasp on the first-string running back position in Denver, but if he continues to struggle to find the end-zone, Thompson will get opportunities in the red-zone, no doubt. For now, Thompson is not worth a start, but keep an eye on him on the waiver wire, or stash him in deeper leagues for a couple weaker run defenses on the horizon in weeks eight and nine.

Verdict: Sit- keep on watch list

Week Seven Top 20 RB Rankings:

Week Seven Top 20 Fantasy Running Back Rankings
1.	Demarco Murray (vs. NYG)	11.	Ahmad Bradshaw (vs. CIN)
2.	Arian Foster (@ PIT)	12.	Justin Forsett (vs. ATL)
3.	Le'Veon Bell (vs. HOU)	13.	Andre Williams (@ DAL)
4.	Giovani Bernard (@ IND)	14.	Chris Ivory (@ NE)
5.	Eddie Lacy (vs. CAR)	15.	Fred Jackson (vs. MIN)
6.	Marshawn Lynch (@ STL)	16.	Joique Bell (vs. NOR)
7.	Branden Oliver (vs. KC)	17.	Shane Vereen (vs. NYJ)
8.	Jamaal Charles (@ SD)	18.	Frank Gore (@ DEN)
9.	Andre Ellington (@ OAK)	19.	Alfred Morris (vs. TEN)
10.	Ben Tate (@ JAX)	20.	Ronnie Hillman (vs. SF)

Wide Receivers:

Demaryius Thomas (DEN)

The Broncos vs. 49ers match-up is an interesting one, because the two teams are the top two teams against wide receivers in the entire league, fantasy-wise. Demaryius Thomas is coming off of two weeks of a combined 53.0 fantasy points in standard leagues, but he'll have his work cut out for him against the 49ers. Brandon Marshall is the only receiver to produce a 20+ point week against the Niners, but Thomas has the potential to be the second, but also has the potential to be shut down, which happened to Dez Bryant against the 49ers in Week One. Regardless, Thomas is too hot to sit right now, and he'll still get a heavy workload- he has the third-most targets per game in the league- and should have opportunities to find the end-zone on Sunday Night too.

Verdict: Start as low-end WR-1

Prediction: 6 receptions, 85 receiving yards, 1 TD- 14.5 fantasy points (20.5 PPR)

Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)

Emmanuel Sanders had his worst fantasy week of the 2014 season last week, after three straight weeks of 10+ point performances. Sanders is still one of the most consistent fantasy performers of 2014, and should not be benched on the tail of his poor performance; he's still seeing 9.6 targets per game, and may actually experience a better game against the 49ers, as he seems to be Manning's go-to guy in tight situations this season. Sanders is also compiling his impressive fantasy numbers without a touchdown to his name yet; and it will only be a matter of time before he finds the end-zone.

Verdict: Start as a WR-2

Prediction: 8 receptions, 85 receiving yards- 8.5 fantasy points (16.5 PPR)

Anquan Boldin (SF)

Anquan Boldin had his best game of the 2014 season on Monday night, accumulating 15.4 points against the Rams (22.4 PPR), for his first game above 10 points this season. Boldin finally got his first touchdown against the Rams, on a broken play in the red-zone. Despite the number of mouths to feed in the passing game in San Francisco, Boldin is averaging 7.5 targets per game, and remains Kaepernick's favorite target (one more than Crabtree). Boldin will have his work cut out for him against the Broncos' stingy secondary, and may be in trouble if he lines up against Chris Harris Jr., who has been the league's best corner this season. Boldin is a risky flex play in a very tough match-up.

Verdict: Low-end flex play- Start

Prediction: 5 receptions, 55 receiving yards- 5.5 fantasy points (10.5 PPR)

Michael Crabtree (SF)

Michael Crabtree has cracked 14 fantasy points in two weeks this season, but also has weeks of 1.6, 2.5, and 4.3 points under his belt. The wide-out has been very touchdown-dependent throughout the season, managing 10+ points in all three games he's scored, while never cracking more than five points in games where he hasn't caught a TD pass. That being said, it's risky to start Crabtree this week, due to the fact that the Broncos have allowed just one single touchdown to a wide receiver this season. If one 49ers receiver manages to score, Crabtree would be the better bet, but he won't put up many points if he can't find the end-zone.

Verdict: Risky WR-3/Flex play- Sit

Prediction: 5 receptions, 65 yards- 6.5 fantasy points (11.5 PPR)

Wes Welker (DEN)

Wes Welker was quite nearly unseen in last week's game, not registering a catch until late in the fourth quarter. Welker was not part of either of the two red-zone formations that the Broncos scored a passing touchdown out of against the Jets last week. This should concern fantasy owners, because it appears that Denver isn't including the veteran receiver in red-zone packages, meaning Welker's touchdown potential is even less now, lowering his fantasy value further. Welker should still see 5-7 targets per week, but really is not worth a start in non-PPR leagues, unless it becomes apparent that he has a bigger role in the offense.

Verdict: Sit in standard leagues, start as low-end flex in PPR

Prediction: 5 receptions, 40 yards- 4.0 fantasy points (9.0 PPR)

Stevie Johnson (SF)

Johnson is slowly carving out a niche for himself in this 49ers offense, and in deep PPR leagues, he's worth the start as a flex play. Over the past four weeks, Johnson has posted scores of 19.3, 8.2, 7.9, and 10.3 fantasy points in one-point PPR leagues. In deeper leagues, that is worthy of a start as a flex player; however, Johnson doesn't hold much value in other league formats or smaller-sized leagues.

Verdict: Sit in most leagues, start as flex in bigger PPR leagues

Prediction: 4 receptions, 40 yards- 4.0 fantasy points (8.0 PPR)

Week Seven Top 20 WR Rankings:

Week Seven Top 20 Fantasy Wide Receiver Rankings
1.	Dez Bryant (vs. NYG)	11.	TY Hilton (vs. CIN)
2.	Antonio Brown (vs. HOU)	12.	Kelvin Benjamin (@ GB)
3.	Jordy Nelson (vs. CAR)	13.	Desean Jackson (vs. TEN)
4.	Brandon Marshall (@MIA)	14.	Emmanuel Sanders (vs. SF)
5.	Demaryius Thomas (vs. SF)	15.	Mohamed Sanu (@ IND)
6.	Golden Tate (vs. NOR)	16.	Brandin Cooks (@ DET)
7.	Julio Jones (@ BAL)	17.	Michael Floyd (@ OAK)
8.	Steve Smith (vs. ATL)	18.	Sammy Watkins (vs. MIN)
9.	Alshon Jeffery (@MIA)	19.	Michael Crabtree (@ DEN)
10.	Randall Cobb (vs. CAR)	20.	DeAndre Hopkins (@ PIT)

Tight Ends:

Julius Thomas (DEN)

Julius Thomas has been a fantasy gold-mine this season, cashing in on touchdown-after-touchdown from Peyton Manning (he has nine through five games), which has him scoring five more fantasy points per game than any other tight end in the entire league. The San Francisco defense has been tough against QBs, RBs, and WRs, but it has struggled against tight ends with the absence of Navorro Bowman, allowing the 9th-most points per week to opposing TEs. In a game where the receivers may have a harder time against a tough defense, Thomas should have no problem filling the void, especially in the red-zone; Julius is the number one fantasy option at tight end this week.

Verdict: Start as top tight end

Prediction: 5 receptions, 55 yards, 2 TD- 17.5 fantasy points (22.5 PPR)

Vernon Davis (SF)

Vernon Davis had a tough week in Week Six, catching just three of six targets, and giving fantasy owners just 3.0 points. Davis showed owners what he's still capable of in Week One against Dallas, scoring two touchdowns to go along with four receptions and 44 receiving yards; however, the tight end hasn't surpassed 4.0 fantasy points in the three games he's played in since. The one position that the Broncos have been least stifling against has been tight ends- they allowed a touchdown to tight end Jace Amaro last week- so Vernon Davis has the opportunity to get back on track this week.

Verdict: Start as low-end TE-1

Prediction: 4 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD- 10.0 fantasy points (14.0 PPR)

Week Seven Top 20 TE Rankings:

Week Seven Top 20 Fantasy Tight End Rankings
1.	Julius Thomas (vs. SF)	11.	Travis Kelce (@ SD)
2.	Rob Gronkowski (vs. NYJ)	12.	Vernon Davis (@ DEN)
3.	Jordan Cameron (@ JAX)	13.	Jared Cook (vs. SEA)
4.	Jordan Reed (vs. TEN)	14.	Jason Witten (@NYG)
5.	Delanie Walker (@ WAS)	15.	Clay Harbor (vs. CLE)
6.	Dwayne Allen (vs. CIN)	16.	Tim Wright (vs. NYJ)
7.	Martellus Bennett (vs. MIA)	17.	Jace Amaro (@ NE)
8.	Greg Olsen (@ GB)	18.	Garrett Graham (@PIT)
9.	Antonio Gates (vs. KC)	19.	Eric Ebron (vs. NOR)
10.	Larry Donnell (@ DAL)	20.	Heath Miller (vs. HOU)

Defense/Special Teams:

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are currently the 13th-best fantasy defense this season; however, they've been the 7th-best over the past three weeks, and really seem to be coming into their own. Their season-high 12.0 points last week was their first week in double-digits, but it has the potential to be the first of many. Denver's defense gets stronger each week, and is beginning to be a must-start each week with their abilities to get to the QB and stop the run.

Verdict: Start

Prediction: 18-21 points allowed, 1 INT, 3 sacks- 4.0 fantasy points

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers' defense has been similar to the Broncos' defense in fantasy, ranking out as the 11th-best defense thus far in the 2014 season. The Niners will have a tough task against the Broncos' offense this week, but they're still worth a start in deeper leagues.

Verdict: Start in 12+ team leagues

Week Seven Top 20 D/ST Rankings:

Week Seven Top 20 Fantasy D/ST Rankings
1.	New England Patriots (vs. NYJ)	11.	Chicago Bears (vs. MIA)
2.	Buffalo Bills (vs. MIN)	12.	Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG)
3.	Detroit Lions (vs. NOR)	13.	Tennessee Titans (@ WAS)
4.	Arizona Cardinals (@ OAK)	14.	Houston Texans (@ PIT)
5.	Seattle Seahawks (@ STL)	15.	San Francisco 49ers (@ DEN)
6.	Baltimore Ravens (vs. ATL)	16.	Miami Dolphins (@ CHI)
7.	Cleveland Browns (@JAX)	17.	Minnesota Vikings (@ BUF)
8.	Indianapolis Colts (vs. CIN)	18.	Green Bay Packers (vs. CAR)
9.	San Diego Chargers (vs. KC)	19.	New Orleans Saints (@ DET)
10.	Denver Broncos (vs. SF)	20.	Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. HOU)

Editor's Note: FanDuel is hosting a $250,000 one-week fantasy football league this weekend. It's $5 to join and the top 9,680 teams win money. League starts Sunday 1 PM ET and ends on Monday night. Here's the link.