Week 8 fantasy football focus: Broncos vs. Chargers

Quarterbacks:

Peyton Manning (DEN)

Peyton Manning has continued his domination, cruising through yet another top defense in Week Seven against the 49ers, and increasing his average fantasy points to 27.9 per week. Manning's 31.8 points in Week Seven moved the 49ers' average fantasy points against per game vs. QBs from 17.5 heading into the week, to 19.6 at the end of the week. Peyton continues to prove to fantasy owners that he's worth starting against any and every defense, and the Chargers' 9th ranked defense vs. QBs is no different. The Chargers have been solid against QBs, but they gave up over 30 points to Oakland's Derek Carr just two weeks ago, so there's no telling the success that Manning could have.

Verdict: Start as high-end QB-1

Prediction: 360 yards, 3 TDs- 26.4 fantasy points

Philip Rivers (SD)

Philip Rivers has been one of the surprises of the fantasy season, outperforming the likes of Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, with an average of 24.5 fantasy points per week. Rivers has just two weeks of sub-20 point performances, but one was against the Kansas City defense last week, where he managed just 18.3 points. Denver's defense has been below league average for fantasy points allowed against QBs over the last five weeks, and haven't allowed a single quarterback to rack up 20 points since their bye in Week Three. Rivers will face a good deal of pressure from the Broncos' dominant pass rush, and will be going against one of the best cornerback tandems in the league, so he's got a tough match-up, but he's still a top-10 quarterback for Week Eight.

Verdict: Start as mid-range QB-1

Prediction: 275 yards, 2 TDs- 19.0 fantasy points

Week Eight Top 20 QB Rankings:

Week Eight Top 20 Fantasy Quarterback Rankings
1.	Aaron Rodgers (@NO)	11.	Matt Stafford (@ ATL)
2.	Peyton Manning (vs. SD)	12.	Nick Foles (@ ARI)
3.	Carson Palmer (vs. PHI)	13.	Ryan Tannehill (@ JAX)
4.	Andrew Luck (@ PIT)	14.	Jay Cutler (@ NE)
5.	Drew Brees (vs. GB)	15.	Kyle Orton (@ NYJ)
6.	Russell Wilson (@ CAR)	16.	Matt Ryan (vs. DET)
7.	Tom Brady (vs. CHI)	17.	Mike Glennon (vs. MIN)
8.	Philip Rivers (@ DEN)	18.	Cam Newton (vs. SEA)
9.	Tony Romo (vs. WAS)	19.	Derek Carr (@ CLE)
10.	Joe Flacco (@ CIN)	20.	Austin Davis (@ KC)

Running Backs:

Ronnie Hillman (DEN)

Ronnie Hillman has now gained 174 rushing yards and added two touchdowns in the last two weeks, against two solid running defenses; that's two more yards and one more touchdown than Montee Ball had in four starts this season for the Broncos, clearly something is clicking for Hillman in the offense. The Chargers' defense is right around league average for fantasy points against vs. RBs, allowing 19.2 per week; Hillman should be a solid RB-2 option in all league formats on Thursday night.

Verdict: Start as low-end RB-1, high-end RB-2

Prediction: 75 rushing yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 35 receiving yards- 17.0 fantasy points (20.0 PPR)

Branden Oliver (SD)

Branden Oliver has been a monster for the Chargers, averaging 12.6 fantasy points per game since being inserted into the lineup, including an average of 18.8 points over the last three weeks. Oliver couldn't find the end-zone in the Chargers' Week 7 loss to the Chiefs, which held him to only 7.8 points on the week. Oliver's stock is already on the decline, with a tough match-up against the Broncos this week, and his situation will become even more unclear shortly, with the return of Ryan Mathews. Oliver is facing a tough Denver defense that has allowed only 11.7 fantasy points per game to running backs over the last three weeks (4th in the league). Despite the odds against him, Oliver could still be a serviceable RB-2, but it will depend on his ability to make Broncos' tacklers miss and Rivers' dependence on him in the passing game.

Verdict: Start as low-end RB-2

Prediction: 50 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 40 receiving yards- 9.0 fantasy points (13.0 PPR)

Juwan Thompson (DEN)

Juwan Thompson continues to be a nice change-of-pace back for Hillman, but he won't contribute significantly in fantasy unless he finds the end-zone, which is tough to count on. Thompson isn't worth a start at this point.

Verdict: Sit

Week Eight Top 20 RB Rankings:

Week Eight Top 20 Fantasy Running Back Rankings
1.	Marshawn Lynch (@ CAR)	11.	Shane Vereen (vs. CHI)
2.	Jamaal Charles (vs. STL)	12.	Ahmad Bradshaw (@ PIT)
3.	Demarco Murray (vs. WAS)	13.	Joique Bell (@ ATL)
4.	Matt Forte (@ NE)	14.	Ben Tate (vs. OAK)
5.	LeSean McCoy (@ ARI)	15.	Andre Ellington (vs. PHI)
6.	Eddie Lacy (@ NO)	16.	Justin Forsett (@ CIN)
7.	Arian Foster (@ TEN)	17.	Gio Bernard (vs. BAL)
8.	Le'Veon Bell (vs. IND)	18.	Jerrick McKinnon (@TB)
9.	Ronnie Hillman (vs. SD)	19.	Branden Oliver (@ DEN)
10.	Lamar Miller (@ JAX)	20.	Mark Ingram (vs. GB)

Wide Receivers:

Demaryius Thomas (DEN)

Demaryius Thomas has been on an absolute tear as of late, racking up an average of 27.4 fantasy points per game over the last three weeks, over 11 more points per game than any other wide receiver. Thomas' recent success, and injuries in the Chargers' secondary hint at what could be another huge game for Demaryius. Brandon Flowers has been ruled out for the Chargers, and Jason Verrett is reportedly as long-shot to be able to play in Thursday Night's game, meaning that San Diego could be missing their top two corners against the most dangerous passing attack in the league. Look for yet another big game out of Denver's number one receiver, who has enjoyed success on Thursday night, averaging 81.5 receiving yards in four Thursday night games.

Verdict: Start as top WR-1 option

Prediction: 7 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD- 18.5 fantasy points (25.5 PPR)

Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)

Emmanuel Sanders finally found the end-zone in last week's game against the Niners, although it took some accidental help from an official, who tripped up the defensive back covering Sanders on the play. Either way, Sanders put together another nice fantasy week in Week Seven, and continues to assert himself as a Top-20 guy in regular scoring leagues, and a Top-15 receiver in PPR. The first-year Broncos receiver has strung together four 10+ point performances over five weeks in standard leagues, and has dipped below 14 points just once in PPR scoring (Week Six vs. NYJ) all season. Again, with injuries to key members in the Chargers' secondary, Sanders should enjoy success, and hopefully will be able to make a stop in the end-zone for the second straight week.

Verdict: Start as high-end WR-2

Prediction: 6 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD- 14.0 fantasy points (20.0 PPR)

Wes Welker (DEN)

Wes Welker scored a touchdown in last week's game against the 49ers, vaulting him to 11.0 fantasy points on the week; however, Welker was still only targeted three times, after being targeted just once against the Jets in Week Six. It's becoming harder and harder to predict Welker's contributions to the Denver offense, which leaves him as a boom-or-bust flex option for the time being.

Verdict: Boom-or-bust flex- recommendation: sit

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

Eddie Royal (SD)

Eddie Royal has been the most productive fantasy wide receiver for the Chargers this season, despite playing in a role less significant than Allen and Floyd. Royal has been averaging 9.2 fantasy points per game, his highest average since 2008, when he was with the Broncos still; however, his average is greatly inflated by a couple of big weeks against Jacksonville and Buffalo, while the rest of his weeks have been very pedestrian. Royal is a hit-or-miss guy, who's not going to give you consistent points, but is an okay bye-week replacement with the potential to score big points. This week he'll have a tough match-up against the Broncos secondary, but could potentially break some big plays against rookie corner Bradley Roby, who's flashed brilliance, but still occasionally gets beat. Either way, Royal is still a boom-or-bust guy, who is nothing better than a flex play.

Verdict: Boom-or-bust flex option- recommendation: sit

Prediction: 4 receptions, 45 yards- 4.5 fantasy points (8.5 PPR)

Keenan Allen (SD)

Allen has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the entire 2014 season, due in large part to the added defensive attention following his solid rookie season. Allen is still seeing a similar number of targets as he did last season, but he isn't hauling in nearly as many, and he's yet to find the end-zone. He'll likely line up against Aqib Talib or Chris Harris all game long on Thursday, so don't expect a big week from him.

Verdict: Sit

Prediction: 5 receptions, 45 yards- 4.5 fantasy points (9.5 PPR)

Malcom Floyd (SD)

Malcom Floyd is on his way up in the San Diego offense, with seven targets in two straight games, and scoring a touchdown in one of those games. While Floyd is experiencing some success because of the extra attention being paid to Royal, he's still not worth a start in fantasy.

Verdict: Sit

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

Week Eight Top 20 Wide Receiver Rankings:

Week Eight Top 20 Fantasy Wide Receiver Rankings
1.	Demaryius Thomas (vs. SD)	11.	Emmanuel Sanders (vs. SD)
2.	Jordy Nelson (@ NO)	12.	Michael Floyd (vs. PHI)
3.	Dez Bryant (vs. WAS)	13.	Julio Jones (vs. DET)
4.	Antonio Brown (vs. IND)	14.	Brandon Marshall (@ NE)
5.	Golden Tate (@ ATL)	15.	Mike Wallace (@ JAX)
6.	Jeremy Maclin (@ ARI)	16.	Steve Smith Sr. (@ CIN)
7.	Alshon Jeffery (@ NE)	17.	DeAndre Hopkins (@ TEN)
8.	Randall Cobb (@ NO)	18.	Terrance Williams (vs. WAS)
9.	TY Hilton (@ PIT)	19.	Mike Evans (vs. MIN)
10.	Sammy Watkins (@ NYJ)	20.	Eric Decker (vs. BUF)

Tight Ends:

Julius Thomas (DEN)

Julius had his lowest fantasy contribution of the season last week, giving owners just 2.7 points in standard scoring leagues, and 6.7 in  PPR leagues. It was the first week that Thomas didn't score a touchdown, dropping a pass in the end-zone, and his fantasy production was hindered because of it. Thomas has not played a huge role in the passing game in Denver this season, other than in the red-zone, and his fantasy value is very touchdown-dependent. Luckily for fantasy owners, Thomas is one of the best in the entire league at finding the end-zone, and should be back on track against a San Diego defense that has been stingy against mediocre tight-ends, but has not had to face any elite talent at the position.

Verdict: Start as TE-1

Prediction: 6 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD- 13.0 fantasy points (19.0 PPR)

Antonio Gates (SD)

Antonio Gates has been one of the most productive tight ends in the league this season, ranking third in TEs for fantasy points per game with 11.2. Gates has averaged under seven points per game for the last two seasons, so his production has come as quite the surprise in 2014. The Broncos have given up a couple big weeks of fantasy points to tight ends, allowing 12 or more points twice, against Jace Amaro in Week 6, and Dwayne Allen in Week 1. Other than that, however, the Broncos have given up 8 or more points just once. Gates is more talented than any tight end that the Broncos have faced, and thus it will be a game where they'll have to prove they can cover elite tight ends. With the portion of the Chargers' offense that Gates occupies (targeted fewer than five times in a game just once this season), he's hard not to start as a TE-1, especially against a defense that hasn't shown it can cover top-tier tight ends yet.

Verdict: Start as TE-1

Prediction: 6 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD- 13.5 fantasy points (19.5 PPR)

Week Eight Top 20 Tight End Rankings:

Week Eight Top 20 Fantasy Tight End Rankings
1.	Rob Gronkowski (vs. CHI)	11.	Owen Daniels (@ TEN)
2.	Greg Olsen (vs. SEA)	12.	Martellus Bennett (@ NE)
3.	Julius Thomas (vs. SD)	13.	Delanie Walker (vs. HOU)
4.	Jimmy Graham (vs. GB)	14.	Coby Fleener (@ PIT)
5.	Antonio Gates (@ DEN)	15.	Charles Clay (@ JAX)
6.	Jordan Reed (vs. DAL)	16.	Travis Kelce (vs. STL)
7.	Zach Ertz (@ ARI)	17.	Scott Chandler (@ NYJ)
8.	Jared Cook (@ KC)	18.	Heath Miller (vs. IND)
9.	Jordan Cameron (vs. OAK)	19.	Clay Harbor (vs. MIA)
10.	Dwayne Allen (@ PIT)	20.	Jason Witten (@ WAS)

Defense/Special Teams (D/ST):

Denver Broncos

Denver's defense is now the 8th-ranked D/ST in fantasy for the 2014 season, and over the last three weeks that ranking is up to 4th in the league. The Broncos' pass rush is wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines, and that's leading to sacks first and foremost, and harder throws for QBs secondly, giving more opportunities for interceptions. The Broncos got to Colin Kaepernick six times on Sunday, a season-high for them, and allowed just 10 real points (along with seven garbage-time points). The Chargers' offense has been high-powered in 2014, and the Broncos will need to improve their pass defense on third down if they hope to keep the ball out of San Diego's hands, and points off the scoreboard. Either way, Denver's defense has to be started with the pass rush that they've had as of late.

Verdict: Start

Prediction: 4.0 sacks, 18-21 points allowed, 1 INT- 6.0 fantasy points

San Diego Chargers

San Diego's defense is the 26th overall D/ST in fantasy this season, and with a match-up against Peyton and the Broncos, it's hard to see a world in which you'd want to start them, especially with the injuries to the secondary.

Verdict: Sit

Prediction: 1.0 sacks, 22-27 points allowed- 1.0 fantasy points

Week Eight Top 20 Defense/Special Teams Rankings:

Week Eight Top 20 Fantasy D/ST Rankings
1.	Cleveland Browns (vs. OAK)	11.	Green Bay Packers (@ NO)
2.	Miami Dolphins (@ JAX)	12.	Arizona Cardinals (vs. PHI)
3.	Dallas Cowboys (@ WAS)	13.	Kansas City Chiefs (vs. STL)
4.	Detroit Lions (@ ATL)	14.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. MIN)
5.	Seattle Seahawks (@ CAR)	15.	St. Louis Rams (@ KC)
6.	Houston Texans (@ TEN)	16.	New England Patriots (vs. CHI)
7.	Baltimore Ravens (@ CIN)	17.	Philadelphia Eagles (@ ARI)
8.	Denver Broncos (vs. SD)	18.	Minnesota Vikings (@ TB)
9.	Buffalo Bills (@ NYJ)	19.	Tennessee Titans (vs. HOU)
10.	Indianapolis Colts (@PIT)	20.	New York Jets (vs. BUF)

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