Before the season, we expected the Thanksgiving Seattle Seahawks-San Francisco 49ers matchup to be a prime battle between two contenders challenging for first place in the NFC West. As the game happens, that's all true, except for the "first place" part. The two teams are 7-4 and vying for an NFC playoff spot, but the 9-2 Arizona Cardinals lead the division. Still, Thursday's game is a big one.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 13: Seahawks vs. 49ers
Two elite franchises with track records of recent success in a primetime holiday game? Yes, please.
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Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch is once again on the week’s injury report as he deals with a back injury, though he’ll be a full go for the game. Tight end Cooper Helfet, meanwhile, is more of a concern to miss as he deals with a sprained ankle. On the San Francisco side, running back Frank Gore is dealing with a knee issue, but his status for Thursday doesn’t appear to be a question mark.
San Francisco hosts the Thanksgiving game at 8:30 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:
SEAHAWKS
Start 'em: The rushing yards accumulated by Russell Wilson lately have made vintage Cam Newton look sluggish. He has a high enough floor that he needs to be started every week. ... Marshawn Lynch isn't putting up the numbers he did early in the year, but he still has at least six fantasy points in every game, and needs to be started every week. ... Steven Hauschka has only one game with fewer than seven fantasy points all year, and that was in Week 2. ... The Seahawks' defense has gotten back on its feet after its early-season struggles.
Sit 'em: Sure, he had 10 fantasy points in Week 11, but then zero in Week 12. How can you possibly trust Doug Baldwin? ... Luke Willson and Cooper Helfet are both serviceable real-world tight ends, but they aren't fantasy options, even assuming Helfet is healthy to play Thursday night.
49ERS
Start 'em: He's not in the top tier of kickers, but Phil Dawson is just below that tier and an every-week starter. ... The 49ers' defense has averaged 10.3 fantasy points a game over the last month. It's a must-start.
Start 'em?: The last five games, Colin Kaepernick's fantasy line has been 13, 10, 12, 13 and 13 fantasy points. That's clear QB2 territory. ... Frank Gore's numbers fell off a cliff last week; he is still his team's No. 1, but he's a flex play. ... Anquan Boldin is a clear strong flex play. It's easy to imagine a scenario in which he's not a team's top two or three WR options, but if you use him, you're happy.
Sit 'em: As long as he's getting the red-zone touches, Carlos Hyde is a threat to score a touchdown, but in general, he's more of a threat to Gore's production than a fantasy option in his own right. ... Michael Crabtree is a better fantasy option than Stevie Johnson, but neither is a strong start. ... Vernon Davis has gone from top-five tight end to absolutely unownable this season.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Steven Hauschka, Seattle defense, Phil Dawson, San Francisco defense
Start if you’re desperate: Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Anquan Boldin
Bench: Doug Baldwin, Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet, Carlos Hyde, Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, Vernon Davis
