The 2013 Denver Broncos entered Week 7 at 6-0, scoring at a record pace and looking unstoppable. They were heavy favorites over the Indianapolis Colts. So of course the Colts beat the Broncos 39-33 as Denver put up its lowest point total of the season to that point.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 1: Colts vs. Broncos
The defending AFC champion Broncos will look for revenge in their season opener against the Colts Sunday night.
Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Denver, the Broncos get a chance at revenge as Peyton Manning takes on his former team. I don't need to tell you there is a long list of potential fantasy contributors in the game:
Colts
Start in every league: Andre Luck, T.Y. Hilton, Adam Vinatieri
Start if you're desperate: Trent Richardson, Reggie Wayne, Coby Fleener
Bench: Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks, Dwayne Allen, Defense/special teams
Broncos games usually promise high scores, which bodes well for Luck’s performance. ... Hilton could also benefit from playing against Denver, especially if the team eases Wayne back into action. ... High-scoring also carries good tidings for kickers like Vinatieri.
After a hugely disappointing season, Richardson is a huge question mark for 2014, but I’m mostly out on him -- I rank him as my No. 29 running back for the week. ... Hard to imagine Wayne gets full play in his first game back. ... Fleener outranks Allen to start the season, for me, though it might not stay that way.
Bradshaw’s play could increase if Richardson continues his struggles, but stay away for now. ... I’m not in the “Nicks is done” camp, but I don’t remotely trust him enough for fantasy. ... See above for my thoughts on Allen. ... Nope, still not starting a defense against that Denver offense unless it’s Seattle, and the Colts’ defense isn’t Seattle.
Broncos
Start in every league: Peyton Manning, Montee Ball, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Brandon McManus, Defense/special teams
Start if you're desperate: Emmanuel Sanders, Cody Latimer
Bench: Ronnie Hillman, C.J. Anderson, Andre Caldwell
The big names in Denver aren't question marks. Of course you're starting Manning, Ball, and the Thomas-and-Thomas boys. No reason not to. ... McManus is just a placeholder placekicker until Matt Prater returns, but he's still a kicker on what should be a great offense, and that matters. ... The Broncos' defense looks good entering the season, and even against a decent Indianapolis offense, it's a low-end starting unit.
Wes Welker's suspension has everyone going gaga on Sanders but I'm pumping the brakes. Latimer might get more touches, or Caldwell, or Virgil Green, or Jacob Tamme. Be careful of assuming Sanders is the new Eric Decker.
A year ago, everyone thought Ball would be the Broncos’ starting running back, and they went to Knowshon Moreno. It looks even more promising for Ball this year, but Hillman and Anderson are still around. Don’t start them, but keep an eye out. ... Yes, Caldwell might get looks, but you can’t count on him.
