Fantasy football advice, Week 17: Who to start/sit for Chargers vs. Broncos
With some luck, Denver could end Sunday as the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed.
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The Denver Broncos used a come-from-behind win in Week 16 to rise back into if-it-ended-now placement for a bye in the AFC playoffs. Still, a lot is left to be decided Sunday. The Broncos could find themselves as the overall AFC No. 1 seed with a win over the San Diego Chargers Sunday and some help; they could have a road game next weekend if they lose Sunday and the Kansas City Chiefs win. So there's a lot going on in the Broncos' regular-season finale.
The Chargers aren't yet sure if they'll get wide receiver Stevie Johnson back from injury for Sunday; he's a game-time decision with his groin injury. For Denver, quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler, running back C.J. Anderson, wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, and tight end Owen Daniels are all on the injury report, though all six should be fine to play Sunday, with Osweiler still the starter over Manning.
The Broncos host the Chargers Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the game’s fantasy considerations:
CHARGERS
Start ‘em?: After a lull, Danny Woodhead has 40 fantasy points in his last two games. He isn't likely to have huge numbers Sunday, but he's worth flex considerations. ... Antonio Gates has been good in less than a full season of work, but against Denver he doesn't carry a lot of upside.
Sit ‘em: Between injuries and a tough matchup, it's hard to trust most of the San Diego offense. You don't really want to use Philip Rivers, and his wide receiver group (Malcom Floyd, Dontrelle Inman and maybe Stevie Johnson) don't inspire much confidence either. ... Josh Lambo hasn't cracked 10 fantasy points in any of his last seven games. ... The Chargers' defense still hasn't reached 10 fantasy points in a game all year.
BRONCOS
Start ‘em: Odds are, you’re using whichever one you have out of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but Week 15 aside, they haven’t both produced in the same game very often. ... The Broncos’ defense isn’t as good as it was early in the year, but against the floundering San Diego offense, you’re still using the unit.
Start ‘em?: Good luck picking between C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman as the better fantasy option this week; Hillman has outscored Anderson more often than not this year, but when Anderson does well, he does very well. ... Brandon McManus had double-digit fantasy points five times in his first seven games, and has reached that one time since.
Sit ‘em: After his big Week 15 performance, Brock Osweiler fell right back to his middling fantasy ways last week. He led a big comeback, but still managed only 15 fantasy points. ... If you're playing a Denver tight end, it's Owen Daniels over Vernon Davis, but you can find more upside elsewhere.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Denver defense
Start if you're desperate: Danny Woodhead, Antonio Gates, C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman, Brandon McManus
Bench: Philip Rivers, Malcom Floyd, Dontrelle Inman, Stevie Johnson, Josh Lambo, San Diego defense, Brock Osweiler, Owen Daniels, Vernon Davis
