Look away, there really isn’t much to see here. Honestly, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers might as well be playing this game in the 1996 NFL doldrums. You know? Before fantasy football became mainstream.
While both teams are 4-2 and among the best in the NFC through six weeks, it is their defenses that have gotten them to this point. On that note, both teams tend to struggle remaining consistent in the passing game on offense.
More importantly, while both offenses are geared towards the run, their counterparts on the other side of the ball are just as good, if not better, at stopping the run.
If you are starting anyone from each of these offense, expect mass denial followed by temporary failure. Denial that you actually made the decision to start someone from one of these teams. Failure because of the amount of points you are going to see on your boxscore following tonight.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at key fantasy players as it relates to each offense in this key Thursday Night Football Matchup. Yes, it will be a rather short article.
Sidney Rice, Wide Receiver
Nothing more than an under-the-radar FLEX guy. Rice struggled through his first season in the Pacific Northwest, mostly due to injury. Only recently has he become a more intregal part of Seattle’s offense.
Rice has compiled 12 receptions for 189 yards and a score over the course of the last three games, more yards than he had in his previous seven outings.
Matchups are going to be huge here. San Francisco’s best cover-guy thus far this season has been Chris Culliver, who lines up in the slot at nickel. Rice will most likely line up outside against either Carlos Rogers, who is struggling, or Tarell Brown.
If San Francisco doesn’t change its coverage to represent a need to stop Rice, he could be a solid FLEX guy going for 50 yards and a score.
Vernon Davis, Tight End
Don’t expect San Francisco to be able to throw to the outside in this one. Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman represent the best starting cornerback duo in the National Football League. In fact, Sherman has probably been the best at his position this season.
If they are going to get anything done in the passing game it will be to Davis and Delanie Walker between the hashes or Mario Manningham/Kyle Williams in the slot. On that note, expect Davis to be targeted early and often tonight.
Davis should be able to exploit impressive rookie middle linebacker Bobby Wagner if he finds himself in single coverage up the seam. Though, I do expect to see a lot of Earl Thomas help over the top or even in press at the line. Either way, Davis might be your best 49ers’ bet here.
Frank Gore and Marshawn Lynch,
In most weeks, both Gore and Lynch would be viable RB1 or RB2 options. Not this week, both defenses are yielding under 93 yards per game on the ground, both representing top 10 figures in the National Football League.
While San Francisco has been somewhat inconsistent, playing some really bad rush defense in both of their losses, the idea that Seattle will win the trenches on offense has to be considered laughable.
The only reason I indicate that either Gore or Lynch are viable RB2/FLEX options is because of the fact that LeSean McCoy, Michael Turner, Reggie Bush and Ryan Mathews are all on a bye this week. If you can find a better matchup with lesser fantasy running backs, think long and hard about doing it.
Must Start: Both defenses- See Statistics
Must Sit: Russell Wilson, Golden Tate, Alex Smith, Michael Crabtree
Wild Card: Randy Moss- Had best performance as a 49er’ in Week 4 loss to the New York Giants, going for 75 yards on two receptions.
And, there you have it. One offensive player from each team and both defenses. That pretty much sums up what has happened in what has to be considered the new “Black and Blue Division” of the NFL.
Though San Francisco is yielding some fantasy points to opposing tight ends, I don’t see either Zach Miller or Anthony McCoy being able to make much of an impact in this game. Meanwhile,