The Chargers head into Denver this week, and after watching what the Packers did, Philip Rivers and company should be chomping at the bit. The Broncos have been good against running backs and tight ends this season, but quarterbacks and wide receivers are having their way with the Ponies.
Philip Rivers, currently ranked 14th among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring on the year is going to take his air show into Denver. You wouldn't guess that a guy averaging 321 yards a game would be ranked as low as Rivers is, but with the pass happy NFL, you have the likes of Cam Newton, Eli Manning, and even Colt McCoy ahead of him. The Broncos were in the middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to QBs until facing Rodgers last week. They dropped from 20th to 30th after Rodgers had his way. Prediction: 315 yards and two touchdowns.
Ryan Mathews has been fantasy gold this season. He currently ranks sixth among running backs in standard scoring leagues and the last time he visited Denver he went off for 130 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. With that said, the Broncos have been very good against the run this season. Prediction: 175 total yards and a touchdown.
Mike Tolbert is back in the mix, but he needs to get things going on the ground. He continues to rake up catches and has been a solid play in PPR leagues. Look for him to get eight to twelve touches in this game. Prediction: 75 total yards and a touchdown.
Vincent Jackson, currently ranked fifth in wide receiver scoring will be limited in the amount of snaps this week as he plays through a hamstring injury. We all know that VJ can do a lot with a little and he continues to make his point with 20 catches on only 30 targets in 2011. Prediction: three catches, 45 yards
Malcom Floyd is expected by some to pick up the slack for VJ, and given that the Broncos allow the most fantasy points to wide receivers Floyd is looking like a great play. Prediction: five catches, 80 yards, and a touchdown
Randy McMichael is being used in some creative ways in the offense right now, but the Broncos have been stingy against tight ends, allowing the third least fantasy points. Couple that with zero touchdowns out of the tight end position this season for the Bolts and I don't feel very "Randy" about this match-up. Prediction: three catches, 40 yards.
Cherry Picking
Here are some guys that have very strong plays based on matchups this week. I'm not telling you to start them, I'm just passing along some information, so don't shoot the messenger.
Quarterbacks
Michael Vick vs. Bills (28th)
Matthew Stafford vs. Bears (29th)
Matt Ryan vs. Packers (32nd)
Mark Sanchez vs. Patriots (31st)
Running Backs
Mark Ingram vs. Panthers (28th)
Joseph Addai vs. Chiefs (29th)
Arian Foster vs. Raiders (31st)
Fred Jackson vs. Eagles (32nd)
Wide Receivers
Roddy White and Julio Jones vs. Packers (30th)
Santonio Holmes vs. Patriots (31st)
Mike Williams vs. 49ers (29th)
Tight Ends
Brandon Pettigrew vs. Bears (32nd)
Jermaine Gresham vs. Jags (30th)
Greg Olsen vs. Saints (29th)
That's going to wrap things up for this fake football post. Remember if you have fantasy questions, hit me up on fantasydaddy.com from 8:30am to 9:30am Sunday morning and I will answer all fantasy football questions in the live chat. If you tweet, feel free to send any start/sit questions to @fantasydaddy. You can listen to the HBR Fantasy Football show on XTRA Sports 1360 on Thursday nights at 7pm. If you miss the show you are able to download/listen to the fantasy football podcasts in the XTRA Sports 1360 podcenter.