Super Bowl week in many leagues highlights the 16th week of fantasy football.
The good news this year for fantasy players is that the races are so close that no teams are resting starters this week. The problem this week for many Super Bowl hopefuls is, again, injuries. Julius Thomas helped many of his teams claim the top seed, or at least gain a playoff spot. He has been fighting to return from an ankle injury, though, and I know at least one owner who paid for his limited role last week. This week could be tough going again, and the Broncos likely will be in run mode in Cincinnati. I would be hesitant to play Thomas, however you must already have a good option in hand. The waiver wire is empty. I know from my team, because I changed my tight ends as often as my underwear this season. Julius may not come through with that three touchdown game, but, then again, he might. Either way, if he catches one touchdown in what looks like a red zone role for now, he'll be better than most options on waivers. Heath Miller are out there in many leagues, but he could be a risk.
Another fantasy stud who has lifted both his fantasy teams and his real team is DeMarco Murray. He had hand surgery, and Jerry Jones doesn't care. He has said Murray hasn't been ruled out for their Week 16 game. If you have Murray, you should get Joseph Randle. We'll see if Murray plays at all, but even if he does, how effective will he be with a bandaged hand? There was a report on ESPN Wednesday morning about Eddie Lacy playing with a hand injury like this at Alabama, and he went for over 100 yds, but that was college. This is the NFL, where everyone is strong and nasty. If you own Murray, watch the injury reports all morning, and have Randle ready. The options for running backs, and again I speak from personal experience, are awful on the waiver wire.
See the best moments captured from Sunday's AFC West-sealing victory in sunny San Diego.
Thomas brings in a 30-yard pass despite great coverage from Weddle.
Wolfe gets a piece of Nick Novak's 46-yard field goal attempt, causing it to fall short.
Wolfe celebrates his block with Terrance Knighton.
Thomas goes in for a 28-yard touchdown, putting the Broncos up 16-3 late in the third quarter.
Emmanuel Sanders makes a 33-yard grab in the fourth quarter.
Addae flips Sanders to the turf after his big grab.
Harris and Del Rio congratulate Talib after his fourth-quarter interception.
There are a number of players you have to think long about playing with cash on the line. Philip Rivers is chief among them. Facing the 49ers, and with a battered skill position group, I would find another option. Matt Forte has been up and down, but a date with Detroit should have you thinking about your options. I can't believe I'm writing this, but Peyton Manning could be in the middle of another run-heavy game plan. This would mean numbers close to what he's had the last two weeks. Watch the health of Ryan Clady in particular. If he's out, it might be helpful fantasy-wise this way — the Broncos may spread out the Bengals' defense like they did the Chargers and throw a little more. That said, an effective pass rush will have the Broncos trying to grind out this one. I don't know how you sit one of fantasy football's MVPs, though, in a Super Bowl week.
If you're looking for Christmas cash in Draft Kings' leagues, then look at the Packers and Patriots squads. Both Brady and Rodgers should be good buys this week, Jordy Nelson could be a good pairing with Rodgers. Greg Olsen may be a bargain tight end and they face the Browns at home. Jonathan Stewart could be another Panther to buy with the home game against Cleveland. The Steelers host the Chiefs and their sinking run defense. I would put money in LeVeon Bell. If you need a value quarterback, try ... wait for it ... RGIII. He faces an Eagles defense that was beaten badly by Tony Romo last week, and he may look like a bit of his old self.
Flip through photos of the Broncos' 58 touchdowns this season, from Julius Thomas' opening-week hat trick to Peyton Manning's No. 509 to Virgil Green's first NFL touchdown.
Brock Osweiler connected with Virgil Green for the first touchdown pass of his career.
Virgil Green's first TD as a Bronco capped off the scoring for the team.
Tony Carter returned Derek Carr's fumble for a touchdown with less than five minutes left in the game.
C.J. Anderson broke three tackles on the way to his third TD of the game, putting the Broncos up 27-7.
On first-and-goal, C.J. Anderson cut around the edge for an easy TD.
Anderson's first of three scores on the day was an 11-yard TD run. He slammed through DJ Hayden and Charles Woodson into the end zone.
In the Broncos' third-consecutive scoring drive, Peyton Manning connected with Emmanuel Sanders for the go-ahead TD.
On a drive that was fueled by an Emmanuel Sanders one-handed catch, the Broncos cut the Bengals' lead with an Emmanuel Sanders' 4-yard TD catch.
Aided by a 77-yard kickoff return from Omar Bolden, the Broncos were able to score on their first drive after the half as C.J. Anderson bolted into the end zone.
Aqib Talib intercepted Andy Dalton in the first quarter and returned it for a TD – the sixth pick-six of his career.
Demaryius Thomas caught a back-shoulder fade from Peyton Manning, shook a few defenders and trotted in for the score to put the Broncos up 16-3 late in the third quarter.
C.J. Anderson's third score put the Broncos up 21-3 early in the second half.
It was Anderson's fifth touchdown in a three-week span.
Without much space, Anderson burrowed through defenders and across the goal line in the second quarter.
Anderson opened the scoring against the Bills with a weaving 6-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Anderson exploited single coverage and caught a pass up the middle before breaking tackles on his way to the end zone.
On the opening possession against the Chiefs, Manning dropped a deep ball perfectly in Demaryius Thomas' arms for the 23-yard score.
After a T.J. Ward interception, Wes Welker caught a quick pass from Manning and ducked inside the pylon for the score.
With five minutes left in the fourth quarter, C.J. Anderson delivered the Broncos their first lead on a 10-yard run through traffic.
Early in the fourth quarter, Demaryius Thomas brought the Broncos within a field goal with his third touchdown of the game.
With just seconds left in the first half, Manning split the Dolphins' zone to find Thomas for his second touchdown.
Draped in coverage by two defenders, Demaryius Thomas brought in a 5-yard touchdown on a great throw from Manning.
Late in the second quarter, Sanders got behind the Rams' defense for a 42-yard touchdown.
The Broncos capped 35 consecutive points with a 15-yard pass from Manning to Sanders.
Facing fourth-and-inches, Manning faked a handoff and threw to a wide-open Julius Thomas, who galloped down the sideline for a 32-yard TD.
Julius Thomas caught a short pass and powered through Charles Woodson for the touchdown.
With time ticking down in the first half, Sanders corralled a deep pass from Manning for the diving touchdown.
After catching a short dump off with one-hand, Anderson broke several tackles and weaved his way across the field for a 51-yard score.
The long touchdown gave the Broncos a 13-10 lead and a spark late in the second quarter.
Hillman dove into the end zone just inside the left pylon for his first career receiving touchdown.
This touchdown was Thomas' league-leading 10th receiving touchdown of the year.
Hillman got the Broncos on the board with a 1-yard TD run around the left edge.
Thompson became the first undrafted rookie to record multiple rushing touchdowns in a game since RB Mike Bell in 2006. His second score of the game put the Broncos up 35-14.
Thompson scored on a 2-yard touchdown run on a fullback dive.
Manning connected with Sanders on a slant for Sanders' third score of the game, making it a two-touchdown game.
Late in the first half, Manning found Sanders behind the defense for a 31-yard touchdown, Sanders' second of the game.
Sanders' diving touchdown catch in the back of the end zone put the Broncos up 7-0 in the second quarter.
Sanders celebrates his first of three touchdowns of the game with a Mile High salute.
Hillman was the final Bronco to get on the board with a 1-yard TD run, his second of the game.
Hillman weaved his way through Niners defenders on his way to a 37-yard score.
Thomas reeled in a gorgeous deep ball from Manning early in the third quarter to put the Broncos up 28-10.
On third-and-goal from the 8, Manning looked for Demaryius Thomas on an out route just inside the end zone.
Manning connected with Thomas for his NFL-record 509th TD pass, passing Brett Favre.
Thomas dragged his toes perfectly after snagging the pass on his way out of bounds.
Manning tied Brett Favre's record with this TD pass, his 508th, to Welker.
After his defender ran into the referee, Sanders caught a 3-yard pass from Manning to get his first TD as a Bronco.
Sanders celebrated the TD with a Mile High Salute.
Aqib Talib sealed a 31-17 win over the Jets with a pick-six of Geno Smith in the closing seconds.
Julius Thomas catches an easy touchdown on a slant for his second score of the day and eighth of the year.
Late in the first half, Manning threw up the seam for Julius Thomas, who snagged the ball and hung on for the 22-yard TD.
On third-and-goal from the 1, Manning found Demaryius Thomas through traffic to take a 10-7 lead.
Undrafted rookie Juwan Thompson scooted up the middle for an 8-yard touchdown, the first of his career.
Julius Thomas caught his sixth touchdown of the season to increase the Broncos' fourth quarter lead to 14.
Manning hit Demaryius Thomas in stride down the sideline and Thomas did the rest, outrunning everyone for an 86-yard TD.
Demaryius Thomas caught a short pass, broke tackles and juked defenders on his way to a 31-yard touchdown.
Thomas celebrated the score by leaping into the stands.
Manning didn't take long to find TD No. 500 against the Cardinals.
He hit Julius Thomas in the first quarter for a 7-yard touchdown, making him the second QB ever to throw 500 touchdowns.
With time running down in regulation, Manning hit Tamme deep for a 26-yard touchdown, capping an 80-yard drive in 41 seconds.
Tamme's touchdown, along with a two-point conversion to Demaryius Thomas, sent the game to overtime.
Manning threw a shovel pass to Julius Thomas, who waltzed into the end zone untouched.
Demaryius Thomas brought in his first score of the year with one hand despite tight coverage.
Tamme was wide open for a touchdown from Manning, the fifth score by a Broncos tight end of the season.
Julius Thomas caught his fourth touchdown of the season less than five minutes into Week 2.
Manning celebrated with teammates after hitting Julius Thomas for the duo's fourth TD on the season.
Ball changed direction at the line and dove over the goal line for a 3-yard score.
Julius Thomas easily shakes LaRon Landry at the line for his third TD of the game.
Manning found Julius Thomas in the open field and the tight end scooted up the left side for the score.
On third-and-goal from the 3, Manning hung in the pocket and threw for Julius Thomas.
Julius Thomas brought in the Broncos' first touchdown of the year despite coverage.
