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Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers
“Kap” had a poor showing against Seattle on Thanksgiving, to put it mildly. However, an in-state matchup against the Oakland Raiders is just what the doctor ordered. Listen to some of these numbers: Shaun Hill had 183 passing yards with two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown last week. Week 12, Alex Smith had 234 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns in a losing effort. Finally, Peyton Manning torched Oakland for 340 yards and five touchdowns despite throwing two picks in Week 10. Bottom line: Start Kaepernick on Sunday.
Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns
Vontae Davis, Indianapolis’ best cornerback, will sit out Sunday’s game in Cleveland due to a concussion. The last time Davis sat out, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers torched Indy for six passing touchdowns. While Brian Hoyer is no “Big Ben,” he does have Gordon, who led the league in receiving yards last year. Hoyer hasn’t been spectacular the past few games, and Gordon has yet to score a touchdown, but the two have been staying later after practice working on timing.
Chris Ivory/Chris Johnson, RBs, New York Jets
It’s going to be a good day for the Jets’ featured back Sunday against a Vikings’ defense that allows the ninth-most points to fantasy running backs and has been bulldozed by the likes of Eddie Lacy and Alfred Morris in recent weeks. The problem is figuring out who is going to be the lead guy for the Jets. Last week, Chris Johnson was the most effective with 105 yards on 17 carries to Ivory’s 62 yards on 16 carries. Either way, owners should start both players as the Jets will lean heavily on the running game with the good matchup and poor play from the Jets’ quarterbacks.
SIT
Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
The Broncos have been tough on opposing running backs. Denver has limited Lamar Miller, Darren McFadden and even Jamaal Charles to moderate performances. Charles was able to score but was held to 59 total scrimmage yards. The lone bright spot over a five-week span was St. Louis’ Tre Mason, who had 113 yards rushing. Still, the Broncos are yielding the fifth-fewest points to opposing running backs. While Jackson is making the most of a committee in Buffalo, the matchup will be too difficult to overcome on Sunday.
Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Flacco has been up and down all season, posting big numbers some weeks and duds in others. The forecast doesn’t look promising for Flacco as Baltimore travels to Miami this week. The Dolphins are the second-stingiest team to opposing quarterbacks in terms of fantasy points. They’ve held Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Kyle Orton and Geno Smith in check, struggling only against Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers.
Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
With the tight end position being thin all season, fantasy owners may consider Miller as a potential option following two 70-plus-yard outings his last two games. However, the veteran tight end has an unappealing matchup against the Bengals this week. Cincinnati held New Orleans’ star tight end Jimmy Graham to just 29 yards in Week 11. What’s more is that Miller has a poor 32-yards-per-game average against Cincy in 16 games. He has only scored thrice during that timespan.
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers
It’s hard to leave Benjamin out of lineups in the playoffs, but the situation calls for a double take. Benjamin had an abysmal outing the last time the Panthers took on the Saints — just 18 yards on two catches. This time, the game takes place in New Orleans. While the matchup is favorable, it’s a divisional contest meaning the Saints will be well prepared for Carolina’s offense.
Hugh Johnson: 303-954-1037, hjohnson@denverpost.com or
