When the schedule makers wrote out Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos a few months ago, they probably felt pretty good about how this one would be set up. Divisional rivals, new coaches, maybe a surprise contender…
WHELP.
Instead, we get a pair of teams with a combined five wins between them and a matchup that features arguably the worst offense against arguably the worst defense. Good times!
So, as we look at fantasy rankings, who are the guys, I like more (or less) than the experts? As a reminder, this isn’t a prediction of who will score the most points — it’s who I like more (“start”) or less (“sit”) than the rankings.
START: Russell Wilson
Currently ranked by ESPN as the No. 14 quarterback this week, I don’t see a scenario where he has less than two touchdowns on Sunday. Even in the Week 4 loss, Wilson finished with 237 passing yards, 29 rushing yards and three total touchdowns — and I haven’t seen anything from the Raiders defense that would lead me to believe he’ll be much worse this time around.
Prediction: 245 passing yards, 20 rushing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception
Nfl Denver Broncos At Tennessee Titans
START: Greg Dulcich
If Wilson is going to throw for 245 yards, the next question becomes: who exactly is catching those passes?
Give me Dulcich — the rookie tight end is currently the No. 11 tight end this week, but with KJ Hamler and Jerry Jeudy both questionable for Sunday I think he outperforms that ranking. The Raiders are allowing the fourth-most points in the league to tight ends this season, and I see that continuing on Sunday.
Prediction: 6 catches, 70 yards, 1 touchdown
START: Josh Jacobs
Did people not see what Jacobs did last time these two teams met? Why is he the No. 9 ranked running back this week after posting 175 total yards and two touchdowns against the Broncos earlier this season?
Beats me.
I think Jacobs has another big one, carrying the Raiders offense to a victory.
Prediction: 120 yards rushing, 40 yards receiving, 2 touchdowns
SIT: Raiders D
I hope nobody reading this is actually considering starting this group, but just in case you are, let me talk you out of it. The Raiders are ranked the No. 15 defense for Sunday, according to ESPN, but I can assure you they will finish nowhere near that mark when the day is done.
Yes, the Broncos offense is really bad. But sometimes a bad defense outweighs a bad offense, and that’s my prediction for Sunday. Steer very, very, very, very clear of this group.
