Thursday September 17, 2015
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs

This is a rare intriguing Thursday Night Football matchup. I guess they had to go all out for Week 1 on NFL Network. Don’t worry, we’ll get the Redskins on next week. Fantasy owners will be watching intently to see if this is the end for Peyton Manning. And boy is this a bad matchup for him for a number of reasons. This could be the final fork in the road for Manning’s career.

Denver Broncos: Key Players

QB Peyton Manning
This spells disaster for Manning. He clearly is no longer the quarterback he once was and his offensive line cannot protect him. This week you have a 39-year-old quarterback traveling to Kansas City on three-day rest and Justin Houston and Tamba Hali will be looking to take his head off his surgically repaired neck. The only part of Manning that won’t hurt after this game is his fingertips. It would be shocking if Manning could somehow pull this one off.

Verdict: Sit Manning. I honestly don’t expect him to finish in the upper half of quarterbacks this week. This is just a really bad situation. He now has a noodle for an arm and no protection. The Chiefs will take away the short pass, dare him to beat them deep and give him no time to throw the deep ball he’s not physically capable of throwing.

RB C.J. Anderson
This is another tough situation for Anderson. He suffered a minor toe or ankle injury on Sunday and has to turn around and play Thursday. Kansas City is a tough place to play and last season they didn’t give up a rushing touchdown until Week 12. With a bad offensive line blocking and a quarterback that defenses no longer fear, even if he is healthy, this isn’t quite the situation it once appeared to be.

Verdict: Start Anderson. If Anderson is active, you pretty much have to start him. Nonetheless, the best case scenario may be he is a surprise inactive and you handcuffed him with Ronnie Hillman.

WR Demaryius Thomas
Thomas is going to take a hit in production is Manning has declined as significantly as it looks. If you drafted him, you are starting him and rightfully so. He has to be considered a WR1, regardless of circumstance. Still, don’t expect him to up numbers like he has the past three seasons.

Verdict: Start Thomas. Of course you’re starting him, but he’s the slam dunk play he once was. He’ll still see plenty of targets and he‘s good enough to make big plays.

WR Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders is in the same boat as Thomas. He’s also a great talent and a must start option. His numbers will drop significantly this season, nevertheless, he should still be a very solid option. He was very productive and very consistent in 2014.

Verdict: Start Sanders. Always a good start but he also isn’t going to be nearly as good. There will be a significant drop in production simply due to the new system. Partner that with Manning’s arm and Sanders could take a big step back.

Kansas City Chiefs: Key Players

QB Alex Smith
Talk about a noodle-armed quarterback. Smith just can’t throw the ball downfield. Don’t expect any surprises or excitement in the Chiefs’ passing game. The bottom line is, Smith just isn’t all that good.

Verdict: Sit Smith. The Broncos have a tough defense and there is no way Smith is a top 12 QB or even close this week. He just doesn’t make enough plays. His touchdowns, wins and yards are always way down.

RB Jamaal Charles
Charles is an elite RB1. Despite a lackluster Week 1, he hasn’t shown any signs of declining or that he’s on the verge of falling off a cliff. Obviously you’re starting him.

Verdict: Start Charles. He’s an elite talent and should be started every week.

WR Jeremy Maclin
Maclin was an excellent pick this season, going as late as a WR4, he has great value. He’s going to catch a lot of passes, score his fair share of TDs and pile up yards. People who slept on Maclin, may live to regret it.

Verdict: Start Maclin. He’s a tremendous option at WR3 and he could even be a WR4 depending on when you drafted him. Look for him to help Alex Smith more than Smith hurts him.

TE Travis Kelce
Kelce came out of the gate this season and immediately showed why everyone was so high on him this offseason. He caught six passes for 106 yards and two TDs. As of now, he may be second only to Gronk as the league’s best tight end.

Verdict: Start Kelce. He is now a must start every week. Keep him in your lineup no matter who he’s matched up against. This kids going to be a star in this league.

Final Score
Denver: 16
Kansas City: 27

Best Play
Broncos: Emmanuel Sanders
Chiefs: Travis Kelce

Sleeper
Ronnie Hillman