Carolina (-3) & Over/Under is 41.5
The last time we saw these two square off was in the super bowl about seven months ago. Very difficult for the Panthers:
Cam Newton - 265 yards - 0 TD - 1 INT - 45 rush yards
Jonathan Stewart - 12 carries - 28 total yards (2.42 YPC) - 1 rec - 1 TD
Ted Ginn - 4 rec - 74 yards
Devin Funchess - 2 rec - 40 yards
Kelvin Benjamin - DNP
Greg Olsen - 4 rec - 41 yards
Trevor Simien - DNP
CJ Anderson - 23 carries - 100 total yards (3.91 YPC) - 4 rec - 1 TD
Devontae Booker - DNP
Demaryius Thomas - 1 rec - 8 yards
Emmanuel Sanders - 6 rec - 83 yards
Virgil Green - DNP
Fantasy Notes:
- Denver's secondary (Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby) gave up only 7 touchdowns to wide receivers last year. They were 2nd best in the league in fantasy points per game against opposing wide receivers (25.4).
- Denver ranked 8th worst against running backs catching the ball (96 receptions). Unfortunately for Carolina they don't utilize their running backs in this fashion. Mike Tolbert caught 18 balls in 16 games and Jonathan Stewart caught 16 balls in 13 games.
- Opposing teams versus Carolina only threw to their WR1 21.5% of the time. Josh Norman was a big part of this reason. With Norman gone the Panthers are starting two rookie defensive backs: Daryl Worley and James Bradberry. This is an inviting matchup for Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Mostly Demaryius in my opinion because I don't think the game script with a rookie quarterback will support two fantasy relevant wide receivers in this game.
- Carolina ranked 2nd worst against running backs that catch the ball (110 receptions). CJ Anderson caught 36 balls in 9 games started to end the 2014 season, so we know he is quite capable. Rookie Devontae Booker caught 80 passes in two years at Utah.
- Carolina is a top-10 team versus rushing attempts against for three consecutive years. Teams just don't rush the ball against them successfully at all. This is why I like Demaryius in this match-up, along with the Denver running backs catching the ball out of the backfield.
Who to play:
I feel most comfortable playing Greg Olsen from Carolina. I don't trust anyone else to be fantasy relevant in this match-up on the road. Not even Cam Newton. There are many QB options I prefer this week and some of which you were able to draft late and may still be on your waiver wire. Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan and Tyrod Taylor are all options I'd prefer this week.
I think Demaryius Thomas takes advantage of these young defensive backs for 6+ receptions and 100 yards. CJ Anderson has a big game on the ground which includes a handful of receptions. I don't think Booker gets a big enough workload to be important, but we will see his ability. Tight end Virgil Green may get into the end zone if Denver spends a little time in the redzone. I don't love Sanders in this game because the script won't be advantageous to support two wide receivers.