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Editor’s update: Sammy Watkins was ruled out after the projections were created.
The Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs in a key divisional matchup to open Week 7. The Broncos have won two straight coming into Thursday Night Football, while the Chiefs have lost two straight. The Chiefs are the clear better team, but this could turn into an entertaining matchup in light of the Chiefs recent inconsistent play.
Both teams are relatively healthy, at least for having played six games thus far. Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is dealing with a knee injury that cost him the second half of last Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. He was a full participant in practice this week, and is expected to play on Thursday. Meanwhile, Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury and has been a limited participant in practice this week. He’ll be a game-time decision.
If you have Watkins, the upside is that you’ll know his status before the rest of your roster needs to be finalized. You have plenty of time to sort out your fantasy football lineups, and won’t be waiting until Sunday evening for a last minute inactive question.
There are plenty of start/sit decisions on both sides of this matchup. Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce are all must starts, but after that it becomes a judgement call. Do you start Royce Freeman or Phillip Lindsay if this game turns into a shootout or a Chiefs blowout? Which of the Chiefs receivers after Tyreek Hill gets a start? Does Damien Williams get the nod over LeSean McCoy consider Williams only touched the ball two times to McCoy’s ten in Week 6?
Matchups are key, but it helps to see what the analytics are saying about potential performances. Looking at ESPN fantasy projections for season-long leagues (1/2 PPR setting), Williams still gets the nod over McCoy, but that really is a dicey running back situation to sort out. As for receiver, if Watkins ends up sidelined, it’s anybody’s guess who between Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman, and Byron Pringle is the biggest threat behind Tyreek Hill.
Regardless, here are Week 7 TNF projections to help you further improve your fantasy chances!
Kansas City Chiefs
QB Patrick Mahomes: 21.9
RB Damien Williams: 11
RB LeSean McCoy: 7.6
RB Darrel Williams: 1.7
WR Tyreek Hill: 14.8WR Sammy Watkins: 9.3
WR Demarcus Robinson: 7.3
WR Mecole Hardman: 5.8
WR Byron Pringle: 4.4
TE Travis Kelce: 13.4
K Harrison Butker: 8.6
Chiefs D/ST: 7.1
Denver Broncos
QB Joe Flacco: 13.6
RB Phillip Lindsay: 15
RB Royce Freeman: 11
WR Courtland Sutton: 12
WR Emmanuel Sanders: 9.3
WR DaeSean Hamilton: 3.3
TE Noah Fant: 4.7
K Brandon McManus: 8.7
Broncos D/ST: 4.5