Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Seahawks will be taking on the San Francisco 49ers this week in a much-anticipated division showdown on Sunday Night Football. The game will feature two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson, leading the duel between two of the best teams in the league.
Here are the players who will help, as well as those who will hurt your chances of a sweet Week 2 victory in your fantasy league:
The Studs
Seattle boasts one of the best defenses in the entire league, but it would literally take a brick wall to stop Kaepernick from scoring. He put on a clinic in the 49ers’ Week 1 victory over the Green Bay Packers, shredding them for 412 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Granted, that kind of success can’t be expected against Seattle since they have possibly the best young pair of corners in the league, Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner. Still, Kaepernick has an absolute rocket arm, so I expect him to be able to sling passes into tight windows when he has the chance.
When the coverage is too good and he’s forced to scramble, he should be able to pick up good chunks of yardage with his legs. Seattle’s front-seven are right up there with the best, but Kaepernick is lethal when he gets a bit of space.
Anquan Boldin should be wrapped up pretty tightly, so I’m expecting Vernon Davis to pick up the slack. He showed great chemistry with Kaepernick last week while proving to be a true threat in the red zone. He’ll be Kaepernick’s best shot in most passing situations.
Frank Gore somehow always finds a way to play well against the Seahawks. In his last three games against them, he’s carried the rock 45 times for 242 yards and a touchdown. Last week he had a rough outing, only managing 44 yards on 21 carries, but his offensive line didn’t really give him too much space to work with.
He still had a touchdown though, and his o-line remains one of the best run-blocking lines in the NFL. It’s a scary matchup for sure, but Gore just might be able to continue his success against Seattle.
The Duds
Wilson was alright in the opener last week, finishing with 320 yards and one touchdown. Although the Carolina Panthers‘ defense is much improved, they’re still nothing compared to what he’ll face against the 49ers. Wilson typically plays very well at home, but he doesn’t exactly have top-flight weapons at his disposal.
If Percy Harvin was playing, it would be one thing, but I can’t see the likes of Golden Tate and Sidney Rice exploiting an incredible San Francisco defense. Wilson could struggle mightily in this one. I wouldn’t touch either of those receivers either if you can help it.
Marshawn Lynch is almost always on the other side of this coin, but after watching him struggle against the Panthers last week, it’s hard to endorse him against the 49ers, even at home. There’s a real possibility the Seahawks will be playing from behind in the later stages of the game, which is when Beast Mode is usually most damaging to his opponents.
He lives for working the clock at the end of games — it’s his bread and butter — but he might not get the opportunity this week. Lynch might be less beast this week and more small, scary-ish animal.
Have I given away who I’m picking to win this one?
Dan Freeman is a Fantasy football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanFreeman88.
