Sep 29, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs after a reception for a touchdown run against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy football has been a thing of beauty if you own any Broncos players (save for maybe Montee Ball or Ronnie Hillman).
The Broncos are going up against a Dallas defense that has been able to generate some pressure on opposing QBs (although the Giants, Chargers, and Rams don’t exactly have the greatest offensive lines either), but they have also given up the 5th most passing yards this season as well as 10 passing touchdowns, most in the NFL.
The Broncos’ pass defense is two spots worse than Dallas, but they’ve given up just six passing touchdowns this year.
Denver is going to want to take advantage of that soft pass defense for Dallas, and that’s exactly what they’ll do. If Dallas’s pass rush–which is tied for third in the NFL with 14 sacks through four games so far–gives Manning and the Broncos fits, then Denver is going to have to utilize the short-intermediate passing game to offset it.
For fantasy football, here are some of my favorite matchups for the Broncos this week.
Fantasy MVP: Peyton Manning, QB
Manning is the best QB in the league right now. 16 touchdowns and 0 INTs through the first four games is absolutely unheard of, and I think he could hit 20 before this game is over.
Dallas can only hope to limit Manning, as he is far too smart and far too good right now to be completely stopped or taken out of the game. The only way he’s not a fantasy MVP in this game is if Denver chooses to use their running game more than normal.
Best Matchup: Broncos WRs vs. Cowboys DBs
The Broncos have a great matchup with the Cowboys–or any team’s–defensive backfield. Demaryius Thomas had a monster game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he didn’t even lead the team in receiving yards.
You can feel pretty confident about playing any Broncos WR in this game between Thomas, Wes Welker, and Eric Decker, and I’d even say Julius Thomas is also a really smart play against the Cowboys.
Until proven otherwise, this Broncos passing game is lethal so you pretty much have to include all options at this point.
Bad Matchup: None…?
If I had to pick a bad matchup in this game, it’d be Matt Prater I guess…I don’t think there is a bad matchup or bad play for the Broncos, unless you’re wondering if you should play Montee Ball or Ronnie Hillman, which I would still shy away from. I think as the season progresses, we might get a clearer picture of what the Broncos will be doing long term at the RB position, but for right now, Knowshon Moreno is still your best option and the Cowboys don’t exactly have the best run D in the NFL this season.
Even the Broncos’ D/ST unit is a must-play every week with two blocked punts this season as well as two return touchdowns. Tony Romo has also been known to throw an interception or four.
The fact that this is a road game bodes well for Dallas, but Denver is white hot right now and they are only getting better. As far as fantasy football is concerned, you can’t really go wrong.