Fantasy Football Week 7: Rankings and Advice for Thursday Night Football

Once upon a time, in the years 2012 and 2013, the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks were both double-digit win teams. Back then, every game they played against each other was extremely critical to their success in their respective division—the NFC West.

However, in 2015, both teams are 2-4 and have had their fair share of issues.

The Seahawks lost at home to the Carolina Panthers in Week 6, while the 49ers won at home against a powerless Baltimore Ravens team.

While this matchup won't be anything like what we saw from years past, I'm sure it will be exactly the type of game we expect on a Thursday night.

Big Board

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Thursday Night Big Board

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team
1	Marshawn Lynch	RB	Seattle Seahawks
2	Carlos Hyde	RB	San Francisco 49ers
3	Russell Wilson	QB	Seattle Seahawks
4	Tyler Lockett	WR	Seattle Seahawks
5	Anquan Boldin	WR	San Francisco 49ers
6	Colin Kaepernick	QB	San Francisco 49ers
7	Jimmy Graham	TE	Seattle Seahawks
8	Doug Baldwin	WR	Seattle Seahawks
9	Jermaine Kearse	WR	Seattle Seahawks
10	Torrey Smith	WR	San Francisco 49ers

Injury Report

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Seattle Seahawks

Player		Status
Marshawn Lynch	RB	Probable

San Francisco 49ers

Player		Status
Vernon Davis	TE	Probable
Carlos Hyde	RB	Questionable
Vance McDonald	TE	Probable
Bruce Ellington	RB	Day To Day

Injury reports courtesy of ESPN.com.

Quarterbacks

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Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson

Heading into Week 7, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is the No. 9 fantasy quarterback.

Based on where he was taken in most drafts, he's been very underwhelming. This is due in large part to the fact that he has yet to score a rushing touchdown.

On the season, the 49ers are the third-most generous team when it comes to surrendering fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks at 19.3 points-per-game.

In addition to being the third-most generous, they give up around 319 passing yards per game—whew.

Wilson is a top-15 option this week.

Projections: 250 passing yards, 1 TD; 35 rushing yards

San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick

Over the last two weeks, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has appeared to find a second wind.

However, those games were against the New York Giants (in a shootout) and the Baltimore Ravens, who have one of the league's worst defenses this season.

The Seahawks are a bit different.

They are the 18th-most generous unit to opposing quarterbacks in terms of fantasy points, allowing approximately 235 passing yards per game.

We should expect Kaepernick to revert back to his prior form. Avoid him this week.

Projections: 220 passing yards, 1 INT; 25 rushing yards

Running Backs

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Seattle Seahawks Starter: Marshawn Lynch

Outside of Week 6, it's been a tough go of it for Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.

Between injuries and lack of production, he saved himself by scoring a touchdown in Week 6.

Fortunately for him, Lynch gets a plus matchup against a seemingly poor run defense. The 49ers allow just over four yards per carry and a rushing touchdown per game.

In a game in which we expect the Seahawks to win, Lynch should see ample opportunities.

Lynch will have his first 100-yard game of the year this week.

Projections: 100 rushing yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 15 receiving yards

San Francisco 49ers Starter: Carlos Hyde

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde is questionable with a foot injury coming into the game, but he plans to play Thursday night, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group.

If he does suit up, Hyde could see a fair amount of volume.

While the Seahawks are very stingy against the run, they have allowed 80 or more rushing yards over the past two weeks to Cincinnati Bengals running back Gio Bernard and Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart.

The game should be relatively close, and Hyde may sneak into the end zone.

This is more of a bold prediction.

Projections: 75 rushing yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 10 receiving yards

Wide Receivers

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Seattle Seahawks: Doug Baldwin

Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin has yet to see more than four targets since Week 2. While this goes for most of the Seahawks pass-catchers, he's much too inconsistent to rely on on a weekly basis.

Projections: 4 receptions, 45 receiving yards

Seattle Seahawks: Jermaine Kearse

Like Baldwin, Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse is even more inconsistent.

Kearse went without a catch in Week 6.

He's not a receiving option you should rely on weekly, but due to how poor the 49ers pass defense is, Kearse could make somewhat of a comeback.

Projections: 3 receptions, 50 receiving yards

Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Lockett

Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett has been an intriguing, yet hardly productive fantasy option this season.

However, Week 7 could be a time in which he could pay dividends.

In a game in which he could be matched up with 49ers cornerback Kenneth Acker, Lockett will definitely be able to use his speed to his advantage in this one.

Lockett is a decent Hail Mary option and a solid contrarian daily fantasy play.

Projections: 3 receptions, 65 receiving yards, 1 TD

San Francisco 49ers: Anquan Boldin

Over the last two weeks, 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin has gone over 100 yards receiving in both games.

This week, he'll get a Seahawks defense that has allowed just one touchdown to opposing wide receivers and is 31st in terms of fantasy points allowed to the position.

However, Boldin is definitely Kaepernick's favorite option. Although Kaepernick isn't projected to pass for a touchdown, expect a solid points-per-reception day from the ageless wonder.

Projections: 7 receptions, 75 receiving yards

San Francisco 49ers: Torrey Smith

Simply a speed threat with a limited route tree, 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith could have a hard time getting open against an insanely good Seahawks secondary.

Look elsewhere if you can this week.

Projections: 3 receptions, 40 receiving yards

Tight Ends

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Seattle Seahawks Starter: Jimmy Graham

While he has yet to score a touchdown since Week 3, Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham gave owners a game to be happy about in Week 6, catching eight passes for 140 yards and getting the most targets in a game (10) he's had this season.

The team's use of Graham is no secret—it stinks.

The 49ers are decent against opposing tight ends, as they rank 16th in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing ones.

Graham will have a decent week, but it'll be nothing to brag about.

Projections: 5 receptions, 60 receiving yards

San Francisco 49ers Starter: Vernon Davis

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the 49ers have reportedly fielded offers for tight end Vernon Davis, who seems to be a shell of his former self.

I couldn't just leave this space blank, but Davis isn't someone you should be starting in fantasy leagues.

He's a back-end TE2.

Projections: 3 receptions, 25 receiving yards

Defense/Special Teams

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Seattle Seahawks Defense/Special Teams

The Seahawks defense has shown some vulnerability over the past couple of games, but this week they get 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who looked like he was out of it before the past two games.

This should be a good game for the Legion of Boom to get back on track.

Projections: 13 points allowed, 1 INT, 3 sacks

San Francisco 49ers Defense/Special Teams

This 49ers defense is far from anything to brag about, but going up against a poor offensive line, the unit could tally a couple of sacks.

Expect this game to be relatively close and for each defensive unit to be a somewhat decent option, with the Seahawks being much, much better.

Projections: 20 points allowed, 4 sacks

Best Sleeper Add

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Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks (Owned in 10.5 percent of ESPN Leagues)

As mentioned earlier in this column, Lockett hasn't been the most reliable fantasy option, but he has a solid matchup and could be lining up against 49ers cornerback Kenneth Acker fairly often.

Acker is the 87th-ranked cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus.

Start or Sit?

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Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers

He's given his owners a reason to smile the last two weeks, but this is the type of matchup that will make you frown. Stay away.

Verdict: Sit

Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks

For the third time—Lockett against 49ers cornerback Kenneth Acker. Be bold, take a risk.

Verdict: Start

All advanced stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Fantasy scoring numbers courtesy of ESPN.com.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.