Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas' Instant Fantasy Reaction After Week 3

Going to Seattle for a date against the "Legion of Boom" is as great a test for fantasy quarterbacks and receivers as owners will find this season.

In somewhat predictable fashion, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning passed with flying colors Sunday, though No. 1 target Demaryius Thomas did not. 

Manning is no running back, but the theory that quantity equals production certainly works for him—even in Seattle:

	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	Fantasy Points
P. Manning	31/49	303	6.2	2	1	20

Manning has now posted 20 or more points in three consecutive games with questions about those around him a thing of the past. Emmanuel Sanders is a reliable target, and now even Wes Welker is back in the mix to ensure Manning continues to rest atop the positional rankings each week.

Thomas owners have alarm bells ringing, and for good reason. The wealth of weapons around Manning continues to have a negative impact on his production, as he was targeted nine times and brought in just four of those for 31 yards.

Through three games, the trends are not so hot:

The aforementioned Sanders was targeted 15 times by comparison, and tight end Julius Thomas saw four targets, but the all-important red-zone looks went his way—including a bubble screen that went for a touchdown normally reserved for the team's No. 1 wideout.

Those expecting one of the bright spots from the Super Bowl were surely disappointed, as ESPN's Ed Werder muses:

WK	OPP	REC	YDS	TD	PTS
1	Ind	4	48	0	4
2	KC	5	62	1	12
3	@Sea	4	31	0	5

It is concerning, but there is little fantasy owners can do as Thomas surely came off the board in the first round of most drafts.

Trading Thomas would be an overreaction, especially with great matchups such as an encounter with the New York Jets—the team that surrenders the most points to wideouts this year—in the cards in the coming weeks.

Thomas is a matchup-proof option despite the lack of attention he is getting at the moment. Owners who drafted him had to know that this was a very real risk in such a high-octane attack.

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.