Demaryius Thomas Fantasy Football Week 7 Projection

By Brandon Raper @Brandon__Raper on October 18, 2014

Fantasy owners who came into 2014 banking on big things from star Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas certainly weren’t too pleased with their return on investment early on this year. Thankfully, following an early Week 4 bye, Thomas is back as the focal point of the Denver passing attack. With a tough matchup looming against the San Francisco 49ers, though, will he be able to keep up his recent torrid pace?

This week’s Sunday night matchup is shaping up to be a classic battle of a high-powered offense and a suffocating defense. While it’s certainly no surprise that Peyton Manning and company continue to rack up fantasy points for owners, the 49ers defense has worked through key injuries to come into 2014 even stronger.

With the second-ranked pass defense in the NFL, the 49ers have allowed only 207.3 yards per game through the air, and just nine passing touchdowns. Only Michael Floyd of the Arizona Cardinals has topped the 100-yard mark, but with the lights of prime time shining at Mile High, rest assured that this won’t stop the Broncos from continuing to air it out.

One key to remember coming into this game is that, for all that the San Francisco secondary does well, they don’t get after quarterbacks all that well. Prior to their obliteration of the St. Louis Rams, they had just five sacks all season. Give Peyton Manning that kind of time and he’ll make you pay for it. Not to mention, between Thomas, Julius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker, the Broncos have perhaps the most elite receiving corps in football. No one receiver will get too much double coverage, and that will allow Manning and Thomas plenty of time to work the deep routes.

Granted, that kind of firepower means there’s also going to be plenty of passes going to players other than Demaryius Thomas. However, while that may be the case, just keep in mind Thomas’s last two outings: 350 yards and three touchdowns on 18 catches. That’s your fantasy “happy place”. It’s not realistic to expect that pace this week, but you know where the ball is going when Peyton wants to air it out.

Projection: 6 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD

Brandon Raper is the lead golf writer and an NFL contributor for Rant Sports. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @Brandon__Raper, and join him on Google+.