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Fantasy football, Week 13: Russell Wilson, Seahawks defense continue run of NFC West dominance

But when will a receiver show up as an every-week option?

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

On Thanksgiving Day, the Seattle Seahawks took their talents on the road to the new Santa Clara Levi's stadium. On a short week -- and in hostile territory -- Russell Wilson and the Seahawks punched the San Francisco 49ers in the mouth in their own backyard.

In other news, after the game Wilson & Richard Sherman ate a turkey dinner on the "SF" emblem at the 50 yard line...

[QB]
Russell Wilson - 35 Rushing Yards, 236 Passing Yards, 1 Passing TD = 18.94 Total Points

Its hard to explain in words just what it is that Russell does to garner the sort of respect people have for him ... but in real-time it looks incredible. Until things change in Seattle you can bank on Wilson never putting up Andrew Luck-type digits, but for most owners his weekly consistency is what they actually bank on; Wilson is averaging 22.75 fantasy points per game.

Despite coming off a short week, Wilson looked laserbeam-accurate as he completed 15 of 22 passes for 236 yards with a TD, and added 7 carries for 35 yards with this legs. Numerous times we watched Wilson scramble to extend plays like the Tony Moeaki pass in which he evaded multiple pass rushers to find him open in the flat for a 63-yard catch-and-run. Wilson's lack of weekly turnovers play a big role as to why he stays inside that QB1 bracket, while his legs propel him into a borderline matchup-proof option.

Russell Wilson is a QB1 in a solid matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles next week.


[RB]
Marshawn Lynch - 39 Rush Yards, 3 Catches, 43 Rec Yard = Standard 8.2 points/PPR 11.2 points

On Thursday night, Lynch didn't let us forget that it was a divisional rivalry game as he brutally powered through defenders for chunks of yards. He finished the game carrying the rock 20 times for a total of 104 yards (5.2 YPC), and added one catch for 7 yards. He's the focal point of the Seattle offense and for good reason. Continue to start Lynch as a high-end RB1 until the day that he is no longer wearing a Seattle Seahawks jersey.

Robert Turbin - 8 Rush Yards, 2 catches, 47 Rec Yards, 1 TD = Standard 11.5 points /PPR 13.5 points

Ok we can work with this, Robert. Though he underwhelmed as a spell back for Lynch, Turbin didn't leave his owners empty-handed. Even though he rushed for just 8 yards on 4 carries, Turbin delivered in the receiving game as he went 2-47-1. You can bet on 2-3 catches per week, but this yardage and a score is just not realistic. Kudos to those who started him in fantasy daily leagues. He's one Lynch injury away from having weekly value, but for now start him at your own risk.


Christine Michael - 10 Rush Yards, 1 Catch, 12 Rec Yards = Standard points 2.2/PPR 3.2 points

His abilities are vast but his opportunities are non-existent. Thursday night, Michael ran the ball just three times for a total of 10 yards (3.3 YPC) and added one catch for 12. His lack of usage in any situation for the Seattle offense is curious. He's definitely staying behind Turbin for now. He is still a major dynasty stash and wait-and-hold if you have the roster space for redraft. As stated by a few others, it would more than likely be a Turbin/Michael timeshare if Lynch ever went down for extended time.

[WR]
Jermaine Kearse - 3 Catches, 34 Rec Yards = Standard 3.4/PPR 6.4 Points

Here comes a broken record: There isn't any Seahawks receiver that you want to start with Wilson and Lynch combining to carry the ball 22+ times a game. Wilson takes shots, but his lack of risky pass attempts are too low to turn anyone of these receivers into a viable weekly option. Kearse posted his 3-34 line on 5 targets. As fantasy football options all these receivers are BYOM.

(Bring Your Own Miracle)

Doug Baldwin - 2 Catches, 28 Rec Yards = Standard 2.8/PPR 4.8 Points

Doug has been relegated to simply being a role player for now. This is a run-first offense, and Wilson isn't married to any one option in the passing game either. Posting a 2-28 line on 4 targets just won't get it done for owners. He will be a better play next Sunday vs Philidelphia than he was Thursday night. For now he is simply a "volume dependent" WR4 in this offense.

Paul Richardson1 Catch,  6 Rec Yards, 23 Return Yards = Standard 1.8/PPR 2.8 Points
Paul almost saw paydirt, but he had a red-zone touchdown taken away on a Turbin penalty during a "pick play." This would have done wonders for his night as he finished with just one catch for six and a meager 23 yards as a kick returner. You've got to love his future upside as a dynasty prospect a lot more than what he can do for you as a redraft option. He's simply off the radar for now.

[TE]
Tony Moeaki - 1 Catch, 63 Rec Yards = Standard 6.3/PPR 7.3 Points

Coming off scoring a touchdown in his first game as a Seahawk, Moeaki followed it up with a 1-63 day. He saw just two targets, but it was the catch he made that we all remember. On a highlight scramble by Russell Wilson, Moeaki found himself open against the side lines and Russell hit him with a dime of a target, the catch and run went for a giant gain of 63 yards on the play. Moeaki is a gifted athlete, but his lack of playbook knowledge and minimal targets make him a very hands-off playoff option at TE.

Luke Willson - 4 Catches, 39 Rec Yards = Standard 3.9/PPR 7.9 Points

He lead the way with a team-high 6 targets as he churned out a 4-39 line. He was effective as an option in the screen game for Russell Wilson and played very sure-handed all night long. One week its Cooper Helfet, the next its Moeaki, and this time it was Willson. It's just too hard to gauge his usage so he's going to continue to be a hands-off option in an already thin fantasy position.

[DST]
Seattle Seahawks
- 3 Points Allowed, 4 Sacks, 2 INT, 1 Fum Rec, 52 Return Yards = Standard/PPR = 18.3 Points

Are they back?! This Seattle DST has looked like the 2013 version over the past 2 weeks. They've been tenacious, and Thursday they came through in a big way for their owners. We saw the SEA DST recovering fumbles, intercepting passes, holding their opponent to just three points and sacking the quarterback numerous times. This is what made them such a sought-after option in fantasy drafts, and they are paying their faithful owners back at just the right time. The Eagles speed will test them next week, so if you truly buy into the return of this DST then start them at your own risk.

[K]
Steven Hauschka
- 4 FGs, 1 XP = 14 Total Points

This is now back-to-back weeks of strong outings for Hauschka. If not for the Turbin "pick play penalty" and a few other offensive penalty issues, he may have had a more disappointing outing, but i digress. Steven is just too accurate for his own good and will continue to be a Top 10 kicking option from week to week.