Fantasy Football Start/Sit, Week 2: 49ers vs. Seahawks

Week 1 went well for the fantasy stars in San Francisco. Colin Kaepernick unloaded with 400 yards passing; Vernon proved that the chemistry between him and the QB is Heisenberg status, that is to say pretty darn good. Also, Boldin put up the best numbers of any receiver in the league. Hopefully, none of you were in the blast radius of the Peyton Manning bomb that exploded on Thursday, but if you were (I think I was at the epicenter)the Niners certainly helped you out of the hole.

Things get tougher for the Niner offense as they prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks defense in week 2. San Francisco totaled only 13 points in each of the 2012 games. They'll have to do better to make anyone other than Phil Dawson fantasy relevant this week.

Here is a brief breakdown of the fantasy stars going into this matchup. Check it out and feel free to leave your fantasy questions in the comment section for discussion:

Colin Kaepernick

CK7 followed up his first record setting performance against Green Bay with another in week 1. This week he returns to the scene of perhaps his second most frustrating night as a starter. Seattle is always game, especially at home and especially when they face San Francisco. Kaep won't find it easy to duplicate his week 1 efforts against this secondary.Richard Sherman and company are perhaps the best group of pass defenders in the league.

Even so, I think Kaepernick will be a top 10 fantasy QB this week. We'll see if Seattle's big corners can figure out Anquan Boldin without compromising coverage on Vernon Davis and the others. The passing numbers will certainly come down, but look for the phenom to use his legs to add to his fantasy value. 250 passing, 50+ rushing and 2 combined TDs would be an excellent effort given the opponent.

Russell Wilson

I want to hate Russell Wilson, really I do, but he has a lot going from him. He is an incredibly efficient passer, proven leader and one of the best stories in the NFL. He is also from my hometown, which makes it incredibly difficult to spit too much venom in his direction. Wilson had two very different games against the Niners last year.  He had a very rookie like first performance; only completing 9 passes on 23 attempts and an interception. What about the next meeting, you ask?  Let's just say he did okay and agree to not speak of that game again (4 TDs on 15 completions).

Unlike last year, many gamers are now relying on Wilson as a QB1. The second year passer earned his first 300 yard game last week, but was pressured early and often by Carolina's front seven. The challenge won't get any easier with San Francisco in town. During the December game last year, the Niners were without Justin Smith and the pass rush suffered. This time the defense is healthy and looking hungry for vengeance. Look for DangerRuss to connect on plenty of short passes to keep drives going, but I'd cap his TD total at 2 this week with around 30-40 yards rushing. He falls just outside the top 10 at QB this week.

Frank Gore

Holdfast Gore owners. Last week was frustrating until a touchdown reception saved the day, but lanes will open for Gore in due time...just perhaps not this week. Gore's first 2012 encounter with Seattle went swimmingly (180 combined yards), the second, not so much (28 total yards). Frank falls into the low RB2/Flex range as he faces one of the best defenses in the league this week. The good news is the same defense allowed fellow 30-something rusher, DeAngelo Williams, to reach 4.75 yards per carry on 16 attempts last week. It'll be rougher to run in Seattle, but pencil in Gore for 80 total yards and a TD.

Marshawn Lynch

I don't own a crystal ball, but I bet Lynch is going to be plenty upset on Sunday after only rushing for 46 yards last week. Normally, you downgrade any rusher facing the San Francisco defense, but Lynch tends to do well against the division rival. Beastmode eclipsed 100 yards in both 2012 contests including a 2 TD effort in week 16. He'll be the most valuable fantasy player on the field Sunday and I like his chances to make it 3 straight 100 yard games. Add a TD and Lynch owners shouldn't have much to worry about.

Anquan Boldin

13 receptions for 200 yards...you know, just another day at the office for the over-the-hill receiver with nothing left to prove. I labeled Boldin a solid WR3 last week and he was the best receiver in fantasy by a long shot. I'd don't mind being wrong when that is the result. He should square up against Richard Sherman more often than not Sunday. Sherman has a knack for covering large physical receivers, but Boldin can make catches with a Sherman tank on top of him. The targets should be there, so if you can live with 6 receptions for about 80 yards in your WR3 slot, then roll with Boldin.

Vernon Davis

If you've been paying attention, you've noticed I like to introduce players by reviewing their 2012 stats. Here are Vernon's stats from the two 2012 games against the Seahawks - 27. 27 receptions? 27 targets? No. 27 yards, all coming from the week 16 game. After Vernon's fantastic game last week, I'm comfortable with betting he'll get more than 27 yards this time around. Seattle does a great job at limiting tight ends, so don't expect another 2 TD game out of VD, but if you own him you can expect a solid outing. 5 receptions for 80 yards might be his ceiling in week 2. Please prove me wrong Mr. Davis.

Sleepers

Doug Baldwin

The Seattle Baldwin brother found the end zone twice in the final meeting of 2012 and once again last week in Carolina. Carlos Rogers usually takes the slot receiver and if that is the case this week, Baldwin should be in for another solid day.

Kyle Williams

There is a good chance Anquan Boldin can be contained on Sunday and one of the less proven receivers will need to step up. I'm fighting the urge to put Quinton Patton here since he only played a handful of snaps last week. Williams should see significant action and was targeted deep twice last week, but was over and underthrown. If you are digging for a WR4, Williams should be in line for 4-5 receptions and a long TD.

Did I leave out someone you might start? Have a better idea for a sleeper pick? Drop a comment and let us know.

KEEP READING

• 49ers-Seahawks Thursday injury report
• 49ers might want to clean up their tackling for Marshawn Lynch
• 49ers vs. Seahawks: Kind of a big deal
• 49ers-Seahawks keys to victory
• 49ers need Vernon Davis to repeat his performance