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Well, if you started Colin Kaepernick or Anquan Boldin in fantasy football last week, you were probably happier than most watching the Week 12 game. This week, the San Francisco 49ers get a much tougher test against the Seattle Seahawks. It could be a low scoring game with two of the better defenses in the league squaring off, but here are the notable fantasy players.
Must Starts
Anquan Boldin: He came through last week, but the test is much stiffer Thanksgiving night. The Seahawks are the best at limiting opposing fantasy wide outs and this figures to be a low scoring game. If this is a must win game for you (and it probably is) then you may need to find someone with higher upside to man your WR3 slot. However, the vet is on pace for one of his better years and he does have home field advantage.
Marshawn Lynch: Could a slow game versus the Cardinals continue through week 13? The Niners have slipped to the middle ranks of run defenses so there should be a few exploitable holes for the bruiser Thursday. Still, it's tough game on a short week so temper expectations.
Quality Starts
Colin Kaepernick: Short week and a difficult opponent, but at least it's a home game and he did put in work the last time they played. I'd avoid him in most formats, but he is a good QB2 option this week.
Frank Gore: In Seattle, the Seahawks are his kryptonite. At home, he usually has himself a day against the staunch rivals. I think Gore has 1 or 2 big games left in him and I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop one Thanksgiving night. Despite the match-up he should be a serviceable RB2.
Russell Wilson: What he lacks in passing yardage and accuracy he is making up with huge rushing plays. I don't think he gets it done through the air this week with his o-line giving into pressure, but he could make your opponent very upset with his ability to scramble and make plays on the run.
Avoid
Michael Crabtree: King Crab had an okay day on Sunday and this week brings a grudge match against a secondary that had the last laugh at his expense. Like Boldin, there is a chance he could get a TD or rack up the 6+ receptions, but he is too hard to trust when the stakes are this high.
Vernon Davis: This is a case of me not taking my own advice. I would never tell anyone else to start Vernon the rest of the season, but I did select him for my FanDuel lineup this week. He hasn't been good, but the 49ers will need all their weapons against this defense and the chance for a long TD remains.
Seattle Receivers: You probably weren't going to use them, but this is just a reminder that this is not the time or game to get cute. Save that for when you have to ask for seconds at Aunt Mable's Thursday night.
Sleeper
Stevie Johnson: He's had success against this secondary in the pass so you have to imagine he gets at least a few more targets than normal. I wouldn't be as bold to say that he leaps into WR3 territory, but if you are fishing in deep league, cast a line in Johnson's direction.