Week 6 at Cleveland
In the victory over Oakland last Sunday, Emmanuel Sanders registered season highs of nine receptions and 111 yards. Peyton Manning looked Emmanuel’s way a team-high 12 times, leading to his first game over 90 yards in 2015. He has only two TDs on the season, both coming in Week 2, but is averaging seven catches per game. The Denver offense may be struggling, but be sure to keep Sanders in your starting lineup.
Week 5 at Oakland
Against the Vikings last Sunday, Emmanuel Sanders was targeted six times by Peyton Manning, resulting in three catches for 68 yards. His 43-yards grab helped what was a pretty low-key day. In the past two weeks, Emmanuel has just nine receptions and no TDs. Manning and the offense has had their struggles, but Sanders is too explosive to even consider leaving him on your bench, especially facing a Raiders secondary that’s had its problems.
Week 4 vs. Minnesota
Peyton Manning threw the ball 42 times in the win at the Lions last Sunday, with Emmanuel Sanders receiving nine looks. No. 10 caught six passes for 87 yards – the second straight game he’s totaled exactly 87 yards. The six receptions were actually a season low. Even though the Broncos offense has struggled the first few games, Emmanuel has 20 grabs. Back at home on Sunday, Sanders should be primed for another good outing.
Week 3 at Detroit
Emmanuel Sanders caught two touchdowns in the comeback win over the Chiefs last Thursday. His game-tying score with 36 seconds left gave him eight grabs for 87 yards on the night. Peyton Manning seemed to come Emmanuel's way on nearly every third down and he delivered. The Broncos passing attack definitely looked better with Manning in the shotgun. With the extra couple days to prepare, expect another solid game from Sanders.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City
After not playing in the preseason, Emmanuel Sanders looked like the fastest player on the field in the win against the Ravens last Sunday. On a team-high 12 targets, Emmanuel collected eight grabs for 65 yards and was just overthrown on a couple deep routes by Peyton Manning. In the two games with Kansas City in ’14, Sanders racked up 14 grabs for 181 yards. Be sure he remains in your starting lineup.
Week 1 vs. Baltimore
The Broncos played it cautious with Emmanuel Sanders during the preseason, letting his injured hamstring improve. Sanders is coming off of a career year and will again be a big part of the Broncos offense, as well as special teams as a punt returner. Sanders finished sixth in wide receiver fantasy points last season and will be facing a Ravens defense with some secondary concerns. Don’t be concerned about his lack of playing time so far in 2015. Emmanuel Sanders should be in your starting lineup.
Fantasy Upside
After playing in Pittsburgh for his first five NFL seasons, Emmanuel Sanders burst on the scene last year, his first in Denver. He finished with 101 grabs for over 1,400 yards and nine TDs – all career highs. The Broncos brass wanted to get him the ball in whatever way possible, which also included eight rushing attempts for 44 yards. He posted seven 100-yard games. Of the 141 times Peyton Manning looked his way, Sanders made the reception over 71 percent of the time. He has remained healthy, not missing a game the past three seasons.
Fantasy Downside
Even at just 5’11 and 180 pounds, Emmanuel goes all out on every play, which causes him to get hit hard and bounced around by defensive backs. As the Broncos established their running game during the past month-and-a-half of last season, Sanders numbers definitely dropped off. Over the final six contests – including the playoff loss to the Colts – he averaged only 62 receiving yards per game.
Bottom Line
With Gary Kubiak calling the plays, the secondary WR in the system has been pretty average, as only twice in nine years has he had two top 36 PPR WRs in the same season. However, Kubiak’s never had such a dynamic duo like Demaryius Thomas and Sanders, to go along with one of the best all-time in Peyton Manning. With Julius Thomas and Wes Welker no longer wearing Bronco orange, Manning’s main options will be his terrific WRs and TE Owen Daniels. While his numbers will likely take a bit of a hit from last year, Sanders should again be targeted well over 100 times and produce another 1,200 yard season.
Divisional Round – Emmanuel Sanders vs. Indianapolis Colts
The extra week off allowed for Emmanuel Sanders to rest his sore hip and get ready for the playoffs. After 101 receptions, over 1,400 yards and nine TDs during the regular season, Emmanuel should keep things going at home on Sunday versus the Colts. He hasn’t had a 100-yard game in five straight, but with Peyton Manning at the helm, Sanders is always a threat to have a big game. Sanders finished with six grabs for 77 yards versus Indianapolis in September.
Week 17 – Emmanuel Sanders vs. Oakland Raiders
While Demaryius Thomas was eclipsing the century mark yet again in the loss to the Bengals last week, Emmanuel Sanders finished with six grabs for 70 yards and two TDs. Emmanuel is over 1,300 yards with nine scores in his first season with the Broncos. Sanders caught five passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns in the win at Oakland earlier this season and you’re absolutely going to start him in the rematch.
Week 16 – Emmanuel Sanders vs. Cincinnati Bengals
With Peyton Manning only throwing the ball 20 times last week against the Chargers, Emmanuel Sanders finished with just three grabs for 53 yards. Denver again utilized C.J. Anderson and the ground game to get the win. Emmanuel has not been over 75 yards in three straight games and has not scored in the past four. At Cincinnati on Monday, Sanders makes for solid WR2 start.
