Denver Broncos - Fantasy News

Should I Start Demaryius Thomas in Week 10?

by Derek Norton

11/11/17

NFL

Denver Broncos

Demaryius Thomas

The Denver Broncos are mired in a four-game losing streak and decided that seven Trevor Siemian games were enough. Enter Brock Osweiler, who made his triumphant return in a 51-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.

While Denver’s offense showed marginal improvement at best, Demaryius Thomas was still a useful contributor, catching eight passes for 70 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Now Thomas and the Broncos will face their old rivals, the New England Patriots, at home on Sunday Night Football.

Why Should I Start Demaryius Thomas?

Thomas was targeted 12 times in his first game with Osweiler, which was his second-highest total of the season. That’s no surprise considering their history together. In Osweiler’s eight starts in 2015, Thomas averaged 10.5 targets per game. Only three receivers (Antonio Brown, DeAndre Hopkins and Jarvis Landry) average more than 10.5 targets this season. A few extra looks for Thomas could go a long way.

Thomas has had some very good stat lines against the Patriots. In nine career games, he has exceeded 90 yards six times and surpassed 115 yards on four occasions. Another big game is definitely in the cards, as this might be the worst New England defense Thomas has ever faced.

The Patriots have one of the worst pass defenses in the league. They’re dead last in passing yards per game (296) and tied for 24^th in passing touchdowns (16). They’re also only one of six teams against whom opposing quarterbacks have a rating above 100. It’s possible they could even make Osweiler look good. That’s great news for Thomas.

Why Should I Bench Demaryius Thomas?

Touchdowns—or lack thereof—are still an issue for Thomas. He now has just one score in his last 14 games. He has a middling seven red zone targets this year, including the one he converted into a touchdown in Week 9. That score came when the Broncos were trailing 44-9 in the fourth quarter. It’s not a good sign that his only touchdown was completely meaningless outside of fantasy.

Though Thomas has had some big games against the Patriots, he’s had some bad ones as well. That includes two of his last three games. He caught two passes for 12 yards in the 2015 AFC Championship and one pass for 36 yards (despite 13 targets) in Week 12 of the 2015 season.

Thomas has led the Broncos in receiving in six of eight games, which means stopping him is likely going to be a priority for Bill Belichick. The Patriots head coach has a reputation for taking away an opponent’s best player, and this time New England is coming off its bye. With no one else doing much on offense in Denver, the Patriots could throw all of their resources at stopping Thomas. It will be difficult for him to find much room to operate if they do.

Should I Make Demaryius Thomas a Week 10 Fantasy Starter?

Yes. Not only does Osweiler have a history of frequently targeting Thomas, but he has a history of getting Thomas into the end zone. Five of Thomas’ six touchdowns in 2015 came in Osweiler’s eight starts. Add in New England’s abysmal secondary and Thomas has a high ceiling this week.

Week 10 Fantasy Prediction: Demaryius Thomas Over 10 DFPs