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Denver Broncos Week 15 Fantasy Outlook

December 11, 2007 @ 13:05:38

By Richard Garcia
Edited by Herija C. Green

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 11-14, unless otherwise noted.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Jay Cutler	Denver Broncos	4	240.0	2.00	0.75	12.5	0.00

Cutler - Cutler heads into this week's game after throwing for a career-high four touchdowns while completing 20 passes for 244 yards in Week 14. He has been playing better of late, throwing six touchdowns in his last three games, compared to earlier in the year when it took him six games to reach that mark. Cutler faces a Houston Texans team that is allowing a little more than 264 yards per game and more than one touchdown to the position in the last month. He faces a strong matchup and should be considered a solid No. 1 option heading into Thursday's game.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Travis Henry	Denver Broncos	2	14.00 (11.40)	5.00 (22.85)	36.5	1.50	0.00	0.0	0.00
Selvin Young	Denver Broncos	3	14.00 (17.11)	2.00 (13.71)	79.3	0.00	1.33	8.7	0.00

Henry - Henry (knee) took somewhat of a backseat in the team's last game, carrying the ball 10 times for 24 yards. He managed to find the end zone for the third time in his last two games, after missing the previous three due to a knee injury. The Texans have been respectable against the run in their last four games, allowing opposing running backs to average 89.8 yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game to the position. Although the Texans defense is giving up the third-highest reception totals to the position in the last month, Henry isn't a threat in that area, failing to haul in a reception in back-to-back games. Play him as a solid No. 2 option.

Young - Young handled the majority of the load last week and looked far more explosive than his teammate, carrying the ball 17 times for a career-high 156 yards. It is uncertain heading into this week's game if he will continue to get as many touches as he did last week, but after a performance like that it is likely Young will continue to be a factor in the offense. Young received just as many looks in the red zone (three) as Henry in their last game, but Henry is the starter, which lowers Young's value. Young should be played as a No. 3 option at running back against the Texans.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Brandon Marshall	Denver Broncos	4	10.50 (17.11)	2.00 (18.28)	6.00	83.8	1.00
Javon Walker	Denver Broncos	2	2.00 (1.63)	0.00 (0.00)	0.50	3.5	0.00
Brandon Stokley	Denver Broncos	4	6.50 (10.59)	0.00 (0.00)	3.00	62.0	0.50

Marshall - Marshall made a career-high 10 receptions last week, hauling in 115 yards and scoring two touchdowns in a game for the first time in his young career. There should be no question at this point about who the No. 1 option in the passing game is. Marshall is averaging 10.5 utilizations per game, including two in the red zone over the last four games. He is a solid play against the Texans who are allowing an average of 152 yards and one touchdown per game to the position in their last four. Marshall should be played with confidence as a solid No. 1 option.

Walker - Walker (knee) was officially inactive for the team's game last week. He has played in two games since returning from knee surgery and has made only one reception for seven yards in that time. His status remains uncertain at this time, but considering his lack of production when he is playing, fantasy owners should steer clear of Walker and let him ride the pine heading into Week 15.

Stokley - Stokely (knee) made the most of his opportunities last week, catching a 21-yard touchdown pass after being a game-time decision. He is the second-most utilized target in the passing game, averaging 6.5 looks per contest in his last four games. Stokley remains the No. 2 option in the passing game and could be played as a moderate No. 1 option or solid No. 2 option for fantasy owners this week.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Daniel Graham	Denver Broncos	4	2.25 (3.67)	1.25 (11.42)	1.25	18.8	0.25
Tony Scheffler	Denver Broncos	4	3.75 (6.11)	0.75 (6.85)	3.25	42.0	0.25

Graham - Graham had arguably his best game in a Broncos uniform last week, hauling in three passes for 55 yards and a score. The team seemed to make it a point last week to get the tight ends involved, tallying a combined total of seven receptions for 86 yards. The Texans defense is allowing a respectable amount of receptions (5.75) and yardage (64) to the position while clamping down in touchdowns against to the position, allowing one in their last four games. Graham isn't a consistent threat in the offense and should be benched.

Scheffler - Scheffler continues to be the tight end of choice for Cutler outside the red zone, averaging 3.75 looks in the last month. While Graham has been receiving the majority of looks in the red zone in their last four games, Scheffler is averaging two more receptions per game, while averaging a little more than 23 receiving yards during that time. He gets the nod from us this week and should be considered a low-tier No. 1 option at tight end.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XP/G	XPA/G	FG/G	FGA/G	Kick Pnts/G
Jason Elam	Denver Broncos	4	3.75	3.75	2.00	2.00	9.8

Elam - Elam matched his season high for actual kicking points last week, scoring 11 for the first time since Week 2. He has now scored double-digit point totals in three of his last four games and is averaging 9.8 actual points per game during that time; good enough for the fourth-highest point total in the league over the last four weeks. The Texans offer up a tough task to the kicker position, allowing the third-fewest points (4.8) to the position in their last four contests. Play Elam as a low-tier No. 1 fantasy kicker.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Denver Broncos	4	21.5	1.00	2.2	1.75	0.2

Broncos - The run defense has been making strides of late to shut down opposing running backs just like the Broncos secondary has been shutting down opposing receivers. The team is allowing a little more than 86 rushing yards and 0.50 touchdowns to the position in the last month, while their secondary is tied for fourth-best in the league in receptions allowed (8.50) and leads the league in fewest receiving yards against (94.8). The defense is averaging 2.2 sacks per game while creating 2.75 turnovers during that span. They should be considered a lower end No. 1 option this week.

Author Bio

Richard Garcia
Garcia served as a managing editor for KFFL. Prior to his time with KFFL, Richard worked in managerial roles with both Frito-Lay Inc. and UPS. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and fulfilled his internship requirements with the Los Angeles Kings Hockey organization in 2001.