It's not been long since the Seattle Seahawks-San Francisco 49ers games highlighted a big rivalry between elite teams. This year, though, both teams are 2-4. The Seahawks' two wins came over the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions -- maybe the NFC's two worst teams -- and even those were produced from the Bears using a backup quarterback, and the Lions getting a bad call from the referees. The 49ers, meanwhile, sandwiched their two wins around four consecutive losses. Thursday, they play one another, and you can probably close the book for 2015 on the loser.
The Seahawks' big injury concern of late has been running back Marshawn Lynch, as he deals with a hamstring issue. Reports are, though, that he's back to full strength or close, and should be fine for Thursday. Wide receiver Tyler Lockett is also on the weekly injury report, but should be fine for Sunday. On the 49ers side, running back Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis are all on the injury report. Hyde hasn't practiced all week so far, but is expected to play regardless, as are the rest of the list.
The 49ers will play host to the Seahawks Thursday, with gametime set for 8:25 p.m. ET. Let's take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
SEAHAWKS
Start 'em: We're waiting on some of the big games Russell Wilson showed a year ago, but he still has at least 15 fantasy points in five of six games this year, which has value in its own right. He's still a fantasy starter, albeit a low-end one. ... Now that he appears to be healthy, Marshawn Lynch is back to must-start status, even behind a subpar offensive line. ... It looks like Jimmy Graham will struggle to be as consistent in Seattle as he was in New Orleans, but he still has double-digit fantasy points in three of six games, and that's a starting tight end, if a more frustrating one than in the past. ... Steven Hauschka is the only Seahawk putting up fantasy points at the expected rate. ... The Seahawks' defense isn't the league's best unit at this point -- that's Denver -- but it's still a must-start, near the top of any ranks.
Sit 'em: Lynch's return to the good side puts Fred Jackson and Thomas Rawls on the do-not-use list. ... There just isn't a good fantasy option among the Seattle receivers. Doug Baldwin is the best, but Tyler Lockett, Ricardo Lockette and Jermaine Kearse get enough sporadic looks to take away any safety from Baldwin.
49ERS
Start 'em: Now that the 49ers have started looking better, Phil Dawson is back to good starting territory. Admittedly, though, it's risky against the Seattle defense.
Start 'em?: Two weeks ago, people were discussing benching Colin Kaepernick for Blaine Gabbert, of all people. In the two weeks since, he has 20-plus fantasy points twice. Kaepernick is back in fantasy's good graces, and only the tough matchup is keeping him from ranking even closer to must-start territory. ... Carlos Hyde has been mostly disappointing this season, with two games above that. He's healthy, but in an awful matchup, he's only a flex play. ... Anquan Boldin's production has aligned with Kaepernick's. The Seahawks are a tough matchup, but Boldin is a borderline starter.
Sit 'em: Even healthy, you aren't using Reggie Bush. He's shown nothing. ... Torrey Smith is too up-and-down to trust on a weekly basis. ... Vernon Davis is no longer a big performer. It's name value only. ... The 49ers' defense still has a net negative performance on the season. That's a stay-away.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Jimmy Graham, Steven Hauschka, Seattle defense, Phil Dawson
Start if you're desperate: Colin Kaepernick, Carlos Hyde, Anquan Boldin
Bench: Fred Jackson, Thomas Rawls, Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Ricardo Lockette, Jermaine Kearse, Reggie Bush, Torrey Smith, Vernon Davis, San Francisco defense
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SB Nation presents: NFL Week 7 fantasy football waiver wire targets