Ronnie Hillman vs. Branden Oliver - Who to start in fantasy football in Week 8

Finally, a Thursday night game that fantasy owners can fully embrace. Denver and San Diego have combined to average 57.8 total points and 754.0 net yards per game through seven weeks. These teams are fantasy machines.

Ronnie Hillman and rookie Branden Oliver have both emerged as waiver wire revelations in recent weeks. Hillman is coming off back-to-back games in which he's topped 100 scrimmage yards, and both performances were in difficult matchups (NYJ, SF). He's an obvious fantasy starter at home, facing a Bolts defense that allows 4.5 yards per carry to opposing backs. Oliver's matchup isn't nearly as friendly, as Denver's defense currently ranks third in the league against the run, allowing just 74.3 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry. But Oliver has certainly passed the eye test. He's running as an every-down, all-situation back, a powerful ball-carrier with vision and pass-catching ability. His workload have been significant, too, with every other Chargers RB sidelined by injury. Even against a challenging opponent in a difficult environment, you really have to think of Oliver as a viable RB2.

Fantasy owners have all but written off Keenan Allen at this point, but the kid has been targeted 35 times over his last four games. His day is gonna come. When it does, you'll be sorry you benched him. I'm flexing Allen in two leagues this week; he had a two-touchdown game at Denver late last season, and we can assume San Diego will put the ball in the air this week.