It's time for the Week 6 installment of Thursday night matchups with my start/sit recommendations. This week, it's a divisional rivalry game between the defending champion Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers.

Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down every game and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and injury information as well. Later this week, you will find parts one and two of our Week 6 NFL matchups, which should help you prepare your lineups to win this week. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

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Broncos @ Chargers - Thursday 10/13 @ 8:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love

C.J. Anderson (RB, DEN) - San Diego has allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs through five weeks. Although running backs have actually gone for more receiving yards than rushing against the Chargers (375 vs. 358), which isn't Anderson's strength, they have also scored a combined seven rushing TD. Denver may lean on Anderson to relieve pressure from a dinged-up Trevor Siemian, which should result in high volume despite a slightly increased role by Devontae Booker. Anderson has a good chance to find the end zone and remains a low-end RB1.

Demaryius Thomas (WR, DEN) - The list of injuries to key players in San Diego has now made its way to the defensive side. The Chargers will be without both starting corners, Jason Verrett and Brandon Flowers, which leaves a golden opportunity for the Broncos wide receivers. Thomas has been rock solid lately, regardless of who is at quarterback. DT has caught at least five balls in the last four games and scored in each of the last three. He has reaffirmed fantasy owners by producing borderline WR1 production and should be universally started this week.

Emmanuel Sanders (WR, DEN) - Sanders' production has nearly mirrored his partner, with just eight fewer yards on six more receptions. Sanders sees more targets, which makes him slightly more preferable in PPR formats. Sanders should see more coverage from Casey Hayward on Thursday, which may put more limitations on him than Thomas. Even so, Sanders retains big play ability that is too good to keep on the bench.

Melvin Gordon (RB, SD) - One thing we've learned this season: if someone's going to score in San Diego, it's going to be Melvin Gordon. He continues his total reversal from last season and hasn't been held out of the end zone yet in five games. The 3.4 Y/A is ugly and will probably get worse this week, but standard league owners need to resist the temptation to get cute and bench him based on matchup alone. With no threat to steal carries or vulture goal-line work, Gordon is a solid RB1 each week.
Matchups We Hate

Philip Rivers (QB, SD) - Although they were bested by the Falcons, the Bronco defense was able to somewhat limit the damage done by the league's leading passer. Matt Ryan threw for 267 yards and one touchdown on the day. With far fewer weapons, it's reasonable to think Rivers could be shut out for most of the night.

Antonio Gates (TE, SD) - The good news: Gates is no longer appearing on the injury report. The bad news: he faces the Denver Broncos this week. They have yet to surrender a TD to an opposing tight end. Despite catching a TD last week, Gates has been otherwise unimpressive this season. He hasn't gathered more than four catches or 30 yards in a game, making him benchable in a tough matchup this week.
Notable Players

Trevor Siemian (QB, DEN) - All signs point to Siemian being back on the field for Thursday night. Paxton Lynch didn't quite get the job done last week with 223 YDS and one touchdown against Atlanta. He also threw a pick and fumbled twice, although Denver recovered both. Siemian was on the rise before his injury, but we will need to see if the injury to his non-throwing shoulder is bothersome at all before recommending him as a starter, even against San Diego's weak secondary.

Tyrell Williams (WR, SD) - If you feel the temptation to start a Chargers WR this week, don't. If you have no choice, roll the dice with Williams. He has the size to outreach the Broncos' physical corners in a jump ball situation and should see more of Bradley Roby than Aqib Talib throughout the night. I'm not saying he'll score, but if I'm choosing among San Diego's receiving corps, he'd be my pick for this week.

Key Injuries: Dexter McCluster (RB, SD) - questionable, Virgil Green (TE, DEN) - probable, Trevor Siemian (QB, DEN) - probable