Week 15, SF @ SEA - Start and Bench

So the weather for tonight's game in Seattle is supposed to be awful. By awful, I mean 25 mph winds with 50 mph gusts and 100% chance of rain. With that in mind, let's look at tonight's start and bench.

Seattle
Matt Hasselbeck - BENCH. Wind and rain. Hasselbeck could have a huge week or a terrible week. Who knows? With a heavy dose of Alexander expected, I don't see Hasselbeck throwing more than 35 times. If you have other decent options take them. Numbers that you should expect - 18/32 210 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.
Shaun Alexander - START, START, START. Possibly a bigger fantasy day than his 202 yard performance. With the rain and wind, Alexander will carry the load. I imagine a lot of missed tackles and a lot of yards/TDs for Alexander. The weather won't affect him either, as he's shown he can carry the rock in incliment weather.
Darrell Jackson - BENCH. Jackson is OUT this week and Burleson will be starting in his place.
Deion Branch - BENCH. The weather should result in a 3-4 catch 50 yard performance for Branch. If I'm taking one Seattle WR, I'd be Deion Branch based on potential alone. Maybe Hasselbeck will realize he exists and can excel at running drags and posts?
Nate Burleson - BENCH. Despite the fact that he's getting the start, more DJ Hackett is expected than Nate Burleson. I don't like any Seattle WR due to the wind and rain.
Jeremey Stevens - RISKY START. Hasselbeck should be looking more for his TE in a game that should see a run dominated offense with very short passes spread throughout.
Seattle DEF - START. They've got good chances to shut down the Niners tonight considering the weather.

San Francisco
Alex Smith - BENCH. He's an okay fantasy backup, but he's never played in weather like this as a pro.
Frank Gore - RISKY START. Gore is a must start in any format in my opinion. The guy is #3 in rushing this season and one of the top 3 most productive fantasy backs. He consistantly puts up great numbers and he'll carry the load tonight in terrible weather. Keep in mind that he'll more than likely have at least one fumble, but don't let that discourage you as he COULD easily see the ball 30 times and go over 100 yards with a score (as well as 2 fumbles), all depending on the weather. However, it's hard to imagine Seattle NOT putting 9 guys in the box to shut him down. Check your options and then make a tough decision (Betts, Jones-Drew, and Morris would all be much better starts). See Vernon Davis below...
ALL SF WRs - BENCH. Alex Smith won't do much in 25 mph wind, especially with Antonio Bryant as his #1 WR.
Vernon Davis - START. The lack of production expected from Smith's WRs leads me to Davis. Hurt for most of the year, he's practically a WR when healthy. He's healthy and had a very good game last week. Expect Smith to use him quite often in the short passing game as the wind is going to definately be a factor. Dare to say, 6 catches 80 yards and a TD?
San Francisco DEF - BENCH. Two words: Shaun Alexander.

Check the blog out tomorrow for a full weekly start and bench.