Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 3rd, 3:25 PM CST
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Betting Odds: SF -3, 47.5 total via Odds Shark
Network: Fox
Writer: Steve Bradshaw (@SteveBradshawFF)
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy (Start, QB2)
At this point in the season, we know who Brock Purdy is. He’s simply a high-end QB2 to low-end QB1 on a week-to-week basis. Although this game should be fairly high scoring with an over/under of 46.5 points, Purdy has a capped ceiling due to his lack of rushing upside and low passing volume. Through 12 weeks of the 2023 season, the San Francisco 49ers rank dead last with 28.1 passing attempts per game. From a real-life perspective, this isn’t a big deal because the 49ers are one of the best running teams in the NFL. However, it’s brutal for fantasy purposes. That said, Purdy is still a high-end QB2 this week, as the Philadelphia Eagles have allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to quarterbacks (21.49 PPG).
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (Start, RB1), Elijah Mitchell (Sit)
There isn’t much to talk about with Christian McCaffrey; you’re obviously starting him every single week. McCaffrey is the RB1 on the week, and I don’t see this changing anytime soon. Although the 49ers may trail at times in this game, McCaffrey is able to win through the air, which is a good thing: the Eagles have allowed the third-fewest total of rushing yards per game while giving up fewer fantasy points to running backs (15.03 PPG) than any other team in the NFL.
For most running backs, that would be a massive concern, but most running backs don’t draw 58 targets in 11 games. McCaffrey has 48 receptions for 389 receiving yards, which is massive for half and full PPR leagues. Even though he has been spelled just a bit more by Elijah Mitchell in recent weeks, McCaffrey remains a bulletproof start, week in and week out, even against a defensive line that stuffs the run as well as any other. Mitchell, meanwhile, won’t see enough volume to be fantasy-relevant, especially against the Eagles run defense.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Brandon Aiyuk (Start, WR1), Deebo Samuel (Start, WR2), George Kittle (Start, TE1)
Brandon Aiyuk has been on fire lately, and I expect this to continue in Week 13. Aiyuk is set up to crush based on the game script and his cornerback matchup. According to Pro Football Focus, Aiyuk has the best cornerback matchup of any wide receiver this week. Aiyuk’s matchup advantage score is 92.5, which rates as “Excellent,” per PFF.
If you needed any more convincing, the Eagles have allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. It gets even better: only one game on the Week 13 slate (Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders) has a higher projected point total. All the stars are aligning for Aiyuk this week, so you can confidently start him as a WR1.
I’ve been worried about Deebo Samuel and his target share in the past, but not this week. Coming off a 22.4-point game against the Seahawks, I expect Samuel to have another big game. Samuel has a matchup advantage score of 80.7 via PFF, which is “Good.” In fact, Samuel’s score rates as the fifth-best cornerback matchup of the week, and he’s hoping to see a lot of James Bradberry, who he famously called “trash” after the NFC Championship Game. Although Samuel has struggled to get involved in the 49ers’ offense at times, I expect him to play a prominent role in Week 13 in a game he has circled on his calendar since January 29, when the Eagles trounced the 49ers by a score of 31-7 and foiled San Francisco’s Super Bowl aspirations.
George Kittle is a must-start TE1, no matter what. Kittle has a great matchup this week going up against Nicholas Morrow, and PFF gives him a 21% advantage. The Eagles have also allowed the 8th most fantasy points to tight ends this year (12.84 PPG); some on staff who have watched every down of Eagles football are surprised the ranking isn’t much worse. Kittle has been boom or bust this year, but there’s a strong chance he’ll have his fifth 20-point game of the season in a great matchup.
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterbacks
Jalen Hurts (Start, QB1)
Jalen Hurts is an easy start; he’s my QB1 on the week. Hurts has been phenomenal this season, averaging 23.5 PPG, good for the QB2 spot so far this year. Through 12 weeks, Hurts has 410 rushing yards and an absurd 11 rushing touchdowns. Playing in a close game should allow Hurts to run the ball and force the Eagles to bring out their famous “Tush Push.” Although the Chiefs have allowed the 7th fewest total of fantasy points to quarterbacks (13.96 PPG), that doesn’t move the needle with a multi-dimensional talent like Hurts.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift (Start, RB2), Kenneth Gainwell (Sit)
D’Andre Swift has been able to rejuvenate his career with the Eagles after being traded for a 2025 fourth-round pick. After only logging one carry in Week 1, Swift broke out, scoring 27.1 points in Week 2. Swift is averaging 14.5 PPG and should be viewed as an RB2 on most weeks.
The game script shouldn’t be a negative for Swift; even though the Eagles aren’t favored, it should be a close battle to the finish. His lack of passing volume in recent weeks is concerning, however. Although Swift is an excellent receiving back, he hasn’t had more than three targets since Week 6. It also doesn’t help that the 49ers have allowed the second-fewest total of fantasy points to running backs (10.6 PPG). I’m still starting Swift as an RB2 due to the game script and offense, but his lack of receiving work worries me in a game in which the Eagles could conceivably need to play catch-up. Meanwhile, it’s best to sit Kenneth Gainwell against a tough defense, even with six teams on bye; Gainwell has been consistently playing about one-third of the team’s running back snaps but hasn’t seen more than four touches in game since Week 8.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
A.J. Brown (Start, WR1), DeVonta Smith (Start, WR2), Olamide Zaccheaus (Sit), Julio Jones (Sit), Jack Stoll (Sit)
After a slow start, A.J. Brown caught fire and went on a record-breaking tear; he’s now averaging 20 PPG. Even though the Eagles are a run-oriented team, Brown tends to play well in high-scoring games. Having an over/under of 47.5 points should be a boon for Brown and the other members of this Eagles offense. He has a matchup advantage score of 72.8, which is “Good.” The 49ers have allowed the 15th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, and middling defensive production isn’t enough to slow a phenomenal talent like Brown one bit. Taking everything into account, I love Brown this week; he’s my WR2 overall in Week 13.
Ever since Dallas Goedert‘s injury, the only other fantasy-relevant player in this offense has been DeVonta Smith. Over the past four weeks, Smith is averaging 19.1 PPG, bringing his season total to 14.4 PPG. Unfortunately for Smith, however, his matchup advantage score is 33.1, which is considered “Poor.” Smith may not be the “alpha” in this offense, but I’m starting him as a high-end WR2 this week, nonetheless. He has drawn 8 targets in consecutive weeks since the team’s Week 10 bye, the only Philadelphia Eagles pass catcher to do so, and has clearly been the biggest beneficiary of Goedert’s absence.
Don’t be fooled by Olamide Zaccheaus‘s amazing touchdown grab last week; it was the only pass thrown his way. He has seen more than two targets only once this season (three in Week 3). Even though Goedert is likely to be sidelined for at least one more week, de facto starting tight end Jack Stoll is a non-factor, as is Julio Jones despite a surprisingly-high 71 percent snap share against the Buffalo Bills last week.