Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, January 7th @ 4:25 PM ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Betting Odds: SF -4, 41.5 total via PFF.com
Expected Weather: Overcast
Network: Fox Sports
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz (Sit)
The Rams are playoff-bound, which was not expected by many last summer, and thus are opting to rest Matthew Stafford. Enter Carson Wentz to start this week, who signed in November and will be starting for the first time in a calendar year. He hasn’t logged any playing time this season since joining Los Angeles, and won’t be a recommend stream.
Running Backs
Ronnie Rivers (Sit), Royce Freeman (Sit), Zach Evans (Sit)
Kyren Williams – the Week 17 ‘ship legend – is set to sit this week. The likes of Ronnie Rivers, Royce Freeman, and Zach Evans are believed to be next in line for touches against the 49ers. Simply put, none of them would be worthy of a spot in your lineup.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Puka Nacua (Start, WR2), Demarcus Robinson (Start, FLEX)
On Wednesday, it was announced that Cooper Kupp will be inactive for this game. Star rookie Puka Nacua will play, with a chance to stat pad and break some rookie records in the process. He is four receptions and 29 yards away from breaking the NFL rookie record. How quickly that may come for Nacua is left to be seen. Temper expectations if you plan on starting him, because he could very much be out of this game early. Demarcus Robinson can offer some FLEX appeal if you find yourself needing to start him.
Tight end Tyler Higbee will also be a sit in this one. Davis Allen will not be a recommended stream in his place.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold (Sit)
Sam Darnold is set to start in the regular season finale for San Francisco, with Brock Purdy taking a rest, as the 9ers have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Darnold may not have the normal weaponry at his disposal, and so he wouldn’t be a recommended streaming option if you find yourself in a Week 18 Championship.
Running Backs
Elijah Mitchell (Start, FLEX), Jordan Mason (Start, FLEX)
With Christian McCaffrey already ruled out for Week 18, it’ll be the Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason show against the Rams. Matt Barrows of The Athletic suggested on Wednesday that Mason could be in line for a busy day, and then Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com suspects Mitchell could lead the ground attack. With the Rams presumably resting players across the board, both Mitchell and Mason could end up being a decent FLEX option; with the nod leaning towards Mason, given the fact that Mitchell is the default backup behind CMC.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Jauan Jennings (Sit), Ronnie Bell (Sit), Charlie Woerner (Sit)
It’s left to be seen if the likes of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle will suit up for this game, but assuming they aren’t going to, enter names like Jauan Jennings, Ronnie Bell, and tight end Charlie Woerner to fill the void. I don’t see a path for any of these names to have fantasy value this week for you.