Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 24th, 2024, 4:25 ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Network: FOX
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: Start, QB1
It’s a matchup between two historic franchises at Lambeau Field in this marquee Sunday afternoon matchup. Brock Purdy and the 49ers are looking to get back into the win column and bolster their playoff case. Purdy is riding a hot streak of five straight QB1 finishes dating back to Week 6, and he has a decent chance to continue that streak in Week 12 against the Packers. Jaire Alexander‘s status will be one to monitor, as will Purdy’s himself, as the young quarterback is nursing a sore shoulder. If he goes, he’s a solid start. Purdy has been getting it done not just through the air, but on the ground as well — his 267 rushing yards are nearly double what he produced in all of 2023. The elevated rushing usage has helped raise Purdy’s fantasy value and earned him every-week starting status moving forward.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey: Start, RB1
It comes as no surprise, but Christian McCaffrey is the only Niners RB worth starting when he is healthy. You don’t need me to tell you to start CMC this week. He hasn’t quite reached his ceiling yet, but he’s finished as RB14 and RB10 in PPR leagues, thanks to his elite pass-catching role. His time is coming.
Wide Receiver
Jauan Jennings: Start, WR2
Deebo Samuel: Start, WR2
Ricky Pearsall: FLEX Option, WR4
It feels weird to say, but we’re ranking Jauan Jennings ahead of Deebo Samuel this week, though both profile as WR2s this week. The reason is simple: Jennings has thrived in his starting X receiver role since coming off the bye, while Samuel has failed to turn in any meaningful fantasy production since Week 6. Jennings looked excellent in Week 11, consistently fighting to earn extra yards while being Purdy’s most trusted target. His usage may dip slightly if George Kittle can play, but we still trust him more than Samuel at this point. Rookie Ricky Pearsall has flexed his floor and ceiling in the past two weeks, making him a deep-league desperation FLEX at best.
Tight End
George Kittle: Start, TE1
This, of course, assumes George Kittle will be able to play on Sunday afternoon. If he’s active, you’re playing him. Just be sure to have a backup option ready, just in case.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Jordan Love: Start, QB1/2 Borderline
Today’s #NotIdeal stat of the day: Jordan Love has thrown at least one interception in every single game he’s played in 2024. Not ideal at all! Love has no shortage of weapons at his disposal, but his propensity to turn the ball over, coupled with a tough matchup against the Niners’ defense, means we’re lowering him to a back-end QB1/high-end QB2 this week. If you have a better option available, this might be a good week to pivot.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: Start, RB1
Similarly to CMC for the 49ers, there’s only one Green Bay running back worth starting, and it’s Josh Jacobs. With Jacobs seeing a true workhorse role and finally finding the end zone with more consistency, he’s a no-doubt start against San Francisco in Week 12. Keep an eye on Nick Bosa‘s status this week — if the superstar is out, it could be a boost to Jacobs and the rest of the Green Bay offense.
Wide Receiver
Jayden Reed: Start, WR2
Christian Watson: FLEX Option, WR3/4
Romeo Doubs: FLEX Option, WR3/4
Dontayvion Wicks: Sit
Yes, I know, Jayden Reed has been wholly unreliable as a fantasy asset lately, but the rest of the Packers’ receiving corps has been even more frustrating to roster. Reed is the only receiver who’s been able to deliver production multiple times this season, and he also has displayed the best scoring ability of the group, meaning he’s the highest-ranked option as a low-end WR2. I won’t blame you if you decide to bench him for a safer option this week, however. One of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs will likely return FLEX value this week. Choosing which one it will be is akin to betting on red or black on roulette, and there’s always the chance you’ll hit the green. Dontayvion Wicks is firmly off of the fantasy radar for now.
Tight End
Tucker Kraft: Start, TE1
Remember the days of Tucker Kraft supremacy during his back-to-back overall TE1 weeks? Pepperidge Farm remembers. Kraft posted a dreaded goose egg against the Bears last week but has otherwise mostly been solid from week to week, even if he hasn’t maintained that elite upside we saw in Weeks 4 and 5. Due to the number of teams on bye this week, he remains a back-end TE1 and is a better “streaming” option than some of the other TEs you may claim on waivers instead.
If Sam Darnold is not a must sit then why is he labeled “Sit”?
Why not label him “QB2”?
We base our rankings on single-QB leagues since they’re the most common, so any QB outside of our top 12 would technically be labeled a “Sit.” We try to provide some insight in terms of if they’re a viable streamer or start in SF leagues as well, but that’s our general process for that position!