Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 8th, 2024, 4:25 ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Network: FOX
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Caleb Williams: Streaming Option, QB2
The post-Waldron era has been profitable for rookie Caleb Williams, who has finished as the overall QB4 and QB5 in the past two weeks against two strong divisional opponents. The firing of head coach Matt Eberflus can’t possibly be a negative for Williams as he travels out west to face a 49ers defense allowing the 12th-fewest points to the position. The availability of both Nick Bosa and Deommodore Lenoir will be important factors in Williams’ upside in Week 14, though he ranks as a fine streaming option this week for those missing studs like Jayden Daniels and Lamar Jackson.
Running Back
D’Andre Swift: Start, RB2
Roschon Johnson: Sit
Both D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson missed Wednesday’s practice with injuries, so this backfield is an important one to monitor in terms of practice participation throughout the week. Swift has been touchdown-dependent in his production this season, finishing no higher than RB19 in weeks he’s failed to find the end zone. The good news for Swift is that the 49ers have allowed the second-most rushing scores in the league, making this a potential boom week for Swift, especially if he plays and Johnson sits. Johnson doesn’t have strong standalone value if both RBs play, but if Swift sits, he could have FLEX viability. If both backs sit, it’ll be the Travis Homer show, and that’s not a ticket we’re willing to buy with playoff berths on the line.
Wide Receiver
DJ Moore: Start, WR2
Keenan Allen: FLEX Option, WR3
Rome Odunze: FLEX Option, WR4
Much like their quarterback, the promotion of iterim-OC-turned-interim-HC Thomas Brown has been a boon for the fantasy production of the Bears’ receivers. Apparently, DJ Moore is still an elite weapon when you get him the ball — who would have thought? Riding a hot streak but facing a tough Niners defense that allows the fourth-fewest points to receivers, Moore is a solid WR2 in this week’s slate. The availability of slot corner Deommodore Lenoir most directly impacts Keenan Allen, who is a volume-based high-end FLEX in this matchup. Should Lenoir sit, Allen would be a back-end WR2 just behind Moore.
We still haven’t seen things click between Caleb and fellow rookie Rome Odunze, but the target volume is at least there for the Washington product. Per Fantasy Points Data, Odunze has the lowest catchable target rate in the entire league at 62.2% yet ranks 12th in air yards, so if he can start getting passes that he actually has a chance to grab, he could boom along with the rest of his teammates. Odunze is a WR4 until we can see these promising rookies get on the same page.
Tight End
Cole Kmet: Sit
Cole Kmet has had two huge weeks this season but almost nothing else to write home about. This isn’t likely to be another boom week, as the Niners allow the third-fewest points to TEs this season. If your starter is on bye, there’s still likely a better option for you to consider out there somewhere.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: Start, QB1/2 Borderline
Let’s throw last week’s blizzard game out for Brock Purdy and the rest of the 49ers. If you ignore that game, Purdy has been a consistent option for fantasy in 2024, but he gets a tough matchup with the Bears defense this week. The Bears allow the second-fewest points to QBs, making Purdy a riskier option this week. You might not have a better option in Week 14 with so many teams on bye, but I’ll go with options like Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, and Sam Darnold over Purdy this week.
Running Back
Isaac Guerendo: Start, RB2
The recipient of 100% of FAAB bids this week, Isaac Guerendo, finds himself in a high-value lead back role for the home stretch of the fantasy regular season. Guerendo has been efficient in his limited work this season, averaging 5.9 yards on 42 carries this season. The Bears allow nearly 5 YPC to opposing RBs, so this could be a big performance from Guerendo in his first game as the team’s RB1. He slides in as an RB2 with upside this week, while the other Niners RBs should be left on waivers.
Wide Receiver
Jauan Jennings: FLEX Option, WR3
Deebo Samuel: FLEX Option, WR4
Ricky Pearsall: Sit
Jauan Jennings has emerged as the X receiver for the 49ers, but he’s posted two tough games in a row. Granted, we have to ignore last week’s performance in the snowstorm, but the Bears are a tough matchup for receivers, allowing the fourth-fewest points to the position in the league (yes, they’re tied with San Francisco in this aspect). Jennings is still the preferred option of this positional group in terms of both floor and ceiling, though he falls to a FLEX option in this week’s tilt. I’d prefer both Moore and Allen on the Bears side to Jennings this week.
Perhaps Deebo Samuel‘s lingering FLEX designation is based on name value alone, but there is still an off chance for a big play to make a start worth it. I’d highly recommend finding another option for your lineups with how Samuel’s season has gone. Finally, Ricky Pearsall hasn’t caught a pass in his past three games. He’s a solid hold in Dynasty leagues but shouldn’t be near your lineups in this crucial Week 14.
Tight End
George Kittle: Start, TE1
Much like Purdy, we’re throwing last week’s dud out the window for George Kittle. He’s been a hyper-reliable option at the TE position all season. Continue to start him with confidence.