Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, December 12th, 2024, 8:15 ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Network: Prime Video
Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter)
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: Sit, QB2
Matthew Stafford has benefitted immensely from having a fully healthy receiving room, finishing as a top-10 QB in three of the past four weeks. In a post-BYE week world, however, we aren’t recommending starting him on the road against the 49ers. San Francisco is stingy against quarterbacks, allowing the seventh-fewest points to the position this season. The talents of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp may be enough to prop Stafford up as a streaming option, especially if Nick Bosa misses another game, but you should strongly consider another option this week in 1QB leagues.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: Start, RB1
Blake Corum: Sit
After failing to score between Weeks 8 and 11, Kyren Williams has scored four times in the past three weeks. Kyren remains one of the surest things in terms of workload and goal-line opportunities and should be started in all formats this week. If there’s any knock against Williams, it’s that his role in the passing game has all but evaporated over the past month. He remains a back-end RB1 as long as he continues to do what he’s done over the past two seasons. Blake Corum should be rostered in case of emergency but isn’t a starter as long as Kyren is healthy.
Wide Receiver
Puka Nacua: Start, WR1
Cooper Kupp: Start, WR2 with WR1 upside
Demarcus Robinson: Sit
The ascension of Puka Nacua into a superstar has been something to behold in the second half of the season. Puka’s 12-162-1 performance in Week 14 was topped only by another masterclass from Ja’Marr Chase. The fact that Nacua did so against the Bills’ tough secondary shows he is as matchup-proof as they come and should be started as a high-end WR1 for the rest of the season. Cooper Kupp may be the second option in this offense now, but his pristine route-running ability and sure hands give him a solid floor with a high ceiling thanks to his red zone usage. He’s a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside. The other pass catchers, such as Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell, are left to pick up the scraps and should be left on waivers in most leagues.
Tight End
Sit All
No Rams TEs have been worth starting this season, and that trend will continue through the fantasy playoffs as long as Tyler Higbee remains sidelined.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: Start, QB1
After a tumultuous week in Buffalo, Brock Purdy bounced back in a big way against a tough Bears defense in Week 14, throwing for 325 yards and 2 touchdowns without turning the ball over. Purdy’s season high in points came back in Week 3 against the Rams, so there’s reason to believe Purdy can turn in another strong performance in this week’s rematch. He ranks as a solid QB1 for the first week of the fantasy playoffs.
Running Back
Isaac Guerendo: Start, RB2**
Patrick Taylor Jr.: FLEX Option, RB3**
Israel Abanikanda: Sit
If you looked up the phrase “Next Man Up” in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of the 49ers backfield. With Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason done for the season, Isaac Guerendo led the charge on the ground and excelled, as he’s done with every opportunity he’s been given this season. Unfortunately, Guerendo suffered an injury of his own on Sunday, leaving Patrick Taylor Jr. to assume the lead back role for the final moments against the Bears. Guerendo got in a limited practice on Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday night, making this a muddy situation. If Guerendo plays and is assumed to operate as the lead back, he would be an RB2 this week. If he sits, Taylor will operate as a high-tier FLEX. Israel Abanikanda shouldn’t be started in either circumstance, but given the way things are going for this group of players, he wouldn’t be a bad add if you’re looking to round out your roster.
Wide Receiver
Jauan Jennings: Start, WR2
Deebo Samuel: FLEX Option, WR4
Ricky Pearsall: Sit
As tumultuous as things have been for 49ers receivers this season, Jauan Jennings has been one of the feel-good stories in the NFL in 2024. Since Brandon Aiyuk was lost to a torn ACL, Jennings has thrived in an X receiver role for the Niners and has been the team’s most reliable target not named George Kittle. Things line up nicely for Jennings in Week 15, as he faces the team that he torched for 46.5 PPR points in Week 3. The Rams allow the fifth-most points to receivers this year, and while we likely won’t see a repeat in performance from Jennings, he’s at least a strong WR2 this week.
As impressive as Jennings has been, Deebo Samuel has been equally as disappointing. Over the past month, Deebo has not finished higher than the WR55. Yikes. You shouldn’t trust him this week, but if you’re forced to start him in a deeper league or one with several FLEX spots, it’s at least a good matchup for receivers.
Tight End
George Kittle: Start, TE1
Not counting the blizzard game against the Bills, George Kittle has been a top-11 TE in every game this season and has finished as a top-4 TE on seven separate occasions. He’s an anchor in your lineup and likely a big part of why you’re in the playoffs to begin with. Start him and let him continue to push your team forward.