Sit/Start Week 1: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 11th at 1 PM ET

Location: Soldier Field in Chicago, IL

Betting Odds: SF, -7, 41.5 Total on Oddsshark

Network: Fox

Writer: Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)

San Francisco 49ers

Quarterback

Trey Lance (Start, QB2)

Trey Lance is stepping into his first game as the unquestioned starter. This will be a seemingly easy test for the former first-round pick as the 49ers should be able to make relatively easy work of the Bears’ defense with their run game. So I’m expecting Lance to have a QB2 day; he’ll probably score somewhere around two TDs total and close to 250 yards.

Trey Lance working the sideline with Brandon Aiyuk. #49ers

🎥: @KNBR pic.twitter.com/FFOKkg86GN

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 5, 2022

Running Backs

Elijah Mitchell (Start, RB2), Tyrion Davis-Price (Sit)

When you put the team on your back and Carry them in the end zone. RB Elijah Mitchell is ready for the load. #49ers #Bears #FTTB #DaBears pic.twitter.com/JIO1gi4dSl

— WayneBreezie (@thewaynebreezie) September 5, 2022

Elijah Mitchell took on 80.8% of the touches for 49ers running backs in 2022, and I don’t think that changes. The 49ers drafted Tyrion Davis-Price with a third-round pick this year, but he’s not as decisive of a runner as Mitchell. I predict Mitchell will get a majority of the carries in between the 20s and may only cede touches at the goal line, as Mitchell only received 28.2% of touches inside the five-yard line. This hints at production in terms of yards, but maybe he’s missing the touchdowns. I predict he has an RB2 game with over 100 yards but loses touchdown touches to either Davis-Price, Deebo Samuel, or Lance. Mitchell is currently RB18 on FantasyPros.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

https://twitter.com/imagidadnation/status/1566834885716717568

Deebo Samuel (Start, WR1), Brandon Aiyuk (Sit, WR3), George Kittle (Sit)

George Kittle is the anomaly on this list, as many might wonder why I’d sit him against an easier opponent. There are too many questions with the 49ers’ offensive line right now, Mike McGlinchey is coming off major calf surgery, and the interior line is the weakest it’s been in years. I suspect this team will try and establish the run using Kittle as an extra blocker, and that’s why I would sit him this week if another strong option is at your disposal. Kittle is currently TE4 on FantasyPros. Deebo Samuel, on the other hand, I’m ready to start him confidently as a WR1. Even if he and Lance aren’t on the same page, Coach Shanahan will find a way through jet sweeps or screens to get him the ball in space, and that’s fantasy gold. Deebo is WR5 for Week 1 on FantasyPros. Brandon Aiyuk is a WR3 for me this week and a borderline sit; while I think he’s in for a big season, I don’t think this game will need Aiyuk to be a huge impact player. Predicting he has two to four catches for 40-60 yards, a WR3 or flex option. Aiyuk is currently at WR37 on FantasyPros.

Chicago Bears

Quarterback

Justin Fields (Start, QB2)

1. People wanted to see progress from Justin Fields.

His passer ratings from each preseason game:

Week 1 – 78.3
Week 2 – 84.8
Week 3 – 146.9

Those numbers aren't deceiving. His improvement shows on tape too. The confidence is growing. #Bears pic.twitter.com/5tpjsDsKO6

— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) August 29, 2022

Justin Fields had the first breakout game of his rookie year against the 49ers scoring 26.3 pts. This was actually Fields’ best game, and a lot of that was due to him opening up the run game and going for 103 yards on the ground. This defensive line is going to eat up the offensive line of the Bears, so Fields’ best strategy would be to try and replicate his previous success. Overall I think he’ll be as effective as his legs are in this game, and I can see a path to a QB1 game with possible garbage time points. Fields is QB19 on FantasyPros and should be treated as a QB2 with upside this week.

Running Backs

David Montgomery (Sit), Khalil Herbert (Sit)

Khalil Herbert was the running back last year against the 49ers and came off two 100-yard games against the Packers and the Buccaneers. He visibly struggled when he played the 49ers, only rushing for 68 yards on 23 carries. David Montgomery will most likely be the starter this week, but regardless, I don’t like the matchup. I know Monty is an RB2 on many rosters and almost a must-start, but for this week, I’d look elsewhere. FantasyPros seems to agree with me on this one, as they have him at RB23.

Bears RB David Montgomery rush yards O/U for week 1 vs. the 49ers is 52.5.

Montgomery rushed for more than 53 yards in 9 of his 13 starts last year. He did not play in last years game against San Francisco. #GamblingTwitter pic.twitter.com/vbHAvlBNXu

— Odds and Picks (@OddsandPicks) September 5, 2022

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Darnell Mooney (Start, WR3), Cole Kmet (Start, TE1)

TE screen for Cole Kmet pic.twitter.com/UihuHcIn1Y

— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) July 30, 2022

Cole Kmet might be in for a good game here, as the 49ers gave up the tenth most yards to opposing tight ends last year. Kmet had a good offseason, and it translated well into the Bears preseason, so I predict that he reels in five to seven catches for 50-80 yards and a garbage-time TD. Darnell Mooney is a guy I think can blow up in this offense, and Fields will have to make quick decisions and evade the defensive pressure to make Mooney a viable player this week. Last year against Emmanuel Moseley, Mooney was heavily targeted (nine targets) and finished his afternoon with 12 fantasy points. I think that could be a repeat in Week 1, so I’m putting him as a WR3; FantasyPros has him currently at WR25 and Kmet at TE13.