Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 13th, 8:15 PM ET
Location: Levi Stadium, Santa Clara
Betting Odds: SF -7.0, 45.5 total via PFF.com
Network: NBC
Writer: Estevão Maximo (@estevao_maximo on Twitter)
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert (Start, QB1)
It hasn’t been the easiest of rides for Justin Herbert and the Chargers in 2022. In fact, the thing that probably skews a little of how much of a disappointment this team has been is that the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders have been that much worse.
Keenan Allen has been day-to-day since day one of the 2022 season. Mike Williams was on his typical boom-or-bust season before getting injured, and if the lack of weapons wasn’t enough, the offensive line has been banged up.
Herbert’s ceiling is more limited due to his surrounding cast, but he’s still a QB1 play heading into Week 10. In a rather mediocre performance against the Falcons, Herbert still put up 17+ fantasy points. Yes, the 49ers present a much tougher challenge, but in the somewhat likely chance, the Chargers get trounced, Herbert will have the opportunity to add some garbage time points.
Running Backs
Austin Ekeler (Start RB1)
With Allen and Williams out indefinitely, the entire offense runs through Austin Ekeler, and it was encouraging to see the Chargers’ back get some work inside the red zone, and near the goal line last week.
Historically, the Chargers haven’t done the best job of maximizing Ekeler’s scoring opportunities, deferring to other options in goal-to-go situations, but Ekeler has still been able to score a healthy number of touchdowns, particularly last season.
In a dire environment, Ekeler is one of the best RB1 options you could’ve gone with in round 1 of your Draft.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Joshua Palmer (Start, WR3), DeAndre Carter (Sit), Michael Bandy (Sit), Gerald Everett (Start, TE1)
It’s the Joshua Palmer show in this banged-up receiver room. Palmer truthers hoped for him to take a step forward and carve himself a larger role with a declining Allen, and a volatile Williams, not become a WR3 option by default, with both of them out.
However, you take what you can get at this point, as Palmer is coming off back-to-back double-digit target games, and that includes 12 looks against the Denver Broncos, in a game where Williams was on the field.
If your team has been hit particularly hard with byes and/or injuries, Michael Bandy and DeAndre Carter can serve as desperation FLEX plays, but it’s hard to see both putting up significant numbers, especially against this stout Niners defense.
The Gerald Everett hype has seen bigger days, but the former Seahawk has been getting a steady diet of targets in an offense that lacks playmakers. Everett has five receptions in four of his last five games, leaving him as a low-end TE1 option.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterbacks
Jimmy Garoppolo (Start, QB2)
Jimmy Garoppolo looked a little rusty coming back and struggled particularly against the very good Broncos’ D, but the Niners signal-caller is coming off four straight games averaging over 250 passing yards, and two touchdowns.
This offense simply has so many weapons, it is hard not to look at Garoppolo as a safe low-end QB2, and the last game against the Rams perfectly embodies what Kyle Shanahan wants from his QB. An efficient 21 for 25 with a couple of scores on 235 passing yards.
With Deebo Samuel coming back, and CMC more and more acclimated to the offense with each day. The Niners look poised for a big second half on both sides of the ball.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (Start, RB1)
McCaffrey had the fantasy trifecta with a passing TD, a rushing score, and a reception for six, in his last game against the Rams. While that BYE probably tested the depth of a lot of teams, it also came at a very good time for CMC to familiarize himself even more with the Niners’ playbook. After all, this will be only his third game with the team.
Expect to see Shanahan explore CMC’s skill set to the fullest, and the sky is the limit, playing in this offense with the likes of Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and company. A massive contrast from what McCaffrey had to work with in Carolina.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Deebo Samuel (Start, WR2), Brandon Aiyuk (Start, WR3), Jauan Jennings (Sit), George Kittle (Start, TE1)
Deebo Samuel returned to practice this week and should be good to go for Sunday Night Football. The stand-out receiver was already cutting back on his rushing work (since week 4, Deebo hasn’t had more than 2 carries in a game), even before CMC came into the fold. It will be interesting to see how Shanahan deploys his offense with every weapon healthy.
Brandon Aiyuk got off to a slow start this year, but that certainly was influenced by Lance’s injury and – like was mentioned above – a rusty Jimmy G. In the past three weeks, Aiyuk has 21 catches, averaging 82 yards per game, and a score, making him a high-end WR3, even with the return of Deebo.
George Kittle is the hope of many a man, like those that do not roster Travis Kelce, who has only the Niners’ tight end to look to, with an injured Mark Andrews, Kyle Pitts broken by the Falcons coaching staff, and the forever game-time decision of Darren Waller. Even for those concerned about Kittle’s volume in this offense with a healthy Deebo, and CMC added to the fold, there simply aren’t enough options in the world to not view him as a high-end TE1.