Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 13th, at 4:25 PM EST
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Betting Odds: WAS +3.5, 43.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Washington Football Team
Quarterback
Alex Smith (Sit)
Just hand him the Comeback Player of the Year award right now. What Alex Smith and Washington as a collective have done in 2020 has been impressive. The Football Team are winners of three in a row, most notably knocking off the undefeated Steelers Week 13. They are also currently tied for 1st place in the NFC East. All that said, Smith is not a viable fantasy option in most leagues. The pass attempts total will be on the higher side, no doubt, but he’s only been able to throw for three touchdowns total in this three-game span. At this point in the fantasy season, you should have a better option for QB.
Running Backs
Antonio Gibson (Sit), J.D. McKissic (Start, RB2/FLEX), Peyton Barber (Sit)
Rookie Antonio Gibson has been hot since Week 7, but he had his Week 13 start quickly pulled up from under him, as he suffered a toe injury after just two carries into the game. The true severity of the injury is unclear at this time, but as of Wednesday morning, he’s being noted as ‘doubtful’ to play on Sunday. This appears to be a bad case of turf toe. I also doubt Ron Rivera would rush him back with Washington playing meaningful football well into December. I would tread lightly if Gibson is active, but assuming he’s not, J.D. McKissic is a top FLEX option with RB2 upside. His pass-game work is unmatched in this offense; he saw 10 targets – and caught them all for 70 yards – against the Steelers this past Monday night.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Terry McLaurin (Start, WR2), Cam Sims (Sit), Logan Thomas (Start, TE2 w/ TE1 upside)
It was the Cam Sims show against Pittsburgh Week 13, as he made some highlight reel and clutch grabs down the stretch of the game. However, he’s a deep-league look at best right now; I wouldn’t insert him into any of my starting lineups. The Washington receiver to start is still only Terry McLaurin. Before last week, he had 80+ yards and at least five catches in every game since Week 7.
Logan Thomas had himself a night against the Steelers. He caught all nine of his targets for 98 yards and a touchdown. He led the Football Team in receiving yards on the night and also was the locked-in third-down target for Smith. Thomas is now on a two-game scorestreak, and if he’s still on your waiver wire, he’s going to be a prime add with the tight end landscape being so bleak.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Nick Mullens (Sit)
Despite the three-touchdown, 316 passing yard performance against the Bills, Nick Mullens is not a viable fantasy option. His turnover tendency is a stat you’ll easily be turned off to and the fact that Washington has given up the 10th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks on the year.
Running Backs
Raheem Mostert (Start, FLEX)
The revolving door that is the 49ers’ backfield has room for only one fantasy-relevant RB this late in the game. Raheem Mostert is a FLEX candidate as I like his path to carries compared to the likes of Jeff Wilson Jr. It’s worth noting that Washington has given up the third-fewest fantasy points to the running back position this season.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Brandon Aiyuk (Start, WR2), Deebo Samuel (Start, WR3), Jordan Reed (Start, TE2)
Add Brandon Aiyuk to the list of rookie WR’s exceeding expectations heading into this unprecedented season. He’s scored in each of his last three games, totaling 20 catches on 33 targets for 261 yards in that span. His target share is extremely encouraging, and the same can be said for Deebo Samuel, who has 17 catches total in just his last two games. Tight end Jordan Reed is a viable streaming option at his position, although his target share is on the lower side compared to the WR’s, and he’s ultimately touchdown-dependent.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)