Kickoff: Thursday, December 23rd at 8:20 PM ET
Location: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN
Betting Odds: SF, -3.5, 44.5 Total on Tipico
Network: NFL Network
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo (Start, QB2)
Jimmy Garoppolo has been good since Week 9, throwing 12 TDs to 4 Ints and averaging 250 passing yards/game. He’s been tearing it up with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. This should continue this week against the Tennessee Titans who have allowed the ninth-most yards (3,657) and seventh-most fantasy point/game (18.1) to the quarterback position. The Titans’ best game came against the Jags two weeks ago, in that game they picked off the ball four times and looked great. That being said it was a rookie QB with a dysfunctional head coach, they have the exact opposite situation in this game. So look for Jimmy G to put up a QB2 caliber game this week.
On this day in 2019, the #49ers beat the #LARams thanks to this big pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to Emmanuel Sanders. #Random49ers #FTTB pic.twitter.com/b1pz5aYhBW
— #Random49ers (@Random49ers) December 21, 2021
Running Backs
Eli Mitchell (Start, RB2 OUT), Jeff Wilson (Start, RB2)
Jeff Wilson Jr wants to "Take their souls" when running the ball.#JeffWilsonJr #49ers pic.twitter.com/fpiy4Vc4T9
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) December 19, 2021
Eli Mitchell is looking like a game-time decision this week, but if he plays I’m confidently sliding him into the RB2 slot in my fantasy playoffs. While the Titans have low key allowed the second-fewest yards (914) and the fourth-fewest TDs (8) to opposing RBs. Mitchell after just nine games is RB 24 on the season and has averaged 13.16 fantasy points/game. If he played all 14 games he’d be ranked RB6, and that’s just a testament to how good this Niners run game has been this year. So he’s an RB2 for me against the Titans. Jeff Wilson Jr off his best start of the season finishing RB3 on the week. If he plays I like him as an RB2 replacement option, if Mitchell doesn’t play. Update: Mitchell is out again so fire up Wilson as an RB2 this week.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Deebo Samuel (Start, WR1), Brandon Aiyuk (Start, WR3/Flex), George Kittle (Start), Jauan Jennings (Start, Flex)
91 seconds of Deebo Samuel at running back pic.twitter.com/gmGbGGnI8y
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) December 21, 2021
Deebo Samuel has been locked and loaded, set it, and forget it all year long. In this game, you are kind of just hoping he gets involved in the receiving game because you’re almost guaranteed a rushing TD. Regardless he’s a WR1 for fantasy this year. George Kittle is going off in the past three weeks, getting targeted 33 times. Jimmy Garoppolo has utilized Kittle as his go-to guy and I don’t see Kyle Shanahan taking that away from him. Kittle is TE1 material this week in a must-win game against the Titans. Brandon Aiyuk is an interesting play in this game, because of his open-field talent he can break off big gains. Last week he only garnered two targets but made his lone reception count for 36 yards, and 26 yards after the catch. I feel like his value is a WR3/flex in this game with WR2 upside. Jauan Jennings has gotten 11 targets in the past 2 games and is someone to look at for dynasty. I wouldn’t trust him in a playoff matchup.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill (Sit)
Joe Schobert with one of the best bull rushes of the year. Steamrolls Titans RB Jeremy McNichols to pressure Ryan Tannehill. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/sekiGZpETR
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) December 21, 2021
Ryan Tannehill has been garbage the past four weeks, throwing 2 TDs and 6 Ints. He’s been running lately for touchdowns but against this 49ers defensive line. Tannehill might have AJ Brown back in this game, but if he’s not then it’s going to be rough for the Titans’ QB. The 49ers have put up 36 sacks this year and have Defensive Player of the Year candidate Nick Bosa coming after Tannehill. Look to sit Tannehill this week in favor of someone with a better matchup.
Running Backs
D’Onta Foreman (Sit), Dontrell Hillard (Sit), Jeremy McNichols (Sit)
Playing sooooo much D’Onta Foreman this week.
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) November 16, 2021
D’Onta Foreman has been on a tear recently but this week will most likely be the end of his good game streak. The 49ers this year have only allowed two 100 yard rushers this year and one of them was Jonathan Taylor. The other was Justin Fields, and outside of those players, the Niners have been pretty good vs the run. This week is a short week and this game has playoff-seeding implications. If the Titans get AJ Brown back then Foremen could be in for a decent game, but if he’s the focal point I don’t imagine the game going his way. He’s a sit for me this week. I’m not banking on Jeremy McNichols and Dontrell Hillard to have fantasy relevance in this game.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
AJ Brown (Start, WR3), Julio Jones (Sit), Nick Westbrook-Ihkine (Sit)
How are we feeling Michael Pittman Jr. managers 😏 pic.twitter.com/MudkQHL6yC
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) October 31, 2021
The Titans receiving core is a hot mess, AJ Brown might be back from IR this week and should be considered a game-time decision. That being said, if you’re thinking he’s going to be in your lineup, I’d temper expectations based on his return from injury and performance this year. Let’s remember he only had more than 50 receiving yards three times this year and was considered a bust before he went down. He’s a WR3/ flex for me in this game. Julio Jones reinjured his hamstring in this game and his status is completely up in the air for Week 16. I’d sit him based on his injuries and performance this year. Nick Westbrook-Ihkine received seven targets last year but didn’t do much with it, catching four passes for 32 yards. Westbrook-Ikhine is a good player, but not someone I want to play this week.