Game Info
Kickoff: Saturday, December 26th at 4:15 PM ET
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Betting Odds: ARI -5, 49 total via Oddsshark
Network: Amazon
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
C.J. Beathard (Sit)
Anything has to be better than Nick Mullens, right? Mullens threw 9 interceptions in his last 6 games before leaving the loss against the Cowboys with an arm injury that looks to require surgery. C.J. Beathard was a turnover machine when last allowed to start games so it is difficult to make a case for him to be fantasy relevant. He should be nowhere near your starting lineup when playing for a championship.
Running Backs
Jeffrey Wilson (Start, RB2), Tevin Coleman (Sit)
I am no fan of this offense but running backs always seem to be productive. It is a case of next man up once again for the 49ers after mismanaging yet another injury, this time to Raheem Mostert, who landed on IR this week after aggravating a high ankle sprain that cost him 4 games earlier in the season. Jeffrey Wilson has been more than adequate when called upon to lead this backfield – his last start back in Week 7 yielded 112 yards on 17 carries with a whopping 3 scores. He could be a valuable RB2 or FLEX play against a weak Cardinals run defense.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Brandon Aiyuk (Start, WR2), Kendrick Bourne (Sit, FLEX), George Kittle (Start, TE1 if active)
There is no doubt that Kyle Shanahan appears to have settled for a predictably one-dimensional approach for this offense. It is all about yards after the catch and targeting one receiver in the passing game. If active, George Kittle will be in for the lion’s share of the targets whereas rookie 1st-round pick Brandon Aiyuk will be peppered with dump-offs and slants down the middle.
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Kyler Murray (Start, QB1)
Kyler Murray loves playing the 49ers and comes into this matchup on the back of 3 passing TDs in 2 of his last 3 games. He also scored his 11th rushing touchdown of the season, a phenomenal output from the diminutive signal-caller. Murray should have a field day against a 49ers defense that has looked lost without Nick Bosa and his one-man show. Robert Saleh doesn’t have the nouse to stop Murray. Kyler is a top 5 option at the position this week.
Running Backs
Kenyan Drake (Start, RB2), Chase Edmonds (Start, FLEX)
Chase Edmonds outplayed and out-touched (14-12) Kenyan Drake once again last week and was entrusted with the ball in key moments during a tense and tight 4th quarter. Saying that, Drake has 5 scores over his last 6 games and a positive game script here could allow him more carries in running out the clock. There is room for both to be useful fantasy plays in Week 16.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
DeAndre Hopkins (Start, WR1), Larry Fitzgerald (Start, FLEX), Christian Kirk (Sit, FLEX), Dan Arnold (Sit, TE2)
Another mesmerizing performance from DeAndre Hopkins catapulted the former Texan up to the No.4 fantasy wideout on the season. Kliff Kingsbury pulled off the trade of the season to acquire Hopkins and he is all set to tear apart this dreadful 49ers secondary in the same way Stefon Diggs did in Week 13. Hopkins is one of the best fantasy options overall this week.
The rest of this offense is but a supporting cast with little consistency. Legendary veteran Larry Fitzgerald hit paydirt for the 1st time this season and could be a sneaky nostalgic option in what could be his final home game.
-Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)