Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 25th at 8:20 PM ET
Location: Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO
Betting Odds: SF, -1.5, 45 Total on Oddsshark
Network: NBC
Writer: Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo (Sit)
Jimmy Garoppolo completed 13 of 21 passes in his relief duty for Trey Lance after his tragic ankle injury. The Niners slayed one dragon last week in Seattle and will face another this week (Russell Wilson). Garoppolo had some ups and downs last week, as he also threw a TD and rushed for one. The good about Garoppolo is that he’ll sustain the value of Deebo Samuel. The bad with Garoppolo is he is streaky; last week he did well in the first half but was only able to complete five passes in the second half. Not to mention, Denver’s defense has been stingy through two weeks, allowing the fifth-fewest in the following categories: passing yards (372), Passing TDs (2), and QB fantasy points (12.7/game). I don’t like his fantasy value this week against this Denver defense, so I’m sitting him, while FantasyPros has him at QB23
Watch what Aaron Banks does at the end of this play to the edge rusher.
Also a helluva throw outside the numbers for Jimmy Garoppolo in a clean pocket. pic.twitter.com/agrr7BQjrr
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) September 20, 2022
Running Backs
Jeff Wilson Jr (Start, RB2)
This is what a well-blocked run looks like. Everyone, from Kyle Juszczyk to Charlie Woerner to Trent Williams to Aaron Banks doing their job for a big Jeff Wilson Jr. run.
Watch Banks climb to the second level and ride the linebacker back again. pic.twitter.com/zob13dDI4g
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) September 20, 2022
Jeff Wilson Jr is the 49ers’ primary running back with Elijah Mitchell and Tyrion Davis-Price out. Wilson had his first start last week and had 103 scrimmage yards. Now, this week he is playing one of the better run defenses in Denver. The Broncos have allowed only 7.8 fantasy points/game to running backs. I think what Wilson has going for him is he will be getting even more of the rushing share than he’s already getting. Wilson had 60% on Sunday and should be getting closer to 80% this week. Off pure workload, I’ll make him a startable RB2 and FantasyPros has him at RB27.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Deebo Samuel (Start, WR2), Brandon Aiyuk (Sit), George Kittle (Start)
#49ers Deebo Samuel is a cheat code pic.twitter.com/P9ckLXBqGI
— Alex Tran (@nineralex) September 20, 2022
Deebo Samuel rushed the ball four times for 53 yards and caught five passes for 44 yards. His role has officially become “wide back” again with Jimmy G back under center. The Broncos have been awesome against opposing receivers, allowing the fewest yards (212), TDs (0), and fantasy points (9.6). I’m still starting Deebo as a WR1, and FantasyPros has him at WR6. Brandon Aiyuk is a sit for me this week, as he had a very pedestrian week against the Seahawks, catching five passes for 63 yards. Jimmy G isn’t a regular 300-yard passer, and I think this will leave Aiyuk as the odd man out, especially if George Kittle returns. Kittle practiced on Wednesday, and if he’s a go, he will look to be Jimmy G’s safety net on Sunday. Start Kittle as your TE1; FantasyPros has him at TE30 because he hasn’t been cleared yet.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Russell Wilson (Start, QB2)
Russell Wilson demanded the #Broncos sideline will yell "Run or Pass" to help the defense against the #Seahawks (@NFLFilms)https://t.co/fce04dItvT
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 15, 2022
Russell Wilson historically owns a 16-4 record against the 49ers. While that’s a great win percentage, that’s not always meant good fantasy days. Last year in two games against the Niners, he scored 22.6 and 17.7 points which were good for QB10 and QB15, respectively. Wilson has been underwhelming through two games in 2022, scoring only 29.9 fantasy points total. This week will be a tough test for Russ as he’s playing a Niners team that just shut down his former team. The 49ers have given up the fewest yards (318), the fifth-fewest TDs (2), and third-fewest fantasy points (10.9/game) to the quarterback position. I have him as a start, but Russell Wilson hasn’t had his most productive games against San Francisco recently. He’s a QB2 for me this week, and he’s currently QB11 on FantasyPros.
Running Backs
Javonte Williams (Start, RB2), Melvin Gordon (Sit)
Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon have a stiff challenge this week in the 49ers. This year, the Niners have allowed the fewest rushing yards (105) to the running back position. This means these running backs will need to find another way to get some yards and points. That’s where I think Javonte takes over, as he’s been the predominant pass-catching back for the Broncos. He has 16 targets and is currently the league leader in running back targets. Melvin Gordon, on the other hand, is splitting touches evenly with Williams, 22 apiece. So I’m going to go with the guy who will get more touches on the receiving end. Javonte is my start as an RB2; FantasyPros ranks him RB9 and Gordon RB35.
Javonte. Williams. Rompiendo. Tackles. pic.twitter.com/mUMvjjTCZY
— Football a lo Caribeño (@football_caribe) September 18, 2022
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Courtland Sutton (Start, WR1), Jerry Jeudy (Start, High-end Flex), Albert Okwuegbunam (Sit)
Courtland Sutton clips vs. Houston
-Russell has clear chemistry and trust in him early
-Sutton might lead the league in DPI's drawn at the end of the year
-centimeters from an insane twirling toe tap TD
-made big plays on 3rd and 4th down all game to seal the win pic.twitter.com/q8h3UHtRes— Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm) September 21, 2022
Courtland Sutton had a big game against the Texans, catching seven passes for 122 yards. Sutton is expected to be the best receiver on this team, and he’ll be up against the team that’s given up the sixth-fewest yards (247) to receivers. They also have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the wide receiver position. I do think Sutton has a good chance to go off, especially if Jerry Jeudy is held out this game. This defense will look to restrict the amount of receiving offense that the Broncos can get. I have Sutton as a start: a WR1 without Jeudy, and a WR2 with Jeudy. I put Jeudy as a WR2/High-End Flex. FantasyPros has them as WR11 and 29 respectively. Albert Okwuegbunam is a sit for me this week as the 49ers have only allowed 11 yards to tight ends this year.