Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 9th at 4:05 PM ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC
Betting Odds: SF, -6.5, 39 Total on Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo (Sit)
Jimmy Garoppolo had a decent week against the Rams, but the truth behind his stats was that 187 of his 239 passing yards were after the catch. Garoppolo’s receivers average 4.37 yards after the catch (4th among Qbs) and average 191.3 air yards per game (32nd among QBs). Jimmy G isn’t an effective fantasy football quarterback and showed last week that even a good game for him isn’t a QB1. The Panthers allow 15.4 points to fantasy QBs in 2022, and I don’t think Garoppolo will be a startable QB this week.
Running Backs
Jeff Wilson Jr (Start, High-End Flex)
Jeff Wilson Jr had his best week in fantasy last week against the Rams, running for 74 yards and a TD. Wilson was good in Week 4, but most of his yards came off his 32-yard touchdown. Outside of that one run, Wilson carried the ball 17 times for 42 yards, that 2.4 ypc. The Panthers have allowed the seventh most yards to RBs (458) but are only allowing 17.7 fantasy points a game. The big reason why is that they’ve only allowed two touchdowns in 2022. Wilson will need a touchdown this week to be a relevant RB this week in fantasy. This week I’m trusting Wilson as a high-end flex, nothing else.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Deebo Samuel (Start, WR1), Brandon Aiyuk (Sit), George Kittle (Sit)
Deebo Samuel is the best weapon in the game; last week, he had two giant catches and runs for 84 yards, with 77 yards coming after the catch. Samuel’s Adot is 2.9, and his 11.5 yac per reception had made him into someone who can make a play from anywhere. The Panthers are averaging 19.7 fantasy points to wide receivers in 2022. Look for the 49ers to give Deebo all the chances he needs to be a WR1 this week. Brandon Aiyuk has a 22.2% target share and is on the field for 90% of three of four games. Aiyuk has not cashed in on the opportunities given so far this year. With Jimmy G at the helm, Aiyuk is averaging four receptions for 46 yards, not enough to make me want to start him this week. George Kittle is the best overall tight end in the game, and until Trent Williams is back on the field, he’ll have to be the team’s best swing tackle. Kittle ran the fewest routes of his season last week with 17, and with backup Colton McKivitz out for two months. I don’t think I’ll be starting Kittle this week.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield (Sit)
Baker Mayfield is in real trouble this week against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have sacked the quarterback 15 times and pressured the quarterback a rousing 34.2% of the time. The last time Mayfield played the Niners, he was sacked four times and threw two picks. This year Baker has had two games with a completion percentage of 48. To top it off, he’s only thrown for 200+ yards once this year. The 49ers have allowed 189 passing yards on average and 8.9 points to the fantasy QB. The one question on Baker’s mind is, “does Nick Bosa still dislike me?” Regardless of the answer, this 49ers defense is going to be pressuring Baker a lot in this game and will make him a sit in Week 5.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (Start, RB2)
Christian McCaffrey will have his hands full on Sunday, especially with the Panthers lacking in ways to win. CMC will get his touches, but the 49ers have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards (209) and the tenth-fewest receiving yards (103) to the running back position. The 49ers’ front seven is a tough matchup for anyone, including McCaffrey, who has eclipsed 100 total yards in three of his first four games. While having two RB1 games and two RB2 games so far this year. I can’t say sit CMC, but I would say to temper expectations. I’m playing him this week and expecting an RB2 week.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
DJ Moore (Sit), Robbie Anderson (Sit), Tommy Tremble (Sit)
DJ Moore had 11 targets last week and caught six for 50 yards. The addition of Baker hasn’t panned out for Moore’s production this season. Moore got his highest target share this past week and couldn’t make the most of it, but the fact that he got it might be a shining light. The 49ers have been a stiff test to opposing wide receivers, only allowing 17 points a game, the sixth-most. This week I’ll sit Moore. Robby Anderson had a big Week 1 and since has been relegated to the bottom of the barrel for wide receivers. Anderson has played 90% of snaps in three of four games in 2022, which should be the same in this game. I will be sitting Anderson this week. Tommy Tremble ran 20 routes last week, the most for him this year. Tremble is a sit this week.