Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 25th at 4:25 PM ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Betting Odds: NE -2, 43.5 ou total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo (Qb2/Sit)
Jimmy G rebounded nicely last week after being benched in week 5. He completed 23-of-33 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. However, Jimmy has been inconsistent this year and is hard to trust as a starting quarterback in fantasy, especially in this matchup. The Pats rank in the top 10 in terms of passing yards given up and interceptions. This defense is one of the more stout units in the NFL and could give Jimmy G fits come Sunday.
Running Backs
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Deebo Samuel (Sit), Brandon Aiyuk (Sit), George Kittle (Start, TE1)
Deebo is certainly coming into form as the season progresses but that could come to a halt this week as he will draw Stephon Gilmore. Aiyuk has taken a bit of a back seat to Samuel in an offense that is already low volume when it comes to passing. Aiyuk had a touchdown last week but if he doesn’t score, he has not had much value from week-to-week. He and Deebo are best kept on the bench this week. Kittle is a no-brainer start at the TE position.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Cam Newton (Start, QB1)
Newton certainly looked rusty last week in his first action since week three. He had below 200 yards passing and two interceptions but salvaged his day with 76 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. I am believing in a bounce-back performance here against a Niners team that has struggled recently against quarterbacks. Newton’s rushing floor alone should rank him in the top-12 QBs this week.
Running Backs
James White (Start, RB2), Damien Harris (Flex, RB3), Rex Burkhead (Sit, RB4)
James White was the leading receiver last week for the Patriots. He has more than ten touches in the last two games and seems to have the safest floor in this backfield. Harris should be the main ball-carrier once again for the Patriots but it will be against a Niners defense that ranks in the top three in terms of points allowed to running backs. Burkhead has his weeks but that is usually when White is not playing. The only back I can truly suggest this week in PPR is White.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Julian Edelman (Flex, WR3), N’Keal Harry (Sit), Damiere Byrd (Sit)
It is tough to recommend any of the Patriots’ receivers at this point. All of them have been inconsistent and the team seems to be leaning on a run-heavy approach. Even though I expect Cam to have a big day, it is hard for me to trust any of his receivers. I expect most of Cam’s points to come on the ground. If there is one I trust, it would be Edelman. I only expect Harry or Byrd to be relevant if they score.