The NFC West's final undefeated team realistically could finish in the basement. That's indicative of how competitive this division is, as well as how injury-ravaged the 49ers are.
A little over a week after Nick Bosa tore his ACL, this franchise will play tonight without Brock Purdy, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall. George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk remain sidelined. It's time for Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, and perhaps TEs Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell to step up. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore might see one or two targets apiece.
9x Pro Bowl FB Kyle Juszczyk, who's one of only four 2013 Day 3 draft picks remaining in the league, has at least two TDs in five straight seasons. He's also one of only two top-10 2024 Niner fantasy producers who will be active tonight.
I'll write that again, because it's insane: Last year's top scorers were (in order) Purdy, Kittle, Jennings, Deebo Samuel, Jordan Mason, Jake Moody, Isaac Guerendo, Pearsall, Aiyuk, and . . . Juszczyk.
But the team has an ace up its sleeve. Or rather, it's out in plain view and is being held together by tape. If this contest is competitive, Christian McCaffrey is headed toward another 25+ touch effort. He's currently on pace for more than 400. In today's FF4W podcast, I highlight his Sunday-to-Thursday production history, and why he's a longshot for a big performance, even if he's fed 25+ times.
Of course, no one can bench an RB who's on pace for a 132-1,296-9 receiving line on 183 looks. Those are insane numbers. Doesn't matter that he's netting only 3.3 yards per carry and a comparably abysmal 1.0 yards after-first-contact. Assuming Jones keeps feeding him through the air, CMC should be no worse than "good." It's also possible that the game gets out of hand, and Brian Robinson Jr. (and maybe Guerendo) get more run at CMC's expense. The point is, temper lofty expectations.
For the Rams, it'll be business as usual in an exceptionally fantasy-friendly offense, Managers don't have to wonder which receivers to start. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams have a combined 62% target share. Kyren Williams remains the entrenched bell cow (though I'm still not giving up on Corum gaining ground this year). And Matthew Stafford is playing his best football since 2021's championship season.
Stafford actually has more fantasy points than Jared Goff. As long as his "big three" stay healthy, he'll continue to have a fantastic floor.
If CMC doesn't hit 20 touches, I think it'll suggest a relatively lopsided Rams victory. That's the path that makes the most sense. Final score: Rams win 26-12. Leave your prediction below and good luck tonight.
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