DraftKings Network - Fantasy football start/sit advice, injury news, odds, more for Rams-49ers on Week 16 SaturdayAnother great SB Nation bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52893/DKN_Favicon_32x32..png2019-12-21T20:25:40-08:00http://dknetwork.draftkings.com/rss/stream/207922082019-12-21T20:25:40-08:002019-12-21T20:25:40-08:0049ers eke out win over Rams, set up monster Week 17 vs. Seahawks
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<img alt="San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle celebrates a first down against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O_5r9u6X7R02uWPXDVYwycagqFY=/0x85:1785x1275/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65954318/usa_today_13825744.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The 49ers got a huge win on a Robbie Gould field goal in the final seconds. We break down the implications.</p> <p id="XJMeSs">The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> won an insane one to close out the NFL’s Week 16 Saturday triple-header. <span>Robbie Gould</span> booted a game-winning field goal as time expired to beat the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> 34-31. The 49ers improve to 12-3 with the win, and now set up a monster Week 17 game with the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> for all the regular season marbles. The Rams drop to 8-7 and are officially eliminated from playoff contention.</p>
<p id="XnDlD7">This was not a pretty game, and yet I’m not sure if anybody will remember the bad plays. <span>Jimmy Garoppolo</span> made two huge 3rd and 16 conversions that set the 49ers up for their game-winning field goal. This game as the offense struggled most of the night to get much of anything going. <span>Garoppolo</span> threw two interceptions and his six sacks included several that seemed to involve him waiting way too long in the pocket.</p>
<p id="XIGoij">Regardless, he and the offense did enough to get the win. <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/11/20959896/george-kittle-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">George Kittle</a> led the pass catchers with five receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> had three receptions for 61 yards, and his 46-yard catch on blown coverage was the biggest play of the day. <span>Raheem Mostert</span> rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown, and while it was not a monster effort, he made some big plays on the day.</p>
<p id="0309mi">The 49ers defense made some big plays, especially late in the game, but it was one of their less dynamic outings. Jared Goff threw for 323 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He looked like he was seeing ghosts for a stretch after his pick-six late in the second quarter, but he bounced back to give the Rams a shot in this one. They came up short, but it was a solid close to the game for Goff.</p>
<p id="WHmOom">The 49ers win turns Week 17 into one of the biggest <em>Sunday Night Football</em> season finales ever, regardless of Seattle’s result vs. the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a>. If the 49ers beat Seattle next week, they get the No. 1 seed and Seattle is likely the 5 seed. If the Seahawks win, Seattle could get the No. 1 seed (pending Sunday) and the 49ers drop to either the 5 or 6 seed.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/nfl/2019/12/21/21033555/49ers-vs-rams-final-score-jimmy-garoppolo-george-kittle-week-17-vs-seahawks-nfl-playoff-pictureDavid Fucillo2019-12-21T18:42:47-08:002019-12-21T18:42:47-08:00Tyler Higbee comes off field holding wrist, returns in third quarter
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<img alt="Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams walks to the field prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/di7bA9vWnJznfkyt-u3uwGRm_Y8=/0x0:4688x3125/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65954120/1052706946.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Rams tight end Tyler Higbee appears to have injured his wrist in the second quarter of Week 16. We break it down.</p> <p id="bYcNjg"><strong>UPDATE</strong>: Higbee returned to the game in the third quarter.</p>
<p id="QkRviQ"><a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> tight end <span>Tyler Higbee</span> has suffered an injury that appears to be a wrist issue in Week 16 vs. the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>. <span>Higbee</span> left the game late in the second quarter holding his wrist and had trainers check it out.</p>
<p id="AxT8b7"><span>Gerald Everett</span> has come on in place of Higbee, but Higbee had been incredibly productive. He had six receptions for 71 yards prior to the injury. <span>Everett</span> had been the starter prior to injury, but he’s been splitting snaps in this first game back. Everett has been targeted once thus far.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2019/12/21/21033527/tyler-higbee-injury-wrist-week-16-fantasy-football-rams-vs-49ers-gerald-everettDavid Fucillo2019-12-21T18:34:08-08:002019-12-21T18:34:08-08:00Raheem Mostert gets on the board in the second quarter
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<img alt="San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk hugs running back Raheem Mostert before the start of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/A4VnbCegKQNgRnMf9_RNdajoM38=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65954109/usa_today_13825102.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The 49ers offense has been hit or miss in Week 16, but they’re finding life. Raheem Mostert has a touchdown to continue his strong recent run.</p> <p id="3iqCDS"><a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> running back <span>Raheem Mostert</span> started slow in Week 16 against the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a>, but he’s picking up steam in the second quarter. <span>Mostert</span> just ran in a 16-yard touchdown to cut the Rams lead to 21-17. <span>Mostert</span> has four rushes for 21 yards.</p>
<p id="CyHh1F">Mostert has emerged as the 49ers go-to guy in the backfield in recent weeks. He was behind Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida on the depth chart, but he’s been their best running back over the past month.</p>
<p id="0PCvKo">It’s created some headaches for fantasy football players, particularly if you were counting on Coleman or Breida. Shanahan offenses are notoriously unpredictable with running backs, so this is not a shocking development. One big question moving forward from this will be what the 49ers backfield rotation looks like next year when fantasy players are setting their draft boards.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2019/12/21/21033521/raheem-mostert-fantasy-football-stats-week-16-49ers-vs-ramsDavid Fucillo2019-12-21T18:23:46-08:002019-12-21T18:23:46-08:00Jalen Ramsey suffers knee injury, returns after doubtful tag
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<img alt="Cornerback Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams on the sidelines during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mI1mfYayU05yVqQvgIo0qLOs0FE=/0x0:5315x3543/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65954083/1192139664.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Rams have suffered a big loss. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is doubtful to return in Week 16 due to a knee injury. UPDATE: He back!</p> <p id="sVcy2d"><strong>UPDATE</strong>: Guess it wasn’t soooo doubtful. Ramsey is now back in the game with 6:47 left in the second quarter.</p>
<p id="Mdjszc"><strong>UPDATE</strong>: The Rams announced that Jalen Ramsey has suffered a knee injury and is doubtful to return.</p>
<p id="iWfoC3"><a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> cornerback <span>Jalen Ramsey</span> has gone to the team’s locker room midway through the second quarter for what appears to be an injury evaluation. The news comes after he had his first interception as a member of the Rams. There is no word yet on what is being looked at.</p>
<p id="uPnIWS">At the time of Ramsey’s departure, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is 3 of 7 for 51 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/nfl/2019/12/21/21033513/jalen-ramsey-injury-week-16-fantasy-football-49ers-vs-ramsDavid Fucillo2019-12-21T06:24:00-08:002019-12-21T06:24:00-08:00What to do with Rams D/ST, 49ers D/ST in week 16 fantasy football
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<img alt="San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa before their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Jq8rpXtjAMOMNp6yfQv-xUfDXjw=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65952092/usa_today_13779853.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In a matchup of two NFC West powerhouses, will either team’s defense be a viable fantasy option? We break down the Week 16 start/sit considerations.</p> <p id="kIJD04">Perception is a powerful thing. It makes us see things that aren’t really there, but may have been at some point in the past. Nowhere in the NFL is perception lying to us more than with Los Angeles’ offense. While Sean McVay remains one of the league’s better coaches and the name recognition of the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a>’ roster is still at an all-time high, the results don’t come close to matching the hype. In 2019, Los Angeles ranks just 16th in yards per drive (32.0), 18th in points per drive (1.94) and, somewhat surprisingly, 31st in time of possession per drive (2:31). It’s possible that you thought you’d be looking for alternatives in a hypothetical Week 16 matchup when you drafted or picked up San Francisco D/ST a few months back, but rest assured, the unit’s very viable this Saturday.</p>
<p id="iM6xwf">The same can not be said about the Rams’ own D/ST. Though Los Angeles’ defense has been mostly consistent so far this season, conceding a mere 5.0 yards per play to opponents on the road and at home, the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> aren’t really the most generous offense. San Francisco comes into this weekend sitting sixth in the NFL in points scored per drive (2.47), the direct result of having to punt the ball on an NFC-low 28.5% of its possessions. Despite some injuries along the offensive line, the 49ers have also done a very nice job of keeping quarterback <span>Jimmy Garoppolo</span> upright, as the team can claim the ninth-best adjusted sack rate in the league (6.2%). Los Angeles’ D/ST has been good, but San Francisco has proven to have very few faults.</p>
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<a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/fantasy-football">Fantasy Football</a> Analysis, Rams D/ST and 49ers D/ST</h2>
<p id="ihIfL3">Above all else, the most important thing to remember about the 49ers is their ferocious pass rush. San Francisco possesses football’s highest adjusted sack rate as a defense (10.0%) and their 47 raw sacks rank as the third-most in the NFL. That, combined with both <span>Richard Sherman</span> and <span>K’Waun Williams</span>’ health, make for an incredibly formidable unit. With the Rams sitting among the league-leaders in turnovers per contest (1.6), there’s no reason to think that 49ers’ D/ST won’t continue to be an elite fantasy asset.</p>
<h2 id="K4CJA5">Start/Sit Recommendation</h2>
<p id="Kk2zoP">Start 49ers D/ST. Sit Rams D/ST.</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2019/12/21/21030593/rams-defense-start-sit-advice-49ers-dst-fantasy-football-week-16Garion Thorne2019-12-21T06:09:00-08:002019-12-21T06:09:00-08:00What to do with Jared Goff in Week 16 fantasy football
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<img alt="Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff throws a pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&amp;T Stadium" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1uDO8Ms0sOLazG3bpGj3abMUz-Y=/0x0:3258x2172/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65952053/usa_today_13799473.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Can Jared Goff help the Rams bounce back after a tough Week 15 loss to the Cowboys? We break down the Week 16 start/sit considerations.</p> <p id="LO8CH1"><span>Jared Goff</span> and the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> are coming off of an embarrassing loss to the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> in Week 15. In that game, the Rams scored only seven points through the first three quarters of play. Goff completed 33 of 51 passes throughout the game for 284 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. This is actually an improvement in play for Goff, as he has struggled with turnovers this year. Goff has thrown six touchdown passes in his past six games while throwing eight interceptions. He has been a disappointment this year for fans of the LA Rams and fantasy owners alike. Can Goff turn things around against the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> in Week 16? We break down fantasy implications below.</p>
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<a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/fantasy-football">Fantasy football</a> analysis, Los Angeles Rams quarterback <span>Jared Goff</span>
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<p id="rSx0r8">If you were a struggling quarterback who was looking to get back on track, the 49ers defense is about the last opponent you would want to see on your schedule. San Francisco is currently the top rated pass defense in the NFL. They are allowing an average of only 154.1 passing yards/game on the season and have allowed only 19 passing touchdowns while recording 11 interceptions. They have also recorded 47 sacks on the year. </p>
<p id="eG7wZp">The 49ers showed that they can be vulnerable, as <span>Matt Ryan</span> torched them through the air while peppering <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20841614/julio-jones-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Julio Jones</a> with 20 targets for 134 yards and two TDs last week. However, is important to keep in mind that <span>Matt Ryan</span> is historically a better quarterback than Jared Goff, and the 49ers were missing <span>Richard Sherman</span> and <span>Jaquiski Tartt</span> in their secondary. <span>Tartt</span> has yet to practice this week, but <span>Sherman</span> has logged two full practices and should provide a boost to the defense. When all angles are considered, this seems to be a match-up to avoid.</p>
<h3 id="QrkkF0">Start/Sit Recommendation:</h3>
<p id="YOkDyg">Sit Jared Goff</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2019/12/21/21028956/jared-goff-start-sit-advice-fantasy-football-week-16-rams-vs-49ersKelly Magrann2019-12-21T06:03:00-08:002019-12-21T06:03:00-08:00What to do with Todd Gurley in Week 16 fantasy football
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<img alt="Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley runs the ball against Seattle Seahawks strong safety Bradley McDougald and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4l0Q-Rt9sw-uZrlmC-mRIp0S4d0=/0x0:3644x2429/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65952039/usa_today_13771195.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Can Todd Gurley maintain elite level production against a tough 49ers defense? We break down the Week 16 start/sit considerations.</p> <p id="8RphVy">Overall, the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> have the second ranked defense in the NFL. While this may sound like a match-up to avoid, the good news for <span>Gurley</span> owners is that the greatest area of struggle for the 49ers defense this year seems to be against the run. San Francisco has managed to hold pass catching running backs such as <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/10/29/20938500/aaron-jones-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Aaron Jones</a> and <span>Alvin Kamara</span> to 3.8 and 6.3 fantasy points respectively. However, they seem to allow better performances to bigger, bruising backs such as <span>Latavius Murray</span> and <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838540/chris-carson-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Chris Carson</a> who scored 11.4 and 19.1 points respectively against them. </p>
<h2 id="ZXEOMt">
<a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/fantasy-football">Fantasy football</a> analysis, <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> running back <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20842033/todd-gurley-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Todd Gurley</a>
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<p id="T3QHBn">Gurley has been somewhat of a boom/bust player this year, as his workload has been inconsistent and he has been touchdown-dependent at times. Despite the ups and downs, Gurley is currently the 15th ranked running back on the year in terms of average PPG in standard ESPN leagues. He only managed 20 yards on the ground against the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> last week, but he was able to score one rushing touchdown on 11 carries and also added a receiving touchdown to total 20.8 points. He has averaged 16 carries over his past 6 games and he has recently been the Rams go-to guy in the red zone. You are going to want Gurley in your line-ups for this combination of talent and opportunity.</p>
<h3 id="AOYVmm">Start/Sit Advice:</h3>
<p id="On8AWO">Start Gurley as an RB2</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2019/12/21/21028909/todd-gurley-start-sit-advice-fantasy-football-week-16-rams-vs-49ersKelly Magrann2019-12-21T05:57:00-08:002019-12-21T05:57:00-08:00What to do with George Kittle in Week 16 fantasy football
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<img alt="San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle celebrates after a play during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi s Stadium." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jtq5NyQ6IAW4Fz9oLnUAH1iGxTg=/0x0:3433x2289/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65951956/usa_today_13799653.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>There might not be a better option at the tight end position this week than George Kittle. We break down the Week 16 fantasy football start/sit considerations.</p> <p id="c52Ghk">Chance are that if <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/11/11/20959896/george-kittle-fantasy-football-injury-trade-dfs-salary-stats-2019">George Kittle</a> has been in your lineup most weeks, if not every week, this season, you are in the midst of a pretty good year for <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/fantasy-football">fantasy football</a>. The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> tight end has emerged as one of, if the not the best, player at his position this year. So what about this week when the 49ers take on their old rivals, the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a>, on Saturday? </p>
<p id="fy0Q64">First, let’s go back to last week, a disappointing loss to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a>. While it may have been a forgettable week for the Niners, it was a season high for <span>Kittle</span>. He finished the game with 13 catches on 17 targets for a total of 134 yards. </p>
<p id="3BLkGO">In fact, he’s been on a roll since coming back from a two-game absence last month. The week before that he had 67 yards and a touchdown against the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a>. During the four games since his return, he’s topped triple digit yardage twice and scored two times. </p>
<h2 id="NBqWbJ">Fantasy football analysis, San Francisco 49ers TE <span>George Kittle</span>
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<p id="WnNqLZ">The last time <span>Kittle</span> faced the Rams, back in Week 6, he caught all eight targets for a total of 103 yards. There is no reason to think he can’t produce similar numbers this week. Truth be told, you can’t afford not to start him. </p>
<h2 id="J9A7Sx">Sit/start recommendation </h2>
<p id="WF0j8S">Start him, for heaven’s sake, start him. </p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2019/12/21/21030950/george-kittle-start-sit-advice-fantasy-football-week-16-49ers-vs-ramsL Truscott