Packers, 49ers Fantasy Football Start/Sit Decisions: Should You Start Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, Christian McCaffrey, Aaron Jones, George Kittle and More?
Discussing fantasy football options for the Packers and 49ers playoff game on Saturday.
The NFL’s Divisional Round has a pair of fun matchups lined up on Saturday and Sunday.
It’s time to dive into the NFC contest between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers and determine what guys you should be starting in playoff fantasy leagues or DFS. We already discussed the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens game and we will cover the two Sunday games in articles too, so be sure to check back for those.
Quarterback Options
I love this quarterback matchup. You got Jordan Love leading the Packers and Brock Purdy guiding the 49ers. Love has been fantastic over the past couple months, while Purdy continues to dazzle despite being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In Love’s first playoff start, all he did was go 16-of-21 for 272 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s thrown 12 touchdowns and no picks over the past five games. He’s simply been sensational, and has erased any doubt of whether or not he’d be the franchise quarterback.
Purdy was in the MVP hunt until a four-interception nightmare against the Baltimore Ravens. He capped his regular season with 230 passing yards and two touchdowns in week 17. I’m always curious to see how teams look after not playing meaningful game snaps for a couple weeks.
Both quarterbacks will be going up against defenses that were better than average in slowing QBs. Green Bay’s defense allowed an average of 16 fantasy points per week, while San Fran’s defense allowed 14 points.
Both offenses are pretty healthy going into the game, so both quarterbacks should be comfortable out there.
Verdict: I said this in the Ravens, Texans writeup, but at this point of the season, I like all the quarterbacks as fantasy options. Both guys are capable of going off for big games and have pretty safe floors. It’s a toss up for me, but if forced to choose, I’ll give the slight edge to Purdy because I have the Niners winning the game 30-27. I think Purdy and Love will finish in the top half of the remaining eight quarterbacks this week.
Running Back Options
One of the few injuries for either team is Green Bay running back AJ Dillon. He’s missed the past couple games and is questionable again this week.
If Dillon cannot play, Aaron Jones will serve as the team’s workhorse again. Patrick Taylor and Emanuel Wilson backed Jones up last week, but I’d doubt either guy gets much work this week. Dillon probably would only get 5-8 touches if he’s able to play.
Jones has rushed for over 100 yards in four straight games - he scored three touchdowns a week ago. He hasn’t made a huge difference as a pass catcher, but might need to this week in order for Green Bay to keep pace with San Fran.
Christian McCaffrey missed week 18 with an injury - although he really was already going to sit out in the meaningless game. He’s cleared to play this week and shouldn’t have any restrictions.
McCaffrey went for over 2,000 total yards and 21 total touchdowns this season. Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason will serve as his backups, but likely won’t get much work.
Verdict: McCaffrey is the clear top option in this game, and that’s no dig on Jones, McCaffrey is simply a must start any time he’s playing. I would also like to start Jones, but don’t feel very confident that he can deliver a big game - I see Green Bay relying on Love’s arm to stay in the game. Jones could tally some fantasy points as a pass catcher, but that’s not a great bet seeing his receiving numbers this season. Stay away from any of the backups in this contest.
Wide Receiver Options
There’s some really talented wide receivers in this game.
San Fran will rely on Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Green Bay could turn to Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Christian Watson or Bo Melton.
Aiyuk led the Niners with 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns this season, while Samuel had 892 receiving yards and seven scores. Samuel added plenty of value as a runner, totaling 225 rushing yards and five scores.
Jauan Jennings is another option for the 49ers, but he only had 33 targets on the season.
Doubs dominated a week ago, tallying 151 yards and a touchdown on six catches and targets. He has 825 yards and nine touchdowns for the season.
Reed is kind of like Samuel in the Packers’ offense. Reed had 793 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, while rushing for 119 yards and two scores. He didn’t get a carry last week, and he failed to catch any passes - which was a first for the rookie.
Watson returned from a multi-week absence and hauled in his lone target for 9 yards. He doesn’t carry an injury designation, which means the team might turn the deep threat loose.
Wicks made his two catches and targets count last week, going for 25 yards and a touchdown. He’s caught four touchdowns over his past three games played.
Melton had a nice run at the end of the season, but was held to 7 yards on one grab and two targets last week. He played 45 snaps still, but that number could decrease with Watson ready to roll.
Both defenses were near the middle of the league in slowing opposing receivers. San Fran’s defense allowed 35 points a week, while Green Bay’s defense allowed 33.
Verdict: In what I see as a high-scoring game, I’d love to start several wideouts in this contest. Samuel and Aiyuk are both starters for me this week, but I’m torn on what Packers to play. At this point, I want to trust the guys that delivered the most this season, and that’s Reed and Doubs. I wouldn’t be super confident in starting any of the Packers’ receivers though. He’s how I’d rank all the receivers in this contest: Samuel, Aiuyuk, Reed, Doubs, Watson, Wicks, Melton, Jennings.
Tight End Options
Another problem for fantasy owners with the Packers’ offense is they have two tight ends to possibly throw the ball to.
Luke Musgrave went for 52 yards and a touchdown on three catches and targets last week. Tucker Kraft had 15 yards on two catches and three targets.
The San Fran tight end is easily recognizable. George Kittle tallied 1,020 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. He had his fair share of huge games and stinkers, but at this point of the season, you can bet he’ll be involved.
Verdict: Kittle is the tight end to start from this game - he just might finish as TE1 this week. I’d try to stay away from Musgrave and Kraft this week - Musgrave would be my choice between the two.
Other Thoughts
I like both of these offenses, and that’s why I see a higher-scoring game. I like San Fran’s defense more, and that’s part of the reason behind why I chose the hosts to win.
Expecting a lot of points, I’d actually try to stay away from both defenses, but if you’re starting one from this game, it better be the San Fran defense.
San Fran also has the advantage at kicker, which I actually think is what determines the final outcome.
Green Bay’s Anders Carlson is 27-of-33 on his field goals this season and just 34-of-39 on extra points. San Francisco’s Jake Moody went 21-of-25 on field goals this season and 60-of-61 on his extra points.
Take Moody if you want a kicker from this contest. Both should get a handful of kicking opportunities, but I’d only trust Moody.
