Lions, 49ers Fantasy Football Start/Sit Decisions: Should You Start Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, Sam LaPorta, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and More?
Discussing fantasy football options for the Lions and 49ers playoff game on Sunday.
The Conference Championship Games are almost here, so it’s time to dive into start/sit decisions for each game.
It’s time to discuss the clash between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers. We covered the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens game in another article.
Quarterback Options
This quarterback matchup isn’t as appealing as the AFC one, but Detroit’s Jared Goff and San Francisco’s Brock Purdy have both put together fine seasons.
Goff threw for 277 yards in the team’s first playoff game and then had 287 yards last week. He’s thrown three touchdowns to no interceptions across the two games. Goff doesn’t add much as a runner.
Purdy struggled last week, but led a late touchdown drive and finished with 252 passing yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Purdy rushed for 14 yards on six attempts.
This is a much tougher matchup for Goff, as San Fran’s defense allowed just 14 fantasy points per week. Detroit’s defense was one of the worst in slowing opposing quarterbacks, allowing an average of 20 fantasy points.
Both teams are close to full strength on offense going into the game. The Niners will have wide receiver Deebo Samuel out there, as he doesn’t carry an injury designation. The Lions will be without receiver Kalif Raymond again, and Goff won’t have guard Jonah Jackson blocking for him this week.
Verdict: Both Goff and Purdy are decent fantasy options this week. I like Purdy the most and think he avoids mistakes on his way to leading the team to a 28-24 win. Goff is a solid option, as I expect the Lions to have to pass a lot to either keep up with San Fran or try to rally past them. In the end, I think a turnover from Goff is the big difference in the quarterback’s fantasy point totals.
Running Back Options
How can you not like the running backs in this game?
Christian McCaffrey will power the San Francisco backfield, while Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery split the Detroit backfield.
Last week, all McCaffrey did was go for 128 total yards and two touchdowns on 24 touches. He got all the backfield touches, and probably will again this week, unless the Niners are up big.
Gibbs went for 114 total yards and a touchdown last week, while Montgomery had 47 total yards on 13 touches. In the team’s first playoff game, Montgomery had 68 total yards and a touchdown on 15 touches, with Gibbs adding 68 yards and a score of his own on 12 touches.
It might seem like an easy choice for who to start, but Detroit’s defense was the best in the league in slowing opposing running backs. The Lions allowed just 16 fantasy points per week, while the Niners allowed 19.
Verdict: Even with the tough matchup, you have to start McCaffrey if you can this week. He should be heavily involved, and could account for every San Fran touchdown in the contest. I like Gibbs after that because he’s a bit better pass catcher than Montgomery - I’d be fine starting Gibbs this week. I’d be against playing Montgomery, not because he can’t deliver a big game, but because I wouldn’t feel confident in a big fantasy total outside of a touchdown.
Wide Receiver Options
There’s some talented wide receivers in this game, but neither team is stacked at the position.
With Samuel out there, the San Fran group of him, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings is a solid trio.
Last week, Jennings led the way with 61 yards on five catches and six targets. Samuel had 24 yards on two grabs and catches before leaving the game with his injury, which allowed Jennings to excel. Aiyuk had 32 yards on three catches and six targets.
While Samuel is off the injury report, I wouldn’t immediately plug him into my lineups. He only practiced in full on Friday and will be less than 100% out there. His presence on the field is a game changer, and San Fran might utilize him as a decoy.
Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown is the most talented wideout in this game, and is emerging as one of the premier wideouts in the entire league. He had 77 yards and a touchdown on eight grabs and 14 targets a week ago, and went for 110 yards on seven catches and nine targets in the first postseason game.
Josh Reynolds has been a surprise this postseason. He only had 27 yards on two catches and three targets last week, but scored a touchdown. The week prior, Reynolds tallied 80 yards on five catches and seven targets.
Jameson Williams has two catches in each postseason game, going for 35 yards last week and 19 yards in the Wild Card Round.
Both of these defenses finished in the bottom half of the league when it came to slowing opposing wideouts. Detroit allowed 41 points per game, while San Fran allowed 34.
Verdict: St. Brown is the only wideout in this game that I’d be super confident in. After that, I like Aiyuk, Reynolds and Samuel, but wouldn’t feel great about playing any of them - I’d take them in that order. I’d take Jennings over Williams this week, but would try to avoid them both.
Tight End Options
Just like the AFC game, the NFC game has two fantastic tight end options.
San Francisco has George Kittle, who led the team in receiving last week. He had 81 yards and a touchdown on four catches and seven targets.
Detroit has rookie Sam LaPorta, who was TE1 this season. LaPorta had 65 yards on nine catches and 11 targets last week. In his first postseason game, the rookie had 14 yards and a score on two catches and three targets.
Both Kittle and LaPorta have the capability of leading their team in receiving any given game.
Verdict: I like the idea of playing Kittle and LaPorta this week. I’d take Kittle first because he’s got the higher chance of leading his team. LaPorta has St. Brown to deal with, and while he’s outproduced him this season at times, in a do-or-die game, St. Brown should get a couple more targets.
Other Thoughts
San Fran clearly has the better defense in this contest, even though Detroit could outscore them with a couple takeaways.
I think the Niners take care of the ball, and with me having Goff with a turnover, and the hosts getting the win, I’d take San Francisco’s defense over Detroit this week.
Both kickers have had their share of inconsistency this season.
San Francisco’s Jake Moody was 1-of-2 on his field goals last week, having a 48-yarder blocked and then making a 52-yarder. He made all three of his extra points.
Detroit’s Mike Badgley has made both of his field goals and all seven of his extra points this postseason. Badgley made a 54-yarder against the Los Angeles Rams and then a 23-yarder against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If I had to choose between the two, I’m taking Badgley. My final score prediction has San Fran scoring four touchdowns, and not having Moody make a field goal, while I have Badgley making one field goal.
If you see the Niners having to settle for more field goals, then Moody is an OK option. I’d feel better about him if he didn’t have a kick blocked last week, but his long field goal late should have the kicker’s mind in the right place going into this game.
