Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 11: 49ers vs. Giants

The New York Giants' season has largely fallen apart since starting 3-2, losing four straight to fall to 3-6 and out of the playoff picture. The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, have looked to be on the verge of falling out of it multiple times, but keep bouncing back, and are now 5-4 with a chance at making a run.

The 49ers come into Sunday's game basically fantasy healthy. Running back Frank Gore was on the week's injury report, but he's not expected to have any issues for the game. The Giants, meanwhile, will be without running back Peyton Hillis, but are expected to get back Rashad Jennings, making for a definite upgrade overall.

Start 'em?: An entire season of uninspiring performances with only his big Week 6 to break it up makes Colin Kaepernick really hard to trust as a QB1 in fantasy. ... It's been an sneaky-great run for Anquan Boldin of late, averaging 10.5.fantasy points a game since Week 3. He's a strong flex play. ... Phil Dawson hasn't produced quite at his former levels, but he's got big upside if you need someone. ... The 49ers' defense has been very up-and-down this season, but does have decent upside.

Sit 'em: If Gore were ever to go down with injury, Carlos Hyde would look like a strong fantasy play, but failing that he just doesn't get enough use. ... All the optimism for Michael Crabtree entering the season has faded, as Boldin has surpassed him in the team's pecking order. Crabtree and Stevie Johnson are only truly desperation plays. ... Vernon Davis hasn't done anything for fantasy since Week 1. You can't use him.

Start 'em?: The downs are pretty bad, but Eli Manning has put up enough really good games that you can trust him if you're down Tony Romo this week or lost Carson Palmer last. ... Rashad Jennings makes his return Sunday after missing four games. He has strong RB2 upside, though if you have an option you might prefer to hold off a week if you have that option. ... You're probably using Larry Donnell if you have him, with the wasteland that is tight end, but he hasn't had any kind of big game since Week 4, averaging three points a game in that time.

Sit 'em: It was hard enough to use Andre Williams when Jennings was hurt; with the starting running back back on the field, you can't use Williams. ... Between Beckham's rise and his own struggle with drops, Rueben Randle is off the starting radar right now. ... Josh Brown is averaging less than four points a game in his last four, and barely six a game all season. ... The Giants' defense hasn't had a positive point total since Week 6, or more than two points in a game since Week 4.