The San Francisco 49ers are 2-5. They need a win Sunday just to keep their season marginally respectable. The St. Louis Rams, meanwhile, are 3-3, and with a win would really make themselves relevant in the NFC playoff race. Only one can get the win, though, as the two teams face one another Sunday.
Fantasy football advice, Week 8: Who to start/sit for 49ers vs. Rams
It’s an NFC West showdown between two teams really needing a win.
The 49ers will be without running back Carlos Hyde Sunday with a stress fracture in his foot, an injury that could keep him out longer than just Week 8. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick and wide receiver Anquan Boldin are both on the injury report as well, though both are expected to play Sunday. For the Rams, running back Tre Mason is expected to play through his ankle injury, though the emergence of Todd Gurley has really already sapped Mason of any fantasy relevance he had.
San Francisco travels east to St. Louis for Sunday’s game, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:
49ERS
Sit ‘em: It’s increasingly becoming clear that Colin Kaepernick is competent-to-above against bad defenses, but falls apart against good ones. ... With Carlos Hyde out, Reggie Bush and Mike Davis should get the majority of the 49ers’ carries, though you should for a more forgiving defense to even consider using them. ... Anquan Boldin is the better fantasy option than Torrey Smith, but Boldin’s injury concerns make both safely benchable. ... Vernon Davis hasn’t been the Vernon Davis of old for almost two seasons now. ... It’s hard to advise using a fantasy kicker like Phil Dawson if I’m advocating benching every single one of his offensive weapons. ... The 49ers’ defense has been miserable almost all season, needing last week’s eight fantasy points to climb out of negative on the season.
RAMS
Start ‘em: Only three starts into his career, you could make a wholly convincing argument that Todd Gurley is the best running back in the league. ... The Rams’ defense is averaging 12 fantasy points over the last month, and against San Francisco, it’s definitely a favorable matchup.
Start ‘em?: If there’s ever a time to use Nick Foles, it’s against the San Francisco defense. Which is not to say you should use Nick Foles, but it’s at least in the conversation. ... The Rams have started using Tavon Austin more as a typical wide receiver and not just a gadget play, which has to bode well for his fantasy numbers.
Sit ‘em: With Gurley and Austin, there isn’t much left for Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey or Jared Cook. ... Greg Zuerlein has been more unreliable than normal this season, and hasn’t kicked for double-digit fantasy points since Week 1.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Todd Gurley, St. Louis defense
Start if you’re desperate: Nick Foles, Tavon Austin
Bench: Colin Kaepernick, Reggie Bush, Mike Davis, Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Vernon Davis, Phil Dawson, San Francisco defense, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Jared Cook, Greg Zuerlein
