The San Francisco 49ers are 2-6, had to sign multiple free-agent running backs in the past week, and just changed starting quarterbacks to one of the biggest busts ever. Sunday, they face the 6-2 Atlanta Falcons in a game that looks about as lopsided as any in a while.
Fantasy football advice, Week 9: Who to start/sit for Falcons vs. 49ers
It’s the first game of the Blaine Gabbert era in San Francisco.
Atlanta will be without wide receiver Leonard Hankerson Sunday, but should have the rest of its fantasy contributors ready to go. As for San Francisco, the injury report is a long one. Running backs Carlos Hyde and Mike Davis and wide receiver Anquan Boldin are all expected to miss, and tight end Garrett Celek could as well as he deals with a concussion.
The 49ers host the Falcons Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy considerations:
FALCONS
Start ‘em: Take out Week 1, and Devonta Freeman is averaging more than 22 fantasy points a game. That’s incredible. ... Julio Jones could have a monster game against this San Francisco defense. ... The Falcons’ defense has been decent, and with the easy matchup, it’s a must-start this week.
Start ‘em?: You like the opponent for Matt Ryan, and he has weapons, but he just hasn’t been elite, and in a road game, he’s no sure thing. ... Jacob Tamme had a big Week 8. He’s a TE2 with limited upside. ... Matt Bryant hasn’t been great for a while now, but this game should get him back to normal.
Sit ‘em: Behind Freeman, Tevin Coleman is just a backup. ... The Atlanta offense is Freeman, Jones and a little bit of Tamme. Roddy White and Justin Hardy don’t have a lot to offer.
49ERS
Sit ‘em: This is easy. There isn’t a single 49er you want in fantasy. Not Blaine Gabbert, not Shaun Draughn, not Kendall Gaskins, not Pierre Thomas, not Torrey Smith, not Quinton Patton, not Garrett Celek, not Phil Dawson, not the 49ers’ defense. Nothing.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Devonta Freeman, Julio Jones, Atlanta defense
Start if you’re desperate: Matt Ryan, Jacob Tamme, Matt Bryant
Bench: Tevin Coleman, Roddy White, Justin Hardy, Blaine Gabbert, Shaun Draughn, Kendall Gaskins, Pierre Thomas, Torrey Smith, Quinton Patton, Garrett Celek, Phil Dawson, San Francisco defense
