Fantasy football advice, Week 16: who to start/sit for San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams

Fantasy owners know what’s at stake at this point of the season, and when the 49ers take on the Rams, there are lots of volatile options that won’t sit well in the nervous stomachs of those competing for fantasy league championships. Let’s take a look at the options for one of Saturday’s games:

The 49ers’ lone win of the season came against their Week 1 opponent, and the strategy in duplicating that success won’t likely change 15 weeks apart. Carlos Hyde remains capable of dismantling a rapidly crumbling Rams defense, and the cornerstone of the 49ers’ running game remains in play as a back-end RB1. Hyde totaled 93 yards and found the end zone twice against the Rams back in Week 1.

Despite a brilliant stretch of fantasy points acquired from Weeks 9-12, Colin Kaepernick has yet to throw for over 200 yards in a game since his Week 13 benching. The Rams were laid to waste by Russell Wilson and the Seahawks in Week 15, but Kaepernick doesn’t pose as great of a threat. Though upside can certainly be had in this matchup, fantasy owners would be wise to search for less risky options at the position.

Aside from a brief stretch of heavy-target games from Jeremy Kerley, the 49ers receiving corps hasn’t provided any consistent options for fantasy owners throughout the season. That remains the case for Week 16.

Fantasy owners who overcame the odds and reached the championship despite having Todd Gurley on their rosters are set to be rewarded. Though Gurley totaled just 42 yards in the first meeting between these teams, the 49ers have allowed 176.3 rushing yards per game and 22 touchdowns on the ground in total. Both figures are worst in the NFL by wide margins, and even the most fed up of owners with Gurley on their squads would be tempted to start him in a dream matchup. It’s rare to make this distinction, but Gurley is a high-upside RB2 for fantasy football’s championship week. It’s weird to predict something favorable regarding the Rams offense, but here we are.

Aside from Gurley’s intriguing matchup, fantasy owners have no reason to cherry pick from an uninspiring Rams offense. Jared Goff, Kenny Britt, and Tavon Austin can remain on benches as usual.