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We get a fun Sunday Night Football matchup that highlights an NFC West showdown featuring the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. This game has an under/over of 49.5 with the Los Angeles Rams favored by 3 points.
In this article, I will be providing you with daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Sunday Night Football slate on October 18th (Week 6). These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
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DFS Quarterbacks
This seems to be a more lopsided choice when comparing the two quarterbacks that are in play for this showdown. Jared Goff has gotten off to a great start to his 2020 campaign as he has completed over 72% of his passes for over 1,000 yards and six total touchdowns. Goff has done a great job limiting his interceptions through the first quarter of the season as he has only been picked off twice so far this season. In Goff's career against the 49ers, he has played six games and thrown for 1,184 yards and 12 touchdowns while only getting picked off three times. The San Fran defense has been very good against the pass (even with all of the injuries) as they are allowing opponents to throw for 215 yards per game. While they have been stingy defensively, Goff has weapons around him that could make him a viable option on this slate.
On the other side of this game, San Francisco has been struggling over the past couple of weeks due to inconsistent play and injuries. Jimmy Garappolo had a solid showing in his first two games of the season as he averaged 195 passing yards and threw for four touchdowns while not throwing a pick. He was then injured and had to miss some time and looked really rough in his last start against Miami. He has not done well in his career against the Rams as he has averaged 261 passing yards per game but has been sacked eight times and picked off five times in a three-game span. The Rams passing defense has looked very strong this season as they are allowing opponents to throw for only 197 yards per game which is the second-best in the league.
Analysis: Goff looks to be the stronger play when comparing him to Garoppolo. He is showing better form and just has an overall better history against his opponent. Jimmy G. is a tournament play but does carry risk as he was benched in his most recent game.
DFS Running Backs
While the running back situation for both teams could seem a tad messy, there are some viable fantasy plays that we will be able to find and use for this showdown slate. For the 49ers, they got a huge boost in the running game with Raheem Mostert being back and healthy in the lineup. Mostert was off to a strong start in his first two weeks despite getting injured early on against the NY Jets. He saw 11 carries in his return for 90 yards and while that doesn't seem like a ton, the game script of them falling behind to the Dolphins surely played into that. Mostert is averaging 79 rushing yards per game and while he only has one rushing touchdown, he is often utilized in the passing game as well which helps his fantasy stock even more. When healthy, he is the clear cut de-facto running back for this San Fran team and makes for a great play in all formats. Jerick McKinnon seems to have slid into the backup running back role and should see some time in the passing game or even when Mostert needs a break so if looking for a value tournament play, McKinnon would be the move.
The Rams look to have a bit of a crowded backfield as they are working Cam Akers back into the fold from his injury that has kept him out a few weeks. Malcolm Brown has seen the steadiest snap count of the group but Darrell Henderson Jr. leads the running back group when it comes to total touchdowns scored. When glancing at the depth chart, it looks as if Henderson Jr. has asserted himself as the top running back as of right now and it is hard to argue as he has seen 43 carries over the last three games played while Brown has seen only 24 carries over the same span. Henderson Jr. is the safest play while Brown and Akers jockey for position as to who will be the backup running back for the time being.
Analysis: Mostert is the strongest play from this group as he has seen the steadiest snap count (when healthy) and has been the most reliable fantasy back out of this group. Henderson Jr. makes for a solid play and could be used in cash games but the crowded backfield hinders his upside. Brown and Akers look to be tournament plays in hopes they vulture a touchdown away from Henderson Jr.
DFS Wide Receivers
The receiving groups for both sides can be pretty explosive which makes these guys great fantasy targets in this matchup. The Rams have one of the best-receiving tandems in the league in Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Kupp has become a great security blanket for Goff while Woods has become the explosive downfield playmaker in this Rams offense. Kupp leads the team in receptions (28) and yards (363) while Woods carries the highest DK average of 16.1 DK points per game. Outside of the main two receivers for the Rams, they have veteran Josh Reynolds and rookie speedster Van Jefferson Jr. Reynolds is seeing more consistent snaps and is getting more consistent targets, specifically over the last three games (13 targets over the last three games).
The 49ers are finally starting to get their receiving room healthy which will only aid the offense as a whole. Kendrick Bourne has seen a steady amount of targets through the first five weeks which can also be attributed to the injuries to Aiyuk, Samuel, and Kittle. Brandon Aiyuk has seen the second-most receiving targets through the first five weeks (22) with 19 of those coming over the last three games played. Deebo Samuel is finally healthy after missing the first three weeks due to an injury and saw 11 targets through his first two games (eight total targets in his most recent game played).
Analysis: With several options at the receiver position, you can play several of them in cash and feel comfortable. Kupp and Woods are the best options for the Rams and both can be deployed in cash games. Samuel and Aiyuk are the bright spots in the 49ers receiving room and could be cash game viable as well. Reynolds Jr, Jefferson, and Bourne will see snaps but remain tournament plays due to their inconsistency in fantasy scoring.
DFS Tight Ends
One of the top tight ends will be featured on this slate and it will be hard to not want to press the lock button on George Kittle. The 49ers tight end is widely considered to be a top-three tight end in the game and is one of the key focal points in the San Fran offense. Kittle holds the largest target share on the team with a 16.76% and has the most targets on the team with 29. This is even more impressive to think about since he has missed time already due to a knee injury. Kittle has racked up 24 catches on his 29 targets and leads all San Fran receivers in receiving yards (271). Kittle draws a favorable matchup against the Rams as he has averaged over five catches for 89.5 receiving yards per game while also hauling in three career passing touchdowns against the Rams Defense.
While tight ends aren't featured as much in the Rams offense as the 49ers feature theirs, they have a solid duo that most teams in the league would love to have. Tyler Higbee has been their primary offensive tight end weapon as he has recorded the third-most catches on the team (15) but leads the team in touchdown receptions (3). Gerald Everett is the other main tight end option for the Rams and while he doesn't quite see the same volume as Higbee, he has recorded a 90% completion percentage on passes thrown his way.
Analysis: Kittle is one of the top plays on the slate and is one of the best cash game and tournament picks on the slate. For the Rams, their duo of tight ends in Higbee and Everett are better off used for tournament lineups just with the lower floor they have compared to Kittle.
DFS Defense/Special Teams
This should be a good defensive battle as both defenses have played well so far this season. The Rams are holding opponents to just 18 points per game while the 49ers are holding opponents to just 22 points per game. The one major stat that jumps out in this matchup is that the Rams are tied for a league-leading high with 20 sacks and the 49ers are allowing 3.6 sacks per game. This could be very good for the Rams defense and they could be in strong consideration for cash games and even the captain spot in tournaments. With this also being a good defensive matchup, both Sam Sloman and Robbie Gould could get some opportunities if drives stall for their respective offenses.
Analysis: The Rams defense is in play for cash games while the 49ers Defense could be used in tournaments. Both kickers are viable in tournaments, especially if you're needing salary relief for your roster construction.
Good luck, RotoBallers, and remember to mix it up and don't be afraid to be different in these large field GPPs!
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