Starting Sunday’s Conference games for the 2022 season- the DraftKings showdown, San Francisco @Philadelphia. This game has been on the cards for some time, with both teams being led by their strong defenses. This slate feels like I’m happier going with the Eagles options- they feel healthier and I’m not sure how Purdy deals with this Eagles defense. The O/U hare is 46.5 points, with the Eagles around a FG favorite.
DraftKings Conference Showdown 2022 – San Francisco @Philadelphia Captain Picks
Jalen Hurts ($16,500 Capt/ $11,000 Flex)
Hurts is electric. I don’t understand why McCaffrey is priced ahead of him on the slate. The floor is safe with his rushing ability, and he has the ability to air it out to his receivers, or sneak multiple TDs on the ground for his ceiling. Pretty much the default CPT play on the slate.
A.J. Brown ($13,800 Capt/ $9,200 Flex)
Brown had put together a nice end to the season, but really struggled last week against the Giants (although the game flow in that game didn’t need him to do much). Has been struggling with injury, but Brown should be ready to go and could really cause the 49ers secondary trouble.
DeVonta Smith ($13,200 Capt/ $8,800 Flex)
Where Brown is the alpha receiver, Smith is carving up defenses with single coverage for the Eagles. Smith has been running routes all season to get himself in space, with defenses having to account for Brown and Hurts. That has meant he has often been ‘overlooked’ by defenses, where Smith has punished them- something he should be able to continue here against the 49ers secondary.
Brandon Aiyuk ($8,700 Capt/ $5,800 Flex)
My cheap CPT play on the slate is Aiyuk. He has played his best in the slot, where the Eagles have struggled to defend this season. With the weapons that this offense has, Aiyuk has been in a similar postion to Smith (overlooked by defenses). He has been quiet the past few weeks, but he can absolutely smash in any given game. With him in as CPT you can slot in a number of elite pieces and feel good about your lineup.
DraftKings Conference Showdown 2022 – San Francisco @Philadelphia Flex Picks
Christian McCaffrey ($11,400 Flex)
McCaffrey is getting elite usage in the 49ers offense, giving him a safe floor, and has elite PPR upside if he gets in the endzone. The reason I can’t put him in my CPT spot is the price point, and there isn’t a way this game really goes that Hurts won’t outscore McCaffrey. The price really means I’m only going to have him in lineups that I have cheap CPT plays.
Brock Purdy ($9,400 Flex)
Purdy has been on a fairytale run for the 49ers, leading them to victories when it has mattered. But, that hasn’t always meant fantasy production. The Cowboys defense was the toughest unit that he has faced, and he struggled to 214 yards and 0 TDs. I’ll have some shares of him in the flex, but not going crazy here.
Deebo Samuel ($8,400 Flex)
Samuel smashed in the first week of the playoffs, but came back to earth last week against the Cowboys. Really, that Seahawks game was the exception for Samuel this season, with him only going over 60 yards through the air 4 times this season. With McCaffrey an effective runner out of the backfield too, Samuel has limited rushing appeal too.
George Kittle ($7,800 Flex)
Kittle has been one of the most consistent pieces of the 49ers offense since Purdy took over. Purdy has been looking his way plenty, and Kittle is constantly on the field. The worry will be if the Eagles defensive line are too much for the 49ers offensive line, in which case we could see Kittle used as a blocker instead of running routes.
Dallas Goedert ($6,800 Flex)
Goedert is a TE, but is really getting the usage of a WR3 in the offense behind Brown and Smith. Has multiple TD upside, and gets plenty of targets in the offense as the team just don’t pass the ball to the RB position (nearly at all). A nice mid-price option on the slate.
Miles Sanders ($6,200 Flex)
Sanders could absolutely dud with the strength of the 49ers defensive line performing all season, and doesn’t get involved in the passing game. As a result, his floor (and ownership) is going to be low. He does get volume in the offense on the ground though, so if he manages to find some gaps, especially in the redzone he could smash here.
Elijah Mitchell ($5,200 Flex)
Mitchell has been dealing with injury, but despite missing practise this week, looks likely to play here. McCaffrey is going to get plenty of touches, but Mitchell has still been getting involved in the offense. I’d expect around 10 carries, but with minimal production unless he manages to score. A GPP play on the slate though, with his low floor.
Kenneth Gainwell/ Boston Scott ($4,800/ $3,200 Flex)
Gainwell was used plenty on the ground against the Giants, with 12 carries. That isn’t likely to happen again this week, as the game is likely to be far closer than it was last week. Could get a TD on a random play near the redzone or breaking a tackle or two, but I’m not looking to add him in lineups outside of GPP entries.
Same for Scott. I was ok with playing him last week against the Giants, but really that was much more of a ‘he has always scored against the Giants’ play. There wasn’t much logic in it, it was a risky play. In this one, I’ll just avoid.
Jauan Jennings ($2,400 Flex)
Jennings is a frustrating play, has a low ceiling, as he has only been getting a handful of targets in the offense. But he is consistent with those targets. If he manages to get into the endzone as he has in previous seasons he will smash this price. But, if he doesn’t manage to do it, then he will just about hit value.
DraftKings Conference Showdown 2022 – San Francisco @Philadelphia Kickers and DSTs
The kickers might end up being where this game is won or lost. Robbie Gould ($4,400) scored 13 points last week, nearly scoring the entire points total for the 49ers. With Purdy leading the offense, there have been plenty of times the veteran has been called upon. Has shown his accuracy and leg power, so is constantly in play. Equally Jake Elliott ($4,200) has been accurate this season too, and shown his ability to convert from deep. This season, he hasn’t had alot of FG attempts, as the Eagles have run over teams, but could see more attempts against this tough defense.
Equally, the DSTs are both in play here. The 49ers ($3,800) are a top unit, and can put pressure on the pocket. Hurts has been effective in running the ball, but has been sacked plenty of times. If they manage to keep Hurts on the move we could see a few turnovers too. The Eagles DST ($3,600) are a top unit, and offer a slight saving here. With the speed and playmakers they have on defense, they have constantly forced QBs to make poor decisions. This could be the game that the Purdy fairytale ends, making the Eagles a decent option on the slate.
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Image Credit: Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports
