Week 3 TNF Giants vs 49ers

Amazon was probably hoping for a better matchup than this for their 2nd week of TNF (1st TNF wasn’t on Amazon). The Giants and 49ers were both playoff teams a year ago, but the Giants have so far been extremely bad getting destroyed by the Cowboys and barely beating the worst roster in the league in the Cardinals. Meanwhile the 49ers look like one of the best 3 teams in the NFL. For fantasy this could be shitshow with the injuries.

Injuries to Note:

• Giants - Barkley out

• 49ers - Aiyuk Questionable, could be out or limited

Thoughts

• You can play Matt Breida, but I wouldn’t feel good about it

  • Getting a starting RB is nice off the waiver wire. This is a horrible situation however. Barkley being out gives Breida most likely 80% of the RB touches, but they are playing the 49ers who have looked fantastic. The game script could flip quickly to a pass heavy/Jones running game plan if the Giants go down early.

• Both QBs are a play tonight, Jones is just a bit scarier

  • Purdy will be fine tonight, although he might not need to do much. Still in this world a QB who can get you 15 consistently isn’t an awful play. Jones could have a good night even if the 49ers crush the Giants. He won’t look as bad as he did against Dallas. His rushing gives him a floor and garbage time points are still points.

• Fade Aiyuk, start Deebo

  • Even if Aiyuk plays we shouldn’t expect the performances we have seen so far this season. Currently Aiyuk is a game time decision. If you want to play him it’s a huge risk/reward situation with far more risk than reward. Deebo should be good tonight with Aiyuk sidelined or limited. I am not expecting 2021 Deebo, but we should see a solid night.

• View every WR for the Giants as unworthy of playing for your squad

  • Yeah, I can’t see a reason to play any Giants WR outside of extreme need in this matchup. Campbell and Hodgins have a chance, but you’re asking a lot. If any Giants WR blows up it will be hard to guess.

• Waller will be fine

  • Waller hasn’t given us what we hoped for just yet, but he had a solid 10 in week 2. He should be able to get around that number again. The 49ers will key up on Waller as the best pass catching target on the Giants, but there is no doubt he will have catches. Fred Warner will be a problem though, so I wouldn’t expect glory.

• Kittle will finally get involved

  • So Aiyuk being hurt helps both Deebo and Kittle. For some reason the 49ers have just not used Kittle correctly throughout his whole career. Kittle’s play making ability is something special and he has some of the better hands for a TE. I think tonight is the night he steps up for fantasy owners.

• Have confidence in the 49ers defense even on Thursday Night

  • Yeah it’s tough to play defenses on TNF. You just never know what you're going to get. However, the 49ers are well coached and a veteran squad. The talent at all 3 levels is noticeable. They will come ready to play.

• Can’t forget CMC

  • I’ll mention him because you have to, but he is locked in as a RB1 weekly. The Giants will struggle to answer the same question every other team has. How do you stop him? Good question.

Who Wins? - 49ers

• As fun as it is to pick the underdog, I can’t imagine the 49ers losing this game outside of some level of insanity happening. They come in looking like an elite unit on both sides of the play. I think the 49ers win easily, but I do expect a fight out of the Giants. If they have given up already that isn’t a great sign.