Guest of the League
Time to rumble! Est. 2020
Dynasty $250 - FFL: Week 14 | NFL: Week 14

Unamused 49ers GM: Cool it with Kyle Shanahan 'hot seat' talk

Fri Dec 6 4:55pm ET
Field Level Media

Seven losses in a season is unfamiliar territory for the San Francisco 49ers.

With two Super Bowl appearances in five seasons, general manager John Lynch openly admits the 49ers haven't earned the right to be called "as good" as the 2023 NFC championship group.

San Francisco is 5-7 but only two games behind NFC West-leading Seattle with five games remaining as the Chicago Bears (4-8) arrive Sunday.

"I've found the whole discussion on Kyle rather comical," Lynch said in an interview Friday with KNBR in San Francisco. "We have won four of the last five division championships. We've been to two Super Bowls. The standard here is to win championships, and we've fallen short of that, I understand.

"But we have an excellent head coach, and the fact that people are talking about stuff like that, I do find it comical. We're 100 percent behind Kyle and what he brings to our organization. Like I said, our focus is really on the Bears and doing everything we can. That's where Kyle's focus is, and that's where all our focus is."

San Francisco lost 35-10 in the snow at Buffalo last Sunday night and the 49ers placed their top two running backs on injured reserve due to injuries in that game. Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) could return for Week 18 at Arizona if the 49ers are still fighting for a playoff spot.

In a top-down ranking of NFC teams by record and playoff position, the 49ers are No. 11 entering Week 14.

"You are what your record says you are in this league, and that isn't very good. So I think we've been through a lot as a team, this current team with a lot of stuff that has happened to members of our organization. Injuries, tragic circumstances, ultimately those are just excuses. One thing I can tell you is I'm proud of how this group has stuck together, had each other's back. The other thing I can tell you is the story's not written yet. We're still grinding, and we're still playing."

The 49ers last missed the postseason in 2020 with a record of 6-10 that followed an appearance in the Super Bowl -- San Francisco's first title game loss of two to the Kansas City Chiefs.

San Francisco's upcoming schedule after Sunday includes a short week before playing the division rival Rams on Thursday, at Miami (Dec. 22), a Monday night matchup with the Detroit Lions on Dec. 30 and the finale against the Cardinals.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 14

Player Notes
Jaylen Warren Dec 6 9:40pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren had his most prolific showing of the season against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12 and will hope to find similar success in a second meeting with his division rival on Sunday. Warren was outshined by Najee Harris last week but still managed to contribute as a pass-catcher out of the backfield with 55 receiving yards. Although his opportunities on the ground have not been consistent, he has earned four targets in three straight games. Because of this, he can be started as a flex option in PPR formats, but can't be trusted in standard leagues against a difficult Browns run defense.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Dec 6 9:40pm CT
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has burned fantasy managers in three of the last four contests, culminating with a two-target, zero-catch performance in Week 13. There isn't much reason to believe that things will get better in Week 14 against the Vikings. Minnesota can be beaten through the air, but the damage has been coming from wide receivers, not from the tight ends. The Vikings have allowed the most fantasy points in the NFL to opposing wide receivers, but they're middle-of-the-pack against tight ends. Pitts has fallen to fifth on the team in terms of targets, below Ray-Ray McCloud III and Bijan Robinson, with a 13.9% target share thus far. The 24-year-old is a low-end TE2 in this matchup -- even with six teams on bye -- and while he has TE1 upside in any given week, his weekly floor is zero, having put up goose eggs twice already in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Mooney Dec 6 9:30pm CT
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (Achilles) was a limited participant in practice on Friday but does not appear to be in jeopardy of missing Sunday's contest against the Vikings. The 27-year-old has garnered at least six targets in nine of 12 games this season and has nearly the same air yards share (35.0%) as teammate Drake London (36.4%) despite drawing a 4.4% smaller target share (27.1% vs. 22.7%). Mooney has five touchdowns on the season, but none since Week 9 with quarterback Kirk Cousins struggling so mightily (0:6 TD:INT last three weeks). There are a couple of things working in the fifth-year pro's favor this week, though, as Minnesota allows the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers so far and the Falcons are six-point underdogs, so they may need to throw the ball in order to keep pace with the Vikings. For Mooney's sake, hopefully his QB can shake the interception issue that plagued him last week and the wideout will be a WR3 in Cousins' Week 14 "revenge game."

From RotoBaller

Isaac Guerendo Dec 6 9:30pm CT
Isaac Guerendo

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo will be in the spotlight for a Week 14 home contest versus the Chicago Bears. The fourth-round pick out of Louisville will be making his first career start in place of the injured Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle). The 49ers traded up to get Guerendo -- who they figured to be a great fit in their offensive scheme -- and he's looked the part so far to the tune of 5.9 yards per carry and two touchdowns. Guerendo hasn't yet flashed his full potential in the passing game, though he did catch three of four targets for 17 yards in Week 8 versus Dallas. If he manages to stay healthy, Guerendo has the potential to be a fantasy league-winner, given head coach Kyle Shanahan's history of riding his lead running back at the expense of secondary options. The only threats to Guerendo's volume come from fringe backs Patrick Taylor Jr., Israel Abanikanda, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Chicago represents the 10th-best matchup for fantasy running backs in half-PPR scoring. The main factor throwing a wet blanket on Guerendo's outlook this week is the condition of the Niners' offensive line, who will be missing left guard Trent Williams (ankle) and possibly left guard Aaron Banks (concussion). Consider Guerendo a solid RB2 with a top-12 finish on the table.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Dec 6 9:30pm CT
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris had his best fantasy outing of the season in Week 13 and will look to keep rolling against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Harris was ineffective against this Browns' defense two weeks ago, but he remained a focal point of the offense with 18 opportunities. Even if Jaylen Warren mixes in for additional work, Harris should be a lock for at least 15 touches, a number he has surpassed in every contest this year. Although Cleveland has been solid against the run in 2024, the Browns are giving up a lot of points and are tied for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns surrendered to running backs. Fantasy managers can continue to rely on Harris as a volume-based RB2 with a good shot of finding the end zone in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Tyson Campbell Dec 6 9:20pm CT
Tyson Campbell

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Tyson Campbell (thigh) is officially deemed questionable for his team's meeting with the Tennessee Titans in Week 14. In last weekend's 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans, Campbell picked up a thigh injury, participating in just 35 snaps (60%). He'd previously been over 90% of the team's snaps in the prior four contests. While the 24-year-old kicked off the week with a DNP, he'd be upgraded to limited sessions on Thursday and Friday before being labeled as questionable. The fourth-year corner has already missed five games this season with a thigh injury. If Campbell cannot play, DB Jarrian Jones projects to pick up the slack in the Jags' defensive backfield.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Dec 6 9:20pm CT
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is fresh off a monster performance and will carry some positive momentum into a meeting with the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. Although Wilson underwhelmed against Cleveland in the snow two weeks ago, Sunday's contest is not expected to be played in harsh weather conditions. The potential is certainly there for the Browns to turn this into a shootout as Jameis Winston has attempted nearly 44 passes per game over the past five weeks. Pittsburgh has deployed more of a balanced attack with Wilson under center, but the 36-year-old has managed to score as a top-12 fantasy option in three of six starts. With six teams on bye this week, fantasy managers can turn to Wilson as a streaming candidate with plenty of upside against his division rival.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Dec 6 9:10pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

The New York Jets defense will head on the road to face off against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14. New York's defense has been a big disappointment in 2024 despite being considered one of the team's strengths heading into the season. The Dolphins have been generous to fantasy defenses this season, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position, although some of that can be attributed to Miami's struggles on offense while Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined for several games earlier in the season with a concussion. Fantasy gamers should look elsewhere for their D/ST heading into Week 14's games.

From RotoBaller

Ronnie Hickman Dec 6 9:10pm CT
Ronnie Hickman

Cleveland Browns defensive back Juan Thornhill (calf) is questionable for his team's divisional clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 29-year-old injured his calf in the two franchises' last meeting -- the snow game in Week 12 -- and missed last week's outing against the Denver Broncos. After logging a DNP on Wednesday, the sixth-year veteran was upgraded to limited over the ensuing two days and carries a questionable designation into the weekend. Despite appearing in just six games this year, Thornhill is Cleveland's eighth-leading tackler. If he can't play, Ronnie Hickman will continue to see an uptick in snaps, while DB D'Anthony Bell could see a bump in playing time as well.

From RotoBaller

Anders Carlson Dec 6 8:50pm CT
Anders Carlson

New York Jets kicker Anders Carlson has made both of his field-goal attempts and added four extra points in his two games with the team. He will look to add to that total in a road matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14. The Dolphins have been generous to kickers this season, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, the Jets have not been a fantasy goldmine for their kickers this season, leaving Carlson as a low-end option heading into Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Brock Purdy Dec 6 8:50pm CT
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) will suit up on Sunday for a Week 14 home matchup against the Chicago Bears. The 24-year-old signal-caller returned from a one-game absence to a Week 13 snowstorm in Buffalo. Purdy's fantasy performance was dismal -- understandably so, given the conditions and injury problems that his offense was dealing with. While it does get easier for Purdy this week, don't expect a walk in the park on Sunday. Chicago is the second-best team in the league at preventing fantasy quarterback points and the 49ers are even more thin on healthy starters than last week. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) remains out and it's anyone's guess whether left guard Aaron Banks will clear concussion protocol in time. In the backfield, San Francisco will turn to rookie third-string back Isaac Guerendo as Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) are likely out for the season. Purdy is a high-end QB2 at best, even in a six-team bye week.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Hicks Dec 6 8:50pm CT
Elijah Hicks

Chicago Bears safety Elijah Hicks (ankle) was ruled out this weekend for his team's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. It's the third straight game he'll miss. Hicks hasn't even touched a practice field since injuring his ankle in Chicago's Week 11 outing against the Green Bay Packers -- logging a DNP for each week since. The 25-year-old had been filling in for starter Jaquan Brisker (concussion), who has been out for half the season while battling a concussion. With the third-year DB missing another game, teammate Jonathan Owens will again see an uptick in playing time. Chicago looks to avoid dropping their seventh straight outing.

From RotoBaller

Garrett Wilson Dec 6 8:40pm CT
Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has been struggling of late, having caught just 14 passes for 100 yards and no touchdowns over his past three games. He will look to return to WR1 status in Week 14's road matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins will provide a considerable challenge for Wilson to do so, however, as they are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to receivers this season. Wilson is too talented to bench and is only a few games removed from a very productive month of October, but he should be treated as a low-end WR2 in fantasy for this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Quintin Morris Dec 6 8:40pm CT
Quintin Morris

Buffalo Bills tight end Quintin Morris (shoulder, groin) is officially questionable for Sunday's road tilt against the Los Angeles Rams. Morris logged full practices all of Week 13 despite tending to a shoulder issue, though the groin designation is new this week and caused him to be limited on Wednesday and Thursday. The 25-year-old got a good bit of run in Weeks 11 and 13 while fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) sat out with an ailing knee. Kincaid practiced in a limited fashion all week and is also deemed questionable for the contest. If the 25-year-old sits out again and Morris plays, he'll again operate as the team's second TE behind Dawson Knox. However, if neither Morris nor Kincaid can go, Knox will shoulder the load on his own.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Dec 6 8:40pm CT
Davante Adams

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams has been very productive of late, having caught 24 of 43 targets for 260 yards and two touchdowns over his past four games. He will look to stay hot in Week 14's road matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have been tough on wide receivers this season, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Adams should remain heavily targeted in this contest so his high volume should offset the challenging matchup, making him a mid-range WR2 in fantasy this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Conklin Dec 6 8:40pm CT
Tyler Conklin

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin turned in his best performance in weeks in a Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, catching four passes for 32 yards. The veteran tight end will look to build upon that performance in a Week 14 road matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have been a decent matchup for tight ends this season, allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Conklin has turned in a few useful fantasy outings this season but he is far too inconsistent to trust in starting lineups heading into Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Bass Dec 6 8:30pm CT
Tyler Bass

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass busted out of an early-season kicking slump to convert all his field goal attempts from Week 7 through 11. That ended in Week 13 when his kick went wide left from 49 yards away in the snow. Bass won't have to worry about the weather in Week 14. He and the Bills travel to play inside the roofed SoFi Stadium. With one of the highest over/under lines on the slate, points should be aplenty in Los Angeles, making Bass one of the top-ranked kickers in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Dec 6 8:30pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for just 185 yards but managed two touchdown passes in a Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He will look to bounce back on the road against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14. The Dolphins have been tough on opposing quarterbacks this season as they are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the position on the year. Rodgers' poor play of late has some calling for the Jets to bench him, but interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich went on record at the beginning of the week saying the veteran gives the team their best chance to win. That being said, Rodgers can't be trusted from a fantasy perspective and should be treated as a low-end QB2 heading into Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Braelon Allen Dec 6 8:30pm CT
Braelon Allen

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen could get his chance to lead the team's backfield in a Week 14 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Starter Breece Hall (knee) missed practice all week and is listed as doubtful for the upcoming matchup, which would pave the way for Allen to start and get the majority of the backfield touches for the Jets in a decent matchup against a Miami defense that is allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season. Allen needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues and can be started as an upside RB2 in fantasy if Hall ultimately doesn't end up playing in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Dec 6 8:20pm CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku hauled in two touchdown passes in a high-scoring loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13. He will look for more success in Week 14's road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have been decent against tight ends in fantasy this season, allowing the 17th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Njoku has been a no-brainer TE1 in fantasy since Jameis Winston took over as the team's quarterback and can be treated as a top-six option heading into his Week 14 matchup.

From RotoBaller