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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.

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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 14

Player Notes
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

Khalil Shakir Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Khalil Shakir

Fantasy managers needing a steady hand at wide receiver should look at Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir in Week 14. Outside of last week's snow bowl, the slot receiver has no fewer than six receptions in every game since Week 7. Unfortunately, his yards per reception has hit double digits only once in that stretch. He also hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3. Shakir's usage often comes near the line of scrimmage, creating a solid PPR floor. Fantasy managers in need of upside should look elsewhere at receiver. Otherwise, Shakir is a solid flex option against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller

Dustin Hopkins Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins made one of his two field-goal attempts and added three extra points in a high-scoring loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13. He will now take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in Week 14. The Steelers have been tough on kickers this season, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Hopkins has struggled with his accuracy in 2024, missing seven of his 23 attempts, which doesn't help his cause. He should not be in fantasy lineups heading into Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Ray Davis Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Ray Davis

Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis has zero starts this season but remains one of the most valuable bench stashes as the fantasy football postseason nears. The rookie showed his worth in spot duty in the snow against the San Francisco 49ers, tallying 12 touches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Davis has been effective when given the opportunity. If starter James Cook suffers an injury, Davis would be the most valuable waiver-wire addition. Fantasy football players can beat the potential rush by adding Davis to benches ahead of Buffalo's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Davis ranks as a low-end RB3 this week.

From RotoBaller

Dawson Knox Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Dawson Knox

Dawson Knox's time as a full-time starter may be coming to a close. The Buffalo Bills tight end has been atop the team's depth chart with Dalton Kincaid (knee) sidelined for the last two games. Kincaid has returned to limited participation in practice and is questionable on Sunday against the Rams. If he is inactive again, Knox will be Josh Allen's primary tight end target. However, he shouldn't be started in fantasy football. Knox has totaled six receptions for 96 yards and zero touchdowns in the two games without Kincaid.

From RotoBaller

Drake London Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Drake London

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London had been one of the most consistent, higher-scoring wide receivers for fantasy in the early going of the season, but as Kirk Cousins has faded, so too has London. After recording five touchdown catches through the first seven games, the 23-year-old has just one TD over the last five games. On the bright side, the 6-foot-4 wideout still maintains a 36.4% target share, even drawing totals of 13 and 16 targets in two of the last three contests, resulting in an eight-catch and a nine-catch performance respectively. This week's opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, are one of the toughest teams to run on, so the Falcons could be forced to take to the air, even if they'd rather not given Cousins' recent struggles. Atlanta is a six-point underdog in this contest, and if they are also forced to play catch-up, it should work in London's favor. View the former first-round draft pick as a borderline WR1 this week who could get back into the end zone if his quarterback cleans up the turnover issues.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Dec 6 8:10pm CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) turned in a career performance in a Week 13 loss to the Denver Broncos, catching nine passes for 235 yards and a touchdown. The veteran has been listed with a knee issue on the practice report for the past month or so but he practiced fully all week and does not have an injury designation heading into the weekend. He will look to stay hot in a road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14. The Steelers have been tough on receivers this season, allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position thus far. That being said, the Jameis Winston-to-Jeudy connection has been fruitful for the Browns and fantasy gamers this season, even in difficult matchups. He can be treated as a low-end WR1 in fantasy heading into Week 14.

From RotoBaller

James Cook Dec 6 8:10pm CT
James Cook

What a difference a year makes. Last season, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook's lack of touchdowns (six) prevented him from ascending to elite status. This season, the 25-year-old has 12 touchdowns in 11 games, including four in his last three. The Rams haven't allowed a running back to catch a touchdown this season, but have surrendered nine on the ground. Even better for Cook's Week 14 prospects is that the Rams are the fifth-worst run defense in the NFL. With six teams on bye, Cook is a lineup lock with the potential to explode.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Dec 6 8:10pm CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (shoulder) turned in his best performance of the season in a Week 13 loss to the Denver Broncos, catching eight passes for 111 yards. While he dealt with a shoulder injury throughout the past week, he practiced fully on Friday and does not have an injury status on the team's final practice report heading into the weekend. The veteran receiver will have his work cut out for him in a Week 14 matchup against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that is allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing receivers this season. Treat Moore as a mid-range WR3 in fantasy this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Amari Cooper Dec 6 8:10pm CT
Amari Cooper

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) still appeared on the injury report ahead of Week 14 but doesn't carry an injury designation into the weekend. He fully participated in practice all week. Cooper's play since arriving in upstate New York is more concerning than his wrist. The veteran has yet to play more than 51% of Buffalo's snaps, whether due to injury or game script. He hasn't had more than three targets since his debut with the team. That makes Cooper difficult to trust, despite a positive matchup against the Rams in Los Angeles.

From RotoBaller