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I got a message in my DMs today saying, “I need to quit doubting Jimmy.” Yeah, I think we all do at this point. The porn star banging super model lookalike is also the quarterback for one of the best teams, if not THE best team in the NFC. After a heartbreaking loss in the ugly Baltimore weather last Sunday, San Francisco bounced back in New Orleans and beat the Saints 48-46. 

The running game is the best part of the 49ers’ offense, but you need to have a strong passing game to be able to keep up with New Orleans at home, and that is exactly what the 49ers executed on Sunday afternoon. Jimmy Garappolo threw for 349 yards and 4 touchdowns to 3 different receivers. He did this all on just 26 completions and an impressive 10 yards per attempt. Quite the efficient day considering how tough of an ask beating New Orleans can be. 

Raheem Mostert was once again the star of this backfield handling 10 out of the 19 backfield carries for 69 yards and a touchdown. Mostert also caught 2 passes for 40 yards and a touchdown. Emmanuel Sanders shined for the Niners as well catching 7 of his 9 targets for 157 yards. George Kittle had about the loudest 6 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown that you can possibly have. 

Drew Brees (who I left on my bench and might end up paying for it), had a legendary day himself with 349 yards and 5 touchdowns. Michael Thomas did Michael Thomas things catching 11 of his 15 targets for 134 yards and a touchdown. Jared Cook remained red hot catching both of his passes for first quarter touchdowns. Fire emojis by his DraftKings score. There’s some more to get to from a great early afternoon slate. Here is what else I saw from a fantasy perspective. 

Performance Checks

– I’m so excited that Jameis could be the first quarterback in the history of the NFL to throw 30 touchdowns AND 30 interceptions in one season. I honestly think the Buccaneers have to bring Jameis back. They have to many holes on their roster to draft a quarterback with their first round pick. The defense is terrible, the offensive line isn’t that great either. 

Christian McCaffrey has been kind of quiet lately. But a quiet Christian McCaffrey still gets 130 some all purpose yards even if he doesn’t get in the end zone.

Alvin Kamara, on the other hand, is a problem. Would it be surprising if Murray takes a good chunk of touches after Kamara’s fumble and general ineffectiveness?

Lamar Jackson has 40 yards on the ground against a stout Bills defense, but he was able to throw 3 touchdown passes. The Ravens stay humming on both sides of the ball.

– I though Mark Ingram was in a pretty good spot to score big fantasy points. If the Bills struggled at anything coming into this game, it was stopping the run. But, Ingram was contained.

– I’m glad I gave up on Odell Beckham Jr. this week. I’ve been preaching and preaching that he should turn it around, but the fantasy football playoffs aren’t for shoulda-coulda-wouldas. 2 catches for 39 yards. Woof.

Joe Mixon has completely turned his season around the last few weeks. Hopefully you were able to eek out a playoff spot if you drafted him or bought low on him before the trade deadline. He found the end zone again on Sunday and totaled 186 all-purpose yards. 

– Yet another bad game for Baker Mayfield. Baker threw for 192 yards and 2 interceptions. What is working in this offense is the running back tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.  Hunt has been a great redzone addition so far and Chubb is still getting plenty of touches and getting yards in chunks.

– The rule for the past month has been to start any running back that is playing against the Carolina Panthers. They are terrible against the run. That held true yet again on Sunday while Devonta Freeman had 84 yards on the ground and a touchdown. 

Calvin Ridley has put together a nice month after a slow start to the season. All of Ridley’s work came in the first half in this one with 5 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. 

Derrius Guice only carried the ball 5 times on Sunday with Adrian Peterson handling the rest of the work. Derrius Guice left this contest early with what appears to be an MCL sprain. 

Aaron Jones was the star of the show in this one for the Packers while the other Aaron took a Sunday off to R-E-L-A-X. Tough sledding for Davante Adams owners.

– Speaking of DeVantes… I hope Parker makes it back for next week to continue his breakout campaign. 

– Of course the Broncos score 38 points and Courtland Sutton only catches 5 passes for 34 yards and got tackled 2 yards short of the end zone. How about Drew Lock though?! I’ll reserve judgement until we see him actually face a tough defense. 

– Bell missed the game with an illness just in time to let his owners down like he promised that he wouldn’t do. Whether he was sick or not, I’d still hold onto Bilal Powell.Â