Welcome to the Thursday Night Showdown Slate for NFL Week 9!
Pretty sure the world is watching right now and wondering what the heck the NFL is doing here. We are dealing with a number of COVID-19 issues between Kendrick Bourne and A.J. Dillon testing positive and several players such as Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jamaal Williams being held out due to contact tracing concerns. There has been talk that Bourne's test may have been a false positive, but just because his most recent test was negative, doesn't mean he's free and clear. Still, the NFL knows this problem is only going to worsen as the season continues so they will do whatever it takes to force a game to play. If that means you have to cheer on Richie James and Tyler Ervin , then so be it. Might as well see if we can make a little money off it, right?
Before we start, please allow me to reiterate that while we all love having a little skin in the game, these showdown slates are basically lottery tickets. Sure, there are times when the chalk hits and everyone shares in the prizes, but more often than not, you need that random, differentiate yourself from the herd dart-throw to hit in order to claim that top prize. As a result, we encourage to play responsibly. Stick to the GPP contests (single-entry preferred), don’t blow your whole bankroll and understand that, unless you are a max-entry player, you should prioritize having fun.
OK, lecture over. Let’s get to tonight’s action.
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
Spread: Packers -7.5
O/U: 48.5
Betting Facts:
Money line: Packers -345; 49ers +295
Packers are 6-0 against the spread in their last six games following a loss.
49ers are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games as underdogs.
Weather:
Mid-to-high 60’s, mostly clear, 5% chance of precipitation, winds NNW 8-10mph
Last 5 Match-Ups:
49ers lead 3-2
Average margin of victory of all games: 13.2
Last Match-Up: 49ers beat the Packers 37-20 in San Francisco on 1/19/2020
Notable Injuries:
49ers:
Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle – out)
Tevin Coleman (knee – out)
Deebo Samuel (COVID – out)
Brandon Aiyuk (COVID – out)
Kendrick Bourne (COVID – out)
George Kittle (foot – out)
Trent Williams (COVID – out)
Packers:
Aaron Jones (calf – questionable)
A.J. Dillon (COVID – out)
Jamaal Williams (COVID – out)
Allen Lazard (core – questionable)
David Bakhtiari (chest – questionable)
Kevin King (quad – out)
Defensive Rankings (Using DVOA):
49ers:
vs Pass: 17th
vs Run: 7th
Packers:
vs Pass: 25th
vs Run: 22nd
Prop Bets to Watch:
The reason we are listing these here is to help you understand what the Vegas expectations are. If you aren’t routinely amazed by how accurate spreads and totals are, you haven’t been paying attention and you’re missing out on a valuable tool. Take a look at the list below and understand how to utilize for DFS. When you see the over and under have the same money line, that’s Vegas’ way of saying it can go either way. You have the base number and can determine whether you use a player or not based on that. But when there is a different money line on the over and unders (highlighted in green), Vegas is telling you what to expect. A negative money line means they feel it is more likely to happen which can help you make decisions regarding which players to play.
- Nick Mullens Passing Yards: 210.5 (over & under -112); TD Passes: 1.5 (over +145; under -182)
- Aaron Rodgers Passing Yards: 280.5 (over & under -112); TD Passes: 1.5 (over -225; under +175)
- Jamycal Hasty Rushing Yards: 67.5 (over -124; under +100); Receiving Yards: 11.5 (over & under -112)
- Jerick McKinnon Rushing Yards: 27.5 (over & under -112); Receiving Yards: 21.5 (over -150; under +120)
- Kyle Juszczyk Receiving Yards: 10.5 (over & under -112)
- Trent Taylor Receiving Yards: 48.5 (over & under -112)
- Davante Adams Receiving Yards: 79.5 (over & under -112)
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling Receiving Yards: 27.5 (over & under -112)
- Robert Tonyan Receiving Yards: 36.5 (over & under -112)
MVP/Captain
Aaron Rodgers , QB GB – With all sorts of question marks in the Packers backfield and the injury issues the 49ers have had on defense, is there any reason not to think Rodgers goes off in this game and chucks the ball all over the field?
Davante Adams , WR GB – He’s Rodgers’ favorite target and there is not a single defensive back on the 49ers who can contain him. San Francisco may float some safety help over that way, but Rodgers will carve that up and go right back to Adams once he gets the safety to bite on a fake.
Jamycal Hasty, RB SF – The best way to attack the Packers defense is with the run and considering all the COVID issues surrounding the 49ers receiving corps, Hasty could be their only hope. He should see plenty of volume in this one.
Mid-Tier
Nick Mullens , QB SF – If the Packers sell out to stop the run and force Mullens into throwing the ball to this hodge-podge group of pass-catchers, he’ll rack up some yardage and, with any luck, a touchdown or two. Don’t expect gaudy numbers as Kyle Shanahan will play this one close to the ground, but he’s still going to be a safe, high-floor play.
Aaron Jones /Dexter Williams , RB GB – You can insert the Dumb & Dumber “So you’re saying there’s a chance,” GIF here for Jones. The Packers haven’t ruled him out and may go against their typically conservative mentality and let him play, given the lack of rushing firepower here for the Packers. If Jones’ calf is fine and he plays, you start him. If not, Williams is the likely pivot. Tyler Ervin is the pass-catcher and may only be a factor should the Packers fall behind.
Robert Tonyan , TE GB – The 49ers do a pretty good job against the tight end, ranking eighth in DVOA and allowing just 47.5 yards per game to the position. But the 49ers linebacker corps has been playing some sloppy football as of late and Rodgers will give a few looks Tonyan’s way. What we’re hoping for is some red zone action which is aa strong possibility.
Dart Throws
Kyle Juszczyk , FB SF – How many times have we seen Shanahan call for a wheel route from Juszcyk that leads to a touchdown? Quite a few over the years. Vegas has him on the board for a receiving yards prop and we know Shanahan is going to call his number, given the lack of receivers available.
Jordan Reed /Ross Dwelley , TE SF – If the 49ers activate Reed from IR then he’ll be worth a look in your showdown slate. He may get hurt five minutes after his first catch, but if it goes for a touchdown, we’ll be ok. If Reed is out, just use Dwelley and expect him to actually last the entire game.
Allen Lazard , WR GB – We’ll have to see if the Packers activate him off IR, but Lazard made the flight and is hoping to suit up for tonight’s game. He’s a nice deep threat and Rodgers likes having him on the field. If he plays, I like pairing him up with Rodgers and Adams.
Jerick McKinnon , RB SF – He’s the contrarian play to using Hasty, not someone to use in conjunction with. He’ll get some work in and remains the pass-catcher in the Niners backfield, so if you want to fade hasty and hope for a McKinnon TD, here’s your chance.
Player News
DetroitLions.com’s Tim Twentyman believes rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa “could make his earliest impact on special teams.”
It’s not much of a surprise, as most rookies cut their teeth with special teams duties. Twentyman mentioned return duties as a possibility, though the former Razorback never returned kicks or punts in college. At 6'4/212 with 4.43 wheels, TeSlaa is an explosive athlete who never translated his physical traits to on-field production at Arkansas. The Lions clearly saw potential for him to do so in the pros and traded two future third-round picks to move up to No. 70 overall for him. It’s going to be a slow burn for TeSlaa in the pros, making him a dynasty-only fantasy option.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team does not “have any feelings on competition” when asked about the quarterback room.
O’Connell was asked about a potential quarterback competition on the Rich Eisen Show Wednesday and was unclear on whether J.J. McCarthy would have to compete to start. He said, “we’ve got an obligation as coaches to put our players in position to attack that competition phase.” O’Connell discussed first putting Brett Rypien and the newly acquired Sam Howell in a position to play before any competition would occur. He continued that McCarthy is “owning it” this offseason and is taking snaps from starting center Ryan Kelly. After missing last season with a torn meniscus, McCarthy has been ramping up workouts in the offseason and is the front-runner to start for the Vikings in 2025. As of now, Howell looks to be reinforcement at the backup spot in case it turns out McCarthy is not ready to start.
Texans re-signed DT Foley Fatukasi.
Fatukasi initially joined the Texans last offseason on a one-year contract. The 30-year-old was a rotational defensive lineman, tallying four tackles for loss and one sack. He returns to Houston for 2025, where he will be a part of a deep Texans front seven.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Tyreek Hill’s second wrist surgery was part of the original plan and his timeline remains unchanged.
Hill announced the second surgery on social media and Pelissero quickly added some context to the situation. The speedy receiver suffered the wrist injury just before the start of the season and it lingered throughout the year, though he never missed a game because of it. If the second surgery truly is a non-story, an offseason to recover might be what Hill needs to return to form after a down 2024 season. On the other hand, Hill is 31 years old, played his worst football last year, and his offense prioritized targets for Jonnu Smith and De’Von Achane. As it stands, Hill might have the highest risk-reward split in fantasy drafts.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports there are “multiple people in the league who believe the new regime is not so high on Travis Etienne.”
Fowler also noted Tank Bigsby’s fumbling issue but didn’t directly relate that to the feelings of the new brain trust in Jacksonville. The Jags clearly felt they were lacking at running back this offseason and addressed that opening via the draft with Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round and LeQuint Allen in the seventh. The pair of additions complicate an already-messy backfield by committee. Etienne is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is a long-shot to be brought back in 2026. The Jags could opt to move on early by trading him, clearing $6.1 million in cap space in the process. If the team does trade Etienne, Tuten would likely be the team’s top back in the long run, making him a high-upside bet in early fantasy drafts.
Broncos signed third-round pick WR Pat Bryant to a four-year contract.
The deal includes $1.4 million guaranteed and is worth $6.6 million in total. Sean Payton compared aspects of Bryant’s game to those of Michael Thomas in his post-draft press conference and there are at least a few similarities in their profiles. Bryant stands at 6'2/204 and ran a 4.61-second Forty at the combine. Thomas measured in at 6'3/212 and clocked a 4.57-second Forty. Though the two have similar physical characteristics, Thomas was known for his proficiency from the slot while Bryant primarily played on the outside as a field-stretcher at Illinois. Bryant’s transition to slot duties may take some time, but third-round draft capital makes him worth a shot in dynasty leagues.