San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has a Week 14 matchup on Sunday in Santa Clara versus the Chicago Bears. The perpetually positive 31-year-old disappointed last week in snowy Buffalo with one catch on two targets for seven yards. Fantasy managers should forgive him though, as it was the only time since Week 1 that Kittle came in under projections. Even with the dud, Kittle still is leading all tight ends in fantasy points per game (13.8) in Yahoo default scoring. The matchup is neutral, as Chicago is at the exact median in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. The 49ers are reeling with injuries at the moment, with backups being called for duty in the backfield, out wide, and on the left side of the offensive line. None of these would be cause for concern for Kittle in isolation, but San Francisco's demonstrated lack of offensive efficiency recently -- 15 points per game over its last four -- takes some steam out of Kittle's outlook. Consider him a borderline top-5 option in Week 14.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will be looking to change his fortunes in a Week 14 home matchup against the Chicago Bears. Entering the contest, Samuel Sr. has failed to break five half-PPR points in three straight games. Last week in snowy Buffalo, he bottomed out -- or at least his fantasy managers hope so -- grabbing four of five targets for just 20 yards and no rushing attempts. Although Samuel Sr. won't be battling the weather on Sunday, the Bears pass defense offers pretty stiff competition -- fourth-best in the NFL at preventing fantasy points to wideouts in half-PPR settings. Samuel Sr. is still capable of burning fantasy managers who finally decide to bench him but the trend, matchup, and San Francisco's injury-riddled offense make him a risky low-end WR3 on Sunday, even in a six-team bye week.

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.

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.

San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo is set to make his first career start on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. The Louisville product was expected to be the team's RB4 to start the year, but a preseason injury knocked Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) out for the year. Now, Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) are on Injured Reserve. This leaves Guerendo in the RB1 role in Kyle Shanahan's offense, a valuable role for fantasy football. "I think he is ready to go," Shanahan said. "He only got better and he's gotten better throughout the year. So, I think he's ready for this." The 24-year-old has rushed 42 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns this season in his breather-back role, and he's in a potential smash spot against Chicago, a team that has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to ball carriers. He is a virtual must-start back in Week 14, especially with six teams on a bye.