San Francisco 49ers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody will kick off to the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday for a Week 16 interconference matchup. In last Thursday's offensive snooze-fest in Santa Clara against the Los Angeles Rams, Moody nailed both of his field goal attempts, the first from 53 yards and the second from 47. He didn't get an extra point opportunity. The Dolphins' defense has been good, ranked sixth in the NFL in yards allowed per game. They are sixth in red zone defense -- oddly enough tied with the Rams -- at a 50% touchdown rate, which bodes well for Moody's chances at stacking a few field goal attempts. Still, the 49ers' ability to move the ball has been erratic in recent weeks and will again be without left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and they're extremely beat up in the backfield, turning to fifth option Patrick Taylor Jr. The weather in Miami is expected to be mild with no precipitation but with 8-10 mph winds. Moody is RotoBaller's 12th-ranked kicker in its Week 16 rankings.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is in Miami this week for an interconference matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday. Last week at home versus the Rams on Thursday Night Football the 49ers offense was anemic overall, but Kittle pulled in four of seven targets for a team-leading 61 yards. While Miami's pass defense has been very stingy to fantasy quarterbacks and receivers, it has allowed its fair share of tight end points, representing the median of the league. As the fantasy season winds down, Kittle managers playing for a shot at the championship this week owe him his props as he leads the NFL in half-PPR points per game at the tight end spot (13.7), and is just 3.1 behind leader Brock Bowers in total points. Kittle is a must-start top-3 option in Week 16.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will bring the least productive five-game stretch of his career into a Week 16 matchup in Miami on Sunday. He is averaging 3.3 half-PPR points over that stretch, including a 3.4-point performance last Thursday at home versus the Los Angeles Rams. Samuel Sr. reached a low point when he dropped an important 3rd-down pass in LA territory to a chorus of boos from the home fans. He'll have better days ahead -- he's certainly a better player than this -- but at this point, Samuel Sr. is untrustable in fantasy. In addition, Miami's tough pass defense has limited fantasy receivers to the second-lowest total in the league. Perhaps Samuel Sr. sees an increase in carries, with the 49ers down to their fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-string running backs due to a deluge of injuries. It might not matter much, though, as he's only averaging 2.7 yards per carry this year with one rushing touchdown, way back in Week 1. He's projected as a WR4 this week, and most Samuel Sr. managers still in the fantasy playoffs probably benched him long ago.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings will face the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. The former Tennessee Volunteer disappointed last Thursday despite a team-high nine targets. The opportunities only translated to two receptions for 31 yards. In fairness, an offensively sluggish, rain-soaked first half didn't help. Weather isn't expected to be a factor this week in Miami, but the Dolphins' pass defense offers its own challenge. Miami is ranked second-best in the NFL at limiting wide receiver fantasy half-PPR points. Still, Jennings is firmly entrenched as quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite option, as one would have to go back to Week 6 to find another 49er surpassing an active Jennings in targets. Despite the tough matchup, Jennings should rebound with a useful fantasy line as a solid WR2.

San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. is expected to draw his first career start filling in for the ruled-out rookie Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) in Miami on Sunday. With Guerendo healthy enough to play, the undrafted 26-year-old Taylor Jr. received neither touch nor target in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The last time Taylor was involved was in Week 14 versus Chicago when he took seven carries for 25 yards, one touchdown, and one unfulfilled target. On the surface, Taylor Jr. may seem like a must-start since head coach Kyle Shanahan always rides his lead back heavily, but it's appropriate to temper expectations. If one includes Elijah Mitchell -- who was ruled out for the year in the preseason -- San Francisco is down to their fifth-string running back whose career YPC (3.9) is significantly below all four backs ahead of him. As a result, Shanahan may be compelled to use some combination of Taylor Jr., Israel Abanikanda, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Taylor Jr. is also less likely than his injured teammates to produce as a receiver. Miami's D is ranked 14th in running back half-PPR points against. The talent and usage questions place Taylor Jr. firmly in RB3/FLEX territory, even in a decent matchup.