Tonight’s Thursday Night Football showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams promises to be one of the most thrilling matchups of the 2024 NFL regular season. With kickoff set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video, this game is not just another contest; it’s a fierce division rivalry that could have significant playoff implications. And for fantasy football enthusiasts, it’s a golden opportunity to craft winning DFS lineups.
Both teams have faced their share of challenges this season, grappling with injuries and inconsistent performances. However, they both seemed to find their rhythm in Week 14. The Rams scored an impressive 44 points to narrowly defeat the Buffalo Bills, led by MVP candidate Josh Allen. Meanwhile, the 49ers dominated the Chicago Bears, showcasing their offensive prowess against rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
As we gear up for this NFC West clash, it’s essential to note how the offensive dynamics have shifted. The 49ers have been without star running back Christian McCaffrey, and Deebo Samuel has struggled to find his form. However, new talents like Isaac Guerendo and Jauan Jennings have stepped up, proving to be valuable assets. On the Rams’ side, Cooper Kupp has seen a decline in his role, with Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams emerging as key contributors.
DraftKings lineup for 49ers vs. Rams
Before diving into our optimal lineup, let’s review the key scoring settings for DraftKings Showdown contests: they use a full-point PPR system and offer three-point bonuses for reaching 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and 100 receiving yards. The Captain pick costs 1.5 times a player’s original price but also multiplies their point total by 1.5.
Here’s our optimal DraftKings lineup for the game:
| POS. | PLAYER | TEAM/OPP. | SALARY |
| Captain | Puka Nacua, WR | Rams at SF | $16,500 |
| FLEX | Brock Purdy, QB | 49ers vs. LA | $9,400 |
| FLEX | Jauan Jennings, WR | 49ers vs. LA | $8,600 |
| FLEX | George Kittle, TE | 49ers vs. LA | $8,000 |
| FLEX | Demarcus Robinson, WR | Rams at SF | $4,400 |
| FLEX | Israel Abanikanda, RB | 49ers vs. LA | $3,000 |
Captain: Puka Nacua, WR, Rams ($16,500)
Puka Nacua has been nothing short of spectacular this season, arguably ranking among the top four receivers in the NFL right now. His skill set is impressive; he possesses fantastic hands, incredible speed, and exceptional route-running ability. Averaging nearly 21 DK points per game, Nacua’s recent 44.8-point explosion shows just how high his ceiling can go. Expect him to shine once again tonight.
FLEX 1: Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers ($9,400)
Brock Purdy has faced challenges this season, especially with the loss of key players like McCaffrey and Aiyuk. Despite this, he has maintained a solid performance with an average of 19.3 DK points per game, over 3,000 passing yards, and 19 total touchdowns. Purdy remains a reliable option in this matchup, and he’s ready to prove himself once more.
FLEX 2: Jauan Jennings, WR, 49ers ($8,600)
Jauan Jennings has emerged as the new WR1 for the 49ers, stepping up in the absence of Samuel and Aiyuk. He has a strong connection with Purdy and averages over 70 receiving yards per game, with six touchdowns to his name. At this price, Jennings is a fantastic value pick.
FLEX 3: George Kittle, TE, 49ers ($8,000)
When it comes to primetime performances, few players are as trustworthy as George Kittle. He has recently shown his ability to dominate, catching all six of his targets for 150 yards against the Bears. With eight touchdown receptions this season, Kittle is a player you can’t overlook.
FLEX 4: Demarcus Robinson, WR, Rams ($4,400)
Did you know that Demarcus Robinson leads the Rams in receiving touchdowns? He’s become a crucial player in the red zone, making him a high-ceiling option for just $4,400. His ability to score makes him a valuable asset in this lineup.
FLEX 5: Israel Abanikanda, RB, 49ers ($3,000)
Israel Abanikanda is the true sleeper of this game. At just 22 years old, he boasts speed and opportunity. If Guerendo is limited or unable to play, Abanikanda could see significant action, making him an excellent DFS play at this price point.
FanDuel lineup for 49ers vs. Rams
For FanDuel single-game tournaments, the scoring settings include half-point PPR and three-point bonuses for reaching 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, or 100 receiving yards. The MVP pick multiplies that player’s total by 1.5 without costing 1.5 times their salary.
Here’s our optimal FanDuel lineup:
| POS. | PLAYER | TEAM/OPP. | SALARY |
| MVP | Brock Purdy, QB | 49ers vs. LA | $16,500 |
| FLEX | Kyren Williams, RB | Rams at SF | $14,000 |
| FLEX | George Kittle, TE | 49ers vs. LA | $13,000 |
| FLEX | Jauan Jennings, WR | 49ers vs. LA | $9,500 |
| FLEX | Demarcus Robinson, WR | Rams at SF | $7,000 |
All five players in our FanDuel lineup overlap with our DraftKings picks. The main difference? We’ve made Purdy our MVP, maximizing his scoring potential in this format.
SuperDraft lineup for 49ers vs. Rams
SuperDraft operates on a unique scoring system that involves point multipliers rather than traditional salary caps. Each player is assigned a scoring multiplier based on their value, and you can roster any player without restrictions.
Here’s our optimal SuperDraft lineup:
| POS. | PLAYER | GAME | BOOST |
| CHAMP | Puka Nacua, WR | Rams at SF | 1.5x |
| SFLEX | Kyren Williams, RB | Rams at SF | 1.1x |
| SFLEX | Brock Purdy, QB | 49ers vs. LA | 1.15x |
| SFLEX | George Kittle, TE | 49ers vs. LA | 1.35x |
| SFLEX | Isaac Guerendo, RB | 49ers vs. LA | 1.3x |
Our SuperDraft lineup reflects our favorite elements from the DraftKings and FanDuel lineups, with Nacua in the Champion spot for a 1.5-times boost. This combination provides a solid mix of floor, ceiling, and boost value, especially with the high touchdown potential across the board.
If Guerendo is ruled out last minute, we’ll pivot to players like Jauan Jennings or Demarcus Robinson, who offer great upside at their respective multipliers.
Get ready for an electrifying game tonight! Whether you’re watching for the rivalry or the fantasy implications, there’s plenty to be excited about in this matchup!
