The Worksheet, a comprehensive fantasy football preview by Rich Hribar, breaks down everything you need to know about the Week 2 matchup between the Saints and 49ers.
Find a breakdown of every Week 2 NFL game in our Worksheet Hub.
| San Francisco | Rank | @ | New Orleans | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -4.5 | Spread | 4.5 | ||
| 22.75 | Implied Total | 18.25 | ||
| 17.0 | 20 | Points/Gm | 13.0 | 24 |
| 13.0 | 6 | Points All./Gm | 20.0 | 14 |
| 72.0 | 2 | Plays/Gm | 69.0 | 7 |
| 50.0 | 5 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 61.0 | 14 |
| 5.3 | 12 | Off. Yards/Play | 4.6 | 25 |
| 4.6 | 10 | Def. Yards/Play | 4.5 | 7 |
| 50.00% | 9 | Rush% | 31.88% | 29 |
| 50.00% | 24 | Pass% | 68.12% | 4 |
| 52.00% | 26 | Opp. Rush % | 44.26% | 20 |
| 48.00% | 7 | Opp. Pass % | 55.74% | 13 |
- The Saints used 11 personnel (one running back and one tight end) on 73.9% of their snaps (5th). They had a 33.3% rate in 2024 (31st).
- The 49ers were fourth in the league in EPA passing in Week 1 (16.2).
- San Francisco ranked 30th in rushing EPA in Week 1 (-8.5).
- The 49ers were fifth in pressure rate on defense in Week 1 (41.7%) after ranking 22nd in 2024 (32.9%).
- The Saints were 28th in pressure rate in Week 1 (25.6%).
Trust = spike production for that player
Quarterback
Mac Jones: Mid-week reports are that Brock Purdy is unlikely to be available this week due to shoulder and toe injuries.
With Purdy unlikely to play, Mac Jones will make the start this Sunday.
Jones made seven starts with Jacksonville a year ago, completing 65.3% of his passes (21st) for 6.4 Y/A (32nd) and a 3.1% touchdown rate (33rd).
He averaged 12.1 fantasy points per start, with two QB1 scoring weeks.
Getting to play in a schemed-up Kyle Shanahan offense can provide a different outcome for Jones, but this San Francisco offense is so bludgeoned that it is hard to handle Jones as more than a QB2.
The 49ers are going to be without George Kittle and are expected to be without Jauan Jennings.
Jones will be working with Ricky Pearsall and Christian McCaffrey, and then a bunch of dudes.
When Purdy missed Week 12 last year, this offense was a disaster and the 49ers got stomped 38-10 in Green Bay.
Jones is not Brandon Allen and this against the Saints, but this team has so many injuries already that it is an uneasy feeling expecting a lucrative fantasy game.
The offensive line was not good last week, which may be opponent-driven.
Purdy was under duress all game.
He was pressured on 43.6% of his dropbacks, the third-highest rate in the league.
This is a lighter matchup on that front.
The Saints provided next to no pressure in Week 1 against Arizona, pressuring Kyler Murray on only 25.6% of his dropbacks (28th).
The Saints were 22nd in passing points allowed in Week 1 (14.5).
Brandon Staley is the new defensive coordinator for the Saints.
Staley was with the 49ers a year ago, so there is some familiarity.
Spencer Rattler: Rattler completed 27 of 46 passes (58.7%) for 214 yards (4.7 Y/A) without a touchdown or interception in Week 1.
He added 29 rushing yards, closing the week as QB21 (11.5 points).
Rattler was 28th in expected completion rate, ranking 28th in yards per pass attempt.
Rattler is stuck as a back-end QB2 for gamers.
The Saints have another team total below 20 points and face a better defense in Week 2.
San Francisco allowed 6.0 passing points in Week 1 (third) to Sam Darnold.
Running Back
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More Week 2 Fantasy Breakdowns From The Worksheet:
| Matchup | Time |
|---|---|
| Commanders @ Packers | Thursday Night Football |
| Jaguars @ Bengals | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Giants @ Cowboys | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Bears @ Lions | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Rams @ Titans | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Patriots @ Dolphins | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| 49ers @ Saints | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Bills @ Jets | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Seahawks @ Steelers | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Browns @ Ravens | Sunday -- 1 p.m. ET |
| Broncos @ Colts | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Panthers @ Cardinals | Sunday -- 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Eagles @ Chiefs | Sunday -- 4:25 p.m. ET |
| Falcons @ Vikings | Sunday Night Football |
| Bucs @ Texans | Monday Night Football |
| Chargers @ Raiders | Monday Night Football |
