Fantasy Football Week 2: Start/Sit Guide for Saints vs 49ers

The market loves the underdog, but the models don’t. Even with 65% of tracked bets backing the Saints, projections push the spread toward San Francisco by 5–7, not the posted -3. The total sits at 40.5, hinting at a tight game with limited possessions. That matters for your Fantasy football lineup—every touch and target counts more when the scoring pace is slow. The game is in a dome, so no weather curveballs. We’re betting on usage, red-zone roles, and who actually moves the sticks.

The big storyline: the 49ers enter 1-0 and well organized, while the Saints are 0-1 and still searching for rhythm on offense. New Orleans’ defense showed cracks in the opener, and their passing game sputtered with accuracy and timing issues. That’s your cue to lean on reliable volume and avoid guesswork plays that depend on low-probability outcomes.

Start recommendations

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints — Automatic. He’s game script proof and a top-12 option in all formats. He ripped a 13-yard chain-mover to the San Francisco 41 on a recent sequence, and that’s the point: he creates yards when blocking isn’t perfect and adds receptions when the passing game stalls. Strong RB1 in PPR, high-end RB2 in standard.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers — Don’t overthink it. He owns the goal-line work, the two-minute drill, and the checkdowns. In a lower-total game, high-touch backs carry even more weight. He’s the best bet for a touchdown in this matchup.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers — Routes, separation, and timing with the quarterback are all there. Aiyuk’s intermediate work (in-breakers, digs, deep comebacks) offers a solid floor, and he can still hit downfield when coverage rotates to Deebo. Treat him as a confident WR2 with WR1 upside if the Saints’ coverage busts show up again.
Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers — Different path, same value. YAC monster with schemed touches and occasional rushing attempts near the red zone. You’re starting Deebo because one play can swing a matchup, even in a slow-paced game. Strong WR2, spike-week ceiling.
George Kittle, TE, 49ers — The targets can be streaky, but the matchup setup favors safe throws and middle-of-field work. Expect chain-moving routes and a red-zone look or two. He’s a top-6 tight end start by default in this TE landscape.
Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers — Efficient, on time, and protected by play design. The ceiling might be capped by the 40.5 total, but the floor is solid because of completion rate and yards after the catch. Low-end QB1/high QB2, ideal if you prioritize stability.
Chris Olave, WR, Saints — Volume still wins. Even with the passing game wobbling, Olave is the primary read on critical downs and in hurry-up. In PPR, he’s a sturdy WR2 on targets alone. In standard, he’s a flex with a path to a big day if one deep shot lands.
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Saints — Boom/bust flex. If you need upside, his speed threatens any coverage shell, especially indoors. If you’re already projected to win, you may prefer a higher-floor option, but as a matchup-chasing flex he’s live.
49ers D/ST — Start. Their pass rush can squeeze a Saints offense still figuring out protections and timing. Sacks and a turnover are realistic in a tight total.

Format tips: In PPR, prioritize target magnets (Kamara, Olave, Aiyuk). In standard, lean harder into touchdown odds (McCaffrey, Deebo) and team red-zone efficiency (49ers hold the edge).

Sit or temper expectations

Saints QB — Sit if you have any viable alternative. The accuracy and rhythm issues from Week 1 don’t pair well with San Francisco’s pressure looks. In a low-total game, you need either rushing yards or clean red-zone execution; neither is a lock here.
Blake Grupe, K, Saints — Risky play after a 40-yard miss wide right. The dome helps, but you still need consistent drives to set up attempts. With the Saints’ offense uneven, the attempt volume could be thin—and a single miss can sink a kicker’s week.
Saints ancillary WRs — Outside of Olave and the occasional Shaheed bomb, the rest are thin plays. You’re relying on low-probability touchdowns or broken plays against a disciplined defense.
Juwan Johnson, TE, Saints — Touchdown-or-bust. Without steady red-zone trips, that’s a tough needle to thread. Stream a TE with a clearer target share if possible.
49ers backup RBs — Bench stashes only. The role behind McCaffrey doesn’t carry standalone value unless game script goes off the rails or there’s an injury.
49ers fringe WRs — A tight total usually funnels production to the core trio (Aiyuk, Deebo, Kittle). Don’t chase WR4 snaps in a game with limited possessions.

Game script and strategy: Books expect a one-score result, and the dome erases weather variance. That usually means cleaner execution but fewer freebies. If your lineup needs safety, anchor around high-usage players (McCaffrey, Kamara, Kittle). If you’re an underdog, chase volatility with Shaheed or Deebo. Purdy’s stability fits managers who can’t afford a quarterback dud.

Red-zone lens: The 49ers have the cleaner path inside the 20, with defined roles for McCaffrey and Kittle and manufactured touches for Deebo. The Saints’ best red-zone bets are Kamara on angle/option routes and Olave on isolation fades or crossers. If you play props or tiebreaks, that tilt favors San Francisco for touchdown equity.

Injury and late-swap planning: Check Friday practice reports for any last-minute changes to snap counts. If you roster multiple players in this game, stagger your flex spots to keep late-swap options open. Trailing after the early slate? Pivot from a floor WR to a high-variance speed threat. Protecting a lead? Lock in touches and kick returns against turnover risk.

DFS angle for context: In small-field contests, double stacks with Purdy plus Aiyuk/Deebo and a run-back with Kamara make sense. In cash, prioritize McCaffrey and a value TE, then build around consistent target volume. While your season-long lineup differs, the DFS lens reinforces where volume and efficiency are most bankable.

Bottom line for Week 2: Load up 49ers skill players, keep Kamara locked, and be selective with Saints pass catchers. With models leaning harder toward San Francisco than the line shows, play the safer side of usage and let others chase thin breakouts.

Griffin Devereaux

My name is Griffin Devereaux, and I'm a renowned expert in the world of gambling and gaming. I've spent years honing my poker skills, both online and in-person, and I've made it my mission to share my knowledge with others. I enjoy writing about various poker strategies, poker psychology, and the ever-evolving gaming industry. My articles have been featured in numerous publications, both print and digital. In my free time, you can find me playing poker, researching the latest gaming trends, or creating exciting poker content for my readers.