Who Should I Start? A.J. Brown or Ricky Pearsall

Sunday, January 11, 3:55 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown got off to a slow start to the 2025 season, recording just one game with double-digit PPR fantasy points through Week 5. However, the 28-year-old closed the season looking like his old self. From Week 12 onwards, Brown hauled in 40 receptions for 546 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets across six games played. In the Wild Card round, Philadelphia is set to host the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers' defense struggled to defend the pass for much of the regular season, finishing the year ranked 23rd among NFL defenses in total passing yards allowed (4,110) and tied for 21st in passing touchdowns allowed (29). San Francisco also recorded the fewest sacks (20) of any team in the NFL, so Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts should have time to target Brown down the field. Between the matchup and his strong finish to the regular season, Brown profiles as a high-end wide receiver option for fantasy managers in the Wild Card round.

Sunday, January 11, 3:23 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) will remain sidelined for his team's Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Pearsall re-aggravated an existing PCL injury in his knee in Week 17 and has not played since. The 25-year-old battled injuries throughout the regular season, recording 36 receptions for 528 yards on 53 targets across nine games played. Without him, San Francisco will likely turn to veteran wide receivers Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne for pass-catching snaps alongside WR1 Jauan Jennings. Robinson was the more heavily utilized wideout of the two in Week 18, playing 88% of the 49ers' offensive snaps and hauling in three receptions for 24 yards on four targets.