Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Ashton Jeanty

Saturday, December 27, 4:04 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has finished outside of the top ten at his position just twice in 2025. The heart of San Francisco's offense, McCaffrey leads the team in targets per game, is averaging 125.9 scrimmage yards per game, and has scored a touchdown in all but four of the 49ers' games this season. CMC's role in the passing game regressed in recent weeks until his 6-29-2 line on eight targets in Week 16. His target share may remain elevated in Week 17, as tight end George Kittle (ankle) is a game-time decision and Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is questionable. McCaffrey has a welcome matchup against the Bears in Week 17. Chicago has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game and the second-most rushing yards before contact per attempt this year. As always, McCaffrey is in contention for an RB1 finish and should be locked into lineups for the final weekend of the fantasy football season.

Sunday, December 28, 7:55 PM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty was held to single-digit fantasy points in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the New York Giants in Week 17. Jeanty has been held to 10 or fewer fantasy points in three of his last four games, disappointing fantasy managers in the playoffs. Despite the great matchup, he had a relatively inefficient day, turning his 16 rush attempts into 60 yards and corralling both of his targets for just 13 yards. The rookie ball carrier was the Raiders' workhorse back, with Raheem Mostert (ankle, knee) ruled inactive before gametime, but he did cede some third-down snaps to running back Zamir White in the second half. The Las Vegas Raiders will host the reeling Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, whose defense is a top-10 matchup for opposing running backs. Jeanty still has big play potential and, as the Raiders' bell cow back, should continue to see starting lineups in Week 18.