NFL

The hits just keep coming for the 49ers, who not only fell to 5-7 and two games behind the division-leading Seahawks but they now potentially lost their All-Pro running back (again). McCaffrey gave himself up behind the offensive line on a carry five minutes into the second quarter. He was able to walk under his own power to the medical tent and then the locker room, but initial testing revealed a potentially season-ending PCL injury. While the severity is not yet known, it is horrible news for the alpha running back that managed just three fully healthy games this season. Further testing Monday will reveal more.

Jennings led the team in targets and yardage on a night the two teams were contending with blizzard-like conditions, something that held quarterback Brock Purdy to just 18 pass attempts. Jennings continues to produce with the increased opportunity following the season-ending injury to Brandon Aiyuk and could be tasked with more with the 49ers suddenly two games back for the division lead and expecting to be without running back Christian McCaffrey for the remainder of the season.

Similar to early in the season without Christian McCaffrey, Mason ran well but lacked the same pass game involvement of a healthy CMC, rushing to 6.0 yards per carry but failing to garner a single target. McCaffrey departed the game five minutes into the second quarter with what the team is calling a knee injury after giving himself up behind the offensive line. He was able to walk under his own power to the medical tent and then to the locker room but did not return, meaning we could be getting another Mason start in Week 14 when the 49ers take on the reeling Bears.

Purdy and the San Francisco offense struggled to move the football throughout but were dealt a crushing blow five minutes into the second quarter when All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey departed with a knee injury after giving himself up behind the line of scrimmage. The modest 18 pass attempts from Purdy highlighted both the tricky weather conditions and a general inability to move the football against the aggressive Buffalo defense. The 49ers fell to 5-7 and are now two games behind the Seahawks for the division lead with only five games left to play. Up next for the 49ers is a similarly downtrodden Bears team in Week 14, a game they might now have to play without McCaffrey.

This is great news for the Saints’ secondary lynchpin. The Saints face the Giants in Week 14 and it would be entirely unsurprising to see Mathieu pick on—and pick off—whichever backup quarterback gets the start for the G-Men next week.

The Eagles fell behind early in this game, going down by nine after the first quarter. Hurts got them back in the driver’s seat in short order with two scores in the second frame. The first was a 17-yard toss to Dallas Goedert and the second was a tush push from a yard out. Philly packed it in for the day after that and Hurts completed two passes for 14 yards in the second half. The Eagles’ defense kept Lamar Jackson in check while Saquon Barkley chewed away the clock with ease, so there wasn’t much for Hurts to do. He will get a similar game script in Week 14 versus the Panthers. Even with a low-volume game on the horizon, Hurts will remain near the top of the QB1 ranks for his date with Carolina.

With Jalen Hurts attempting just 19 passes, Brown’s No. 1 receiver role wasn’t worth much today. Still, he led the Eagles in all receiving stats outside of touchdowns. His targets were good for a 32 percent target share. DeVonta Smith was sidelined with a hamstring issue once again, though he appeared to be close to playing. Smith should be back for Week 14. That will affect Dallas Goedert more than Brown, who still operates as the team’s No. 1 receiver with Smith active. Even with a run-heavy approach versus the Panthers on deck, Brown will remain near the top of the WR1 ranks next week.

Even if the box score doesn’t show it, Goedert served as the Eagles’ de facto No. 2 receiver in this game with DeVonta Smith out. His four targets were tied with Saquon Barkley for second-most on the team behind only A.J. Brown. With Jalen Hurts attempting a measly 19 passes, Goedert earned a 21 percent target share. Smith should be back for Week 14, taking some targets off the table for Goedert. If he does return, Goedert will fall to the top of the TE2 ranks versus the Panthers.

McCaffrey departed early in the second quarter after giving himself up on a carry off tackle. He spent only a few minutes in the blue tent before walking under his own power to the locker room with members of the training staff. He managed 53 yards on seven carries and 14 yards on two receptions prior to departing. Fantasy managers will likely be forced to wait until Monday or Tuesday to hear any updates on the All-Pro running back, but initial circumstances do not appear positive.

Dotson was a non-factor even with DeVonta Smith out for the second week in a row. The Eagles’ No. 2 receiver with Smith sidelined is Dallas Goedert. Fantasy managers can continue to ignore Dotson with or without Smith on the field.