FREE 11/24 NFL Cheat Sheet: Top MNF DFS Plays

Monday Night Football wraps up Week 12 with the 49ers hosting the Panthers in Santa Clara at 8:15 PM ET, a matchup with a 49.5 total that screams scoring potential for DFS showdown builds. The game’s environment looks clean—1% chance of precipitation, 59 degrees, and just a 7 mph NW wind that shouldn’t mess with passing games much, keeping routes open and deep shots viable without forcing you to fade aerial attacks. For DFS, that high total means we’re eyeing stacks from both sides, especially since the 49ers are 7.5-point favorites but Carolina’s 6-5 record keeps them competitive enough to push pace and create leverage on correlated plays.

The big DFS storyline here is San Francisco’s offense finally clicking at full health after dealing with injuries to Brock Purdy, Jauan Jennings, George Kittle, and Ricky Pearsall earlier this season—they rank third in passing yards per game despite the chaos, and now with those guys back, Christian McCaffrey’s dual-threat role (leading the team in rushing, receiving, and tied for TDs with Kittle at five) sets up easy captain leverage. On the Panthers’ side, their offense ranks fifth-worst in points per game, so Bryce Young’s 14-to-7 TD-INT ratio funnels everything through Tetairoa McMillan (748 yards) and Rico Dowdle (833 rush yards, five scores), making them boom-or-bust flex options against a 49ers D that could rack up sacks. Weather risk is basically zero, so no need to pivot to run-heavy builds—load up on pass catchers if you’re stacking. Let’s dive into the top Captain and Flex plays for monday’s showdown slate!

Top Captain Plays

Christian McCaffrey ($18,600)

McCaffrey scores three touchdowns in his latest dominant outing, rushing for 81 yards on 13 carries with two scores while adding 40 receiving yards and another touchdown on five catches against a soft Cardinals defense. He trends upward with 29.4 DK points per game over his last two outings compared to 25.7 across the prior four, and his prop lines reflect massive expectations at -340 odds for a touchdown, 69.5 rushing yards, 48.5 receiving yards, and 5.5 receptions heading into a primetime revenge spot against his former Panthers team. The 49ers’ explosive offense creates endless dual-threat opportunities for him, and at 10.5% ownership with a 2.08x value and 38.65-point projection, his 1.5x captain multiplier unlocks elite ceiling potential in a game script favoring San Francisco’s control.

Honorable Mention

• Brock Purdy ($15,000)

Top UTIL Plays

1. Ja’Tavion Sanders ($2,800)

Ja’Tavion Sanders catches every target thrown his way over the Panthers’ last two games, hauling in all nine for 54 yards and establishing himself as Bryce Young’s go-to tight end option. At just $2,800, he crushes value projections with a 2.06x multiplier and a season average of 5.5 DK points per game, even as the primary receiving threat in Carolina’s tight end room ahead of Tommy Tremble. His prop lines sit low at 2.5 receptions and 18.5 yards, underscoring the sneaky upside in an offense that leans on reliable checkdowns amid Young’s development.

Sanders steps into a favorable Week 12 spot against the 49ers’ defense, which allows the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends over the past month, creating prime streaming territory despite his 29.4% projected ownership. With mild weather at 58.9°F and light 6.9 MPH winds, the passing game stays crisp, and his 5.8-point projection aligns with optimal lineup rates above 48%, positioning him as the top TE play for volume and efficiency in Carolina’s attack.

2. Jauan Jennings ($7,000)

Jauan Jennings faces the Panthers’ secondary that ranks near the bottom in preventing wide receiver production, setting up another target-heavy outing for the 49ers’ reliable slot weapon. He leads San Francisco’s wideouts in targets across the last two weeks, including four catches for 54 yards against Arizona despite competition from a returning Ricky Pearsall, while his season average of 10.0 DK points per game builds on a six-reception, 71-yard touchdown performance prior. Priced at $7,000 with a 1.82x value rating, Jennings maximizes salary efficiency in an offense that funnels opportunities to its core pass-catchers.

The matchup tilts heavily in Jennings’ favor as Carolina concedes the most receiving yards to opposing wide receivers since Week 8, amplifying his 12.8-point projection and 3.5-reception prop line with TD odds at +190 for boom potential. High ownership at 34.2% reflects his optimal 36.4% lineup inclusion, but in a dome-like environment with 58.9°F temps and minimal 6.9 MPH winds, he thrives as the clear top WR pick, converting red-zone looks into consistent scoring against a defense vulnerable to San Francisco’s balanced attack.

Honorable Mentions

• Bryce Young ($9,200)

Bargain Bin

Jalen Coker ($4,000)

Coker catches all four targets for 52 yards in Sunday’s win over the Falcons, marking his second straight game with multiple receptions since returning from injury. He converts 11 of 15 targets into 118 yards across five appearances, delivering a steady 5.2 DK points per game that aligns with his $4,000 salary for consistent floor value. Bryce Young’s career-high 448 passing yards and three touchdowns highlight the growing connection, positioning Coker as a reliable option in Carolina’s passing attack that generates 7.5 projected points tonight.

Xavier Legette’s hip injury opens an expanded role for Coker against a favorable 49ers matchup, where San Francisco ranks outside the top 15 in preventing wide receiver yards over the past month. His prop lines of 2.5 receptions and 27.5 yards reflect market confidence in his involvement, while +390 touchdown odds add upside in a game script that favors Carolina’s passing volume with mild weather at 58.9°F and light 6.9 MPH winds. At 26.5% projected ownership below his 40% optimal lineup rate, Coker maximizes value at 1.88x in this salary tier.

Honorable Mention

• Brian Robinson Jr. ($3,400)

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