Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, November 6th, 8:15 PM ET
Location: Met Life Stadium, Meadowlands, NJ
Betting Odds: LAC -3.5, 40 total via ODDSSHARK
Network: ESPN
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert (Start, QB1)
Justin Herbert is a stud QB who has had a rough go around this season with all the media hitting him with “bust” talk. Last week against the Chicago Bears was a much-needed “tune-up” game, but this week is the true test for the Chargers stud QB. The New York Jets are no joke this year on defense. This team has eight interceptions, all coming against the elite quarterback talents (Hurts, Mahomes, and Allen). Herbert had 298 yards and 3 touchdowns last week and has a career-high 68.7 completion percentage going into this match-up. One stat that stands out is Herbert’s rushing 3 TDs, which ties his career high from his rookie season. One reason Hurts had a decent day against the Jets despite throwing 3 interceptions was that he ran a TD in. Going into Week 9, the Jets have allowed 255 rushing yards to QBs, the most in the NFL. Look for the possibility of seeing Herbert rush for a new season-high this week and maybe sneak in a TD. The Jets have a very good defense, but this is still a no-brainer; start Herbert.
Running Backs
Austin Ekeler (Start, RB1)
Austin Ekeler went back to being a receiving threat last week, catching seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Ekeler has still been relatively ineffective on the rushing side with 29 yards on 15 carries. The Jets have been good against running backs, allowing only 3 TDs (total) and 17 fantasy ppg. They’ve also given up the sixth most receiving yards to running backs with 322. Ekeler seems like he’s still getting back into the swing of things post-ankle injury. This game should be a lot like the last one against the Bears as far as Ekeler goes, so I expect he’ll be an RB1 this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Keenan Allen (Start, WR2), Josh Palmer (Start, Low-End Flex), Quentin Johnston (Sit), Gerald Everett (Start)
Keenan Allen started the season strong but has faded out since the loss of fellow star WR Mike Williams. Since the Chargers lost Williams for the season, Allen has averaged just about 9 targets a game. He has also been a Top 12 WR only once; every other week, he has been outside the Top 24. Temper those expectations this week against Sauce Gardner. I know you can’t sit Allen, but make sure you understand that he’ll produce more like a WR2. Josh Palmer, much like Allen, has had a tough go of it lately, with only two performances inside the Top 36. At least with Palmer, it’s expected that he’s not going to be amazing. The bright side of his production is that he has averaged six targets a game since Williams went down. This alone makes him a viable low-end flex in Week 9. Quentin Johnston had a good game last week by his standards, which I guess just means that he showed signs of life. The issue: this mini-breakout came when Palmer was taken off the field; if Palmer stays on the field this week then he should stay as the number two option. Gerald Everett, before missing last week’s game, had scored a touchdown in his last two games, finishing TE8 and TE9. Everett has been getting targets in the red zone, and that’s what matters in fantasy. Start Everett this week.
New York Jets
Quarterbacks
Zach Wilson (Sit, QB2)
Zach Wilson had his second-best game of the year against the New York Giants in Week 8. That being said, Wilson has yet to make the Top 12 quarterback list on a week-to-week basis. The Chargers have allowed the most ppg to fantasy QBs this year with 21.9. While this is tempting to some, there’s something you need to know: the last time Wilson went into a game coming off a big performance and played the worst-ranked team against the QB position was when he faced the Broncos. He finished QB23 that week. Given the large number of other backup quarterbacks forced into action this week, he could (and should?) beat that finish…but not by much. Don’t get cute. Sit Wilson.
Running Backs
Breece Hall (Start, RB1)
Breece Hall is a bonafide stud week in and week out. Ever since they gave him 50 percent or more of the team snaps in Week 5, he has averaged 20 or more points. Hall is a true game wrecker, someone who is going to get his and keep his team in the game, no matter the team and no matter the situation. In my opinion, he’s starting to resemble Derrick Henry…not physically, but in how he’s putting the team on his back and carrying the offense. The Chargers like the Jets are terrible against receiving backs, interestingly enough Hall has the eighth most receiving yards (189). Breece shouldn’t be anything but an RB1 start each and every week.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Garrett Wilson (Start, WR3), Allen Lazard (Sit), Tyler Conklin (Sit)
Garrett Wilson has 25 targets in the past two games combined and still can’t crack the Top 15. This is the Nightmare that Wilson has to deal with in New York. The Chargers are a very bad team against fantasy WRs, allowing 27.8 fantasy ppg. The Wilson-Wilson connection has been proof that even though you have talent you can still be a letdown in fantasy. Start him because of the volume but expect WR3 numbers; however, high-end WR2 upside is possible if he manages to somehow find the end zone. Allen Lazard without Aaron Rodgers is always going to be a hard pass for me. If you have him on your team then you might have an issue, just don’t start him. Tyler Conklin just doesn’t have the upside that some of these mid to lower-tier guys have. If you have other options this week, go with someone else.
-Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)