Game Info
Kickoff: December 8, 2024, 6:20 pm ET
Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Network: NBC Peacock Network
Writer: Geoff Ulrich (@thefantasygrind on Twitter)
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: Start, QB1
Justin Herbert has cooled off recently, but I’m not against starting him this week as a bye-week fill-in or in leagues where I’m left with waiver fodder as my other options. He’s likely going to be in a fantasy-friendly game script where he’ll be dropping back a ton and has flashed more rushing upside of late. The Chiefs have also regressed hard as a passing defense in recent weeks and have now allowed an average of 288 yards and 1.3 passing TDs over their last three games. Herbert’s much better than the last two QBs the Chiefs have faced, so a bigger day here wouldn’t be shocking.
Running Back
Gus Edwards: FLEX Option, RB3
Kimani Vidal: Sit
The Chargers have not run the ball well lately at all. Edwards himself is averaging under 3.0 yards per carry over his last two games and only took six carries last week. Still, he is the team’s goal-line back, which does give him some upside. The matchup is horrendous, though, as the Chiefs have allowed the fewest fantasy points against opposing RBs this season. So, while he’s listed as a FLEX option, it would only be as a last-resort play for me or as a deeper league option.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see rookie Kimani Vidal get more involved this week, but it’s not something to rely on for fantasy purposes. He’s best kept as a bench stash for the fantasy playoffs in case we do see a bigger workload.
Wide Receiver
Ladd McConkey: Start, WR1
Quentin Johnston: Flex Option, WR3
Josh Palmer: Sit
Ladd McConkey is dealing with some injury issues entering this game, but if he starts, he’s a must-play in fantasy. The rookie is unquestionably already one of the best route runners in the league and just doesn’t have a lot of competition for targets, which led to him getting a monstrous 52% target share last week. The Chiefs’ secondary hasn’t been stellar of late and gave up tons of big plays to Jakobi Meyers last week, making it a great spot for McConkey if he plays.
Quentin Johnston continues to be the number two option in this Chargers offense, but it is a week-to-week roller coaster as to whether or not he’ll actually do anything with the opportunity. While he did have a nice TD stretch at one point, he’s now caught just four of his last 17 targets. The matchup boost here makes him a viable fantasy play, but he’s very boom or bust.
Josh Palmer could be viable, but only if McConkey sits. He’s a player to potentially snatch up on waivers if we get any injury update on the Chargers rookie.
Tight End
Will Dissly: Start, TE1
Dissly has surprisingly turned into a viable every-week option at TE. He did take a step back last week in a bit of a weird game environment where the Chargers were nursing a small lead the entire game. However, he has a great matchup against the Chiefs, who don’t cover the middle of the field well and have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing TEs. He’s available on waivers in a lot of leagues (especially after the airball last week) and makes for a viable bye-week fill-in.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: Start, QB1
Mahomes is just the ninth-ranked QB in terms of fantasy points per game this season, but he has been turning things around lately. He’s averaged 287 yards and 2.0 TDs per game over his last two starts and faces a Chargers defense that has been exploited by higher-end QBs at points this season. Mahomes is a mid-range QB1 for me this week, but not one I’d feel bad about rolling out, especially given the bye week issues many will face this week at the position.
Running Back
Isiah Pacheco: Flex Option, RB2
Kareem Hunt: Sit
This is a pretty poor matchup for Isiah Pacheco, who returned last week and took 67% of the carries. I don’t expect his workload to take a step back or anything, but the Chargers are tough on opposing RBs. They’re 11th in EPA per rush and have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing RBs. As excited as you are to get Pacheco back on your fantasy roster, I’d be OK sitting him in this spot if you have better options at RB. That said, he’s certainly FLEX-viable and will have a decent shot at finding the end zone in a game where the Chiefs do projects as rather big favorites.
As good as Kareem Hunt has been to those who were able to pick him up after the Pacheco injury, it’s time to let him sit. He may have some value the rest of the way, but not in this matchup.
Wide Receiver
DeAndre Hopkins: Start, WR2
Xavier Worthy: Flex Option, WR3
Juju Smith-Schuster: Sit
Hopkins hasn’t been terrible of late, as he’s posted three games with 10+ fantasy points (full PPR) over his last five starts. His 90-yard effort last week also saw him earn nine targets from Mahomes, which was a season-high. The Chargers are more of a pass-funnel defense, so I would expect the Chiefs to try and get the ball to him more in this spot. It’s a winnable matchup for the veteran in what could be a close game, making him very viable this week for fantasy.
Xavier Worthy also has some appeal this week, although he comes with far more risk. He’s now seen target shares of 17%, 17%, and 16% over his last two games and still carries that big play potential that has allowed him to find the end zone four times this year as a receiver. He’s certainly in the mix for the FLEX spot.
Tight End
Travis Kelce: Start, TE1
If you own Travis Kelce, you are starting him, but this admittedly isn’t the greatest matchup. The Chargers have been tougher on TEs this season, allowing just one receiving TD to the position all year. Kelce has also been giving up a few more opportunities to Noah Gray in the past few weeks (4 TDs in three games), which is a little concerning. Still, it’s a big game for the Chiefs, who can essentially close out the division with a win, and Kelce tends to shine brightest in prime time. No sense in overthinking this one.