Raiders@Chargers
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 22nd at 4:05 pm ET
Location: Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles, California
Betting Odds: LAC -6.5, 47.0 Total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: DeAndre Washington
Oakland Raiders
Quarterback:
- Derek Carr (Sit)
Carr has only topped 20 fantasy points once this entire season, and he’ll find himself going up against a Chargers secondary that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and held Carr to just 218 yards and one touchdown last time they met. All of that mixed together makes Carr a strong sit.
Running backs:
- Josh Jacobs (Start if healthy/RB2)
- DeAndre Washington (Start if Jacobs sits/Flex)
Josh Jacobs’ shoulder is still injured. It was hurt last week, but he played anyways and looked okay, posting 89 yards on 24 carries, and that was against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. This week, he’ll be up against the Chargers, who have similarly given up the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs, but there’s no guarantee he’ll play, and even if he does, there’s no telling how healthy he is or how he’ll look. If he’s active, you’re starting him given how involved he is in the Raiders’ offense, but I only feel comfortable with him as an RB2 given his health. If he’s out, DeAndre Washington is likely in line to draw the majority of the work, though Jalen Richard will likely see some work too. Washington is a solid running back when given the opportunity, but I don’t see him as much more than a high-end flex if Jacobs is out, mostly because we have no idea how much work he’ll be given.
— Josh Jacobs has been ruled out for Week 16 —
Wide receivers/Tight ends:
- Tyrell Williams (Sit)
- Hunter Renfrow (Sit)
- Darren Waller (Start/TE1)
It’s been pretty consistent so far this year, in the Raiders’ receiving corps you start Darren Waller and that’s it. Tyrell Williams had a nice start to the year, but he’s fallen off quite a bit, and while Hunter Renfrow flashed some flex-worthy games, he’s coming back from an injury this week. Oh, and let’s not forget that both will be up against a very good Chargers secondary. Meanwhile, Waller just broke 1,000 receiving yards last week and has been excellent all year, especially last week, catching eight balls for 122 yards. You should start him and ignore the rest of this receiving corps.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback:
- Philip Rivers (Sit)
Last week, Philip Rivers tied a pretty sad record. He threw his eighth interception on a pass more than 20 yards downfield, which is tied with Rex Grossman for the most in a single season (Sexy Rex did it back in 2011). Rivers has not been good this year. He’s had some good games, but he’s been maddeningly inconsistent, and even against a Raiders secondary that’s allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, there’s no way you can trust Rivers unless you’re in a two-quarterback league.
Running backs:
- Melvin Gordon (Start/RB2)
- Austin Ekeler (Start/RB1)
In a PPR league (which is our default on our site), Austin Ekeler is an easy, no-doubt RB1 each week, especially against a poor Raiders defense. So that should be an easy decision for you. What’s a little trickier is Melvin Gordon, who fumbled the ball twice last week and had just 28 rushing yards. Now, the Raiders’ defense is not the Vikings’ defense, so I think you can still start Gordon, but I can understand the concern after last week.
Wide receivers/Tight end:
- Keenan Allen (Start/low-end WR1/high-end WR2)
- Mike Williams (Start/Flex)
- Hunter Henry (Start/TE1)
Fortunately for all the Chargers that you own, they’re going up against a very bad Raiders secondary that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and the second-most points to opposing tight ends. Keenan Allen has only had one massive week this year, but he’s fairly consistently been having good weeks, posting double-digit fantasy points in seven out of his last eight games. If there’s a week for him to go off, it’s this one. Meanwhile, Mike Williams has been good but inconsistent. Last week against a tough Vikings defense, he still caught four balls for 71 yards and a touchdown, giving him his best game of the season, and the three interceptions Rivers threw last week were all Williams targets. Still, he’s hard to trust as anything more than a flex, but I do like him in this matchup as a flex play. And then there’s Hunter Henry, whose season has been quite the rollercoaster. Again, luckily he’s up against a bad Raiders defense, so he still makes for a TE1 play, albeit a slightly risky one.
-Ben Palmer
Richard Sherman has been a full participant in practice both Wednesday and Thursday this week and is expected to play this weekend by SF’s beat writers. Why do you believe he is unlikely to play?
Hi Aaron, I too graduated from Kennesaw College (1981) and grew up in Smyrna. I am very active in fantasy with over 60 teams. I own a sports memorabilia business that publishes a small circulation magazine (catalog). I love your weekly analysis and I look to you for start/sit decisions, and I am winning. Thanks for the help. I am also working on a book on fantasy sports. I would love to chat. You are welcome to email me to start a discussion. Also I am a major Atlanta sports fan since 1966, and I did attend the worst game in Braves history this past September, the final game.