Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 8th at 4:05 PM ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Betting Odds: LV +1, 52 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Derek Carr (Start-able, High-end QB2)
Darek Carr had his worst performance of the season in Week 8, but I like his chances for at least respectable numbers this week as a high-end QB2. The Chargers are allowing the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year, and this game should be pretty high scoring. Derek should be serviceable this week, but don’t expect him single-handedly win your match-up.
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs (Start, Low-end RB1)
Josh Jacobs recorded season-high attempts and yards last week in the bad weather, so don’t expect as much usage this week. The Chargers have been efficient against the rush this year, allowing the 12th-fewest ground yards per game. Still, this game could turn into a bit of a shootout, and Jacobs is still comfortably in the overall RB1 tier this year. He should be capable of low-end RB1 numbers.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Henry Ruggs (Sit), Hunter Renfrow (Sit), Nelson Agholor (Sit), Darren Waller (Start, TE1)
I’m listing Henry Ruggs as a sit because he falls just outside WR3 territory for me. The Chargers have been dependable against receivers this year, allowing the 12th fewest fantasy points to the position. That said, Henry could be worthy of consideration in deeper leagues. By now, we all know Ruggs’ value lies in his big-play potential. If deep-league fantasy players want some encouragement, Henry keeps getting three or four targets a game, and his dud last week could easily be thanks to the bad weather.
Hunter Renfrow salvaged an otherwise mediocre fantasy performance last week with a touchdown, but he has not been trustworthy this year. Most of his performances this season have been for 8.2 points or less. I can’t bring myself to start him this week. I rank Nelson Agholor similarly. He may have a high-end WR3 performance here and there, or a boom performance if you get lucky, but I don’t want to trust Agholor every week.
Darren Waller could run away with the overall TE2 spot this year after the George Kittle injury. The Chargers are allowing the tenth-most points to tight ends this year. I know you were going to anyway, but start Waller with confidence.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert (Start, QB1)
Has Justin Herbert been fun to watch, or what? His five games with 21 or more fantasy points over his first six starts have been nothing short of fantastic. This week brings the Raiders, who are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. I’m confident Herbert will reach QB1 status yet again this week.
Running Backs
Justin Jackson (Start, RB2), Joshua Kelley (Flex)
Sure, Justin Jackson is in a crowded backfield, but he is still the most fantasy-relevant Los Angeles running back while Austin Ekeler is out. The Raiders are allowing the fifth-most PPR points to running backs this year, so Jackson should be dependable for RB2 numbers this week.
Joshua Kelley has been pretty disappointing over the past five weeks, averaging just 5.6 PPR points per game over that span. Kelley barely reaches flex territory for me this week. You likely have better options elsewhere.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Keenan Allen (Start, WR1), Mike Williams (Start-able, High-end WR3), Hunter Henry (Sit, TE2)
Keenan Allen has been looking good with 9.5 receptions and 21+ fantasy points per game the past two weeks. This match-up could be pretty high scoring, and the Raiders are allowing the eighth-most passing yards this year. I believe Allen is capable of WR1 numbers again this week.
Mike Williams is a start-able high-end WR3 because he’s a boom-or-bust player and likely will be for the rest of the season. Williams usually has either one or five receptions in each game this year, but the lackluster performances have been more common. Still, this game could be a shootout, and I wouldn’t blame fantasy players rolling him out in slightly deeper leagues.
Hunter Henry is part of that nebulous tight end group between the overall TE10 and overall TE15, where only ten points separate the lot. Unfortunately, Henry is at the back of that group and has been trending down lately, averaging about 6.2 PPR points over the last four games. The Raiders have been capable against tight ends this year, allowing the 12th-fewest yards to the position. I’m not expecting much from Henry this week, but I wouldn’t blame you if he’s your best option either.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)
It is spelled Pittsburgh.
Where’s WR Tim Patrick for the Broncos?