Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers dominated the Packers today. They controlled the time of possession 35:51 to 24:09. The Chargers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, forcing the Packers to play catch up for the entire game. Unfortunately, the Packers passing game could do nothing, so the Chargers were able to run all over them.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
- Aaron Rodgers: 23/35, 161 yards, 1 TD | 1 rush, 5 yards
To the surprise of many a fantasy owner, Aaron Rodgers was very quiet today against a suspect Chargers secondary. With top wideout Davante Adams back in the lineup, Rodgers was set up for a monster day. However, the Packers offense seemed worse with Adams in. It’s hard to say what the reason for that was; the Chargers were able to get to Rodgers on several occasions, and he was constantly pressured throughout the day. I’m not too concerned; the Packers had been rolling without Adams and had to get used to life with him back. The offense had been using the running backs in the passing game and heavily utilizing play-action. But Adams changed all of that. The Chargers also came out of nowhere with a dominant defensive performance. Rodgers was off with several throws and looked rattled.
Inexplicably, Matt LaFleur decided to abandon the creative offense he had employed during the last several weeks. They looked completely out of sync today, and with the run game unable to provide anything, Rodgers was hung out to dry. It did not help that the Packers defense kept holding the Chargers to field goals, resulting in a neutral game script. When the Packers fell behind 19-0, Rodgers started running the offense up-tempo and was able to move the ball far more effectively. This seems like a blip in the radar more than anything, and Rodgers can still be started every week with confidence. Hopefully, he hadn’t already reached his peak during these past few weeks.
Running Backs
- Aaron Jones: 8 carries, 30 yards | 4 targets, 1 reception, -1 yards
- Jamaal Williams: 2 carries, 10 yards | 6 targets, 6 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD
After a monster performance last week, Aaron Jones came crashing down to Earth. The previously anemic Chargers run defense stiffened up and held him and Jamaal Williams to minimal production. Part of this was due to the dramatically decreased work in the receiving game. After tearing defenses up the past few weeks through the air, there were no more designed screens for the running backs. They also seldom lined up out wide, as they had been doing previously. Jones and Williams were still effective with their touches on the ground but had limited opportunities, especially when the Packers fell behind. Jones is still a top play at the position every week, but I think both him and Williams saw the peak of their receiving opportunities when Adams was out. Adams in the lineup limits most of their upside in that department. Still, the Packers will not have offensive performances like this every week, They’ll have countless more chances at getting touchdowns. Jones also played significantly more than Williams, which is a good sign. However, when the Packers were down 26-3, Williams was in for most of the drive. When they were down 26-11 with 2 minutes left in the game, Jones came in. Williams will continue to be a thorn in the side of Jones owners and can continue to be a desperation flex play, but this is Jones’ backfield.
Wide Receivers
- Davante Adams: 11 targets, 7 receptions, 41 yards
- Allen Lazard: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 44 yards
- Jimmy Graham: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 17 yards
In terms of fantasy production, it was a disaster for the Packers receiving options. Davante Adams, in his return from injury, was unable to get on the same page with Rodgers for much of the day. It was clear that the Chargers were focusing all of their defensive efforts on stopping Adams, and it paid off in spades. Rodgers was also unable to escape from the pocket and pull off his trademark scrambling routine where he finds receivers way downfield. The Chargers’ defensive line and gameplan was utterly dominant. As he works his way back, don’t expect too many games like this for Adams. However, I believe that Adams will not be able to return his top-3 draft capital. With a logjam of receivers behind Adams, all of whom have played their part this year, I think that Adams is the most reliable option. However, Rodgers has grown to trust others besides Adams, limiting his absurd target number that he saw last season. Combined with LaFleur deciding to actually utilize his talented pass-catching backs (except for this week), Adams cannot be trusted to be as consistent or to catch as many touchdowns.
Apart from Adams, the other receivers took turns catching passes. Tight end Jimmy Graham remains touchdown-dependent. It was a terrible, anemic offensive performance for all Packers involved in this game. None of these non-Adams pass-catchers can be used with any confidence except in desperate times.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
- Philip Rivers: 21/28, 294 yards
The Chargers offense looked completely different this week. After the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, they were able to move the ball down the field with ease and flatten the Packers defense. Philip Rivers was particularly impressive, as he looked revitalized and nothing like the struggling, frustrated mess he has been this whole season. He spread the ball around, was accurate on his throws, and most importantly, did not turn the ball over once. He didn’t have the most gaudy stats but did not need them, as his running game was able to provide some support and his wide receivers actually looked healthy. It remains to be seen if this offense is really back to its former self, but this was an encouraging step in the right direction. With several plus matchups in the back half of the Chargers’ schedule, Rivers is in the streaming conversation if this keeps up.
Running Backs
- Melvin Gordon: 20 carries, 80 yards, 2 TD’s | 4 targets, 3 receptions, yards
- Austin Ekeler: 12 carries, 78 yards | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 23 yards
Melvin Gordon, after looking nothing like his former self after returning from his holdout, was extremely effective this week. He looked explosive and cut well. After many were calling for Gordon to be traded at the deadline, he made his mark and more today. He continues to split work with Austin Ekeler, but at least it is somewhat easy to figure out who will be in when. In neutral and positive game scripts, Gordon will be in more often than not. When the Chargers are behind, Ekeler will be in. I will say that Ekeler still looked like the better back, but Gordon looked much better than he has been. This is a true split backfield, and Ekeler is much more usable in PPR leagues. Gordon got the bulk of the goal-line work and was successful, while Ekeler was unsuccessful with his one goal-line rush. Both are always a threat to catch a touchdown near the red zone, as the Chargers love throwing the ball to their running backs down in that area. I can’t say either can be started every week with confidence, but they will both return value more often than not.
Wide Receivers
- Keenan Allen: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 40 yards
- Hunter Henry: 11 targets, 7 receptions, 84 yards
- Mike Williams: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 111 yards
Sometimes, Mike Williams will be healthy and on the field for the majority of the snaps. During those times, he may give you a goose egg. Other times, he will flash the ball skills and speed that made him a top-10 draft pick. This was one of those days. Williams was consistently open downfield and made some tough, contested catches. But he was not Rivers’ favorite target. That would be Hunter Henry, who must be started every week. He saw 10 targets today and continues the tradition of Rivers honing in on his tight end. Keenan Allen continues to frustrate owners. After a blistering start to the season, Allen was solid if unspectacular today. He was looking like he might be the WR1 overall after 3 weeks but has dealt with injuries and lack of opportunities since. Allen tends to be quiet for stretches of games and then break out, so I think he can still be started most weeks. If the Chargers offense is truly back, in shootouts he will have mammoth performances. The Chargers simply didn’t need him to be dominant in this game.
-Ryan Comeau