Los Angeles Chargers At Denver Broncos Week 8 Fantasy Preview

LA Chargers Training Camp 2018. Photo Credit: Monica Dyrud | The LAFB Network
LA Chargers Training Camp 2018. Photo Credit: Monica Dyrud | The LAFB Network

The good news, the Los Angeles Chargers will enter Denver coming off a win. The bad news, they once again blew a double-digit lead in getting the win. Ahh, but it certainly hasn’t dented Justin Herbert‘s fantasy value.

Quarterback

This is the battle of two young quarterbacks. They appear to be going in different directions and fortunately for the Chargers, it is their quarterback who is trending up.

JUSTIN HERBERT: Did you know that Herbert has a 70.7% completion percentage when throwing under pressure? When throwing from a clean pocket his accuracy is 82%.

He has 12 touchdowns to three interceptions and last week just bolstered the buzz that is already surrounding him. Last week against the Jaguars he threw for 347 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and ran for 66 yards while adding a rushing touchdown.

Now the Broncos defense is better than what the Jaguars are putting on the field. The Broncos are 11th in opponents rushing yards per game (109) and 12th in opponents passing yards per game (230.2).

Last week in the loss to Kansas City, it was more of an offensive disgrace than defense. The Broncos defense held Patrick Mahomes to 200 passing yards and one touchdown. They also sacked him three times.

Herbert will have to rely on the passing game in this match-up.

Running Backs

Although the Broncos yield 109 average rushing yards per game, in their last three games, no running back has had more than 85 rushing yards against them.  As far as fantasy scoring goes they are in the top three in the least amount of points to running backs.

Joshua Kelley

Justin Jackson

In the win against Jacksonville, quarterback Herbert was the leading rusher. That is a bit concerning considering Jacksonville’s defense was 29th in allowing opponents rushing yards per game (142.6).

Kelley was on the field for 47% of the offensive snaps, while Jackson was on the field for 38%. Kelley out-touched Jackson 12 to 5, but only managed 29 yards on the 12 touches. Jackson had 12 yards on his five touches.

Jackson had one more target than Kelley, 6 to 5. Jackson managed five receptions for 43 yards, while Kelley’s five receptions ended with 24 yards.

Neither were productive and now they will face a better run defense in altitude.

Tight End

HUNTER HENRY

In the juggernaut that is Herbert, Henry has been MIA. In their last four games, Henry has averaged 6.5 targets, 3.5 receptions, and 33.8 receiving yards per game.

Hunter has been the odd man out of the largess that is Herbert’s passing.

Wide Receivers

KEENAN ALLEN

MIKE WILLIAMS

JALEN GUYTON

For consistency, it has been the Keenan Allen show. Last week he had 13 targets, finishing with 10 receptions for 125 yards. For the season he has 63 targets, 481 yards, and two touchdowns. He is averaging 10.93 yards per reception.

Guyton is the guy who gets that one or two targets and scores on it. Last week he had three targets, caught two of them, and had a touchdown and 84 yards.

It was Williams that was the anomaly of the week. In Week 5 before the bye, Williams led all receivers with eight targets, five receptions, 109 yards, and two touchdowns. Then Week 7 happened and Williams was on the receiving end of three targets, one reception, and four yards.

This week Williams will most likely be shadowed by rookie Michael Ojemudia who has allowed 328 yards and two touchdowns in his coverage. Williams has the better opportunity in this game.

Allen is the obvious start from a fantasy perspective. He has had success in the past against the Broncos. This time he will have to go against A.J. Bouye which is a much tougher proposition. However, the number of targets that go Allen’s way and his ability to win at the point gives hope to his upside in this game.