Fresh off their bye week, the 1-4 Los Angeles Chargers will host the 1-5 Jacksonville Jaguars.
Some Facts
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense is 13th in passing yards per game (261.8). The Chargers are eighth (267.8). The Chargers are 18th in passing attempts per game (34.2), while the Jaguars are fourth (40.0).
The Chargers are fourth in rushing attempts per game (32.2) and the Jaguars are 32nd (20.5). The Jaguars are 30th in rushing yards per game (89.3) while the Chargers sit 12th (122.4).
Rebound?
This is the perfect game for the Chargers to start turning things around. While there is plenty of blame to go around, all that really matters is the wins and losses.
Now the Chargers will enter Week 7 just a bit healthier with the return of Melvin Ingram and Justin Jones. From both a fantasy perspective and real results this game should be a win.
Fantasy Football Perspective
QUARTERBACK, JUSTIN HERBERT: Herbert has gone from a wait and see, match-up dependent fantasy player to a must-start every week. He will enter Week 7 with a 68.8% completion percentage. He has nine touchdowns and three interceptions on his 1,195 yards. Pro Football Focus has given him a solid grade of 73.3.
Although Austin Ekeler is still out, Mike Williams is back and their connection appears solid.
And for fantasy football purposes, the Jaguars are giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (21.15).
RUNNING BACK, JOSHUA KELLEY: Kelley was the “IT” man poised to take over the reins when Ekeler went down. But then a fumbling issue emerged as did Justin Jackson. Before their bye in the nationally televised game against the New Orleans Saints, Kelley went 11-29 averaging 2.9 yards a carry. He only saw one target and finished that out with nine yards.
There is a chance that if the Chargers get an overwhelming lead Kelley will be given another opportunity, but from a sheer production standpoint, it should be Jackson.
RUNNING BACK, JUSTIN JACKSON: As mentioned, Jackson is outperforming Kelley on every level. First and foremost, he is fumble-free. In the MNF game in Week 5 he went 15-71, averaging 4.7 yards a carry and he was on the receiving end of six targets. On that end, he went 5-23.
The Jaguars for their part are giving up 143.8 rushing yards a game, 28th in the NFL.
JAGUARS v WIDE RECEIVERS: The Jaguars are giving up a 69.9% catch rate to opposing receivers. They are allowing 9 yards per target and in their six weeks, they have had 10 wide receivers who have had double-digit fantasy PPR performances.
WIDE RECEIVER, KEENAN ALLEN: Allen left the Week 5 match-up with back spasms. By all reports, he is good to go this week. In his games with Herbert under center, he has been targeted 42 times with a 31% target share. He also leads the team in red-zone targets with five.
WIDE RECEIVER, MIKE WILLIAMS: With Allen sidelined, Williams took over leading the team in targets (8) and receiving yards 109, and touchdowns with two. With Herbert, Williams has had a 12% target share which is third-best on the team.
TIGHT END, HUNTER HENRY: Henry, when healthy, is a top-five tight end. He is second on the team in target share with 20%. In Week 5, he tied Williams for targets (8) and finished with a 4-23-1, stat line. Henry ran 18 routes out of the slot while running 33 routes on 40 dropbacks.
Jacksonville has given up five touchdowns to the tight end position in six games. They are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to the position.
DEFENSE: The Chargers defense has been racked with injuries on both the front line and in the secondary. It will help the 24th ranked pass defense if Harris returns. And a defense that is giving up 373.8 total yards a game will be added by fortifying the front line with Ingram.
The Chargers are third in the NFL in quarterback hurries and 11th in quarterback pressures, even though they have only accumulated eight sacks.
The Jaguars offense ranks 18th in sacks given up (17) and Minshew has thrown 11 interceptions.