Bolt Beat
Fansided

Chargers Fantasy Preview: Austin Ekeler a must start vs. Denver

By Alexander Insdorf

CARSON, CA - OCTOBER 22: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after scoring a touchdown making a 14-0 lead during the game against the Denver Broncos at the StubHub Center on October 22, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - OCTOBER 22: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after scoring a touchdown making a 14-0 lead during the game against the Denver Broncos at the StubHub Center on October 22, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 and wide receiver Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrate a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 and wide receiver Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrate a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Can you depend on Austin Ekeler in fantasy with Melvin Gordon taking carries this week? What other Los Angeles Chargers are good plays?

Last week’s win against the Miami Dolphins was more of a low-key fantasy week for the Chargers. Philip Rivers and Austin Ekeler kept up their fantasy scoring ways this season with big games, but other than the Chargers’ defense, everyone else was somewhat muted. Keenan Allen owners were likely a little bit disappointed with his output. The Week 5 opponent the Chargers will face in the Denver Broncos have a somewhat middle of the road defense, but there are some fantasy matchups to be exploited. Let’s get into this Week 5 fantasy preview.

The receiving game

Last week, Allen was pretty much the bonafide starter in most leagues while Dontrelle Inman was a decent flex for anyone who picked him up. That certainly changes this week with the news that Inman has been put on IR. Wide receiver Mike Williams is playing, per Williams himself. Travis Benjamin, who was also out last week, is questionable. Both seem like they will play.

Where does that leave the wideouts? Allen, Williams, and Benjamin presumably get the bulk of the work while Geremy Davis and Andre Patton will be around. The option to go with is obviously Allen in terms of a starting wide receiver in fantasy. As a flex, it’s taking a chance with any of the other guys. Williams figures to be the second receiver, but his back injury makes it more dicey. Due to lack of depth, it’ll probably still be a heavy dose of Allen with a sprinkle of Williams, unless Benjamin decides to catch footballs this week.

The defense

The Broncos have only scored 20 or more points in one game this year and are a middle of the league team in terms of total defense. Another factor in whether you should start the Chargers is defense-turnover differential. Denver has a -5 turnover differential through four games, tied for the second-worst in the league. The only team with a worse turnover differential? Miami. Denver’s offense isn’t scoring much at the moment and is committing bad turnovers with Joe Flacco at quarterback. Keep rolling with the defense if they’re available.

Home/LA Chargers News