LA Chargers: Justin Jackson breakout game? Week 9 fantasy start/sit
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers could have some big fantasy football showings in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The LA Chargers desperately need to get their season on track and are trying to do so in Week 9 at home against the rivaled Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders are 4-3 on the season with several impressive wins, albeit with some ugly losses as well.
The Chargers have the talent to defeat the Raiders, particularly on the offensive side of the football. We did not expect it leading into the season but the Chargers’ offense has been really fun to watch.
This has created some solid fantasy football options on the Chargers, even with Austin Ekeler on the IR. Here’s our start/sit for the Bolts in Week 9.
Start Justin Jackson, sit Troymaine Pope
The LA Chargers had a massive running game in Week 8, eclipsing over 200 yards on the ground. I would expect another big day on the ground for the Bolts in this one with Justin Jackson taking up most of the workload.
The Raiders allow an average of 20.7 points to running backs this season, the fifth-highest in the league. A good running team versus a bad run defense, especially with running backs that can get involved in the passing game, is an ideal fantasy football scenario.
Despite this, though, do not buy into the Troymaine Pope hype too much. Pope had an incredible breakout game in Week 8 and became an instant waiver-wire option for those that need a running back as the season starts to really matter.
Pope suffered a concussion in Week 8 and did not practice on Wednesday as a result. Even if he does play, I would not expect him to have a big workload or have the kind of game he had in Week 8.
Joshua Kelley is a decent desperation play if you have nobody else but he has been rather inconsistent and not that good this season. If you are going to ride with an LA Chargers running back, go all-in on Justin Jackson.