Team Profile
Los Angeles Chargers
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7.5% 12thOff DVOA
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32.8% 8thPassing DVOA
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-10.5% 21stRushing DVOA
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-5% 9thDef DVOA
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-2.2% 6thDef Passing DVOA
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-9.2% 17thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For23.6 12th
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Points Against17.7 1st
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Yards Per Game324.0 20th
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Yards Allowed Per Game325.0 11th
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert led the Chargers to a Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Herbert attempted 26 passes, completing 17 of them for 144 yards and a touchdown. He took one sack and added six yards on the ground on four carries. It was an efficient game for Herbert, who saw the Chargers running game and defense thrive while he didn't have to do too much. He did miss some throws and looked like he was maybe a little behind after missing the entire preseason with a foot injury. His touchdown was a 10-yard pass to rookie Ladd McConkey in the fourth quarter. Things should be better for Herbert in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer was ejected from Sunday's matchup with the Raiders. Both teams were involved in a scuffle during the fourth quarter. However, Palmer and Jack Jones were the players who got the boot. Palmer finished the game by catching two of his four targets for 15 yards. While he'll likely be disciplined, his availability for Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers isn't expected to be a concern for many fantasy managers.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal and wide receiver Brenden Rice have officially been ruled inactive on Sunday. Vidal has been making strides to make his way onto the roster and was thought to be in the mix to get meaningful snaps along with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Hassan Haskins will be the one to move into the third-string role in the backfield. In terms of Brenden Rice, he was also expected to get some snaps as the fourth wideout but will miss the season opener. Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, and Ladd McConkey will see the bulk of the opportunities in the receiving corps. Vidal and Rice's statuses will be something to monitor heading into Week 2, but they're more viable as stashes in dynasty formats right now.
Dallas Cowboys running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle are expected to operate on a "pretty even split" of touches out of the backfield on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It sounds like both players will have significant roles as the Cowboys open their season against the Cleveland Browns. Elliott is a veteran with more starting experience and he's coming off a solid campaign with the New England Patriots in which he tallied 955 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Dowdle offers youth and is ready to take on an expanded role after totaling 505 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. Unfortunately, if each player is only expected to see around 10-15 touches, it could be difficult for them to have a lot of fantasy value, especially against a solid Browns defensive front. Both should be viewed as RB3/flex options this week.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) has been placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. This means Chark will now miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season. He continues battling a hip issue that looks like it's going to need more time to heal. His absence should mean more targets for Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, and rookie Ladd McConkey to open the season. Out of the three, Palmer probably has the most streaming appeal, but Johnson and McConkey should get chances as well. Chark isn't someone who needs to be stashed in most fantasy formats.