Chargers backfield duo may be best bets in fantasy against Chiefs

After the offense’s performance last Sunday against the Bengals, it’s going to be tough to see any Charger worth a start against a much more aggressive Chiefs defense.

If there’s anything I believe you should start, however, it’s going to be either of the team’s prominent backfield members: Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley.

Ekeler gets the nod as the best possible start due to the 19 carries he received in Week 1 but Kelley’s potential for goal-line carries keeps him alive alongside Ekeler. This game can obviously get out of hand early and drastically flip the game script in Ekeler’s favor, but the Bolts have been able to keep things close the last two years so one can make a good case it could go either way.

For your convenience, here are a couple blurbs from various “start/sit” articles by ESPN staff and CBS Sports that include one or more Chargers players.

Starts/Love

• ESPN’s Matthew Berry LOVES Austin Ekeler this week against the Chiefs (ESPN)

“If the Panthers are done letting the panic button score, could they send it over to everyone with Austin Ekeler on their team? Everyone except me, that is. While fantasy managers have been freaking out about Ekeler’s lack of passing-game usage in Week 1 and reports of Anthony Lynn saying QB checkdowns will be less a part of the Chargers’ game plan, I’m choosing to focus on the fact that Ekeler GOT 19 CARRIES in Week 1 (19!). I’m sorry, but I don’t believe the Chargers will say, you know, we have one of the best pass-catching running backs in football, you know what we should do? Fewer passes to him. The receptions will come. And I think it starts this week against a Chiefs defense that, since the start of last season, has given up the most receiving yards to running backs and the fourth-most catches, while coughing up 4.95 yards per carry last week to Houston. The Chargers are 8.5-point underdogs in this one, so expect lots of passing for them to catch up and Ekeler returning to PPR monster status in Week 2.”

• ESPN’s Eric Karabell has Ekeler as the 14th-highest ranked Flex (RB/WR/TE) player in week two.

“I think we all agree that one target is embarrassing, but look for the Chargers to fix this against the Chiefs.”

• ESPN’s Mike Clay has the WR/CB matchup of Keenan Allen vs. Chiefs slot corner Antonio Hamilton as a notable matchup this week.

Sits/Hate

• The CBS Sports Staff is not a fan of Keenan Allen against a Chiefs defense that allowed only a single passing score in Week 1.

And a massive shocker: Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, who’s recorded over 1,100 yards in each of his last three seasons, stumbles big-time and doesn’t even crack the top 40 at his position.

Allen has been a consistent Fantasy threat over the years, but the veteran receiver struggled to get involved in the Chargers’ offense in their Week 1 victory over the Bengals. In fact, Allen hauled in just four receptions for 37 yards with Tyrod Taylor under center.

Now, Allen and the Chargers will square off against the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that gave up just one receiving touchdown in their Week 1 win against the Houston Texans. He’s a player to consider putting on the bench in Week 2 and is squarely out of the WR3 conversation.