Going into the Week 10 of the regular season, the Chargers are ranked third in the NFL in total points, averaging over 29 points per game. Here is what notable fantasy experts are saying as the Bolts get ready to host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday:
Melvin Gordon:Following not only a career-best day, but one of the top performances by a Charger running back in team history, Gordon is now ranked third in NFL in rushing yards, second in total yards from scrimmage and remains the league leader in total touchdowns with 11. It is difficult to find an expert who has him ranked outside a top-five RB this week and Nicky Tapas from FantasyPros.com has this to say about Gordon, "If his recent dominance wasn't enough to legitimatize his breakout as 'bona fide,' the fact he totaled over 100 yards on the ground after contact in Week 9 certainly should. In Week 10, Gordon will face the Dolphins in a great matchup and should be in line for another stellar week. Gordon now qualifies as a matchup-proof back at this point and should be locked into all lineups." He is on average going for $7,700 in daily fantasy leagues.
Philip Rivers: Coming off an off week vs. the Broncos, Rivers threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns vs. the Titans in a game which Melvin Gordon ran wild. Although he is facing a defense that allows 227 passing yards per game, Rivers is ranked by SI.com as the top QB for Week 10 and Jamey Eisenberg of CBS.com lists him as a starter saying, "Rivers has the chance for another big game this week. He's scored at least 22 Fantasy points in three of four games, with the lone exception against Denver in Week 6." He is on average going for $7,400 in daily fantasy leagues.
Antonio Gates: Finding the end zone for the second straight week, Gates now leads the Chargers receiving corps with four TDs on the year. Experts predict this type of output to continue as he is listed by many as a top-10 TE this week and is on the "starter" lists for CBS.com, NFL.com and Si.com. The most ringing endorsement came from NFL.com's Michael Fabiano who named Gates the TE "start of the week" saying "Miami is vulnerable to tight ends. In fact, this defense has been taken to town by the likes of Martellus Bennett, Gary Barnidge and Delanie Walker. Gates, the most targeted tight end since Week 7, is a solid start." Gates is on average going for $4,800 in daily fantasy leagues.
Tyrell Williams: Although he was listed as questionable going into the game last week, Williams finished with six receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. He is ranked as a top-20 WR by ESPN.com and is listed as a starter/love by CBS.com, NFL.com and ESPN.com. Michael Fabiano of NFL.com has this to say about Williams, "He has now scored 12-plus points in three of his last five contests, and the two games he failed to hit that mark were against a stout Denver pass defense. I'd start Williams against a Dolphins defense that has struggled against wide receivers." He is on average going for $5,800 in daily fantasy leagues.
Chargers Defense: The Chargers defense have quietly climbed up the ranks and over the last four weeks have produced the second most fantasy points among defenses, just a hair behind the Philadelphia Eagles. Most of their points come by getting to the QB (sixth in the NFL in sacks) and producing turnovers (second in the NFL in takeaways). ESPN.com has them ranked as the #4 defense this week and their most notable expert Matthew Berry lists them as a "love" saying simply, "They've scored double-digit fantasy points in three of the past four, and I like their chances at home against the Dolphins." On average the Chargers defense is going for $3,750.
