Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon, Antonio Gates' Post-Week 5 Fantasy Advice

The San Diego Chargers lost in the most gut-wrenching way imaginable during their Monday night clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Le’Veon Bell scored a touchdown as time expired to give Pittsburgh the 24-20 victory, and coach Mike Tomlin was rewarded for attempting to win the game instead of playing for overtime with a field goal. 

At least Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates turned in solid fantasy performances for owners relying on them to win some games on Monday night. Here is a look at their outings, as well as that from running back Melvin Gordon, and some reaction. 

Philip Rivers

Completions	Passing Yards	Passing Touchdowns	Interceptions	Rushing Yards	Rushing Touchdowns	Fantasy Points
35-of-48	365	2	1	0	0	20.6

There are few quarterbacks in the league with a better track record than Rivers, which is encouraging for fantasy owners early in the 2015 campaign. He topped 3,000 passing yards nine seasons in a row and eclipsed the 4,000-yard mark in six of last seven years. He also threw for at least 21 touchdowns nine straight years and reached the 30-touchdown plateau four times in that stretch.

His performance this season has been more of the same. Rivers reached 350 passing yards three times in five games and already has 10 touchdown throws. The five interceptions are concerning, but there is more than enough production elsewhere to make up for the turnovers.

What’s more, Rivers now has Gates at his disposal again after the tight end returned from a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. The physical Gates and former 1,000-yard receiver Keenan Allen make a solid duo, and Rivers will continue to put up big numbers as he throws their way.

If Gordon develops as his rookie season progresses, the San Diego passing attack will open up even more as opposing defenses are forced to account for the run. 

The Chargers are off to a disappointing start record-wise at 2-3, but Rivers will continue to produce for your fantasy team.

Antonio Gates

Catches	Receiving Yards	Touchdown Catches	Targets	Fantasy Points
9	92	2	11	21.2

Gates caught the 100th touchdown of his career Monday and joined Tony Gonzalez as the only tight ends in NFL history to accomplish that feat.

A track record like that speaks for itself, and Gates hauled in 12 touchdowns last season, which was the second most in his 12-year career. So much for age being a concern at 35 years old.

Gates showed off his fresh legs after his four-game suspension with two scores Monday.  It is clear Rivers trusts the tight end near the goal line (and all over the field with a team-high 11 targets), and Gates has made a career snagging passes in the end zone as one of the league’s most potent red-zone threats. 

That is not going to change for fantasy owners in 2015.

Melvin Gordon

Carries	Rushing Yards	Catches	Receiving Yards	Targets	Total Touchdowns	Fumbles Lost	Fantasy Points
15	42	7	52	9	0	1	7.4

Gordon was supposed to revitalize the San Diego rushing attack after a lackluster 2014 effort, but he is yet to do that in the early stages of his rookie season.

In fact, he hasn’t topped 88 rushing yards in a single game, and he is only averaging 54 rushing yards an outing through five contests. He hasn’t found the end zone, either, which is a major concern for someone who scored 32 total touchdowns in his final collegiate season at Wisconsin and earned Heisman Trophy consideration in the process.

The receiving yards were a welcome boost Monday, but it was the first time he tallied more than 16 in a single game.

The talent is not a question, and Gordon has the potential to be an explosive back in space who is strong enough to power his way through holes at the line of scrimmage. The problem for fantasy owners is the lack of production and an established track record to fall back on when making lineup decisions.

Gordon is still finding his footing at the NFL level. Until he does, the running back is not worth a starting role in fantasy circles.