Chargers vs. Raiders Picks, Lineup Tips for Daily Fantasy DraftKings for TNF
The Las Vegas Raiders are set to kick off Week 15 by hosting the rival Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night. While neither team is firmly in the playoff race, this is a big game for both franchises.
The Chargers won't have starting quarterback Justin Herbert, who is done for the year with a fractured finger. However, they need to generate some momentum over the final month or consider making considerable changes over the final month. Las Vegas will be looking to get to .500 under interim coach Antonio Pierce, who is very much coaching for a full-time gig.
While these storylines might not excite every casual fan, Thursday's game will provide fresh opportunities for a little daily fantasy sports (DFS) action.
Below, you'll find some DFS tips and top plays for Thursday Night Football.
Get the latest DFS values at DraftKings.
General DFS Tips for TNF
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This isn't the spiciest of matchups, even for fantasy managers. As was the case with last week's Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots game, there aren't a lot of enticing options for week-long DFS games.
The big exception might be Raiders wideout Davante Adams ($7.4K), who continues to be a high-floor player even with Aidan O'Connell at quarterback. While Las Vegas failed to score in Week 14, Adams still finished with seven receptions and 53 receiving yards.
Adams should have a much stronger day against a Chargers defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season. Adams was out of practice on Wednesday with an illness, though, so his status will bear watching.
O'Connell ($5.0K) is the safest option at quarterback for Thursday games, as the Chargers are set to start Easton Stick ($4.9K) in Herbert's stead. Stick has only appeared in two pro games and has never made a start.
"I'm just going to go out there and play," Stick said, per Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times. "There's going to be good and there's going to be bad ...That's just part of it."
While Los Angeles does have some strong skill players, and Stick could surprise, starting the 28-year-old would carry a lot of risk. Even with Herbert under center, the Chargers scored a combined 23 points over their last three games.
The Raiders aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut, but L.A. has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
The Raiders defense ($3.0K) has improved under Pierce and is probably the smart Thursday play, given the uncertainty with Stick.
Los Angeles' Gerald Everett ($3.4K) is the top tight end play, even though he's been limited in practice this week. He's had 13 receptions over his last three games, and the Raiders continue to not feature rookie second-round pick Michael Mayer ($2.8K).
Consider Quentin Johnston
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Chargers wideout Keenan Allen is frequently a trustworthy high-floor receiver because of his prominent role in the offense. He is L.A.'s go-to target and just about the team's only reliable receiver since Mike Williams was lost for the season.
Unfortunately, Allen has been ruled for Thursday because of a heel injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
This is part of the reason why O'Connell is the safer play than Stick at QB. It's also a reason to consider Chargers rookie receiver Quentin Johnston ($3.8K).
While Johnston has struggled to replicate Williams' production in the L.A. offense, he's strung together solid back-to-back games. He caught five passes for 52 yards against the Denver Broncos in Week 13. He caught three passes for 91 yards in last week's loss to the Denver Broncos.
With Allen out, there's a good chance that the Chargers ask Johnston to step into the No. 1 receiver role.
Austin Ekeler and Josh Jacobs Form the Logical RB Duo
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Going cheaper at receiver could make sense because Austin Ekeler ($7.1K) and Josh Jacobs ($6.6K) form the most logical RB lineup for this game.
Chargers coach Brandon Staley hinted before Week 14 that Ekeler could lose a few carries while L.A. looks to spark the ground game.
"Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening," Staley said, per ESPN's Kris Rhim.
Indeed, Isaiah Spiller and Joshua Kelley combined for nine carries while Ekeler logged 10. However, Ekeler remains a high-volume back with a ton of point-per-reception (PPR) upside. He finished Week 14 with five catches, 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
Jacobs is really the only Raiders back worth rostering, and he's frequently used in both the running and passing games.
We'd suggest avoiding other RBs for the flex because there isn't a ton of upside with any of them. Chargers receiver Joshua Palmer ($4.1K), who was recently activated from injured reserve (knee), is a much more intriguing flex option.
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.
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