Daily Dr. Roto—December 13, 2018
Thursday Night Preview
NOTE: This game is a mess to analyze due to all the injured players that are involved!
Kansas City Chiefs:
Without question I am starting QB Patrick Mahomes. He has been the best QB in Fantasy Football all season and I am not abandoning the ship now for any reason. He should have another 300-yard passing week with 2-3 TDs. At Running Back, it looks like Spencer Ware is doubtful and will most likely not play. If he does play at the last second, I will sit him as I can’t picture a situation where he gets 15-20 touches. If Ware plays, I will bench Damien Williams. However, if Ware is ruled out for the game, I will play Williams. Think of Williams as a poor man’s Ware. He is capable of 50-60 yards rushing with another 50-60 yards receiving and a TD. Assuming he scores once, I can see Williams with about 20-22 Fantasy points. At wide receiver I have some doubts about Tyreek Hill, but that said, I am going to start him anyway. Hill’s obviously not playing at 100% with a heel and wrist injury, but he will try to gut it out on Thursday night. Hill has had big games in the past against the Chargers, but I think he will be around 15-17 Fantasy points this week (a far cry from the 40 or so that his owners desperately want). Supposedly Kelvin Benjamin is expected to see snaps, but it’s hard to use him with any confidence as he is less than two weeks familiar with the Chiefs offense. Chris Conley is only useable in 14 or 16 team leagues. He can find the end zone, but he never seems to get a ton of targets. TE Travis Kelce is a must play. For the Chiefs to have any chance to win this game, Kelce will need to be a big part of the offense. If your league still uses the kicker position, Harrison Butker is in a great spot on Thursday night.
Los Angeles Chargers:
Historically, QB Philip Rivers has struggled on the road in Arrowhead, but this feels like a different Rivers who is more mature and lets the game come to him instead of him forcing the action. I think he will throw for close to 300 yards and at least two scores. As of right now it looks like RB Melvin Gordon is very questionable to play. If Gordon plays, I would play him as I don’t think the Chargers will activate him for only a few snaps. He will either play or be deactivated. If he is ruled out, then Justin Jackson is in a great spot to succeed. Jackson disappointed Fantasy owners last week (including myself) against the Bengals. However, I refuse to blame Jackson for his poor numbers as much as I blame the coaching staff for overusing Austin Ekeler. If named the starter, Jackson is in a great spot where he could easily eclipse 100 yards rushing and 40 yards receiving. At wide receiver, Rivers has finally locked in on Keenan Allen and made him the focal point of the offense. Allen should be in line for double digit targets. If Allen gets double-teamed (as expected), Rivers will have to throw to one of the Williams’. Tyrell Williams has fallen off recently after a very hot start, however, I do like him to make at least one play in this game. My favorite Williams is Mike Williams, who has been outstanding when given the opportunity. Mike Williams is a mismatch against most defenders and I feel that if the Chargers want to win this game, they are going to need to get him involved offensively. Williams is the boom or bust play that could either propel you to a Fantasy Championship or derail you so be careful if you decide to use him. Kicker Mike Badgely has been solid recently and I have no problem using him in a game that could easily come down to a late field goal.
