2 years agoLos Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is a must-start with a favorable home matchup against the weak Atlanta Falcons defense Week 2. Kupp made 13 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown Week 1 against the tough Buffalo Bills defense. Now he faces a Falcons defense that allowed the sixth most fantasy points to opposing receivers last season. While the Rams might not target him 15 times if they get out to a big lead early, Kupp could gain more yards per catch and have more red zone opportunities than he did Week 1.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoLos Angeles Rams wide receiver Allen Robinson II has a good chance to rebound from his lack of Week 1 production with a favorable home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons Week 2. Robinson disappointed fantasy managers who started him with just one reception for 12 yards against the Buffalo Bills in his first game as a Ram. But the strong Bills defense allowed the least fantasy points to opposing WRs last season. The Falcons, by contrast, allowed the sixth most fantasy points to WRs. Last week, two Saints receivers put up double digit fantasy points (standard scoring) on the Falcons. Fantasy managers who had the confidence in Robinson to draft him and start him Week 1 should have the confidence to stick with him Week 2.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoLos Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to bounce back from a tough opening game with a more favorable home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons Week 2. Stafford struggled greatly Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, throwing three interceptions and taking seven sacks. He finished as the QB29. In contrast to the No. 1-ranked Bills defense, the Falcons are considerably weaker. The Falcons defense allowed a 67.8% completion percentage, 232.5 passing yards, and 1.8 passing TDs per game last season. Last week, they allowed 269 yards and two passing TDs to Saints QB Jameis Winston. The Falcons also had the least sacks in the entire NFL, so the Rams shaky offensive line should be able to hold up better against them than they did against the tough Buffalo D-line. Stafford should return to being a top 12 QB this week.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Team Rankings

2 years agoThe Los Angeles Chargers defense/special teams gave up 21 points and was unable to force any turnovers in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The defense looked stout early on and forced Kansas City to punt on each of their first two drives, but Patrick Mahomes and company eventually got things going. Los Angeles unfortunately only sacked Mahomes once after racking up six sacks and three interceptions against the Las Vegas Raiders last week. The Chargers DST looks like a solid fantasy option for the next three weeks, though, with matchups against Jacksonville, Houston, and Cleveland on the schedule.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins drilled his lone field goal attempt and all three of his extra-point tries in Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Hopkins' field goal accounted for the first points of the game but he was not asked to do much for the rest of the night. Because of the Chargers' explosive offense, Hopkins should provide a somewhat high floor for fantasy by kicking multiple extra points every week. He will continue to be a fine fantasy option for this reason.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver DeAndre Carter caught all three of his targets for 55 yards in the team's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Carter saw an expanded opportunity in Week 1 and scored after Keenan Allen (hamstring) was forced to exit the game early. Although Allen remained out in Week 2, Carter was out-targeted by four of his teammates and gained 35 of his 55 yards on a big play late in the fourth quarter. He will be a desperation flex play, at best, in games in which Allen is inactive, but can be safely dropped in fantasy if Allen returns next week.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett tallied six receptions for 71 yards on 10 targets in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Everett was utilized heavily on an important drive in the fourth quarter and appeared to ask to be taken out of the game. Unfortunately, a visibly tired Everett remained on the field as the Chargers entered a no-huddle offense and was unable to make a play on a ball near the goal line, resulting in a 99-yard pick-six. Still, Everett has been a key piece of the team's passing attack in each of the first two weeks. His involvement with a healthy Keenan Allen (hamstring) remains to be seen, but Everett should have plenty of opportunities to score throughout the season. Regardless of Allen's status going forward, Everett is worth holding onto for fantasy and should be started confidently for as long as Allen is out.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters that Justin Herbert (abdomen) is "OK" after the quarterback sustained an injury late in Thursday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert took a couple of big but clean hits in the fourth quarter and was clearly in pain for the team's final two drives before heading to the X-ray room immediately after the game. Staley also added that more information on Herbert's status would be available on Friday, but that he doesn't expect the injury to be of much concern going forward. Luckily, Herbert will have a long week to recover before a Week 3 matchup next Sunday with the Jacksonville Jaguars.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Daniel Popper

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer finished with four receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown on eight targets in the team's Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It took some time for Palmer to get going as he was targeted early by Justin Herbert but didn't tally his first reception until the second quarter. Still, this appeared to be a disappointing performance for fantasy until Herbert connected with Palmer on the game's final touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Palmer is worth hanging onto with Keenan Allen's (hamstring) status for Week 3 unknown, but will only be a WR3/flex play if Allen remains inactive.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams hauled in eight of 10 targets for 113 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Justin Herbert made an obvious effort to get Williams involved early in this one with Keenan Allen (hamstring) sidelined. His first score of the season came on an excellent one-handed contested grab in the third quarter. Williams likely won't see double-digit targets every week, especially once Allen returns, but this performance served as a nice reminder of why he should be a fixture in fantasy lineups. Williams remains a solid WR2 with week-winning upside heading into a Week 3 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler handled 14 carries for 39 yards and added nine receptions for 55 yards on 10 targets in the team's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Ekeler again ceded some snaps to Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel, with the latter even taking the goal-line work early in the contest. The good news is that Ekeler was heavily utilized as a receiver throughout the game, especially in the fourth quarter with the Chargers trailing. Perhaps fantasy managers should temper their expectations for Ekeler's touchdown upside going forward, but he is still a primary weapon on a high-flying offense. A Week 3 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars is on deck.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was excellent for fantasy yet again in Thursday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, completing 33 of 48 pass attempts for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The interception was a costly one as it was thrown at the Chiefs' three yard line and returned for a touchdown that gave Kansas City the lead in the fourth quarter. Herbert also took a few hits late in the game, suffering an apparent rib injury that even forced him to miss a play. Luckily, Herbert came back in and, despite being visibly in pain, led the Chargers on an impressive drive that resulted in a touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer. Herbert is expected to have x-rays completed immediately and fantasy managers should closely monitor his status for Week 3. Obviously, if healthy, he will continue to be a must-start fantasy option every week.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLas Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller will look to build off of a solid Week 1 performance where he totaled 79 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers. He will be facing a Cardinals defense in Week 2 who surrendered eight catches for 121 yards and a touchdown to Travis Kelce last week. Waller was used as a downfield target in Week 1, which we love to see from a tight end. With defensive attention shifted to new Raiders receiver Davante Adams, Waller saw plenty of room to operate in the middle of the field. He should continue to be a go-to target for Derek Carr as the offense looks to get rolling after a losing effort.--Al Calo - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoLas Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (hamstring) did not practice Thursday. He's now missed back-to-back sessions due to a hamstring issue. Before his injury in the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, he rushed three times for seven yards while securing both targets for 21 yards and a touchdown while logging 16 snaps. The 32-year-old is trending in the wrong direction and could miss Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. If Bolden is inactive, Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah will work behind starter Josh Jacobs.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Tyler Drake

2 years agoSeattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (hernia) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice. He had surgery for a hernia in mid-August and was inactive for Monday's Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos. The 21-year-old was a full participant on Wednesday and will make his NFL debut this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Friday's practice status should give fantasy managers a good idea if Walker will suit up on Sunday. Walker will serve as Seattle's RB2 behind Rashaad Penny, but due to the uncertainty of his role in Week 2, he is not recommended flex option in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: John Boyle of Seahawks.com