Cowboys vs. Chargers MNF Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Austin Ekeler, Joshua Palmer, Dak Prescott, Quentin Johnston, Jake Ferguson, more

October 15, 2023

Fantasy football start em, sit em lineups advice for the Cowboys vs. Chargers Monday Night Football game in Week 6 (2023). MNF matchups analysis and starts/sits.

Welcome back RotoBallers to our Monday Night Football matchups analysis article for the Cowboys vs. Chargers. Week 6 is almost in the books, and we'll get the final matchup of the week on Monday Night Football. It's been a fun and crazy kickoff week of NFL and fantasy football action filled with big performances, new players emerging, and many injuries around the league. Hopefully, you're on the verge of winning your matchups (or already have).

Now, we get one more game on Monday night to finish it off. Below you will find our matchups analysis for the Monday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers. Hopefully, it will be an exciting game that adds to a week filled with plenty of booms, busts, and injuries.

Read our fantasy football breakdowns for these games -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Week 6 matchups. Good luck RotoBallers!

Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers

Spread: Cowboys -1.5
Implied Total: Cowboys (26.25) vs. Chargers (24.75)
Pace: Cowboys (24th) vs. Chargers (3rd)
Cowboys Off. DVOA: 6.1% Pass (19th), -13.4% Rush (22nd)
Chargers Off. DVOA: 33.9% Pass (8th), -4.2% Rush (15th)
Cowboys Def. DVOA: -13.2% Pass (6th), -13.5% Rush (12th)
Chargers Def. DVOA: 6.5% Pass (15th), 2.8% Rush (28th)

Matchups We Love

Tony Pollard (RB, DAL)

Pollard was on fire to open the year. He was a top-10 back through three weeks, then things went awry. The Cowboys pounded the Patriots, aided by two defensive touchdowns. Then they were on the receiving end of a smackdown from the 49ers. Taking on the Chargers should be a more prototypical game script with two competitive and competent teams.

CeeDee Lamb (WR, DAL)

It's been a similar story for Lamb, who has had just one big game so far. Part of that is the play of Dak Prescott as well. He's still demanding volume with a target per route run of 23% and performing with it given his 2.36 yards per route run. Ultimately, he needs better consistency from Prescott and the offense with more looks his way, which is likely to occur against the Chargers.

Matchups We Hate

Dak Prescott (QB, DAL)

You can see why the team has been sheltering Prescott from having to do too much. When the moment was thrust upon him, he folded like a deck of cards. He threw three interceptions, costing his team any chance of competing with what most would agree is the best team in the NFL, San Francisco.

There's not much positive to take away from last week. The Chargers present a better opportunity, but they're coming off a bye week and have some dangerous pass-rushers, including Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa.

Gerald Everett (TE, LAC)

With Austin Ekeler set to return and Donald Parham Jr. expected to be active, there are too many mouths to feed to be excited about Everett in this matchup. He's part of a great offense and could still find the end zone, so he's a streamer, but not one with much of a floor.

Other Matchups

Austin Ekeler (RB, LAC)

The gap between the starter and the backup in this backfield may be one of the largest. It was partly the way they ran the offense, but Joshua Kelley could not do nearly what Ekeler does. Then again, not too many backs can. Nonetheless, he's healthy and ready to roll coming off their bye. It may not be the dream matchup you want for his return to action, but there's no way he falls outside the top 12.

Keenan Allen (WR, LAC)

A week off is a long time in the NFL for fans, so it's easy to forget how dominant Allen has been. Through four weeks, he's averaging about nine receptions for 109 yards and 0.75 touchdowns per game. He also trails only Tyreek Hill in points per game. Safe to say you're starting him.

Where it gets interesting is the secondary receivers, including Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston. We know Palmer can be an average wideout who keeps the offense going, but the upside of Johnston is unknown. He struggled with drops during training camp and the season while failing to earn a significant role. We'll have a better gauge of where he stands after this week.

Dallas's secondary is down their best CB, Trevon Diggs, but they're still an above-average unit. Palmer is a top-36 option with Johnston a risky flex play, especially now that Ekeler is back.

Justin Herbert (QB, LAC)

The last time we saw Herbert play, he struggled to take down the Aidan O'Connell-led Raiders. We learned in 2022 that he needs sufficient weapons. He won't get Mike Williams back, but the return of Ekeler to pair with Allen should suffice.

As Meatloaf sang, two out of three ain't bad. Even after the embarrassing loss, the Cowboys still rank fourth in defensive EPA per play and seventh in points per game allowed. They've also given up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. It drops Herbert to the lower part of the top 12.

Jake Ferguson (TE, DAL)

Ferguson had his worst performance since Week 1, but he's a tight end, so there's more leeway and tolerance for volatility. He's back in the top 12 against the Chargers, whose pass defense is about average.

Notable Injuries

None

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