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Chargers vs. Chiefs: Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, Rashee Rice

Patrick Mahomes - Fantasy Football Rankings, DFS Lineup Picks, NFL Injury News

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em, and lineup advice for the Chargers vs. Chiefs on Sunday in Week 7 (2023). Detailed player breakdowns and matchups analysis.

Welcome to our Chargers vs. Chiefs fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em matchups analysis article for Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season.

Read our matchups analysis, player breakdowns, and lineup recommendations for the matchup and set those winning lineups. Good luck RotoBallers!

 

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

Spread: Chiefs -5.5
Implied Total: Chargers (21.25) vs. Chiefs (26.75)
Pace: Chargers (3rd) vs. Chiefs (26th)
Chargers Off. DVOA: 29.7% Pass (8th), -9.9% Rush (18th)
Chiefs Off. DVOA: 36.7% Pass (5th), -6.6% Rush (16th)
Chargers Def. DVOA: 
11.4% Pass (21st), -0.1% Rush (24th)
Chiefs Def. DVOA: -10.9% Pass (6th), -8.1% Rush (21st)

 

Matchups We Love

Travis Kelce (TE, KC)

Kelce had an outstanding game in Week 6. He's the best in the NFL. End of story.

Isiah Pacheco (RB, KC)

Kansas City has subtly developed a new identity, centered around playing defense and pounding the rock with Pacheco. He's slowly become a workhorse for one of the NFL's most elite offenses. He's had at least 15 carries in each of his past four outings with three-plus receptions in three of those four. He hit a season-high six catches last week. It's another solid matchup in a game with lots of points to be scored, positioning him up in the top 15.

 

Matchups We Hate

Chargers TEs

Gerald Everett and Donald Parham Jr. are sharing the tight end role. The offense does need a red zone threat, so they'll maintain that opportunity on a weekly basis, but that's really their only appeal at this point. Everett is still the starter if you're looking for someone this week.

Keenan Allen (WR, LAC)

Allen was so close to a monster day. Justin Herbert overthrew him on a sideline play that would've likely gone the distance. He still finished with seven grabs for 85 yards and a score, but there's a chance for him to beat that this week. Kansas City has a talented secondary, but Allen lines up all over the field, so he'll be just fine. Joshua Palmer was doing his best Mike Williams impression, making contested catches downfield. He averaged 20 yards per reception, which is valuable utilization. He slots in as a top-36 wideout. Quentin Johnston looks like a bust at this point. It's not as if another receiver played ahead of him because they have no one else to turn to, but finishing with zero receptions is unacceptable. He's unstartable for the foreseeable future.

 

Other Matchups

Austin Ekeler (RB, LAC)

Ekeler made his long-awaited return and immediately received 18 touches. Dallas has a stout defense, so it's not a shock that he struggled to run the ball. The Chargers rank 30th in run blocking, according to PFF, so Ekeler will need to overcome some of their shortcomings. The Chiefs are more susceptible to the run, setting him up for a better day.

Justin Herbert (QB, LAC)

Something to note is that the over/under is less than 50. These two organizations meet one another twice a year and it's rare for it not to be a projected shootout. It speaks to both the improvement from the Kansas City defense and the struggles from the Los Angeles offense. Herbert is still in your lineup of course, but it may not be a barn burner.

Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC)

The information reviewed under Herbert's section applies here, too. Additionally, the team hasn't needed Mahomes to be Superman. Strangely enough, when they do let him sling it, he commits turnovers and makes uncharacteristic decisions. He's currently ninth in quarterback rating, eighth in completion percentage, sixth in passing yards, and fifth in passing touchdowns. It's not time to panic, but there's a real possibility he goes the rest of the season finishing outside the top five most weeks, ending the year closer to the QB12 mark than QB1 overall.

Rashee Rice (WR, KC)

Rice has been showing up in this section for weeks now. He made some big plays last week and played just five fewer snaps than Marquez Valdes-Scantling and two fewer than Skyy Moore. The team is leaning on him more because the options are subpar. Speaking of other options, they elected to reunite with Mecole Hardman Jr. via trade, further evidencing their lack of faith in the other pass-catchers. Rice is an upside top-36 receiver.

 

Notable Injuries

Justin Watson (elbow)



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