San Diego Chargers Fantasy Analysis - Week 18

January 4, 2008 @ 06:42:51

By Scott Lau
Edited by Herija C. Green

San Diego Chargers Fantasy Matchups - AFC Wild Card Playoff Game

Opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans

The Chargers (11-5) go into the playoffs on as big of a roll as almost any team in the NFL. They will face the Titans (10-6) this Sunday, who only clinched a playoff spot last weekend. San Diego will look to strike early and often; head coach Norv Turner knows that he was hired specifically to direct this team deep into the playoffs. With a roster at near full health, the Chargers should be hard to stop, even for the hard-nosed Titans. 

Quarterback

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	Comp/G	Att/G	Pass Yds/G	Pass TDs/G	INTs/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G	PH
Philip Rivers	4	16	27	173.5	1.50	0.50	1.0	0.00	X

Rivers has continued to play well down the stretch. You can't really complain with Rivers' performance. He has managed games well and limited his turnovers while managing to throw for a touchdown pass in seven consecutive games. Even though the Titans will likely see heavy doses of running back LaDainian Tomlinson, Rivers should still get many opportunities to spread the ball around and is ranked as a No. 1 quarterback this week.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Comp/G	Att/G	Pass Yds/G	Pass TDs/G	INTs/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G
Titans	4	24	39	218.0	1.50	1.75	2.8	0.00

The Titans rank right in the middle of the pack in terms of passing yards allowed to opposing quarterbacks. However, Tennessee is tied for second in terms of interceptions forced. With Rivers playing well as of late, it should be interesting to see how he performs against an opportunistic defense.

Running Back

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	Util/G (%)	RZ Util/G (%)	In-5 Util/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G	PH
LaDainian Tomlinson	4	22.50 (32.37)	4.75 (33.89)	1.50	106.2	1.00	2.50	12.0	0.50	++
Darren Sproles	3	14.00 (15.11)	2.33 (12.49)	0.33	53.0	0.67	2.33	5.7	0.00	N/A
Michael Turner	4	7.00 (10.07)	1.00 (7.13)	0.25	20.5	0.00	0.50	0.5	0.00	+

Tomlinson locked up a second consecutive league rushing title with his performance last weekend against the Oakland Raiders. L.T. has simply been on fire the last five weeks and should continue his strong play into the playoffs. The Titans have one of the better rush defenses in the league, but with the way the Chargers offense has been clicking of late, Tomlinson should still be considered a No. 1 running back, though he is a weak play.

With a playoff spot locked up, Sproles and Turner were given many opportunities to show the coaching staff and the league what they have to offer. They performed well, but now that the playoffs have begun, don't expect to see nearly as much of Turner or Sproles. They should both be considered No. 2 or No. 3 backs this week and are both weak plays.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Att/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G
Titans	4	19.5	83.8	0.25	4.75	28.0	0.25

The Titans have rebounded to rank in the top 10 in terms of fewest rushing yards and rushing touchdowns allowed per game to opposing running backs over the past month, which is largely due to the return of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Wide Receiver

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	Targets/G (%)	RZ Targets/G (%)	In-5 Targets/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G	PH
Chris Chambers	4	6.75 (9.71)	1.00 (7.13)	0.25	3.75	69.8	0.50	X
Vincent Jackson	4	5.25 (7.55)	1.75 (12.49)	0.75	2.75	34.0	0.00	X
Craig Davis	4	3.00 (4.32)	0.25 (1.78)	0.00	1.75	15.2	0.00	N/A

Chambers has been a quality acquisition for the Chargers as he has instantly become San Diego's top performing receiver, a position that desperately needed to be addressed after years of inadequate performance. Chambers finished the season strong, catching three passes for 49 yards and a score against the Raiders last week. Chambers should be considered a No. 1 receiver this week and is a strong play.

Jackson has been a decent receiver for the Chargers this season, but he has definitely not had the breakout year that many were expecting. That being said, Jackson is still a threat in the red zone because of his size. He should be considered a No. 3 receiver as a strong play this week.

Davis does not merit fantasy consideration this week and should remain on your bench.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G
Titans	4	14.50	151.8	0.75

The Titans are excellent against the run and solid against the pass with Tennessee ranking near the middle of the pack when it comes to yards and touchdowns allowed to opposing receivers.

Tight End

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	Targets/G (%)	RZ Targets/G (%)	In-5 Targets/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G	PH
Antonio Gates	4	7.00 (10.07)	1.75 (12.49)	0.50	3.50	37.8	0.25	X
Brandon Manumaleuna	3	1.00 (1.08)	0.67 (3.57)	0.33	0.33	0.3	0.33	N/A

Anyway you slice it; it was definitely nice to see Gates have a solid game last weekend. Even though he has had an off year by his standards, he is the second-best weapon on the San Diego offense. Gates should be considered a No. 1 tight end this weekend and a strong play.

Manumaleuna has been a bit of a surprise player every so often and is liable to come out and grab a touchdown when you least expect it. He should be considered a low-end No. 1 or bench play this week and is a strong play.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G
Titans	4	5.00	38.2	0.50

Again, the Titans rank amongst the middle of the league when it comes to defending opposing tight ends. Like most teams that have faced the Chargers this year, expect a lot of attention to be focused on stopping Gates.

Place Kicker

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Player	G	FG/G	FG Att/G	XP/G	XP Att/G	Kick Pts/G
Nate Kaeding	4	2.50	2.50	3.25	3.25	10.8

Kaeding (fibula) had an excellent performance last week, hitting on all field goal and extra point attempts while racking up 12 points for the day. He is ranked as our No. 1 overall kicker this weekend but is a weak play.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	FG/G	FG Att/G	XP/G	XP Att/G	Kick Pts/G
Titans	4	0.75	1.00	1.25	1.50	3.5

Since Week 13, the Titans rank No. 1 in the league in terms of fewest points allowed to opposing kickers.

Defensive Team/Special Teams

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 14-17

Team	G	Off Pts Allowed/G	Net Yds Allowed/G	Sacks/G	INT/G	Fum Rec/G
Chargers	4	12.8	277.2	2.50	2.50	1.00

Over the last four weeks, the Chargers have allowed the second-fewest points to opposing offenses in the league. That is especially impressive when you consider that some of their starters were resting for large periods of that span. The Chargers defense should be considered a high-end No. 1 defense this weekend.

Table: Opponent Offense vs. Defense

Team	G	Off Pts/G	Net Yds/G	Sacks Allowed/G	INT Thrown/G	Fum Lost/G
Titans	4	17.2	299.0	1.75	0.75	0.75

The Titans offense ranks in the bottom half of the league in terms of total offensive points per game over the last four weeks. Their style of game would preferably revolve around solid defensive play and keeping the Chargers offense off the field as much as possible. The health of quarterback Vince Young (quadriceps) is something to keep an eye on heading into this game after getting banged up last week.

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Scott Lau
Scott Lau has been a KFFL contributor since 2006.

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