Welcome to the NFL Week 4 Monday Night Football Showdown Slate!

There was a lot of crazy action on Sunday and while no one from the #FAmily took down the million-dollar prize this week, we’ve had a number of big winners from Sunday, so congratulations to everyone who cashed. We’ve got a tremendous match-up for Monday Night Football to finish off the week as the undefeated Las Vegas Raiders head to Los Angeles to take on their AFC West division rival Los Angeles Chargers.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is enjoying a fantastic start to the season and even though starting running back Josh Jacobs has been banged-up, they’ve pushed through against some formidable opponents. Meanwhile, the Chargers are definitely a team on the rise. Second-year quarterback Justin Herbert looks just as strong as ever, wide receiver Mike Williams is enjoying a breakout campaign and stalwarts like Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler bring the heat to each and every game. This one should be exciting from both a real-life and DFS perspective.

Now before we begin, please take a moment to understand what exactly you are getting yourself into by playing single-game Showdown Slates. We love to have some skin in the game, for sure, but these slates are, for all intents and purposes, a lottery ticket. Sure, there are times when the chalk hits and everyone shares in the prizes, but, more often than not, you need to hit on that random dart-throw that differentiates your lineup from that of the herd in order to claim the top prize. As a result, we encourage you to play responsibly and not over-invest. Stick to the GPP contests (single-entry preferred), don’t blow your whole bankroll, and understand that, unless you are a max-entry player, you should prioritize having fun.

OK. Lecture over. Let’s get to tonight’s action.

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers

Spread: Chargers -3.5

O/U: 51

Weather: dome

Notable Injuries:

Las Vegas Raiders

Josh Jacobs, RB – ankle (questionable – game-time decision)

Alec Ingold, FB – shoulder (questionable)

Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Jones, DT – calf (out)

Kenneth Murray, LB – ankle (out)

Chris Harris, DB – shoulder (questionable)

DVOA Defensive Rankings

Raiders

vs Pass: 12th   

vs Run: 9th  

Chargers

vs Pass: 15th 

vs Run: 31st 

**Please note that players not listed below are not necessarily a complete fade and any player listed can certainly be used as the MVP/Captain. These are merely suggestions for players to use when setting Showdown lineups.

MVP/Captain

Derek Carr, QB LV – Pretty tough to argue against a guy who has averaged 401 passing yards and two touchdowns per game, amirite? Whether they’re playing from ahead or behind, the Raiders are throwing and it looks like all that potential Jon Gruden was talking about with Carr has finally emerged. They’ve played in some exciting shootouts and this one seems like it will follow the trend, so while pricey in the top spot, Carr should be worth it.

Justin Herbert, QB LAC – After back-to-back 300-yard efforts with little excitement in the touchdown department, Herbert came through for his team against the big, bad Chiefs and lit them up for four touchdowns while throwing for 281 yards and no interceptions. He’s got a formidable secondary to work through, but with his weaponry and with the way the Raiders defense has gone back and forth in games, he should deliver strong totals in this division battle.

Darren Waller, TE LV – If you’re in need of a little bit of a pay-down, this is the move to make. The Chargers rank 28th in DVOA against the tight end and are allowing an average of 64.4 receiving yards per game. They are also giving up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position. We know Waller is the most-targeted pass-catcher on this team and tonight won’t be any different.

Mid-Tier

Mike Williams, WR LAC – The breakout season is upon us and Williams is delivering it in beautiful fashion. The offensive scheme Joe Lombardi brought from New Orleans continues to funnel targets his way and he’s been lighting up fantasy leagues with 22 catches for 295 yards and four touchdowns over the first three games. Expect him to see a lot of former teammate Casey Hayward in coverage, but Williams has a significant size advantage he’ll use to fend off the coverage.   

Keenan Allen, WR LAC – While Williams is enjoying his newfound dominance, Allen continues to perform in his usual reliable fashion. He had a bit of an ankle issue coming into tonight’s action, but he’s off the injury report and good to go. Allen has posted two 100-yard efforts already this season and remains the top-targeted receiver on this team. Raiders slot corner Nate Hobbs will have his work cut out for him.

Josh Jacobs/Peyton Barber, RB LV – Whichever one starts, use him. The Chargers have struggled against the run all season, allowing 170 rushing yards per game this season and are now without DL Justin Jones and MLB Kenneth Murray. The Raiders should pound the ball up the gut early and look to soften the defensive middle, so if Jacobs is good to go, he’ll see plenty of touches. If he isn’t, the typically mediocre Barber is in a plus match-up.

Austin Ekeler, RB LAC – The Raiders are allowing 120 rushing yards per game through the first three weeks and rank 13th in DVOA against running back pass-plays. We have yet to see Ekeler bust out a huge game yet, but he’s money-in-the-bank in a PPR format as this offensive scheme targets the running back in the passing game, as evidence by Ekeler’s 15 targets over the last two games. 

Bryan Edwards, WR LV – While the Raiders move their receivers around the field a bunch, Edwards should play opposite Chargers’ corner Michael Davis a lot in this game and that appears to be a plus match-up given some of the struggles we’ve seen for Davis, at times. Usually, Edwards is quiet in the early parts of the game and then Carr remembers he’s on the field, so let’s hope for a tight game that affords the QBs an opportunity to sling the rock more. Edwards will shine late.

Henry Ruggs, WR LV – We’re starting to see Ruggs run some different routes, his target share is increasing and he seems to be blossoming into more than just a deep threat. However, his bread and butter is his breakaway speed, so expect the Raiders to take some shots downfield and Ruggs to come away with a big-time touchdown.

Dart Throws

Hunter Renfrow, WR LV – He’s proven to be a reliable target and routinely helps Carr move the chains. The majority of his work takes place between the 20’s but we’ve seen some red zone looks through the first three weeks, so he isn’t as bereft of touchdown upside as he’s been in the past. He doesn’t usually cost much and many will flock to him over Edwards. If setting multiple lineups, one with him and one with Edwards will suffice. Not sure you want to take a stab at both of them together.

Jared Cook, TE LAC – The Raiders rank 16th in DVOA against the tight end and are allowing an average of 57.2 receiving yards per game to the position. They rank 12th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, but are still allowing double-digit points. He hasn’t seen a huge volume of work, but keep in mind he’s lost two touchdowns to penalties and still sees the red zone targets he needs to be successful.

Foster Moreau, TE LV – If you’re looking for a contrarian dart-throw, then, as frustrating as it can be to those who roster Waller, Moreau warrants consideration. He’s only seen five targets this season, but one of them happened to end up a touchdown against the Steelers. If you really need a pay-down…I mean REALLY need a pay-down, then here you go.

Kenyan Drake, RB LV – The Raiders paid this guy $11M dollars for two years and this “very specific role” that Jon Gruden refers to is maddening to fantasy owners. He’s seeing maybe six or seven carries per game and sees a half-dozen targets, but while some of the work is done inside the red zone, he’s seen no touches in the green zone or anywhere near the goal-line. We’re not exactly sure what Gruden is doing here, but if Jacobs is out again, Drake could see some opportunities as he spells Barber on occasion.

Jalen Guyton, WR LAC – He’s got big-play ability, but the Chargers don’t use him enough to be anything more than a dart-throw. Maybe you’ll see a jet sweep or something, but your best hope is a deep shot downfield on some busted coverage.

Kickers – Both are in-play for a pay-down this week. The lean is Daniel Carlson, but Tristan Vizcaino is a perfectly fine choice as well.

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