Seamus Carr brings you all the biggest storylines from Week 14, including an explosive offense that’s finally getting healthy and a superstar wide receiver on the verge of a historic accomplishment.
Herbert Comes Up Huge, Chargers Down Dolphins
Justin Herbert had a full array of weapons available at his disposal in Week 14, which made a world of difference. Herbert is an extremely talented young QB who regularly makes plays that will wow you, but he was on fire with a healthy Mike Williams and Keenan Allen on the field. The Week 14 matchup versus the Miami Dolphins had received a ton of hype and was focused on the Herbert versus Tua Tagovailoa subplot. The story of the 21-17 Los Angeles victory ended up being that a healthy Chargers team could make some noise in the playoffs should they hang on to their Wild Card spot.
This was by no means a flawless win for the Chargers and their offense. Although Herbert looked spectacular, he ended up 39-for-51 for 367 yards but only one touchdown. The Chargers struggled to cap their drives with TDs, settling three times for field goals. Against the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, that won’t cut it. But on a rare occurrence where most of the pieces of their offense were healthy, they looked prime to take on the challenge.
A Trio Of Options
From a fantasy perspective, the Chargers WRs have been an afterthought during the second half of the year. Williams was impressive at the beginning of the season but he’s struggled to get back on the field with a high-ankle sprain. Allen was injured in Week 1 and has started to ramp up his production since returning in Week 11 versus KC.
In Week 14, the duo combined for 18 receptions. Williams was the downfield threat Herbert so badly needed, reeling in his six targets for 116 yards and a TD. Allen did his thing, converting first downs regularly, and turning 14 targets into 12 catches for 92 yards. With injuries behind them, this pair is back on the weekly WR1/WR2 borderline and should safely be back in lineups.
The constant fantasy contributor from this team continues to be Austin Ekeler. His efficiency on the ground was poor but he continued to rack up the receptions in a way few backs can. He rushed for 45 yards and a TD on 15 carries, tacking on eight receptions for 59 yards. With the offense back clicking and Ekeler having a stranglehold on virtually all high-value touches, he seems primed to lead fantasy managers on a deep playoff run.
