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The Melvin Gordon you hoped for when drafting him this season has finally arrived. It took him long enough. Over the last two games, Gordon has 46 touches for 242 yards and three touchdowns while Austin Ekeler has 24 touches for 141 yards and a touchdown.
Ekeler’s touches went from 16 two weeks ago to eight last week, so there is going to be some inconsistency there, but he’s a valued member of the offense and will get work even though Gordon has reasserted himself as the bell-cow.
Fantasy football analysis: Los Angeles Chargers RBs Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler
The Chargers running backs get a good matchup with Kansas City’s pitiful run defense. Last week the Titans almost pulled out the upset by running Derrick Henry through K.C.’s guts over and over again. He put up a massive 188 rushing yards on 23 carries for 8.2 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns.
On the year, Kansas City gives up the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs, the most total yards and yards per carry. They’re also quite poor at stopping receiving backs, as they’ve allowed the third-most receiving yards per game to the position.
Gordon and Ekeler have split targets fairly evenly of late, with Ekeler seeing nine and Gordon eight over the last three weeks. We could see that number rise for both against a Kansas City team that can score quickly and put their opponent’s in hurry-up mode.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
Start Gordon as an RB1.
Start Ekelers as an RB3/Flex.