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The NFL won’t be closing out Week 5 until Tuesday due to Covid-19, but Monday Night Football should be a fun penultimate contest of the week. The 2-2 New Orleans Saints host the 1-3 Los Angeles Chargers in a matchup that should be better than the records indicate.
Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert is off to a great start, averaging 310 yards per game while completing 72 percent of his passes. The Chargers are not going to win many games this season, but Herbert is developing into a viable fantasy starter as a rookie. However, injuries have created some problems heading into Monday. Austin Ekeler is sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson splitting work. Mike Williams is dealing with his own hamstring injury and is questionable for Monday.
The Saints offense is putting up points but faces some questions. Drew Brees is not quite what he’s been in the past. He can still make big plays, but there is some inconsistency there. He’ll be without Michael Thomas, who appears to have been unofficially suspended for punching a teammate in practice. Thomas is expected back after the team’s bye.
This game could turning into a shootout. which means big things for fantasy football managers. Here are some ESPN PPR points projections to give you an idea of what you can expect from key players on each side.
Los Angeles Chargers
QB Justin Herbert: 16.7
RB Joshua Kelley: 13.5
RB Justin Jackson: 11.2
WR Keenan Allen: 16.2
WR Mike Williams: 9.6
WR Jalen Guyton: 2.8
TE Hunter Henry: 12.4
K Michael Badgley: 7.7
D/ST: 3.9
New Orleans Saints
QB Drew Brees: 15.3
RB Alvin Kamara: 22.2
RB Latavius Murray: 9.7
WR Tre’Quan Smith: 6.1
WR Emmanuel Sanders: 5.7
TE Jared Cook: 8.7
TE Taysom Hill: 3.2
K Wil Lutz: 8.5
D/ST: 5.7