Panthers vs. Chargers: How to watch, what to watch in Week 3

The Carolina Panthers are looking to get their first win of the 2020 NFL season and will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Carolina will be missing a key player in Christian McCaffrey, who is expected to miss multiple games with an ankle injury. The Chargers are also missing a difference maker, as starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor is listed as questionable for the matchup because of a chest injury.

The absence of both players could impact the outcome of Sunday’s game significantly. We’ll go over everything you need to know about the matchup here.

TV Info

Date: Sunday, September 27
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Panthers: 25th vs. Pass, 29th vs. Rush
Chargers: 11th vs. Pass, 15th vs. Rush

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Panthers: +6.5, +245
Chargers: -6.5, -286
Total: 43.5

Injury report

Panthers

DOUBTFUL: G Dennis Daley (ankle), DT Kawann Short (foot)

QUESTIONABLE: T Russell Okung (groin)

Chargers

OUT: LB Asmar Bilal (calf), DT Justin Jones (shoulder), QB Tyrod Taylor (ribs, chest)

DOUBTFUL:

DE Melvin Ingram (knee), RB Justin Jackson (quadricep), LB Nick Vigil (groin)

QUESTIONABLE: T Bryan Bulaga (knee), S Rayshawn Jenkins (groin), G Trai Turner (groin)

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Panthers

Robby Anderson, Wide Receiver, $5,200

Anderson has played noticeably better than Curtis Samuel and and D.J. Moore this season and could be more important in Week 3 with McCaffrey (ankle) out. Most will stay away from this matchup against the Chargers, but playing him against one of the better secondaries in the NFL could give you an edge.

Mike Davis, Running Back, $5,100

Davis has been promoted to a starting role with McCaffrey out and showed his pass-catching chops in Week 2 by hauling in 8-of-8 targets for 74 yards. We haven’t gotten to see him carry the ball much, but he’ll play a ton of snaps with limited depth at his position. He’s no McCaffrey, but being used in a similar fashion could make paying up for him worth it.

Chargers

Austin Ekeler, Running Back, $6,800

Ekeler bounced back in Week 2 by running for 93 yards and catching four passes for 55 yards. He hasn’t reached the end zone yet in 2020, but could have a more prominent role if rookie quarterback Justin Herbert continues filling in for Taylor against the worst run defense in the NFL so far.

Joshua Kelley, Running Back, $5,000

Kelley surprisingly logged 23 carries in Week 2 and appears to have established himself as a key member of the Chargers’ rushing attack. He won’t be limited to running between the tackles, as he caught two passes for 49 yards in his last outing.