Chargers (+7) @ 49ers (-280): O/U 45.5

At the beginning of the season, this matchup between the Chargers and 49ers would have been considered one of the best on the year.  Unfortunately, the Chargers are absolutely riddled with injuries to star players on both sides of the ball, while the 49ers are healthier and more powerful than ever, especially with the addition of Christian McCaffrey.  Both teams are more than capable of putting up huge numbers on offense, but it will be a tough ask for Justin Herbert, who is missing his top two pass-catchers and faces the NFL’s best defense.  The Chargers are one game back from the division-leading Chiefs, while the 49ers trailing the Seahawks by a pair of wins.  Each team currently holds the third wildcard spot in their respective conferences, so a victory on Sunday night would be absolutely crucial.

Chargers

QB

Justin Herbert: Herbert has been struggling this year due to injuries at his skill positions.  Fantasy GMs honestly need to consider putting him on their bench in a very tough matchup against one of the absolute best defenses in the NFL. They are top-10 in least passing yards allowed per game, while allowing the least rushing yards per game by a wide margin. In five of Herbert’s last six games, he has scored less than 20 fantasy points, with four of those games being 14 or fewer points.

RB

Austin Ekeler: Start Ekeler as per usual, even in a matchup against the absolute worst matchup for running backs this season. He is getting fed in this offense, picking up extra reps during the absence of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.  He has scored at least 24.1 fantasy points in each of his last five games and ranks as the RB1 on the season. 

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WR

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