Best lineup strategy for Chiefs-Chargers in MNF Showdown

UPDATE: Damien Williams is ACTIVE. LeSean McCoy is also active.

When the schedule first came out, this looked like it would be a pivotal matchup in deciding the AFC West. Instead, the Chargers haven’t been able to get out of their own way and fell to 4-6 after losing to the Raiders last week. It doesn’t get any easier playing against the Chiefs although there is reason to think this game will be close. All of the Chargers’ losses have been decided by one score or less, resulting in Kansas City only being favored by 4.5 points.

CAPTAIN OBVIOUS

Patrick Mahomes ($18,000)

Returning from a dislocated knee, it didn’t take Mahomes long to get back to form. In his first game back, he tossed three touchdown passes and racked up 446 passing yards. This was good for a total of 32.8 DKFP and Mahomes has at least 20 DKFP in every game other than the one he suffered the knee injury in. There’s an argument to be made that the time on the sidelines was a good thing for Mahomes. Prior to the knee injury, he was dealing with an ankle injury, which limited his mobility. Now, he looks as healthy as ever.

CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS

Damien Williams ($11,100)

Williams missed a couple days of practice this week, bringing his availability for tonight’s game into question. It was an excused absence and he has since joined the team in Mexico City, meaning he should be good to play tonight. The time away from the team could lower Williams’ ownership when it probably shouldn’t. It looks like Williams has solidified his role as the number one back on this team and he’s coming off a season high 24 touches.

FLEX MEN

Travis Kelce ($9,000)

No player on the Chiefs benefits more from the return of Mahomes than Kelce. He didn’t get much going with Matt Moore as the quarterback and scored 20.5 DKFP when reunited with his Pro Bowl quarterback last weekend. Kelce scored 20.5 DKPF, his best output since Week 2. He figures to be the best fantasy tight end in the league going forward.

Melvin Gordon ($8,600)

The Chargers made a change at offensive coordinator and it’s led to Gordon getting back to playing his role from previous seasons. After a late start to the season because of a holdout, Gordon lost touches to Austin Ekeler upon returning. Gordon has over 20 carries in consecutive games, implying he is once again a bell cow back. After back-t0-back games with at least 23 DKFP, he gets a great matchup against the Chiefs who allow the second most DKFP to opposing running backs.

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