The NFL scheduling gods gave us quite a boon in Week 1, starting with a marquee matchup in Los Angeles on Thursday. In the Week 2 Thursday night game, they’re at it again, as the other team from Tinseltown travels to the Show Me State for a divisional showdown with the reigning AFC West kings. It’s the Chargers versus the Chiefs, and it promises to be a fantasy bonanza. Let’s take a look.

Week 2 Thursday Night Preview: Chiefs Offense

For a team that has been a mainstay atop the standings and finished in the top six in team offense the last five seasons, there was a lot of consternation over the state of the Chiefs this offseason. The loss of leading wideout Tyreek Hill was seen as a potential disaster for the team’s system and chemistry, with some wondering if it could mean the end of the Chiefs’ run of dominance.

After one week, it appears those worries were completely unfounded.

Kansas City exited their Week 1 contest with the Arizona Cardinals as the top offense in the league, putting up more points and more yards per play than any other squad. Patrick Mahomes spread the love in the pass game. Nine different Chiefs caught at least one pass, with 10 receiving targets. The 34.9 point day for Mahomes was the sixth-best performance of his career, good for QB1 honors. Travis Kelce caught eight of nine targets for 121 yards and a score. That allowed him to take his customary place as TE1.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire scoring 22.4 points and ending the day as RB6. But don’t jump on the CEH hype-train just yet. A closer look at the numbers suggests the game was an outlier for Edwards-Helaire. He only had three receiving touchdowns total for his career before turning two of his three targets into scores last week. And his average of six yards per rush (42 yards on seven carries) was well above his career average of 4.4. Further, he wasn’t even the most used back on the team, with rookie Isaiah Pacheco garnering 62 yards on 12 carries, while journeyman Jerick McKinnon out-targeted Edwards-Helaire four to three.

Chiefs’ Offense Big Question

It’s a high-powered offense, and you should get yourself a piece if you can. Mahomes and Kelce look to be their usual top-option selves. The Chiefs’ backfield warrants monitoring and caution for the time being, however. This is especially true against a potent Chargers’ defense. The Chargers only allowed one rushing first down to the Raiders. Admittedly, that was somewhat dictated by game flow. Las Vegas only ran 50 offensive plays and passed on 37 of them. But between the possible lack of opportunity and the splitting of those opportunities, I’m not relying on a Chief running back tonight. They all need a roster spot, but temper your expectations for them in the Week 2 Thursday night slot.

The bigger question, though, is how the workload (and resulting fantasy points) will be divided among the receivers. Hill’s departure left a void atop the depth chart. It has yet to be seen who (if anyone) will step up to fill that void. JuJu Smith-Schuster signed with the Chiefs and was a leading fantasy receiver for the Steelers. Ex-Packer Marquez Valdes-Scantling has some of Hill’s ability as a deep-threat. Rookie Skyy Moore brings talent and expectations. And holdover Mecole Hardman is fast, knows the offense, and knows Mahomes. JuJu (eight) led Hardman and MVS in targets, but how this group shakes out is still anyone’s guess. My advice for tonight and going forward is to put your money on JuJu. Hardman and MVS carry FLEX/bench value in deeper formats. Moore is a great Dynasty add.

Week 2 Thursday Night Preview: Chargers’ Offense

While not quite the juggernaut the Chiefs were, the Chargers exited Week 1 ninth in team offense. Justin Herbert finished as QB5 on the strength of 279 yards passing and three touchdowns. The Chargers lost Keenan Allen to a hamstring injury which will keep him out for tonight’s game. Before leaving, Allen was well on his way to another great game score and showed the form that made him last season’s WR11. Mike Williams, however, was nigh-invisible, gaining just 10 yards on two catches (four targets). In Allen’s place, DeAndre Carter and Josh Palmer both caught three of four targets apiece. Carter was able to turn his into 64 yards and a score. Palmer, a pre-season darling and personal favorite of yours truly, only managed five yards. Meanwhile, Austin Ekeler did not live up to his overall ADP3, with only 72 total yards and no scores.

Chargers’ Offense Big Question

There is plenty of fantasy intrigue surrounding which wide receiver will flourish in Allen’s absence. Palmer was widely expected to be that guy, but Carter’s performance last week raised some eyebrows. This game promises to be a shoot-out. The Chargers have to get Williams more involved. For him to be successful, whoever is lined up across the formation from him needs to be effective. This is an offense that can support three fantasy-relevant wideouts. My money is still on Palmer to be that guy when Allen is healthy. But for now, Carter is also a great add. Either of them could be a good DFS fill-in. You should be looking for a stack that can differentiate you from the pack. Try going with Herbert, tight end Gerald Everett, and either Carter or Palmer. You’ll get the potency of the Chargers’ offense without the ownership logjam of Williams and Ekeler.

Additionally, Austin Ekeler needs to be a bigger factor for the Chargers to have a shot at a big road win in this Week 2 Thursday night showdown. This team really goes when Ekeler hits in the passing game and on the ground. They need to do a better job of run-blocking and getting him the ball in space. He can’t average 2.6 yards per carry tonight against a team like the Chiefs. He’s obviously a must-start, but here’s hoping for better results than last week’s disappointment.

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