Well, at least this primetime game was actually good. To wrap up week six, the NFL matched the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers up against one another on Monday night. Sure, this game looked juicy on paper from a fantasy aspect… If the paper was released before the regular season.

Instead, many of us believed the Chargers would blow the Broncos out of the water and send them riding back to Denver. We couldn’t be more wrong.

It took overtime to decide this game. But a heartbreaking punt return fumble (if you can call it that) gave Chargers the chance to kick a game-winning field goal. Dustin Hopkins converted his fourth field goal of the night to give his squad the 19-16 win over Denver.

Nonetheless, let’s dive into who starred and who didn’t on the last game of week six. Can time slow down a bit? The season seems like it’s coming and going way too fast.

Fantasy Stud Of The Game: Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC

We have ourselves a new running back at the top of the fantasy rankings. A volume-filled day against the Broncos led Ekeler to score 24.3 fantasy PPR points. The highest among players on Monday night, he recorded 36 rushing yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he served as Justin Herbert‘s safety blanket with ten catches for 47 yards.

After three mediocre fantasy performances to start the season, the running back has come alive in the past three weeks. 34.9 and 35.9 fantasy points in weeks four and five were exhilarating to see. Last night was another example that shows fantasy owners made the right decision drafting him in the first round.

Austin Ekeler cares about your fantasy team ???? ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/E8j3RFaBvW

— Underdog Fantasy (@UnderdogFantasy) October 18, 2022

He sure does care.

Ekeler is a dynamic back who can run and catch passes out of the backfield. He showed it against the Broncos and was indeed the stud of the game.

Other Studs: Joshua Palmer (14.7), Russell Wilson (13.82), Greg Dulcich (12.4)

Dud Of The Game: Justin Herbert, QB, LAC

57. That’s how many times Herbert had to throw across five quarters against the Denver Broncos. Although teammate Austin Ekeler was outstanding, those who started Herbert were very disappointed.

Projected to score 18.1 fantasy points, but he only produced 8.42 points. Why was this?

Despite the volume being there, he only threw for 238 yards despite having 37 completions. Unless you fix the settings, completions don’t matter much. The number of touchdowns and yards do. He threw no touchdowns and had an interception that hurt his fantasy performance in the second half.

In fact, many were so confident he was going to throw a touchdown that this was announced.

Justin Herbert has thrown a TD in 26 straight regular season games. Tonight, Draft Kings boosted Herbert one passing touchdown from -800 to +100…he has yet to throw a TD.

Sports leagues and sports books are in cahoots with each other. Change my mind.

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakDTR) October 18, 2022

So much for that confidence.

This isn’t too much to worry about. Denver’s pass defense is respectable, led by Patrick Surtain II. With him shadowing Mike Williams all night, Herbert depended on check-downs to Ekeler and throws to Joshua Palmer to get his passing yards. This game was also the first all year with no passing touchdowns.

Expect Herbert to bounce back against the Seattle Seahawks, who are the ninth-easiest fantasy defense to throw against.

Other Duds: Mike Williams (3.7), Courtland Sutton (3.4), Melvin Gordon (0.8)

Thank you for reading! If you want more player spotlight articles or fantasy football Studs and Duds, make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week and follow me on Twitter! Check out my last article here. Thank you for your continuing support, and be on the lookout for more quality content! Also, check out my podcast here!