Week 16 at New York Jets
The Chargers go cross-country to face the Jets, with the season on the line for Los Angeles. The Chargers are a 6.5-point favorite with an implied team total just over 24 points this week in Vegas. Over the past four weeks, the Jets have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to RBs. Their ranking of sixth in aFPA is more indicative of this defense's play further back than the past month. Plus, Austin Ekeler now has a club on his hand, which means Gordon can only get even more volume. He's an elite RB1 option in Week 16.
Week 15 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chargers are red hot and go into Kansas City Saturday in a game that will greatly decide the division race. The Chargers have a middle-of-the-road implied team total of 23 points, but Melvin Gordon is still the RB12 over the past month in PPR. The Chiefs are ranked just 19th in aFPA to RBs this season, and Gordon put up 79 yards and a score in the first meeting between these two teams. He's averaging 14 PPR points in his last three games against the Chiefs and has received at least 20 touches in each game since the Chargers' bye week. Keep starting him.
Week 14 vs. Washington Redskins
The Chargers have the second-highest implied team total this weekend in Vegas at 26.25 points, and Washington is only 25th in aFPA to running backs this season. Washington has also allowed the third-most rushing yards over the past four weeks and the fourth-most red zone touches to RBs in that span. All of this makes Melvin Gordon a certified RB1 again for Week 14. Since the bye week, Gordon has received 20+ touches each week. Start him with confidence.
Week 13 vs. Cleveland Browns
The Chargers are surging with 82 points in their last two games, and now they get a revenge game against the lowly Browns, as the Chargers were the only team Cleveland beat last year. The Chargers have the highest implied team total of the week at 28.75 points. The Browns are ranked 16th in aFPA versus RBs this season. Gordon has 168 total yards and a touchdown over his past two games. He's a top-five play this week.
Week 12 at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys present a plus matchup for Melvin Gordon on Thanksgiving, as Dallas is just 23rd in overall fantasy points allowed to the position and 25th in aFPA against running backs. Gordon may have only played 50% of the snaps last week but still saw 20 touches for 80 yards and a touchdown. There was no need to play him in the second half of a blowout against the Bills. Fire him up as an RB1 this week.
Week 11 vs. Buffalo Bills
This week is a big spot for Melvin Gordon against a Bills defense ranked 31st in our aFPA vs. RB rankings and that has allowed more than 500 scrimmage yards in its past two games. Overall, the Bills have allowed the second-most PPR points to the position. Fire up Gordon in Week 11.
Week 10 at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have been a pit of fantasy despair for opposing quarterbacks, allowing a league best 6.7 fantasy points per game to the position, which means Melvin Gordon should see a very large volume of touches in Week 10. The Jaguars are middle of the road in PPR points allowed to opposing running backs and rank 16th in our aFPA vs. RB rankings. Expect mid-RB1 numbers from Gordon this week, regardless of game script.
Week 8 at New England Patriots
Melvin Gordon faces a Patriots defense that just lost its best linebacker in Dont'a Hightower and is ranked 24th in our aFPA vs. RB rankings. In addition, the Patriots are 28th in the league in fantasy points allowed to RBs. Despite a quiet Week 7, Gordon is still averaging 20 touches per game. Gordon's high volume and plus matchup once again make him an RB1 in Week 8.
Week 7 vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are a tough matchup for Gordon this week, as Denver is third in our aFPA vs. RB rankings, but Gordon's volume each week keeps him in the RB1 conversation. In Week 1 against the Broncos, for example, Gordon had 23 touches for 79 yards and a touchdown. Gordon is averaging 20 touches per game, and that's the kind of touch count you can rely on, regardless of the matchup. Start him.
Week 6 at Oakland Raiders
Heading into last week, Melvin Gordon told the media he needed to get the ball more. The Chargers listened, more than doubling his previous week's touches with 26—he responded with 163 total yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. This week against the Raiders, Gordon faces a defense ranked just 18th in our aFPA vs. PPR RBs, and Gordon posted double-digit points in his one game against Oakland last year. He's a solid bet to be a top-10 RB in Week 6.
