Week 12 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Philip Rivers has multiple touchdowns in every game this season and 17+ points in all but two games this year. The Chargers have an implied team total of 28 points, an attractive projection. The Cardinals may be ranked second in aFPA to QBs, but this defense on the road has allowed at least 17 fantasy points in each game away from home to this position. For these reasons, Rivers is still a viable QB1.
Week 11 vs. Denver Broncos
Fantasy owners should temper expectations for Philip Rivers this week, despite the fact that he's posted multiple touchdowns in every game this season. Denver is eighth in aFPA to QBs this season, and Rivers in his last four games against the Broncos is only averaging 14.2 FP/G. Combine that with Denver ranking just 18th in aFPA to RBs, and that may foreshadow a run-heavy attack for Los Angeles in a game where positive game script is expected in the second half. The potential for low pass volume for Week 11 knocks Rivers out of the QB1 ranks this week.
Week 10 at Oakland Raiders
Philip Rivers has multiple touchdowns in every game this season, and this week the Chargers have the third -highest team total on the Sunday slate. Oakland ranks just 26th in aFPA to QBs, and Rivers put up 21.4 points in the first match-up between these two teams this season. He is a locked and loaded mid-tier QB1 this week in a pristine match-up.
Week 8 at Seattle Seahawks
Philip Rivers has been one of the most consistent fantasy quarterbacks this season, with at least 17 points in all but one game, and 19.7 or more points in all but two games. That gets tested this week against a re-tooled Seattle defense that's played surprisingly well. The Seahawks are just fourth in aFPA to QBs and, overall, have allowed the least amount of fantasy points to the position. Rivers should continue to produce a high floor for Week 9, but his ceiling is definitely capped in a tough road match-up.
Week 7 vs. Tennessee Titans (London)
Per NFL's NextGenStats, Philip Rivers is the only quarterback in the NFL with a passer rating over 100 while under pressure, in tight windows, on quick passes and deep throws 20+ yards downfield. In fantasy, he's been one of the more consistent quarterbacks in the league with 17+ points each game until last week, where he only attempted 20 passes for a fantastic 10.4 yards per attempt. Rivers should still be considered a QB1 in Week 7 against a top-10 Titans defense in aFPA to QBs. The Chargers also have a solid 26-point implied team total. Rivers should again provide a high floor.
Week 6 at Cleveland Browns
The Chargers have a below average implied team total this week in Cleveland, facing a rebuilt Browns defense that has forced 11 turnovers in three home games this year. Something has to give against Philip Rivers, who has been magnificent to start the season. Thirteen touchdowns to just two interceptions. Through five weeks, it's always nice when Rivers has more touchdowns than children at home. Against the second-ranked defense in aFPA to QBs though, Rivers is among a large group of QBs just trying to crack low-end QB1 status in Week 6. If you have a better option, don't be afraid to fade Rivers this week.
Week 5 vs. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders secondary has allowed 289+ yards and multiple touchdowns in consecutive weeks to Ryan Tannehill and Baker Mayfield. The Chargers also have the third-highest implied team total in Week 5 at 28.75 points. Oakland is just 22nd in aFPA to QBs this season. Rivers put up 387 and three scores in his last home game against this defense a year ago. Fire him up as a rock solid QB1 in Week 5.
Week 4 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Rivers is dealing through three weeks, averaging more than eight yards per attempt, multiple touchdowns per game and only one interception this season. The 49ers rank just 18th in aFPA to QBs. Only the Chiefs have a higher implied team total this week, with the Chargers expected to score 28.5 points. All of this means Rivers is a high-end QB1 in Week 4.
Week 3 at Los Angeles Rams
Proceed cautiously with Philip Rivers this week, despite the fact he's lit up the Chiefs and Bills in the first two weeks of the season. The Rams defense is most certainly not the Chiefs or Bills. A low implied team total of 20.5 points is also cause for concern. The Rams have allowed 6.2 and 1.6 points to QBs this season. Rivers is not Derek Carr or Sam Bradford, but the answer here likely lies somewhere in the middle. There are always plenty of better streaming options. Consider them over Rivers in Week 3.
Week 2 at Buffalo Bills
The Bills lost 47-3 to the Ravens last week. Sooooooo, yeah. Start your Chargers. Rivers exploded for nearly 30 fantasy points on 400+ passing yards but could have had even more touchdowns if not for a couple drops by Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin. Going cross-country is never easy for a West Coast team, but I think we can make an exception here. Rivers should post viable numbers in your starting lineup this week, as the Bills allowed 26.6 points to Joe Flacco in Week 1.
