Week 16 at Cleveland
Philip Rivers threw for just 206 yards in a favorable matchup last week against Oakland. He did add two more TD passes to his totals to give him 29 for season, but did throw another INT. He now has 11 picks in his last five games.
Rivers gets a nice matchup this week on the road against Cleveland. The Browns are just 29th in allowing fantasy points to QBs, and Rivers comes in as a low-end QB1. In Week 4 of last season, Rivers threw for 358 yards and three TDs against the Browns. But, Rivers will be missing some of the weapons he had for that game last year and possibly have some banged up ones this week. Tyrell Williams took a hard hit last week, but did return after being evaluated for a concussion. However, RB Melvin Gordon could return. Either way, Rivers should be able to produce safe numbers against the winless Browns.
Week 15 vs. Oakland
Last week, Philip Rivers threw for 236 yards and two TDs, but added three more INTs to his total. Rivers now has 13 INTs over his last six games, though he does have 14 TDs in that same span.
This week, Rivers gets the Raiders, who are 16th in allowing fantasy points to QBs. Rivers comes in ranked 14th on our list of QBs. If INTs give you negative points, Rivers is really hurting you right now. With Melvin Gordon a question mark this week at RB, Rivers may actually have to throw more. Rivers continues to find weapons to throw to, but is really struggling with turnovers, so you may want to think about a different option above him in our rankings.
Week 14 at Carolina
Philip Rivers threw for 225 yards and two more TDs last week, but did have two INTs, including one that clinched a loss for the Bolts. Rivers now has multiple TD passes in five straight games, a span that has seen him toss 12 TDs and 10 INTs.
Rivers continues to be hot and cold over the past five games, throwing as many as four INTs in a Week 10 loss. This week, he's ranked 12th on our QB list, making him a low-end QB1 play as well as a tempting one for owners who have him in a committee or as a backup. The Panthers are 24th in allowing fantasy points to QBs, so it's a good enough matchup at least on paper. Rivers' matchups for the ROS are pretty solid, but if INTs get you negative points, Rivers is costing you points (so start with caution).
Week 13 vs. Tampa Bay
Philip Rivers was pretty solid last week, throwing for three TDs and 242 yards. He also had an INT after throwing four the previous week. This is now back-to-back weeks where Rivers had three TDs, though.
He does have 9 INTs over his last five games, so he has struggled a bit in that department. This week, at least on paper, he gets a bit of an easier matchup against the Bucs, who are 15th in allowing fantasy points to QBs. Tampa is coming off an impressive defensive performance at home against a Seattle offense that seemed to be trending up. But, Rivers is at home this week and comes in 12th on our QB list, making him a low-end QB1 play. He's usually a safe start in just about any format.
Week 12 at Houston
Philip Rivers had a bit of an ugly game when we last saw him in Week 10 before his bye. Rivers threw for 326 yards and three TDs, but also had four INTs to go along with those numbers. Two of those came late in the game and cost the team a chance at a win.
Rivers owners are in store for a tough matchup this week at Houston. The Texans are fifth in allowing fantasy points to QBs. Rivers comes in 14th on our QB list this week making him more of a high-end QB2 play. What's even worse for Rivers owners is Houston is 30th in allowing fantasy points to RBs so this could end up being the Melvin Gordon Show. The last time Rivers faced Houston was 2013 when he threw for just 195 yards but did have four TDs in that contest.
Week 10 vs. Miami
It was another solid game for Philip Rivers last week, throwing for 275 yards and two more TDs giving him 17 on the season to seven INTs.
This week Rivers gets the Dolphins at home before their bye week in Week 11. The Fish are 15th in allowing fantasy points to QBs so it's just an OK matchup. But as I've said before, matchups don't always mean a whole lot for Rivers. The one thing of note though is RB Melvin Gordon is coming off a huge game last week and the threat of the run has somewhat kept Rivers' yardage totals in check this year. Rivers is ranked seventh on our list and i usually always a solid option.
Week 9 vs. Tennessee
Philip Rivers put up more yards and TDs last week than we've seen him do against the Broncos in quite some time. Rivers had 267 yards and two TDs, but did throw three picks (giving him 15 TDs and seven INTs for the year).
It was a tough matchup, but Rivers was solid as long as your league doesn't give negative points for INTs, of course. This week, it's a better matchup at home, and Rivers is a QB1 option on our list. He comes in seventh, as the Titans are 22nd in allowing fantasy points to QBs. So far this year, Rivers has seven TDs to just one INT at home with only three home games to five away games. So Rivers is pretty solid on his home turf and seems to be a good play this week.
Week 8 at Denver
Philip Rivers had a big day throwing the ball last week against Atlanta, totaling 371 yards and a TD, but he also had a INT. The 371 yards was a season-high for Rivers.
This week, it's not such a great matchup as the team takes on Denver for the second time in three weeks, this time at Denver. Denver is first in allowing fantasy points to QBs, so Rivers is way down our list this week and not a good play. Two weeks ago, Rivers threw for 178 yards and a TD. Over his last four games against Denver, he's averaging just 210 yards a game and one TD pass. It's best to look for another option this week.
Week 7 at Atlanta
It was a tough go for Philip Rivers last week in a tough matchup against the Broncos last week. Rivers threw for just 178 and a TD, but didn't throw an INT.
We knew Rivers wasn't a great play in Week 6 from a fantasy standpoint, but Week 7 is a much different story. Rivers goes against the Falcons, who are 28th in allowing fantasy points to QBs and Rivers gets a friendly ranking at fifth this week on our QB list. Rivers seems like a must-play, but the Falcons defense did limit Russell Wilson to just 270 yards and no TDs last week, and Paxton Lynch had just 223 yards and a TD the week before that, so Atlanta's D has fared pretty well as of late.
Week 6 vs. Denver
Philip Rivers had a huge fantasy day in Week 5, throwing for 359 yards and four TDs (2 INTs) in a typical Raiders-Chargers shootout. Rivers didn't throw a pick in his first three games, but now has three in his last two. He does have six TDs in his last two contests, so he's at least continued to be productive.
Rivers' streak of friendly matchups comes to an end this week. He's had three-straight weeks of 300-plus yard games, but his opponent this week, the Broncos, are second in allowing fantasy points to QBs. Even at home, Rivers' fantasy value takes a hit and he's just 21st on our QB list this week. In his last four games against the Broncos, Rivers has averaged just 228.5 yards a game, along with 1.5 TDs and 1.5 INTs. This rivalry game has typically seen the Bolts try to run the ball to keep then-starting QB Peyton Manning off the field. And while SD doesn't have to worry about Manning, the Denver D is still pretty tough and seems to know how to play against Rivers. Factor in that it's a short week, and Rivers just doesn't seem like a good option.
