Chargers vs. Chiefs Sunday Night Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco, Ladd McConkey, DeAndre Hopkins, Travis Kelce and more

With the fantasy football playoffs looming, we have an excellent matchup for Sunday Night Football between two of the league's most interesting teams, as the Chiefs and Chargers meet in an AFC West divisional clash.

The common theme in Kansas City is how the Chiefs have underperformed in 2024, yet Patrick Mahomes and company stand at 11-1 while continuing to get it done week in and week out. Meanwhile, Jim Harbaugh's first year at the helm of the Chargers has brought an immediate change to the culture that's reflected in L.A.'s 8-4 record.

We'll be bringing you Sunday Night Football analysis all year long, focusing on who to definitely start, who is on the fence, and who should find the bench. Let's dive into this awesome Sunday Night matchup. You can also read all Week 14 Matchups for the entire slate. Good luck, RotoBallers!

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L.A. Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs - 8:20 pm ET

Spread: Chiefs -4

Total: 42.5

Matchup Outlooks

Matchups We Love:

WR Ladd McConkey 

At this point, Ladd McConkey needs to be in lineups every week moving forward. The rookie has totaled over 80 receiving yards in three straight games and is coming off a career-high nine-catch performance a week ago. Now, he gets a solid matchup against a Chiefs secondary that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to slot wideouts over the last six weeks. McConkey is a strong WR2 option in Week 14.

Update: McConkey is listed as questionable for Sunday's game due to a shoulder/knee injury.  

#Chargers WR Ladd McConkey, dealing with an AC joint injury in his shoulder and a sprained knee, is a true game-time decision, sources say. He's listed as questionable and the team hopes to give him right up to 90 minutes before kickoff.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 8, 2024

TE Will Dissly 

Will Dissly didn't catch a pass last week, but he'll remain a low-end TE1 in Week 14. Dissly has caught at least four passes in six of the past eight games and will go up against a Chiefs defense that has struggled to stop opposing tight ends this season. Kansas City has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, and Brock Bowers just scored 30.2 PPR fantasy points against this secondary last week.

Matchups We Hate:

RB Gus Edwards 

With J.K. Dobbins (knee) on injured reserve, Gus Edwards will lead this backfield for the time being. Last week, Edwards played 52% of the team's offensive snaps but only saw seven touches in the contest. Now, the veteran will face a Chiefs defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season. He should only be started in desperate situations this weekend.

WR Quentin Johnston 

Quentin Johnston will be a risky flex play in deeper leagues this weekend. Johnston has caught two passes or fewer in four straight games, and this matchup against the Chiefs secondary doesn't benefit him. Kansas City has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to outside wide receivers over the past six weeks.

Other Matchups:

QB Patrick Mahomes 

Mahomes will come in as a low-end QB1 option in Week 14 against the Chargers. Los Angeles has allowed a top-12 fantasy quarterback in three of the past four games, including a 19.1 fantasy point game from Will Levis in Week 10. Given that Mahomes has thrown 13 passing touchdowns since Week 8, he has some QB1 appeal in 12-plus team leagues this weekend.

QB Justin Herbert 

Justin Herbert hasn't thrown a touchdown in back-to-back games, but he'll be a low-end QB1 play in Week 14 against the Chiefs. Kansas City has allowed a top-12 fantasy quarterback in four straight games, and Aidan O'Connell just threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns against this secondary a week ago. Herbert can be started in most 12-plus team leagues this weekend.

Chiefs RBs 

Both Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco will be risky flex plays in Week 14. Although Los Angeles has allowed four top-16 fantasy running back finishes over the last three weeks, it might be too hard to rely on either back this weekend. Hunt played 38% of the team's offensive snaps last week, while Pacheco played 37% of the snaps. Both of these backs will likely see between seven and 12 touches in this game, making them risky options.

Expect Isiah Pacheco's usage to ramp up in the coming weeks.

Andy Reid told @SorenPetro that "He came out healthy, feeling good." pic.twitter.com/4CjZviucPh

— Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) December 4, 2024

WR DeAndre Hopkins

It was encouraging that Hopkins saw nine targets and totaled a season-high 90 receiving yards in last week's win. But he is still playing under 60% of the team's offensive snaps and has caught four passes or fewer in three of the past four games. Still, the veteran could be a potential flex option this weekend against a Chargers defense that has allowed at least 75 receiving yards to six different wideouts since Week 9.

WR Xavier Worthy 

Xavier Worthy has been more involved in recent weeks, catching at least four passes in three straight games. However, Worthy will remain a boom-or-bust flex option in Week 14 against the Chargers. The rookie has just a 12.6% target share since Week 9.

TE Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce will continue to be a strong TE1 option in Week 14 against the Chargers. Kelce has scored above 12 PPR fantasy points in five of the past six games and caught seven passes for 89 yards earlier in the year against this Los Angeles secondary. He should remain in lineups this weekend.

Fantasy-Relevant Injuries: 

• Ladd McConkey (shoulder/knee)

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