When the Kansas City Chiefs give up a combined 89 points to Buffalo and Detroit and then have to travel to AFC West rival San Diego for a Week 3 contest, all of us that have Charger fantasy studs are salivating.
We're still waiting for Philip Rivers to blow up as he is currently the 11th-best fantasy QB in Athlon scoring at 22.17 fantasy points per game. Vincent Jackson bounced back from a miserable two-catch Week 1 to catch 10 balls for 172 yards and two scores in Week 2. Even Malcom Floyd, the 6-5, 225 tease, has had 10 targets turn into five catches for 104 yards over two weeks.
Running backs Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews are both involved in the passing game, and each have scored on the ground once.
Tight end Antonio Gates, unfortunately followed up a 13-target, 8-for-74 performance in Week 1 by being bottled up against the Patriots to the tune of one target and no catches. But we all figured he would rebound nicely against the injury-plagued Chiefs.
Then the injury reports start coming out from practice.
Gates leaves practice early on Friday after having not practiced Wednesday and Thursday due to his nagging foot injury hasn't practice. Floyd, who left the New England game with a groin injury, Tolbert (calf) and Jackson (abdominal) have all missed practice at some point this week.
Point being: The Chargers are still going to crush the Chiefs. Question is: With who?
Enter Patrick Crayton. If you are looking for a super sleeper this week, Crayton may be your guy. Crayton will make his 2011 debut coming off an ankle injury of his own and coach Norv Turner said he will "play a lot."
The Chiefs are allowing just over 29 fantasy points a game to wide receivers, and if Rivers' other options are out, I think those 29 are still coming from somewhere. Crayton caught 28 of 42 targets for 514 yards and one TD last season for the Chargers.
If Gates and Floyd are out, and Jackson can draw attention to his side, Crayton may turn playing a lot into producing a lot for the Chargers in a blowout victory over the Chiefs.
— Corby A. Yarbrough @AthlonCorby [16] on Twitter
Athlon Sports Week 3 Start and Sit [17]
Athlon Sports Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings [18]
