The San Diego Chargers snapped a six-game losing streak on Sunday when they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-25.
In the win, quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 300 yards, spreading the wealth to wide receivers Stevie Johnson, Dontrelle Inman and tight end Antonio Gates, something fantasy football owners had to revel in.
Let’s take a look at how the trio of pass-catchers performed and what fantasy owners should do with each one moving forward.
Stevie Johnson
For the first time since Week 2, Johnson recorded a double-digit fantasy point output with 15. Over the past eight games, he put up 25 fantasy points combined.
However, he seems to be settling in to a more profound role in the Chargers offense, having seven receptions in each of his past three games because of the injury of No. 1 receiver Malcom Floyd.
With Floyd back in the lineup, the original No. 1 receiver didn’t see much of the ball, but that could change if he proves he is ready to play a full game.
The more Rivers looks Johnson’s way, the more likely it is for him to put up some solid points. He’s a decent third WR on your team if he continues to get these kinds of targets. But if Floyd comes back and regains his No. 1 spot, then it would be time to reconsider.
Dontrelle Inman
Also taking advantage of Floyd’s absence, Inman recorded more than 10 points for the first time this season. Inman hadn’t had more than three receptions in a game going into Sunday either.
For a player who is owned by just 7.9 percent of fantasy football owners, NFL Fantasy Football seemed confused at Inman’s appearance on the scoresheet:
Inman hasn’t received the consistent looks this year that would constitute you putting him into your lineup. This could have been a flash-in-the-pan type of game. He would have to establish himself as a bona fide No. 2 receiver on the Chargers in order for fantasy owners to take a chance.
Antonio Gates
Rivers to Gates has been one of the most prolific combinations in football over the past decade.
But when it comes to Gates this season for fantasy owners, it’s been feast-or-famine, with famine being the result most of the time. Gates has four touchdowns this year, all coming in two games.
Week 12 was a feast, though, as he scored two touchdowns as NFL Fantasy Football watched on:
It’s happened 76 times to be exact. If Rivers is under center, then starting Gates will always be a good idea regardless of the inconsistencies. Fantasy point-producing tight ends don’t exactly grow on trees, so any player with the promise of putting up big points every week is worth a start.
Game and fantasy stats courtesy of ESPN.com.
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