Fantasy Football Outlook: Easton Stick, Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, Zamir White

Every week, I’ll be writing a comprehensive primer on every NFL matchup and all of the relevant players, matchups, pace and playcalling notes, and injuries. It covers everything you need to know when setting your lineups. But since that article is massive and requires a full pot of coffee, we’re also going to offer these more focused matchup overviews to help you prepare for Thursday Night Football: Chargers vs. Raiders.

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Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders

LV -3, O/U 34
Chargers vs. Raiders Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Pace and playcalling notes

Since Week 9, the Raiders have had the second-slowest neutral pace while ranking 16th in neutral passing rate.
Last week, in the second half, the Chargers continued to sprint down the field with a pass-happy approach, even with Easton Stick under center. They operated at 19.9 seconds per snap while passing on 69.7% of their plays.

Quarterbacks

Easton Stick: Stick could be the Bolts’ starter for the remainder of the season as Justin Herbert is sidelined with a fractured finger. Stick was simply dreadful last week. Among 27 qualifying receivers, he ranked 24th in adjusted completion rate and catchable target rate and 25th in highly accurate throw rate. Stick’s numbers across four preseasons aren’t any better as a passer, with 5.4 yards per attempt (217 attempts) and a 4:8 passing touchdown to interception ratio. Stick didn’t take off running last week, but that is definitely a part of his game that could be further unlocked this week. With 13 preseason carries, he has rushed for 7.1 yards per carry. During his final three collegiate seasons, he had at least 663 rushing yards in each season while amassing 36 rushing touchdowns. Since Week 8, the Raiders have allowed the 13th-highest yards per attempt, the 17th-highest passer rating, and the fourth-highest CPOE. Stick is a QB2 that could offer a sneaky upside this week. Week 15 Positional Value: QB2

Running Backs

Austin Ekeler: Brandon Staley stated last week that the Chargers would begin to work in other running backs, and then Ekeler played 72% of the snaps with 15 touches and 100 total yards against the Broncos. Ummm ok. While Ekeler’s stat line looked better last week, he’s still dealing with the same issue. He has lost the special sauce and his tackle-breaking ability. Maybe this is because of injuries he has sustained this season, or maybe it’s because of the mileage he has accrued in the NFL. Last week, he didn’t manage any explosive runs. He didn’t force any missed tackles and finished with 2.30 yards after contact per attempt. Denver’s struggling run defense helped bump up his efficiency falsely. He is still only getting what is blocked in front of him. Unfortunately for Ekeler, the Raiders’ run defense has been playing quite well. Since Week 9, they have allowed the third-lowest rushing touchdown rate, the lowest missed tackles per attempt, and the sixth-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Ekeler is still a strong bet for 15-18 touches, and all the red zone work. Week 15 Positional Value: RB2

The #Raiders listed RB Josh Jacobs as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report with a quad injury. They play the #Chargers on Thursday night.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 11, 2023

Josh Jacobs: Jacobs is dealing with a quad injury. He’s no sure thing to suit up against the Bolts on a short week. With O’Connell under center, Jacobs has averaged 21.8 touches and 90.2 total yards. Jacobs is RB18 in fantasy points per game, ranking in the top five among running backs in snap share, opportunity share, and red zone touches. Among 59 qualifying running backs, Jacobs is still lagging in tackle-breaking metrics, ranking 48th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 51st in yards after contact per attempt. If Jacobs is healthy enough to play, he should have a strong outing if he’s seeing his usual volume. Since Week 9, the Bolts have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards per game, the second-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the 11th-highest explosive run rate. Week 15 Positional Value: RB1

Zamir White: If Jacobs is unable to suit up, White will be in the RB2/3 conversation this week based on volume alone. I wasn’t high on White as a prospect coming out, and he’s done nothing to change my mind. This season, he has only 20 carries, and he’s done very little with them. He hasn’t managed an explosive run and has only 2.00 yards after contact per attempt. Looking at a larger preseason sample (51 carries), his results don’t improve, as he has 2.39 yards after contact per attempt and zero breakaway runs. He would be the early down thumper, though, if Jacobs missed, which is valuable this week considering the matchup, and he would likely see at least 15 touches. Since Week 9, the Bolts have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards per game, the second-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the 11th-highest explosive run rate. Week 15 Positional Value: RB2/3 (if Jacobs is out)

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*All data utilized in this article is courtesy of Fantasy Points Data, PFF, ESPN analytics, The Edge from the 33rd Team, FTN, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified.*