Charger Report

Fantasy Football experts urge owners to start Chargers rookie vs. Giants

In two moves that should bode well for the Chargers Sunday In New York, Fantasy Football experts are high on Omarion Hampton and low on Cam Skateboo.
Richie Whitt|
Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) is tripped up by the Broncos in Week 4.
Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) is tripped up by the Broncos in Week 4. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Chargers

In what's expected to a hard-nosed, low-scoring game Sunday at MetLife Stadium, Fantasy Football experts have good news for Los Angeles Chargers fans.

Yahoo's Fantasy Football advisors are suggesting two lineup decisions that bode well for the Bolts: 1. Start Omarion Hampton; 2. Sit Cam Skateboo.

Given head coach Jim Harbaugh's stunning success against rookie quarterbacks (8-2 including 4-0 with the Chargers last season), expect a conservative offensive game plan against first-time starter Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants. If Justin Herbert can protect the ball, their defense should be able to win them the game and a 4-0 start.

MORE: Chargers' Jim Harbaugh takes stunning success vs. rookie QBs against Giants' Jaxson Dart

Because of last week's season-ending injury to Najee Harris, a big part of that safe strategy will be handing the ball off to rookie running back Omarion Hampton. He carried 19 times for 70 yards and his first NFL touchdown last week and will be the feature back in the wake of Harris' injury.

Writes Yahoo of Hampton: "The Chargers handed him the keys to the backfield after Najee Harris got hurt, and the New York defense has been the worst run-stopping unit in football (per DVOA) through three weeks."

MORE: Chargers' uncomfortable early kickoff vs. Giants gets familiar TV announcers

On the flip side, the Fantasy Football gurus are advising owners to not start the Giants' rookie runner against the Chargers' stalwart defense.

"The Chargers have a top-10 defense by any metric you consider, but Cam Skattebo probably has the New York backfield to himself. That likely means 15-18 touches off the bus, with the potential for more if he’s liberally used in the passing game."

Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) runs for a touchdown against the Broncos
Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) runs for a touchdown against the Broncos | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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Grading Chargers rookie Omarion Hampton's breakout performance

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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