FanDuel Studs to Target in Week 7

Philip Rivers

FanDuel Price: $8,000
numberFire Projected Points: 21.38

I've personally rolled with Philip Rivers in my cash game lineups the past two weeks, and if I don't opt for Palmer this week, I'll roll with him again. Why? Because it's really hard to pass up on quarterback whose team currently sports the third highest pass to run ratio in the entire NFL, throwing 1.92 passes for every one rushing attempt. This discrepancy has resulted in Rivers leading the NFL in passing yards with 2,116: fully 20% higher than Andy Dalton, the quarterback with the second-most passing yards.

The large emphasis on the pass in San Diego exists for good reason. It's primarily because they can't seem to get the running game going at all. Melvin Gordon has put up a clunker of a rookie season thus far, sporting a -0.23 Rushing NEP per rush, the second worst tally in the league ahead of only C.J. Anderson. Danny Woodhead has put up a more average -0.02 Rushing NEP per rush. However, his real strength lies in the passing game.

For his part, Rivers has been the seventh most productive quarterback on a per-drop back basis, registering a 0.22 Passing NEP per drop back, and the fifth most productive quarterback overall with a 59.09 Passing NEP. And this week he gets to go against the Oakland Raiders' passing defense, ranked 31st according to our schedule adjusted metrics. The Raiders' defense currently ranks seventh against the rush, so the Chargers will likely continue to have to find their success through the air in Week 7.

With an over/under of 47 and an implied point total of 26, the game offers plenty of potential for Rivers and company. We project Rivers to throw for 327 yards and 2.29 touchdowns. Take the near-lock passing volume to the bank in Week 7.