Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals DFS Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em | Week 7
- Sep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (27) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The second half of the Week 7 Monday Night Football doubleheader features the 3-2 Los Angeles Chargers heading to Arizona to take on the 2-4 Cardinals. The Chargers defeated the Broncos last week to move into second place in the AFC West. Arizona is heading in the other direction after last week’s loss to Green Bay. The Cardinals have lost three of four and are only half a game out of last place in the NFC West.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals DFS Start ‘Ems

Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.

Trey McBride ($5.7k DraftKings and $6.7k Fanduel)

With Marvin Harrison Jr. being very iffy in the league’s concussion protocol to play in Week 7, Trey McBride should operate as the Cardinal’s top option in the passing game. Last week at Green Bay, McBride caught all 8 targets for 96 yards and finished as TE4. We expect more of the same this week especially if Harrison Jr. is inactive.

Ladd McConkey ($4.8k DraftKings and $5.9k Fanduel)

Ladd McConkey has become the top wide receiver option for the Chargers. Last week versus Denver he had a 24.4% target share and led the team in endzone targets. If there is a DFS option in the Chargers passing offense it is McConkey.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals DFS Sit ‘Ems

On the flip side, here are a few players we recommend sitting in this game.

James Connor ($6.7k DraftKings and $7.7k Fanduel)

Our concern with James Connor is the ankle injury that resulted in 7 carries for 24 yards he produced last week versus Green Bay. Connor comes in as RB13 in fantasy PPR but the Charger’s defense is ranked 6th against the run and allows the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game.

Kimani Vidal ($4k DraftKings and $5k Fanduel)

Vidal is in premium hand cuff territory but most all his production last week came on the 38-yard touchdown off the running back wheel route. Vidal turned 6 touches into 13.1 PPR fantasy points, which is not certainly unsustainable every week. Vidal’s 24% snap rate is just far too risky to use in DFS for Week 7.

Total Apex Lock of the Game

J.K. Dobbins ($6.3k DraftKings and $7.2k Fanduel)

Dobbins is in a DFS smash spot, Arizona is ranked 29th versus the run and the Chargers are a run-based offense. Dobbins emerged big time last week with 25 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown. Two additional points, Dobbins was given workhorse treatment with a 66% rushing share and another 2 targets in the passing game.

Total Apex Fade of the Game

Kyler Murray ($6.7k DraftKings and $8.1k Fanduel)

Kyler Murray has had two good games this season that prop up his overall QB8 ranking. Again, we are fading his potential production not necessarily sitting him and Murray is the game’s clear DFS chalk play. In four of Murray’s six starts, he has finished outside of QB1 production. His passing metrics are near the bottom in yards per attempt and accuracy rate.

Conclusion

J.K. Dobbins is poised for a big game DFS-wise with the top statistical matchup in the game and Ladd McConkey presents a low-priced and lower-owned WR3 or flex option. This game comes with a modest implied game total of 44 and both teams with an implied team total north of 20.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Fantasy Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

Green Bay Packers: Slo-Mo Video of Malik Willis’ TD Bomb to Matthew Golden Unleashes Wild Reactions
NFL

Green Bay Packers: Slo-Mo Video of Malik Willis’ TD Bomb to Matthew Golden Unleashes Wild Reactions

Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden just keeps on turning heads in the offseason. On Monday, Golden grabbed attention again after making a sensational grab for a touchdown off a pass from quarterback Malik Willis. Matched up against defensive back Keisean Nixon, the former Texas Longhorns star wideout secured a deep throw from Willis and took the ball to the house for a 46-yard touchdown. Nixon couldn’t help but joke about Golden while praising the first-year downfield weapon. “He sometimes acts like he’s a vet but I try to remind him that he’s a rookie,” Nixon said (h/t Mike Spofford of the Packers’ official website). “Other than that, M.G., helluva player. You can tell why he went first round. Strong at the catch point, strong hands, strong upper body. I think he’ll have a really good year.” Green Bay Packers fans react to Golden’s touchdown score in practice The Packers shared a slo-mo video of that connection between Willias and Golden, leaving fans with all sorts of excited reactions to it. “malik is the guy ‍ ️ no one wants to admit it,” said a fan on X. Another one said: “Malik for starting QB” From a commenter: “IVE SEEN ENOUGH MALIK WILLIS 4X MVP” “Finally we might have a 1000+ yard receiver,” a social media user posted. Via a different commenter: “@eamaddennfl He ran 4.2 how tf is he a 91 speed on madden boost his speed.” Said another: “Hey 2 throwing it to 22 might be the answer.” Willis and Golden could have more magic in store for the Packers, as there’s a chance they could see action this coming Saturday’s NFL preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks at home.

Aaron Rodgers says Favre-inspired weapon paying off with Steelers, 'really impressive'
NFL

Aaron Rodgers says Favre-inspired weapon paying off with Steelers, 'really impressive'

Aaron Rodgers has started more games than any player in the NFL — so it’s safe to say he’s learned a thing or two. It’s hard not to when you’re that old… Rodgers has picked up all sorts of hardware during stints with the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets — okay, he didn’t do anything with the latter — before signing on for what likely is his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s something he learned before he ever started playing that helps the most this late into his career, however. Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers learned key skill from Brett Favre Rodgers discussed how he learned the art of the hard count while playing behind Brett Favre during an appearance on Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. “Brett Favre had a great cadence, so I copied the things I liked and expanded where I felt like there was room to expand,” Rodgers said. “I’ve been doing it for a long time — there’s a rhythmic nature to it and also a non-rhythmic nature to it that is an important aspect of it.” Rodgers has introduced the art to his new teammates, who seem to be taking to it well. “I would say being with a new team and with new players, the focus and the ability to lock in with cadence is some of the best I’ve seen for a training camp, especially being with a new group like this,” Rodgers said. “We are not having free snap issues on the cadence, especially with long counts, has been really impressive. I got to give credit to my saddlebag partner, Zach [Frazier] upfront.” Aaron Rodgers’ effectiveness with weapon hasn’t been great since 2020 Rodgers was long known for his ability to draw penalties with the hard count, but those numbers have diminished in recent seasons. It’s actually astonishing how far they’ve fallen… Rodgers led the entire league in drawn penalties back in 2014 but finished in last place in 2024. Aaron Rodgers drawn penalties since 2020 Rodgers will hope that things can turn back in the other direction with a more competent team around him. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (70 drawn penalties since 2020) and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (44 drawn penalties since 2021) have certainly benefited from that in recent seasons. The Steelers hope to do the same.

Jon Rahm's $18 million payday highlights flawed system
Golf

Jon Rahm's $18 million payday highlights flawed system

Jon Rahm captured the season-long LIV Golf individual championship to cash in on an $18M bonus, and he has the league's nonsensical point system to thank. It's hard to argue that Rahm deserves the most lucrative season-long prize on the LIV Golf League in 2025. The Spaniard didn't win a single event in 13 LIV starts this year. He did finish runner-up four times, but was edged out in those tournaments by Adrian Meronk, Talor Gooch, Dean Burmester and Sebastian Munoz. Rahm had golden opportunities to win the last two events in Chicago and Indianapolis, but he fell short in a playoff both times. Despite going winless in 2025, Rahm still earned more points than Joaquin Niemann, who won five times and finished T4 at the final individual event in Indianapolis. No other player on LIV Golf won more than once this season. Somehow, winning nearly 40% of the league's tournaments this season wasn't enough to earn Niemann the individual championship. Instead, Rahm walked away with the top spot and an $18M bonus, while Niemann took home the $8M prize for second place. This highlights a major flaw in LIV's season-long individual competition. Rahm shouldn't have even had a chance to surpass Niemann in the standings with no wins on his resume. Wins need to matter more. For reference, Scottie Scheffler has also won five times this season, giving him 7,456 FedEx Cup points heading into the Tour Championship. Rory McIlroy, the next-closest player to Scheffler, has only 3,687. If the PGA Tour crowned a season-long champion based on points, which is how LIV Golf operates, no one would be able to come close to Scheffler at the season finale. Considering how much he dominated the PGA Tour this season, that would be a just conclusion that rewards the best player. Niemann was the best player on LIV Golf in 2025, but he lost out on $10M due to the league's unfair point system. If all Rahm cares about is money, he sure made the right decision to ditch the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. The 30-year-old didn't win a tournament all year and still banked $31.6M in prize money from LIV Golf alone. Last year, he made $34.8M in the rival league.

MLB sends message by suspending Victor Robles for bat-throwing incident
MLB

MLB sends message by suspending Victor Robles for bat-throwing incident

Major League Baseball announced that Mariners outfielder Víctor Robles has received a 10-game suspension and an undisclosed fine from the league. The suspension will begin as soon as Robles is reinstated from the injured list, though Robles has filed an appeal and the suspension is being held in abeyance until the appeals process is complete. Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reported these details prior to the official announcement. Divish notes that the M’s would have to play a man short during the suspension. Robles has been on the injured list for most of the year. Back in early April, he made a sensational catch in San Francisco but crashed into the sideline netting and dislocated his left shoulder, causing a small fracture in the humeral head of said shoulder. A week ago, he was finally able to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma. During that week, he was hit by pitches multiple times, as shown in this video breakdown from Jomboy Media. Although he was hit five times, only three of them were technically counted as hit-by-pitches, with the other two counting as swings. Regardless, the final incident saw Robles hit by Joey Estes of the Las Vegas Aviators. Of the five times Robles was hit, three of them were out of the hand of Estes, though the final two were counted as swinging strikes. Regardless of how it was scored, Robles was clearly upset and threw his bat toward the pitcher’s mound. It doesn’t appear as though it hit Estes or anyone else, but MLB is understandably taking a firm stance against a player using his bat in this dangerous manner and sending Robles a message. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto spoke to members of the media, including Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, noting that the club tentatively planned to reinstate Robles from the IL next week but those plans may change with the suspension. Divish suggests that perhaps the best plan is to reinstate Robles on Sept. 1, so that the M’s can at least play with a 27-man roster, though that would push his reinstatement into the middle of September. Reinstating him earlier would mean playing with a 25-man roster for a while, though that would also mean Robles would be able to be reinstated for more games. It’s also unclear how long the appeals process will take. Sometimes, players appealing a suspension will hang in limbo until their team goes to New York, where the MLB head offices are located. The M’s don’t play in New York again this year, so it’s not clear when the appeal would be scheduled for. Robles being in the minors could also complicate factors. The M’s would surely love for the appeal to drag out into the winter and for Robles to serve his suspension next year, since they are currently in a playoff race, though MLB presumably wouldn’t let it play out like that.