Week 12 at Arizona Cardinals
Austin Ekeler had a somewhat mixed game against the Chiefs in Week 11. He rushed a season-high 19 times for 83 yards, scoring his seventh rushing touchdown of the season. But Ekeler drew just two targets, his lowest total of the season, catching both for 17 yards. It may be too soon to say that Ekeler's reception ceiling will come crashing down now Keenan Allen is back, but it is something to monitor moving forward Ekeler still managed 17 Half PPR points last week, finishing as the RB8.
Ekeler should be able to put up another strong performance against the Cardinals in Week 12. The Cardinals rank 23rd in aFPA to running backs this season and have allowed eight rushing scores along with three receiving touchdowns to backs in 2022. Ekeler is a set-and-forget RB1 this week, and most weeks he is active.
Week 11 vs Kansas City Chiefs
Week 11 was one of the worst days at the office all season for Austin Ekeler. He earned just six carries, amassing 24 scoreless yards on the ground, while he managed just 39 yards on seven receptions. Ekeler failed to score a touchdown for the first time since Week 3. Ekeler could only muster 9.8 Half PPR points and finished as the RB23 in Week 10. Still, overall he is the leading point scorer among all running backs in points per game in 2022.
Ekeler, and his fantasy managers, will hope he returns to normal this week against the Chiefs. The Chiefs rank 21st in aFPA to running backs this season, and Ekeler managed to clock 13.9 Half PPR points against them back in Week 2. He's a set-and-forget RB1 option this week.
Week 10 at San Francisco 49ers
Austin Ekeler is fast becoming the Thanos of the running back position in fantasy football. He is inevitable. Ekeler rushed 14 times for 47 yards in Week 9, the sixth time this season he has been held under 50 yards on the ground. But he scored a rushing touchdown for the fifth straight game and added 24 yards and another score on seven receptions. Ekeler has scored multiple touchdowns in four of his last five games. He scored 20.6 Half PPR points last week, finishing as the RB6 for the week and remaining the overall RB1.
On paper, the matchup doesn't look that good for Ekeler in Week 10. The 49ers rank fourth in aFPA to running backs this season. They've allowed the fewest rushing yards to running backs and are yet to allow a receiving touchdown to a tailback. But Ekeler is pretty close to matchup-proof in 2022, and only a fool or a hero would view him as less than a high-end RB1 this week.
Week 9 at Atlanta Falcons
Austin Ekeler is having, quite simply, an outstanding season in both reality and fantasy football. Despite sitting 26th among all running backs with 84 carries and 24th with 380 rushing yards, he leads the running back spot with 53 receptions and 357 yards. Ekeler has scored eight touchdowns, and his 21.2 Half-PPR points per game are the most at the running back spot.
There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that Ekeler won't be able to keep the good times rolling in Week 9. The Falcons are ranked 21st in aFPA to running backs. Ekeler is in contention to finish as the overall RB1 this week.
Week 7 vs Seattle Seahawks
Week 6 saw another stellar fantasy outing from Austin Ekeler. Ekeler only managed 36 rushing yards but saved his fantasy manager's bacon with his sixth touchdown of the season along with ten receptions for another 47 yards. Ekeler amassed 19.3 Half PPR points in Week 6, finishing as the RB3. After six weeks, Ekeler leads all other running backs in this format.
Ekeler should be able to keep the music playing against the Seahawks in Week 7. The Seahawks rank 27th in aFPA to running backs and have allowed a league-high 995 rushing yards. They've also surrendered the third-most receiving yards to running backs after six games. Ekeler is a set and forget RB1.
Week 6 vs. Denver Broncos
Austin Ekeler had himself a day against the Browns in Week 5. He rushed 16 times for 173 yards, both season highs, and scored his third rushing touchdown in two games. Just for good measure, Ekeler caught all four of his targets for another 26 yards and another touchdown, giving him five scores in the last two weeks. Ekeler's deeds saw him amass 33.9 Half-PPR points, making him the RB1 in Week 5.
Ekeler's current form, plus his constant threat as a receiver, make him an autoplay at present. Even when faced with a difficult matchup like the one he has against the Broncos in Week 6. The Broncos are fifth in aFPA to running backs this season and have only seen 96 running back rush attempts against them. Still, it's hard to keep Ekeler out of the action, and if you have him rostered, you can fire him up without fear this week.
Week 5 at Cleveland Browns
Austin Ekeler enjoyed the type of game his fantasy managers have been waiting all season for in Week 4 against the Texans. Ekeler rushed 13 times for a season-high 60 yards and scored his first two rushing touchdowns of the campaign. Not satisfied with this, he also caught six passes for another 49 yards and a touchdown, giving him 31.9 Half PPR points for the Week. Ekeler finished as the RB2 behind only Josh Jacobs.
Ekeler and his managers will hope to keep the good times rolling against the Browns in Week 5. The Browns ranked 27th in aFPA to running backs so far this season, making Ekeler a player we can project to finish as an RB1 in Week 5.
Week 4 at Houston Texans
Week 3 was another quiet game for Austin Ekeler in his slow start to the 2022 season. Ekeler saw just four rushing attempts, gaining five yards, and while he did catch all eight of his targets for 48 yards, his deeds saw him post just 9.3 Half PPR points. Ekeler has a 50% share of the Chargers' rushing attempts through three games, but he's averaging a mere 26.7 rushing yards per game. He is the RB20 overall after three weeks.
Week 3 should be something of a get-right opportunity for Ekeler as the Chargers take on the Houston Texans. The Texans have been one of the most generous teams to running backs in fantasy football so far in 2022, ranking 31st in aFPA to RBs. Ekeler is projected as a high-end RB1 this week.
Week 3 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
It hasn't quite clicked yet this season for Austin Ekeler, at least in terms of fantasy points. He saw 14 carries against the Chiefs, his second game this season with 14 totes. But he racked up just 39 yards on the ground, and while his nine grabs for 55 yards helped his output somewhat, Ekeler still hasn't found the end zone in 2022. He finished Week 2 as the RB9 in Half PPR formats and is the RB18 overall this season.
Ekeler's consistent workload, coupled with his receiving chops, makes it hard for us to believe he will be quiet for a long period. He has a good chance to make his first statement of the season against the Jaguars. Ekeler should still be viewed as an RB1 option, although a few touchdowns wouldn't hurt anyone.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Austin Ekeler got off to a slow start to the 2022 campaign, at least from a fantasy perspective. He carried the ball 14 times, 51.95% of the Chargers' total team carries, for just 36 yards. He caught all four of his targets but was able to muster only another 36 yards. Ekeler finished Week 1 with 9.2 Half PPR points, "good" for just the RB28.
Ekeler will look to kick-start his season in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs. If Keenan Allen is missing, then Ekeler should see a boost in targets on Thursday night in addition to his work on the ground. The Chiefs saw James Conner take 17.0 fantasy points off them in Week 1. Ekeler should be viewed as an RB1 this week in what should be a high-scoring affair.
