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Chargers at Chiefs: 5 best fantasy options

By Brad Weiss

Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (32) runs for a touchdown while San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Manti Te'o (50) defends during the second half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (32) runs for a touchdown while San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Manti Te'o (50) defends during the second half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) catches a pass during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) catches a pass during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Here are the five best fantasy options to look at when the San Diego Chargers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 of the NFL season.

The Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers will open up their 2016 season battling it out in an AFC West showdown. The Chiefs are an early favorite to unseat the Denver Broncos as the class of the division, while San Diego is looking to get back on top. Divisional games are always fun to watch, and this match-up will be no different.

The Chargers appear to be heading into a down year, but still have one of the best quarterbacks in the AFC in Philip Rivers. The Chiefs made it to the playoffs last season, defeating the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Game. Let’s take a look at five fantasy options for this Week 1 match-up.

5. Jeremy Maclin

Jeremy Maclin is by far the best wide receiver on the Kansas City Chiefs roster, and last season he proved that. He led the team with 87 catches, proving to be a reliable option for quarterback Alex Smith. The speedster is likely to repeat that kind of production in 2016, and the Chargers are the first step in that journey.

Maclin has the ability to make plays downfield, and possesses incredible speed. The Chargers are not going to win any awards for their defense this season, and Kansas City will be looking to exploit that early on. Smith is likely to take a few shots downfield early on, as he tries to stretch the field for running back Spencer Ware, who is filling in for the injured Jamaal Charles.

It is true that Smith has a tendency to look for his backs and tight ends as a first option, but he developed a nice repertoire with Maclin last season. The 2016 season is going to be Maclin’s best yet, as the team has a nice group of weapons around him. If Smith looks his way enough on Sunday, expect Maclin to rack in at least six catches for around 80 yards.

San Diego is going to struggle to stop the Chiefs in this one, so expect nice production from Maclin in a WR2 spot in Week 1.

Next: 4. Keenan Allen

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