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Schwartz beat out Sean Desai, Dennard Wilson, and Brian Flores for the job and will take over a Cleveland defense that improved late in the season but was still among the worst units in the NFL in 2022. Only seven teams allowed a higher EPA per play than the Browns; no defense was worse against the run than Cleveland. Schwartz’s defenses have finished as top-ten run-stopping units in nine of his 14 seasons as a defensive coordinator. A former DC for the Bills, Eagles, and Titans and former head coach of the Lions, Schwartz will get a chance to improve a defense with all-world pass rusher Myles Garrett as its centerpiece.

Johnston has now been held to 53 yards or fewer in each of the previous five games after a torrid start to the season in which he caught four touchdowns and went over 70 yards in each of his first four starts. Whether the added target competition from rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden is causal factor for the reduced production remains to be seen, although Gadsden did depart Week 10 with a knee injury. Johnston and the Chargers get the pass-funnel Jaguars in Week 10, where he could return to WR2 status, pending the status of Gadsden.

The two teams played to a 5-3, defensive struggle in the first half until quarterback Justin Herbert found McConkey streaking open up the middle of the field with 13 seconds to play in the first half to break the game open. The standout second-year receiver would add a 58-yard reception after the break to send him over the 100-yard threshold for only the second time this season. The fantasy returns have been a far cry from his breakout rookie campaign, but McConkey continues to operate as the team’s top pass-catcher for one of the most pass-heavy units in the league. That trend appears likely to continue as the Chargers turn their focus to the pass-funnel Jaguars in Week 11.

Vidal mostly found the sledding difficult against a stout Pittsburgh front, eventually grinding out 95 yards on 25 carries in the lopsided victory. The first half played to a true defensive struggle as the two teams traded defensive blows. It wasn’t until a last-minute touchdown by Ladd McConkey at the end of the first half allowed the Chargers to control the game environment, after which Vidal was fed increased volume as the Los Angeles defense held the Steelers to a lone field goal until under three minutes remaining. Vidal remains the unquestioned lead back in the absence of Omarion Hampton, the latter of whom got in his first practice Friday since hitting injured reserve following Week 5.

Herbert managed a mistake-free game as the defense dominated by holding the Steelers to just 221 yards of total offense. The two teams played to a 5-3 game until the final play of the first half, when Herbert found second-year receiver Ladd McConkey for his only passing score of the evening. Most impressive for the franchise quarterback was his ability to shake off unrelenting pressure from the Steelers. He would get both ankles taped in the third quarter following a scramble, something that has become a common sight considering Herbert has taken more hits than any quarterback in the league this season and is now playing without both starting offensive tackles. The Chargers improve to 7-3 and just one game behind the division-leading Broncos as we hit the home stretch of the 2025 regular season. Up next for the Chargers is a road matchup with the pass-funnel Jaguars in Week 11, where Herbert likely returns to QB1 status in fantasy.

Allen set the Chargers’ franchise record for most receptions with his two-catch night, tying longtime great tight end Antonio Gates in the third quarter before breaking the record on a pop-pass on the team’s final possession. He is also the only player in NFL history to catch more than 400 passes from multiple quarterbacks. Allen’s fantasy stock has trended townward in recent weeks as his snap rates have taken a hit, something easily overshadowed by his record-setting night.

Smith-Njigba somehow got there for fantasy purposes in a game that saw Sam Darnold log just 13 drop backs before the Seahawks shut down their offense up 35-0 in the second quarter. JSN accounted for 53 percent of Seattle’s receiving yards and was targeted on a whopping 46 percent of his pass routes. His touchdown was his sixth of the season. Smith-Njigba was checked for a concussion in the second quarter; his practice status should be monitored this week ahead of the Seahawks’ Week 11 game against the Rams.

Wilson was once again a full time player and was third in targets behind Trey McBride (13) and Marvin Harrison, Jr. (12). Wilson now has at least three receptions in four straight games as the team’s distant No. 3 option. Wilson will be a desperation 14-team league option next week against the Rams.

Gadsden suffered a knee-to-knee collision in the third quarter and was taken to the locker room for x-rays following a quick visit to the medical tent. The breakout rookie had been on a torrid stretch the previous three games prior to the injury. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his situation in the coming days. Gadsden managed 13 yards on three receptions but committed two drops prior to departing.

Ken Walker also had 14 rushes (for 67 yards) and ran more pass routes than Charbonnet in a game that saw Sam Darnold log a grand total of 13 drop backs. Importantly, Charbonnet continues to dominate inside-the-ten rushes. He scored on one such opportunity in this game, and now has six rushing scores in 2025. Walker has three touchdowns on the ground and hasn’t scored a rushing TD since Week 3. Charbonnet will be a touchdown-reliant RB3 play in Week 11 against the Rams.

Shaheed’s usage was quite extensive just five days after the Seahawks acquired him in a trade with the Saints. Shaheed ran a pass route on 10 of Sam Darnold’s 13 drop backs before the Hawks effectively shut down the offense with a 35-0 lead over Arizona. His involvement in the run game suggests the team is committed to getting Shaheed involved in the offense going forward. Shaheed’s role as the main downfield threat for Sam Darnold — the league’s best deep ball passer — should give him plenty of high-variance WR3 pop. He gets the Rams in Week 11.