The Chargers are heading into Preseason Week 2 with some serious drama brewing: quarterback Trey Lance is set to face off against his old team, the San Francisco 49ers, this Thursday night. If his Preseason Week 1 performance is any indication, this showdown could get real spicy. After barely seeing the field in the 2025 preseason and not even playing Week 1, Lance is finally getting a real shot to show what he can do, and you know he’s got an extra fire lit under him.
Lance’s Revenge Tour Kicks Off Against the Niners
We all know the story with Trey Lance. But now, as the Chargers’ signal-caller, he’s getting serious reps. In Preseason Week 1, he started the game and played the entire first three quarters before DJ Uiagalelei took over. Against Houston, Lance wasn’t just throwing darts, he was scrambling too, racking up 164 passing yards and a solid 27 rushing yards. That’s a dude who’s hungry. Now, with his former team, the Niners, staring him down, he’s got an “added incentive” to absolutely ball out. SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White is even making him one of his favorite DFS picks for Thursday. Can you blame him?
Rookies Explode and Vets Demand Attention
It’s not just Lance making noise. The first-year players are making statements! No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, faces a tough welcome, going against the league’s top defense from last year when the Texans host the Raiders. Talk about a trial by fire! Then there’s De’Zhaun Stribling, the 49ers’ first draftee, who totally impressed in Preseason Week 1 with 7 catches for 63 yards. These first-year guys like Stribling and Mendoza are getting all the playing time they can handle in the exhibition season.
But it’s not just rookies getting the spotlight. Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr., a fourth-round rookie, *exploded* in Preseason Week 1, ripping off an electric 53-yard run! He led Vegas in touches, with six carries, a target in the passing game, and even returned a kickoff. The Vegas brass clearly wants to see what else this kid’s got. White’s NFL DFS strategy even includes building around Washington Jr. What a steal if he keeps this up!
Thursday Night’s DFS Grind is On
So, what are we watching for on Thursday? It’s all about the Texans vs. Raiders and 49ers vs. Chargers matchups. Every player is priced at $5,500 on DraftKings and $6,000 on FanDuel, so smart picks are everything. Expert R.J. White, an elite handicapper and SportsLine’s No. 1 all-time NFL ATS expert, has locked in his top daily Fantasy football picks. We’ve got Lance looking for a statement, Mendoza facing a brutal test, Stribling showing why he was a top pick, and Washington Jr. proving he’s more than just a late-round flyer. This preseason might be “exhibition,” but for these guys, it’s their entire season on the line.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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