Week 8 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Running Back: Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers

Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

14 Rushes, 132 Yards, 1 Touchdown

1 Reception, 7 Yards, 2 Targets

Performance Score: 94

If Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was limited with a foot injury, you wouldn't be able to tell in the first quarter of Sunday's tilt with the New England Patriots. The workhorse back broke loose for an 87-yard touchdown run down the right sideline, boosting what was otherwise a poor performance from the Chargers' offense.

He finished the game with 14 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown and a Performance Score of 94. His Rushing NEP on the day was a strong 6.73. It could have been an even better game had he been at full health, but the team clearly limited his involvement as the game progressed.

Gordon finished the day averaging more 9.0 yards per carry (although his long run obviously skewed that), which brought his season-long average up to 4.0 yards for people who still value that statistic. More importantly, he took advantage of a good matchup on a reduced workload, and Gordon now enters the Chargers' bye week with an opportunity to get back to full strength.

Gordon is locked in as one of the most productive backs in football.

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