5 NFL Red Zone Trends to Monitor for Week 14

What Melvin Gordon's Absence Has Meant

Similar in impact to James Conner's absence, the Los Angeles Chargers were playing without Melvin Gordon in Week 13, and his status is still up in the air for Week 14.

If he plays, he stands to be a red zone workhorse as usual. Through the first 12 weeks of the season 42.6% rushing and team-high 24.5% target market share inside the 20. That was good for a 33.0% opportunity market share, which would be good for ninth in the NFL. After missing Week 13, he's down to 32.0%, but that still ranks ninth.

With Gordon out, we didn't get much of a sample to draw from. The Chargers threw the ball once (to Keenan Allen) and ran the ball twice, once each with Justin Jackson (who scored from 18 yards out) and Austin Ekeler.

The Chargers have been right around league average in pass-to-run ratio in the red zone this season, and while three plays is a small sample, it doesn't look like they have any intention of abandoning the run with Gordon out.

Jackson's touchdown is obviously encouraging, but it's worth noting that despite Gordon's dominant market share, Ekeler has still seen 13 red zone carries and 17 opportunities this season, ranking 49th and 48th in the NFL, respectively. Those aren't big marks, but the Chargers have established they're willing to give him work in scoring range, while we're treading into the unknown a bit with Jackson.