Keenan Allen Set to Shatter Chargers Receiving Record in Week 13 Showdown vs. Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers star wide receiver Keenan Allen keeps rewriting the franchise record book—and his latest feat arrives just in time for a pivotal Week 13 clash with the Las Vegas Raiders. Allen’s jet-sweep grab against the Pittsburgh Steelers pushed him to 956 career receptions, eclipsing Antonio Gates for the most in Chargers history. The milestone underscores a season-long resurgence for the 33-year-old, who returned to L.A. after one year in Chicago and instantly reclaimed his role as Justin Herbert’s go-to target. Impact on the playoff race • At 6-5, the Chargers occupy the AFC’s final wild-card spot. Allen’s reliability on third down (league-best 36 third-down catches) helps sustain drives for Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy attack. • The Raiders’ secondary has surrendered the NFL’s seventh-most yards to slot receivers since Week 8, positioning Allen for another volume-heavy outing Sunday night. • With Herbert’s deep options limited by injuries, expect L.A. to funnel targets underneath and in the red zone to Allen, who owns 28% of the team’s target share. Fantasy football outlook Managers wondering whether to trust Allen this week can breathe easy: he’s off the injury report and projected for 12.0 PPR points on a 5-53-0.3 receiving line. While touchdown variance has capped his ceiling lately, the matchup plus a dome setting at SoFi Stadium (69°F, 4 mph wind) boost his floor into WR2 territory. Keys to watch vs. Raiders 1. Early tempo: Harbaugh scripted seven of Allen’s 10 targets in the first 20 plays last week. A similar approach could neutralize Maxx Crosby’s pass rush. 2. Misdirection: The jet-sweep that broke the receptions record hints at more motion usage, forcing linebackers to declare coverage and opening glance routes for Allen. 3. Red-zone chemistry: Allen’s quick-hitch option with Herbert has generated three scores inside the 10. Las Vegas ranks 27th in goal-to-go defense. Historic context • Allen is the fifth active player with 10,000 receiving yards and 950+ catches. • He passed Gates in 87 fewer games, highlighting how the modern short-passing era accelerates volume milestones. • Next up: with 71 career TDs, he needs two more to tie Charlie Joiner for second on the franchise list. What’s ahead After the Raiders, the Chargers face three straight top-15 pass defenses (Chiefs, Bills, Broncos). L.A.’s postseason hopes hinge on Allen maintaining his league-leading catch percentage on targets within 10 yards (81%). Fantasy managers should view him as a stable WR2/3 through the fantasy playoffs, with spike-week upside whenever the Chargers fall into negative game scripts. Bottom line Keenan Allen’s record-breaking catch isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s the catalyst for L.A.’s late-season surge and a green light for fantasy GMs searching for reliable December production. Expect the veteran route technician to stay at the center of both the Chargers’ playoff push and countless fantasy championship runs.