What We Saw: Week 1

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Browns @ Chiefs

Final Score: Chiefs 33, Browns 29

Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)

The up-and-coming Cleveland Browns were looking to start off the season with a statement while also getting revenge against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. With a point total over 60 points, there was plenty of offense on display in this matchup. Patrick Mahomes did Patrick Mahomes things, extending plays with his legs before making a pass that doesn’t seem physically possible. Nick Chubb ran with great burst throughout the game, making defenders pay for trying to tackle him. Both teams looked great, but a couple of key mistakes from the Browns ultimately cost them the game. Chiefs take this one in the end in a game that was fun to watch till the final whistle.

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback

Baker Mayfield: 21/28, 321 yards, INT, 2 Sacks | 1 rush, 7 yards

No touchdowns out of Baker is pretty disappointing, especially when he eclipses 300 passing yards and there are 60 total points scored in the game. Unfortunately none of the darts Baker was throwing broke loose for a touchdown. Instead, Baker efficiently worked the ball down the field, spreading it out across eight different pass catchers. Once the Browns got to the redzone, it was the Nick Chubb show. With a 75% completion rate and over 300 yards, it was a great sign for Baker’s development as a quarterback. It should improve once Odell Beckham Jr. returns to the lineup. Unfortunately, the game ended on a sour note with a Baker INT on the final drive as he attempted to throw the ball away.

Running Back

Nick Chubb: 15 carries, 83 yards, 2 TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards

Kareem Hunt: 6 carries, 33 yards, TD | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 28 yards

Finishing the game averaging over 5 yards per carry, the Browns rushing attack was on full display, especially during the first half of the game. Nick Chubb displayed elite vision and patience letting his blocks develop before smashing the hole and punishing the defense. When you have blocking like this, though, you don’t really need a whole lot of vision:

Untouched. #CLEvsKC

📺: #CLEvsKC on CBS
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/VTwEbsPgeM

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 12, 2021

Both Chubb and Kareem Hunt were involved throughout the entire game, with Kareem being more involved in the passing game as usual. Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski knows the weapons he has in his backfield, and he will find ways to get them both involved. Unfortunately the second half game script wasn’t in favor of the run game, heavily impacting Chubb’s fantasy ceiling.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

David Njoku: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 76 yards

Jarvis Landry: 5 targets, 5 receptions, 71 yards | 2 carries, 13 yards, TD

Anthony Schwartz: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 69 yards | 1 carry, 17 yards

Austin Hooper: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 27 yards

Harrison Bryant: 2 targets, 1 reception, 17 yards

Donovan Peoples-Jones: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards

With Odell Beckham Jr. a scratch to start off the season, Jarvis Landry was once again the leader of this passing attack. Not only did he secure all of his targets, most of which were in traffic, he was also involved in the redzone rushing attack, which is a great asset to his fantasy value. On the day, Jarvis ended with just under 90 yards and a score, which is great production considering his ADP. The Browns drew up a nifty handoff to Jarvis on a sweep to the left, where he was determined to find the endzone:

https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1437163248621703171

Jarvis tied the team in targets with David Njoku and Anthony Schwartz, both of which made some splash plays in the game. Njoku had two different instances where he dragged defenders multiple yards after the catch, and it looks like he may finally be hitting his pass-catching stride. Unfortunately the Browns tight end position is a bit of a log-jam at the moment, but Njoku is definitely someone to keep an eye on as the season progresses. It looked like he was one of Baker’s favorite targets on the day. The Browns were definitely feeling the absence of Odell Beckham Jr, as it seemed like they were missing the big-play ability he brings to the table. With over 300 passing yards, it’s pretty impressive that not a single reception went for a score.

Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterback

Patrick Mahomes: 27/36, 337 yards, 3 TD, 2 sacks | 5 rushes, 18 yards, TD

Patrick Mahomes continued to work his September magic to kick off the 2021 season. I was keeping a close eye on Mahomes and how he interacted with his offensive line, as they let him down bigtime in the Super Bowl. While they weren’t elite, they were definitely an improvement, as Mahomes found himself running for his life a little less. The Browns were still able to bring him down for two sacks, but those two sacks become four or five for anyone not named Patrick Mahomes. He was his usual self, displaying multiple release angles and looking like he was reading the mind of the defense. Seriously though, who else can do this on what seems like a regular basis?

They call it Mahomes Magic for a reason 🪄

📺: #CLEvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/CK4PDnczUv

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 12, 2021

Mahomes’ ability to extend plays until he delivers a perfect dime is simply astounding and should be on display all season. He had great chemistry with his usual suspects Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, with the duo combining for 270 yards and 3 TDs.

Running Back

Clyde Edwards-Helaire: 14 carries, 43 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 29 yards

Darrel Williams: 1 carry, 4 yards

Michael Burton: 1 carry, 2 yards

The rushing attack was mostly an afterthought in this matchup, with the Chiefs trailing for the majority of the game, and it showed in the box score. Clyde Edwards-Helaire barely averaged over 3 yards per carry and didn’t find a lot of room to run. Thankfully he brought in his three targets to salvage his fantasy day in PPR formats. While I do not anticipate the Chiefs trailing often, the usage CEH received while trailing was concerning. While they didn’t totally abandon the run, the Chiefs certainly weren’t relying on it to come back. The new-look offensive line did not look to be the great run-blockers, which may impact CEH’s ceiling when they face off against a tough front-seven.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Tyreek Hill: 15 targets, 11 receptions, 197 yards, TD | 1 carry, 4 yards

Travis Kelce: 7 targets, 6 receptions, 76 yards, 2 TDs

Mecole Hardman: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 19 yards

Demarcus Robinson: 2 targets, 1 reception, 9 yards

Byron Pringle: 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards

Blake Bell: 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards | 1 carry, 2 yards

Mike Remmers: 1 target, 1 reception, -2 yards

There really is no other way to put this – Tyreek Hill ran wild against the Browns secondary. Regardless of coverage, Tyreek found the spot where he needed to be and Mahomes delivered. Over, and over, and over. With over 15 targets coming his way, Mahomes looked to Tyreek whenever they needed a big play. Andy Reid knows just how to get the ball into Tyreek’s hands to use his blazing speed to their advantage. There will be more big plays from Tyreek as 2021 rolls on, especially in games where the Chiefs may somehow find themselves trailing in the second half. Travis Kelce also had an incredible day, looking unstoppable over the middle. With his size and athleticism, he demands better coverage than this:

.@tkelce TOUCHDOWN DIVE!

📺: #CLEvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/kgdOgQqObc

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 12, 2021

And until he starts receiving it every snap, Mahomes will continue to take advantage. I expect another huge year from the Chiefs passing attack, and week 1 was a great start.

Two interesting plays from the Chiefs that I cannot find a gif of:

On 3rd and short, in a shotgun formation, Blake Bell was lined up as a tight end and put in motion by Patrick Mahomes. He ended up under center for the QB sneak, removing any risk from Mahomes rushing that ball up the middle.
Offensive lineman Mike Remmers declared as an eligible receiver, and was targeted in what I guess was a screen play? It didn’t go well. But, it was cool to see Andy Reid get creative.