What We Saw: Preseason Week 2

We cover everything that you need to know from Week 2 of the NFL Preseason for your fantasy football leagues.

Brett Ford
What We Saw 5 Months Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Eagles @ Patriots
Falcons @ Ravens
Bengals @ Bears
Giants @ Texans
Lions @ Chiefs
Vikings @ Browns
Seahawks @ Titans
Cardinals @ Colts
Commanders @ Dolphins
Bills @ Steelers
Jets @ Panthers
Rams @ Chargers
Buccaneers @ Jaguars
Cowboys @ Raiders
Saints @ 49ers
Packers @ Broncos

Falcons @ Ravens

Final Score: Ravens 13 – Falcons 12

Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan)

 

A relatively interesting game in Baltimore finished with a relatively uninteresting scoreline as the Ravens edged the visiting Falcons, 13-12, on Saturday afternoon. The Ravens’ passing game looked efficient while the Falcons moved the ball much more effectively on the ground. There were very few names that project to be fantasy-relevant on the field for this one – and perhaps the most relevant fantasy asset that did get on the field was uncharacteristically bad. Younghoe Koo missed THREE field goals, pulling them all wide left. Let’s dig in.

 

Three Up

  • Josh Johnson – There was never really a doubt, but he locked up QB2 in Baltimore with this performance.
  • Jase McClellan – The sixth-round rookie ran hard and found the paint in this one, potentially doing enough to earn a roster spot in the Falcons’ crowded backfield.
  • Emory Jones – After a really bad debut last week, he looked competent under center for the Ravens.

Two Down

  • Casey Washington – A Falcons wide receiver that had garnered some buzz in camp, but came away with no catches on Saturday.
  • Michael Penix Jr. – The Falcons’ rookie quarterback isn’t the starter, but still didn’t get any reps in this one. Kind of strange not to get him game action.

 

Atlanta Falcons

 

Quarterback

 

Michael Penix, Jr.: DNP

I personally think it’s weird that he didn’t play but head coach Raheem Morris said, “He showed us last week enough that we don’t have to play him in the preseason,” which is a weird statement to make about a rookie who presumably won’t get reps during the season.

 

John Paddock: 9/17, 78 Yards | 3 Carries, 10 Yards

Paddock led the Falcons’ fourth-quarter touchdown drive, completing three passes for 36 yards as part of an 80-yard scoring drive. The undrafted free agent out of Illinois didn’t do anything awe-inspiring in his NFL debut, but did enough to give his team a chance to win the game. One concern is that the Falcons had Paddock start his day in the two-minute drill to end the first half, needing points, but ran the ball three straight times. To me that indicates a lack of confidence, either in the skill or in the understanding of the playbook. Considering he’s only been in camp a short time, perhaps it’s the latter.

 

Taylor Heinecke: 8/16, 114 Yards | 2 Carries, 7 Yards

Heinecke did not look good. Most of his passes were to the shallow parts of the field, though he did connect with Chris Blair for a long 32-yard completion in the second quarter. If the Falcons do choose to carry three quarterbacks on the active roster, it doesn’t appear that their fans will ever want to the third QB on the field, regardless of who it is. Though Heinecke has the edge in NFL experience, he may end up getting cut or traded to a QB-needy team with the Falcons choosing to place Paddock on the practice squad and roll with just two quarterbacks on the active roster.

 

Running Back

 

Jase McClellan: 11 Carries, 55 Yards, TD

McClellan seemed decisive in the run game, sticking his foot in the ground and making a one-cut decision to hit the hole and press forward. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry and found the paint in this one, making a solid case for himself to stick either on the roster or practice squad.

 

Carlos Washington Jr.:  9 Carries, 39 Yards

Washington, a second-year running back out of New Hampshire, was a star of the first half, rushing for 39 yards on just nine carries. He broke one run for nine yards, but was consistent on his carries and did enough to solidify his role as the number three running back behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Had he suffered an off day, he may have fell behind the rookie McClellan, but if the Falcons had to make the decision today I think they would keep Washington over McClellan.

 

Spencer Brown: 4 Carries, 26 Yards

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Casey Washington: 6 Targets

Washington caught a long pass from Michael Penix on a viral social media clip from practice on Wednesday. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of his weekend. He couldn’t pull in a single one of his six targets despite looking ‘impressive’ throughout camp so far. This could dim his shine as the Falcons make final roster decisions in a few weeks.

 

Chris Blair: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 91 Yards 

Blair looked solid for the second-consecutive preseason game, making a solid case to remain on the active roster behind Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud and Khadarel Hodge.

Notes

  • He caught a pass out in the flat with space and gained 23 yards on the play, with most of it coming as YAC.
  • He followed up with a 32-yard gainer on a crossing route, finding a soft spot behind the linebackers in the Ravens’ zone.

 

Jesse Matthews: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 38 Yards | 2 Carries, 14 Yards

Matthews looked reliable with the third-string guys, and seemed like Paddock’s favorite target. He was making plays, albeit in the flat for the most part, and nearly pulled in an amazing touchdown catch on an awful throw. Though he’ll likely remain just a special teams guy if he makes the active roster, Matthews has impressed at Falcons camp so far with his route running.

Missed Opportunities

  • Matthews nearly caught an amazing touchdown, making an adjustment to the ball in the air, but couldn’t pull it in. It was an absolute duck from Paddock, who released it under duress.

 

John FitzPatrick: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 14 Yards  

Dylan Drummond: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 14 Yards

OJ Hiliare: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 16 Yards

Josh Ali: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 19 Yards

James Washington: 2 Targets

 

Baltimore Ravens

 

Quarterback

 

Josh Johnson: 11/11, 120 Yards, TD | 2 Carries, 8 Yards

A perfect day from Josh Johnson. He’s locked in as QB2 in Baltimore behind Lamar Jackson. The Ravens seem to have an archetype at this position, dual-threat veteran guys who can sling it confidently when their number is called.

 

Emory Jones: 7/9, 100 Yards, TD

Jones played just one snap in last week’s preseason game; he was sacked and fumbled to set up the Eagles’ game-winning field goal drive. He turned that narrative around this week, slinging the rock for 100 yards and a score. Most of his yardage came on a long strike to Dayton Wade where he hit the receiver in stride for the score. The rookie truly redeemed himself for an abysmal debut.

Devin Leary: 3/5, 24 Yards | 3 Carries, 4 Yards

 

Running Back

 

Owen Wright: 8 Carries, 9 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards, Rec. TD

Wright struggled to find space on the ground as the Ravens’ offensive line reserves failed to create much space for their backs for the second straight week. However, he made up for it with a nice grab out of the backfield and pylon dive for a score. Wright also had a 30-yard kick return, tying for the Ravens’ longest of the day.

 

John Kelly Jr. 5 Carries, 21 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 8 Yards

Kelly was signed off the streets after being cut from the Cleveland Browns, and thrust directly into preseason action where he was the Ravens’ most effective running back by yards per carry. The signing seems more like a depth piece for camp than anything else.

 

Chris Collier: 12 Carries, 29 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 22 Yards

Collier received the bulk of the Ravens’ rushing attempts and added a pair of catches out of the backfield, but his true highlight of the day was a 30-yard kick return. Both of the Ravens’ running backs looked more decisive and explosive on the kick return unit than Deonte Harty did on his two chances.

 

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Dayton Wade: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 67 Yards, TD 

Wade’s big play proved to be the game-winning touchdown for the Ravens. He got open with a nasty double move and pulled in a wide-open touchdown. Wade was a huge playmaker at Ole Miss, but still has a ways to climb on the Ravens’ wide receiver depth chart if he wants to make the active roster.

 

Tylan Wallace: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 31 Yards

Wallace snatched his only target of the game and was dragged down just short of the goal line for a 31-yard gain. Now entering his fourth season with the Ravens, Wallace has proven himself to be a valuable special teams asset in the past and should be safe to make the roster as a returner and special teamer again this season.

 

Keith Kirkwood: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 37 Yards

Kirkwood is a seventh-year pro battling with the young guns for a spot on this Ravens roster. He caught both of his targets on Saturday, which certainly helped his case. However, Devontez Walker didn’t play which indicates that the rookie may have an inside track to the roster despite an uninspiring camp.

 

Malik Cunningham: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 28 Yards

Cunningham continues to make the most of his opportunities. Despite being drafted as a quarterback, the former Patriot has settled into the thick of the Ravens’ wide receiver position battle. It wouldn’t be shocking if he was kept on the active roster, not only as a depth wide receiver, but also as an emergency QB.

 

Anthony Miller: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 16 Yards

Riley Sharp: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 15 Yards

Qadir Ismail: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 8 Yards

Charlie Kolar: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards

 

 

Series Navigation
Introduction
Eagles @ Patriots
Falcons @ Ravens
Bengals @ Bears
Giants @ Texans
Lions @ Chiefs
Vikings @ Browns
Seahawks @ Titans
Cardinals @ Colts
Commanders @ Dolphins
Bills @ Steelers
Jets @ Panthers
Rams @ Chargers
Buccaneers @ Jaguars
Cowboys @ Raiders
Saints @ 49ers
Packers @ Broncos

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