What We Saw: Week 10

The Patriots are back, and so is Patrick Mahomes, but the AFC is still a mess

Ben Brown
What We Saw 3 Years Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Ravens @ Dolphins
Bills @ Jets
Buccaneers @ Football Team
Falcons @ Cowboys
Saints @ Titans
Jaguars @ Colts
Lions @ Steelers
Browns @ Patriots
Vikings @ Chargers
Panthers @ Cardinals
Eagles @ Broncos
Seahawks @ Packers
Chiefs @ Raiders

Browns @ Patriots

Final Score: Patriots 45, Browns 7

Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)

 

Listen. I really thought this would be a close game, or at the very least, a good game. It was neither of those as the Patriots beat the brakes off of the Browns in Foxborough. New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson had a breakout game as he powered the Patriots to an overwhelming victory. It was a close game for the first quarter, but after that, there’s only much to write about on the Patriots side of things. As a Browns fan, this was tough to watch, but at least I started Stevenson in a bunch of leagues. Hopefully you did, too!

 

Cleveland Browns

 

Quarterback

 

Case Keenum: 8/12, 81 yards, 3 Sacks

Baker Mayfield: 11/21, 73 yards, TD, INT, 2 Sacks

 

Not a lot to write home about here. The Browns offense looked terrible almost the entire game. Not having either starting running back as well as an all-pro left tackle in Jack Conklin is really taking its toll on this offense. It’s to be expected, but not this bad. Baker Mayfield took a hard shot in the second half and was benched for the rest of the game as a precautionary measure – reports are that he is fine.

 

 

Even in limited action, his backup, Case Keenum, ended up with more yards in fewer drops backs, which is never a recipe for success. In general, this offense was out of rhythm the entire day.

 

Running Back

 

D’Ernest Johnson: 19 carries, 99 yards | 8 targets, 7 receptions, 58 yards

Johnny Stanton: 1 carry

 

The yards were there for D’Ernest Johnson, but it was one of those scenarios where someone had to move the ball. The Browns were without three of their top playmakers (one of them permanently gone in OBJ,) and D’Ernest did his best, but as previously stated, there was no rhythm to the offense after the first drive. Once the Browns were behind, it felt like Stefanski near-abandoned the run. With no threat on the ground, the Patriots dared Baker to beat them. Johnny Stanton had a carry from inside the two-yard line, where he ran directly into the back of his left guard before being tackled. Ideally that touch goes to D’Ernest, but unfortunately, it didn’t.

 

 

 

 

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Jarvis Landry: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 26 yards

Austin Hooper: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 25 yards, TD

Harrison Bryant: 2 targets, 2 catches, 18 yards

Donovan Peoples-Jones: 5 targets, 1 reception, 16 yards

David Njoku: 4 targets, 1 reception, 11 yards

 

Again, not a lot to write home about here. The top receiver for the Browns on the day was running back D’Ernest Johnson as we watched dump-off after dump-off from Baker. The pass rush of the Patriots, led by Matthew Judon, was outright smothering, leaving no time for routes to develop. David Njoku had a touchdown knocked out of his hands in the end zone, and also a bad drop late in the game, going straight through both of his hands.

 

 

Donovan Peoples-Jones had a quiet game but had the target share you’d like to see. He beat coverage early in the first half but was overthrown by Baker. There was one bright spot, however, early on in the game as Baker hit Austin Hooper for this TD grab in the back of the endzone:

 

 

 

New England Patriots

 

Quarterback

 

Mac Jones: 19/23, 198 yards, 3 TD, 2 Sacks

Brian Hoyer: 3/3, 85 yards, TD

 

On the other side of the ball, Mac Jones looked like anything but a rookie quarterback. While we could’ve asked for a couple more yards in order to eclipse 200, three scores from Mac is a fantastic fantasy day. I was genuinely impressed by his ability to read the defense and thread the needle throughout the game. It helps when you have a substantial lead, but Mac looked fearless. First, with this dart to Kendrick Bourne into double coverage (who deserves credit for the catch as well):

 

 

Then, with this nasty look-off before hitting Hunter Henry for his second score on the day. Mac moved #56 almost three yards, just with his eyes. It was magic.

 

 

Running Back

 

Rhamondre Stevenson: 20 carries, 100 yards, 2 TD | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 14 yards

Brandon Bolden: 3 carries, 32 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards

J.J. Taylor: 6 carries, 11 yards

 

As I typically write about the Browns, and therefore Nick Chubb and/or Kareem Hunt, it made me sad to watch a game without either of them. Thankfully Rhamondre Stevenson was here to carry on the violent running mantle. Stevenson ran wild today; I don’t think he was tackled for a loss the entire day. Not only that, he contributed in the passing game as well. Stevenson flashed his ability in the pre-season which secured his roster spot. If he continues production like this, I could easily see a scenario where he surpasses Damien Harris on the depth chart, especially with Stevenson’s ability to catch the ball as well. I was impressed with Stevenson’s ability to impact the game in multiple aspects. He gashed the defense between the tackles, on outside runs, dump-offs, you name it. If you started Stevenson today, he rewarded you big time.

 

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Kendrick Bourne: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 98 yards, TD | 3 carries, 43 yards

Jakobi Meyers: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 39 yards, TD

Hunter Henry: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 37 yards, 2 TD

N’Keal Harry: 1 target, 1 reception, 26 yards

Nelson Agholor: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 21 yards

 

A lot of 4’s today as Mac spread it out to all of his playmakers. Kendrick Bourne had a spectacular catch over double coverage to secure his score, GIF’d above. The touchdown for Jakobi Meyers came in garbage time, but it was still cool to see him finally score!

 

 

Hunter Henry had a fantastic day as he continues to be a reliable target for Mac Jones, especially in the redzone. He’s had some unproductive outings, but you can tell Mac has a lot of confidence in his big tight end. Honestly, even for a guy his size (6’5″, 250 lbs.,) he has the agility to force himself open:

 

 

Bonus puppers:

 

 

— Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter) 

Series Navigation
Introduction
Ravens @ Dolphins
Bills @ Jets
Buccaneers @ Football Team
Falcons @ Cowboys
Saints @ Titans
Jaguars @ Colts
Lions @ Steelers
Browns @ Patriots
Vikings @ Chargers
Panthers @ Cardinals
Eagles @ Broncos
Seahawks @ Packers
Chiefs @ Raiders

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