What We Saw: Week 11

The QB List team recaps everything you missed from Week 11's NFL action

Ben Brown
What We Saw A Year Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Bengals @ Ravens
Steelers @ Browns
Bears @ Lions
Chargers @ Packers
Raiders @ Dolphins
Giants @ Commanders
Cowboys @ Panthers
Titans @ Jaguars
Cardinals @ Texans
Buccaneers @ 49ers
Jets @ Bills
Seahawks @ Rams
Vikings @ Broncos

Chargers @ Packers

Final Score: Packers: 23, Chargers: 20

Writer: Nick Beaudoin

 

On a 41 degree, perfectly sunny day at Lambeau Stadium, the Green Bay Packers hosted the Los Angeles Chargers in a dogfight that turned into one of the more injury-plagued games we’ve seen in recent weeks. Justin Herbert did everything in his power to propel his team to victory on the road, but drops and mental errors would prove to be too much for the Chargers to overcome, as their already decimated team took a few more big blows. Meanwhile, Jordan Love put together the best performance of his career, notching his first-ever 300-yard passing day that featured two touchdown tosses and a game-winning drive to give the Packers their fourth win of the season.

 

Four Up:

  • Jordan Love – Love led his team to victory in his most productive passing outing of his professional career to date, including the game-winning drive. Impressively, he committed no turnovers.
  • The Packers’ WRs – The wide receiving corps played well as a unit, making several big plays on the final drive to clinch the game.
  • Justin Herbert – Although the loss is never ideal, Herbert is still a baller and top-tier NFL quarterback. He puts it all on the line every week, and I’ll commend him for that.
  • Keenan Allen – Despite a few costly mistakes, Keenan finished the game with his 37th career 100-yard game and a WR1 finish on the week.

Four Down:

  • Aaron Jones – Jones was on a snap count even before he left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury.
  • Quentin Johnston – The first-round pick continues to come up short when his team needs him most.
  • Both Medical Staffs – I want to offer a reminder that fantasy football is a game that should not serve as a platform to root for or cheer on injuries. These players’ careers and livelihoods are on the line each week, and today was a great example of this. Wishing everyone a healthy and speedy recovery.

 

Los Angeles Chargers

 

Quarterback

 

Justin Herbert: 21/36, 260 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 sacks | 8 carries, 73 yards

Elite quarterbacks elevate the players around him, and that is exactly what Justin Herbert does. Despite being down Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, Jalen Guyton, and Gerald Everett, Herbert put the team on his back and his body on the line today and distributed the ball with pinpoint accuracy. He gave his team every opportunity to win, only to be let down once again.

The Chargers’ play calling again appeared hampered by Herbert’s fractured finger, as the team continued to carry out their “shotgun only” offense for yet another week. You wouldn’t know it from his play, however, as Herbert consistently threw darts in between defenders, putting the ball into spots that literally only his receivers could make a play. When he couldn’t rely on his receivers, he took off, never once opting to slide, and willing to face contact on every run. None of them was better than his 28-yard scamper in the second quarter, which took the Chargers inside the 10. Herbert gave his team the lead late in the game with a bullet to Keenan Allen, but the Chargers’ defense immediately allowed Jordan Love to walk the field and take the game back over, as the Chargers often do.

The Chargers came into the game at the very top of the NFL, with a 72 percent touchdown rate in the red zone, but were just 1 of 4 today, and none were the fault of Herbert. The first two were the result of Keenan Allen drops, and the third was a loss of possession due to an Austin Ekeler fumble.  You’ve got to feel for Herbert on days like these.

 

Missed Opportunities

  • Donald Parham Jr. dropped a wide-open pass on 4th-and-4 on the opening drive
  • Keenan Allen dropped two potential touchdown passes inside the five-yard line
  • Austin Ekeler lost a fumble, turning the ball over to the Packers at the 7-yard line
  • Quentin Johnston drops the (potential) game-winning touchdown

 

Running Back

 

Austin Ekeler: 10 carries, 64 yards, FL | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 6 yards

Many expected a more run-focused game plan, as the Packers have excelled in coverage this season. After all, the Chargers came into the game ranked 26th to opposing RBs (for fantasy purposes). This was not to be, however, as the Chargers offensive line struggled to create any running room for Austin Ekeler, who saw almost half of his yardage come on a 37-yard dash in the first quarter. Ekeler was hit at the line of scrimmage, bounced outside, and sprinted down the sidelines, where it should be noted that he was chased down from behind by multiple players. Although typically a sure thing in the red zone, Ekeler took a handoff from the 2-yard line, slipped on the grass, and put the ball on the ground. That turnover to Green Bay made the Chargers 0/3 in the red zone at that point in the game, with just six points to show for it. Ekeler has one of the easiest remaining fantasy schedules of any RB, but if this performance is any indication, the burst he once had may be no more.

The announcers made it a point to talk about the Packers’ field conditions from the moment they took the stage, explaining how Head Coach Brandon Staley made their players wear specific cleats and watch videos of players slipping in previous games. At halftime, he even took the opportunity to tell reporters “It’s a big deal” that the Packers get to practice in these conditions. Now please bear with me a moment.

NFL teams have to win at home and on the road, regardless of the conditions, and those conditions vary everywhere you play. The Seahawks’ stadium was literally constructed to keep noise at field level; the visiting bench at the Dolphins stadium can be 20-30 degrees hotter than the home side; most teams traveling to Denver provide oxygen on the sidelines because of the altitude; and many teams like Buffalo, New England, and yes.. also the Packers play outside, in the rain, shine, sleet and snow. And guess what? When they come visit you, it’s different for them too. That is simply what they call a “home field advantage.”

If you want to play on turf in Los Angeles, that is your decision. But when you need to travel east late in the season, you don’t get to make excuses. Today was 41 degrees and sunny in Wisconsin. That is football weather, my friend.

 

Joshua Kelley: 6 carries, 13 yards

 

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Keenan Allen: 16 targets, 10 receptions, 116 yards, TD

Playing with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, Keenan Allen didn’t appear to be himself in the first half, gaining just 15 yards on two receptions, with two key drops inside the five-yard line. The first, in a worst-case scenario, would have put the Chargers at 1st-and-goal at the 1-yard line, with the best-case scenario being a touchdown. The second hit Allen directly in the chest as he crossed untouched into the end zone, bouncing away in another uncharacteristic drop. Both of these drops led to field goals.

In the second half, he was back to his normal self, making play after play as Herbert hyper-targeted his alpha receiver for 101 yards on eight receptions with a TD. “The great ones always bounce back,” Mark Sanchez echoed from the booth, as Allen brought in a perfectly-placed touchdown to give his team the lead with 5:29 remaining in the game.

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be enough, and although Allen’s day looks great on paper, it could have been a lot bigger; he was at fault for two of three missed scoring opportunities for the Chargers, which would prove to be enough for the loss in the end.

Missed Opportunities

  • Dropped what would have been a first down (or touchdown) on 3rd and 5 from the 7-yard line. The team settled for a field goal.
  • Dropped a wide open touchdown on 3rd-and-7 that hit him in the chest (it appears the sun may have been in his eyes).

 

Quentin Johnston: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 21 yards

I’m rooting for you, Quentin Johnston. I really am. But this team needs more from you, and it doesn’t have time for you to develop. The issue is that the problems we’re seeing are not “developmental” concerns.

Johnston has had chances to make big plays but just hasn’t done it. Herbert took a deep shot to Johnston late in the second quarter, and despite having a huge size advantage, Johnston failed to highpoint the ball and allowed the defender to make the play (see Romeo Doubs). Unfortunately, this pales in comparison to his drop at the very end of the game, which would have given him the chance to outrun everybody for the victory, or at least put his team into FG position to tie the game up. Instead, they turned the ball over on downs, ending the game.

Missed Opportunities

  • Herbert took a deep shot to Johnston but he couldn’t come down with it. The ball was slightly underthrown but an elite NFL wide receiver will go up top and be the first player to the ball. Instead, he waited for it to come down, and allowed his defender to make the play.
  • He had a chance in the fourth quarter to win the game; instead, his unfortunate drop will haunt his dreams.

 

Stone Smartt: 3 targets, reception, 51 yards, TD

Stone Smartt made the most of his opportunity, snagging a wide open post-corner and beating the safety for a 51-yard touchdown, the first of his career.

 

Donald Parham Jr.: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 57 yards

Donald Parham had a bad, wide open drop on fourth down of the opening drive, but managed to redeem himself with several big plays throughout the day. Herbert looked his way in big-time moments and was able to pinpoint a few balls in between defenders to allow Parham to come away with a few nice receptions. If Gerald Everett and Jalen Guyton continue to miss time, look for Parham to play an important role in this offense down the stretch.

Missed Opportunities

  • Dropped should have been easy (wide open) first down 4th and 4 on opening drive (sun in his eyes)

 

Alex Erickson: target, reception, 12 yards

Derius Davis: target, reception, -3 yards

 

 

Green Bay Packers

 

Quarterback

 

Jordan Love: 27/40, 322 yards, 2 TDs, 3 sacks | 3 carries, 0 yards

Jordan Love showed flashes of greatness, along with a few “SMH” moments, but in the end, he put together one of his best performances to date. He capped off his day with a game-winning touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs. Coming into the game, Love had the second-most interceptions of 33 qualified quarterbacks; today, he played mistake-free, made the correct reads, distributed the ball evenly, and found open players at the right moments.

Love opened the game going 5/5 for 42 yards, and then opened the second half by going 9/9 for 103 yards and touchdown. He was not perfect and stood in the pocket far too long on multiple occasions, taking two separate sacks that knocked his team out of field goal range. Still, this was an extremely encouraging performance from the young quarterback. Although it was overshadowed by Love’s final touchdown pass, my favorite play of the day was after the Ekeler fumble, when Love escaped the pocket, scrambled left, and fired across his body to find Dontayvion Wicks for 29 yards and a first down. That was the very sort of athleticism that made the Packers trade up for him all those years ago. After several weeks of uncertainty, Love undoubtedly left Packers fans wanting more.

Missed Opportunities

  • Love looked deep for Doubs early on, but underthrew the ball, allowing it to get knocked away by the defender.
  • On 3rd-and-15 from the Packers’ 28-yard line, Love bobbled the snap and got sacked. The team then missed a 52-yard field goal.
  • On a zone-read in the third quarter, Love handed the ball to Dillon who gets stuffed immediately, instead of taking the ball outside where there wasn’t a defender in sight. I wrote about this weeks ago, but I still would like to see Love use his feet and athleticism to his advantage (like Herbert did today).
  • He took a second sack to knock them out of field goal range.
  • In the fourth quarter, he barely overthrew Musgrave for what would have been a long reception.

 

Running Back

 

Aaron Jones: 4 carries, 14 yards | 2 targets, reception, 3 yards

It was another tough day for Aaron Jones, who left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury. Jones has been hobbled with a lingering hamstring issue, and was already being out-snapped by Dillon, but this is not a good sign for the future of the 28-year old back.

 

A. J. Dillon: 14 carries, 29 yards | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 32 yards

The stat line does not look impressive, but A. J. Dillon ran angry today. He was rarely taken down on first contact and was able to convert on several 3rd-and-short distances, which is what we expect from Quadzilla. He was notably more impressive in the receiving game, including a screen in which he broke multiple tackles for a gain of nine on the opening drive, and a crossing reception on 3rd-and-8, which he turned into a 19-yard gain. With a multitude of injuries, Dillon was the only back left on the roster in the second half.

 

Emmanuel Wilson: 3 carries, 12 yards | 2 targets, reception, 9 yards

Emmanuel Wilson subbed in for Jones immediately after his injury and looked spry in limited action. On the same drive that Jones left, he took a reception on the right side and was pushed out of bounds. At that point, Wilson went down and was inevitably carted off the field, leaving A. J. Dillon as the lone Packers running back.

 

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Romeo Doubs: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 53 yards, TD

It’s tough to say who is the WR1 on this offense, but you could certainly make a case for Romeo Doubs. After two receptions on the first two plays of the game, Doubs disappeared until late in the third quarter. He is one of, if the not the most trusted option on the team, and is often on the receiving end of third down plays. His biggest moment was the game-winning touchdown, in which he leapt up, snatching the ball away and ensuring the defender had no chance to make a play. This is a perfect example of what Quentin Johnston does not do, and is arguably the reason the Packers won the game and the Chargers did not.

Missed Opportunities

  • On 1st-and-10 following a Chargers’ FG, Love ran a deep play action pass to Doubs, but under threw him, giving the defender time to make the play.

 

Jayden Reed: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 46 yards | 3 carries, 46 yards, TD

Coming into the game with 19 yards on the ground on the season, Jayden Reed led the Packers in rushing with 46 yards and one touchdown. Reed played a prominent role in the win, with three designed carries in the first half, and four receptions on six targets. He had two separate third down conversions, confirming the team’s trust in the rookie, and took a screen pass for 19 yards thanks to a great block from Christian Watson on the outside. Reed put on one of the best performances of his young career, and the team will undoubtedly continue finding ways to get him the ball, especially if the running back room remains thin next week.

Missed Opportunities

  • Targeted on 3rd and 8, but couldn’t hold on for the conversion.

 

Christian Watson: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 21 yards, TD | carry, yard

Christian Watson was nonexistent for most of the first half until his false start on 3rd-and-7 late in the second quarter. That’s not an ideal way to hear your name called for the first time. However, in the second half he came through, making a great block to open up a 19-yard screen pass for Reed, and catching a touchdown pass by the back pylon on the last play of the third quarter. These are still not the high-end performances you were counting on if you drafted Watson, but hopefully the second-year wideout can build momentum on this game.

Missed Opportunities

  • Watson committed a false start on 3rd-and-7 late in the second quarter
  • His first target came in the front corner of end zone with 10 seconds left in the half, but he wasn’t able to keep both of his feet in bounds

 

Dontayvion Wicks: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 91 yards

Dontayvion Wicks is either the fifth option on this offense or the first, and I don’t know which it is. His confidence appeared to be shaken after an easy first-down drop in the fourth quarter, but he redeemed himself shortly after, taking advantage of a Chargers secondary who had no interest in wrapping him up on a five-yard catch, instead allowing him to run free for 37 yards and set up the Packers for the game-winning touchdown on the very next play.

Missed Opportunities

  • He dropped an easy catch on 2nd-and-10 for first down in the fourth quarter

 

Tucker Kraft: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 32 yards

Tucker Kraft almost came away with the first touchdown of his career, but it was called back after replay confirmed that he had stepped out of bounds.

Missed Opportunities

  • On what resulted as a 27-yard gain, Kraft leaped the defender for a TD that would eventually be ruled out of bounds.

 

Luke Musgrave: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 28 yards

Luke Musgrave was about one inch away from a much bigger stat line, but was just overthrown by Love wide open down the sideline. He left the game briefly in the third quarter but returned shortly after. Musgrave may not have had a great day on paper, but his contributions to the team came on several key blocks, freeing Jayden Reed on the first touchdown, and keeping his QB safe from a typically stout pass rush. His role in the offense is going nowhere, and he is a perfect trade target in dynasty leagues.

Missed Opportunities

  • Love overthrew him on what would have been a long reception down the sideline.

 

Malik Heath: target, reception, 7 yards

 

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

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