What We Saw: Week 11

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Giants @ Commanders

Final Score: Giants 31, Commanders 19

Writer: Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL on Twitter)

The score was 14-12 Giants with just under a minute to go in the third quarter. Washington had the ball on New York’s side of the field and was driving. They had already sacked Tommy DeVito nine times and were looking to finally take the lead in what had been a physical, back and forth game. Sam Howell handed the ball off to Chris Rodriguez Jr. on 1st and 10, but Rodriguez fumbled it. This is the moment the game turned. The Giants would go on to score a touchdown on the ensuing drive, then intercept Howell and kick a field goal on their following drive. A 12 point lead with 6:48 to play was enough for the Giants to pull out a victory.

Three Up

Tommy DeVito – Looked like a legit NFL QB for the first time
Saquon Barkley – Two TDs through the air and two long runs made up the majority of his fantasy output
Brian Robinson Jr. – An absolute beast on the ground and is now getting more and more receiving work. He’s in legit RB1 territory now

Two Down

Washington’s offense – Six turnovers killed momentum anytime they even sniffed some
Terry McLaurin – Another modest output and Scary Terry is quickly showing he’s not an alpha receiver in this offense

New York Giants

Quarterback

Tommy DeVito: 18/26, 246 yards, 3 TD, 9 sacks | 1 carry, 7 yards

Whoa! Who saw this coming? DeVito was sacked nine times, five in the first quarter alone. But DeVito showed signs of life early, threading the needle to Darius Slayton to convert third and long and then throwing a perfect ball to Saquon Barkley on the wheel route for the early score. Against man coverage, DeVito shined. Against zone, DeVito dumped it off before the pressure could get to him. But the pressure got to him plenty of times. DeVito was sacked nine times, with eight of them coming in the first 31 minutes of the game. DeVito played game manager late in the game when Saquon single-handedly drove them down the field to get them in scoring position, and DeVito rewarded him with their second TD connection of the game.

Running Back

Saquon Barkley: 14 carries, 83 yards | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 57 yards, 2 TD

What if I told you the Giants had zero rushing yards through the first 44:20 of this football game? Saquon Barkley shined in the receiving game early on, making a fantastic catch on the sideline and another great catch on a wheel route in the end zone for a score. But it wasn’t until after Chris Rodriguez Jr.‘s fumble that Saquon finally found some room to work with on the ground, and he turned it into a 36 yard run. He then caught a touchdown pass just a few plays later. On their next drive, Saquon hit the ground running with a 31 yard run up the right sideline, putting them in field goal position for what would ultimately put the game out of reach. It may have been a bit flukey with two long runs making up for the majority of his yards on the ground, but it just goes to show that Saquon is the Giants’ best player and they will do whatever it takes to get the ball in his hands and let him do his thing.

Matt Breida: 3 carries, -1 yard | 1 target

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Not much to say about any of these guys. I wouldn’t touch them in fantasy with a ten foot pole as long as DeVito is under center. Too much uncertainty.

Darius Slayton: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 82 yards, TD

Notes

Plau-action on 3rd and 1, Washington sold out for the run and left Slayton wide open. Juked out the safety and beat him to the end zone for the score
Unable to corral 3rd and long, bobbled the ball and dropped it when he took a hit

Daniel Bellinger: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards

Wan’Dale Robinson: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 35 yards | 1 carry, 2 yards

Isaiah Hodgins: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 22 yards

Jalin Hyatt: 2 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards

Sterling Shepard: 3 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards

Washington Commanders

Quarterback

Sam Howell: 31/45, 255 yards, TD, 3 INT, 4 sacks | 3 carries, 35 yards, TD

Sam Howell has been trending upward the last few weeks but he took a big step back in this game. The turnovers absolutely killed Washington throughout this game – three interceptions and three fumbles. Howell’s final interception was a pick-six with under a minute to play down six, a total soul crusher that sealed the win for New York. Howell’s first interception was an overthrow of Dyami Brown down the middle of the field, while his second INT was likely the result of his arm being hit as he threw a duck downfield. Either way, three turnovers by your young QB is incredibly hard to overcome. Howell threw a late touchdown to Jahan Dotson on the sideline – it was a gorgeous throw and a dart to a perfect spot. He nearly had Logan Thomas for a touchdown earlier in the game but narrowly missed him in the back of the end zone. Howell did scramble for a score and looked to get dinged up on the play, but he remained in the game. Howell did his usual thing of spreading the ball around, but the turnovers really just kept killing any momentum they would end up building.

Running Back

Brian Robinson Jr.: 17 carries, 73 yards | 9 targets, 7 receptions, 58 yards

The more I watch Robinson, the more impressed I am of him. He’s come a long way in the last year, turning into an all-around weapon both on the ground and in the passing game. With Antonio Gibson out, Robinson has stepped up the last few weeks and taken on more work through the air and has absolutely delivered. Howell has no hesitation looking his way when he needs to dump it off, and the passing volume alone is giving Robinson RB1 value on a weekly basis now. With the ball in his hands he’s a force, running people over with ease. He didn’t find the end zone in this one, but the seven receptions will be very welcomed in all PPR formats.

Chris Rodriguez Jr.: 6 carries, 43 yards, fumble (lost) | 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards

Derrick Gore: 2 carries, 23 yards

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Terry McLaurin: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 43 yards

Once again, Sam Howell spread the ball around and targeted 11 different receivers. He does not seem to be a guy who keys in on one alpha WR and elevate him to superstardom, which many of us think McLaurin is capable of if given the opportunity. As just another guy in this offense, however, Scary Terry is becoming more and more of a scary sight in your starting lineup.

Jahan Dotson: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 23 yards, TD

Dotson’s touchdown came on Washington’s second to last drive, but otherwise he was essentially a non-factor in this game.

Logan Thomas: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 58 yards, fumble (lost)

Sam Howell really likes throwing the ball to the big bodied Logan Thomas, as Thomas led the team in targets on Sunday. Thomas’ fumble on Washington’s second drive was the beginning of the turnover fest for the Commanders, and it gave New York great field position. He took a catch and run down to the four yard line, and almost had a touchdown later in the game when he was narrowly overthrown in the back of the end zone. Otherwise, it was a solid PPR day for the fringe fantasy TE.

Byron Pringle: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 22 yards, fumble (lost)

Notes