Indianapolis Colts @ New York Jets
Final Score: IND 28 – NYJ 27
Writer: Raymi Chavez
This was a tale of three games. The Colts dominated the first quarter as the Jets started the game with four three-and-outs and a turnover on downs, not getting a first down until the final two minutes of the first half. Luckily for New York, they turned that drive into a TD and went into the first half only down six. In the second half, the Jets continued that momentum and seemed to take control of the game, taking a 27-22 lead late into the fourth quarter. However, the Colts picked themselves off the mat, the Jets became the Jets, Richardson led a late-game drive to take the lead, and Aaron Rodgers had a brutal final drive, solidifying another brutal Jets loss. Let’s look at how this impacted the fantasy world.
Three Up
- Breece Hall – Breece Hall had a massive game. The Jets offense only went as far as he did all afternoon. Plenty of massive chunk plays.
- Anthony Richardson – Richardson had a boom game, being as accurate as you can expect him to be.
- Josh Downs – Downs has become the WR to own on this offense after having yet another strong game.
Two Down
- Garrett Wilson – His role is quickly shrinking in this offense, and on top of that, he struggled to get any YAC going when used in the short game.
- Johnathan Taylor – Taylor had a game that is about as bad a full game you’ll get from him. He should bounce right back.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Anthony Richardson: 20/30, 272 Yards, TD | 10 Carries, 32 Yards, 2 TD, 2 Fumbles (1 Lost, 1 Recovered)
Anthony Richardson returned and looked a lot like the version of himself that played in Week 1. He was a weapon both on the ground in the red zone and when dropping back for deep throws. Beyond his two fumbles, one on a sack that was lost and one on a bungled handoff that was recovered, he had a prototypical boom game for himself. He looked excellent in the first and fourth quarters, looking a little shakier in the second and third quarters. It’s still tough to fully trust him until he can string a few of these games together, but he’s very much worth the risk considering his sky-high ceiling.
Running Back
Johnathan Taylor: 24 Carries, 57 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
Taylor had a difficult time getting much going on the ground today. He wasn’t awful, as he consistently made positive gains with each carry, even if they weren’t big gains. This type of game is the floor for Taylor, however, and he was a focal point in the Colts offense regardless. He should bounce back, but Richardson being a rushing presence in the red zone is a trend to watch in future weeks.
Trey Sermon: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Josh Downs: 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 84 Yards, TD
Downs continues to assert himself as a consistent option for Colts QBs and fantasy owners. Operating primarily out of the slot, he has become a go-to option and at this point is a viable weekly FLEX.
Michael Pittman: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 46 Yards
Pittman came back and was targeted on many important downs. The talented receiver has struggled this year after having a breakout campaign last year, partially due to nagging injuries.
Alec Pierce: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 74 Yards
Pierce had a 39-yard reception that was so close to being a massive TD if not for a great tackle. This team’s ultimate boom-or-bust receiver on the team, he’ll never have too many receptions, but the yards he gains with them help to solidify a passable floor for the receiver.
Adonai Mitchell: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 33 Yards | 1 Carry, 2 Yards
Mitchell got tackled down on the one-yard line at the end of his one reception but wasn’t heard from otherwise throughout the game.
Mo Alie-Cox: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
Cox seems to be the only tight end getting any sort of consistent opportunity, but he heavily relies on getting into the end zone to put up respectable numbers.
Kylen Granson: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Drew Ogletree: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
New York Jets
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: 22/29, 184 Yards, 2 TD | 2 Carries, 7 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)
Rodgers looked brutal to start this game with plenty of off-target throws, and he even demonstrated flashes of those struggles throughout the game. On the surface, his performance looks fine, but he continues to look like a shell of himself and shouldn’t be much more than a streaming option, and not a very good one, either.
Running Back
Breece Hall: 16 Carries, 78 Yards, TD | 7 Targets, 7 Receptions, 43 Yards, TD
These were the games owners dreamed of when taking Hall early in the first round this year. The entire offense was stuck in the mud for the first 28 minutes of the game, and then they leaned heavily on Hall to close out the first half and throughout the second half. Plenty of big chunk plays, Hall was this team’s motor, and since Saleh was fired, it seems the team has gone back to its reliance on Hall’s play.
Braelon Allen: 2 Carries, 6 Yards
Allen’s early season involvement in the offense has seemingly evaporated as he finds himself being used only to give Hall a breather.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Davante Adams: 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 72 Yards
Adams had a spirited game, laying the boom at the end of some of his catch and runs, breaking tackles, and being on the same page with Rodgers on a handful of occasions. He’s fully wrestling away the lead receiver role from Wilson.
Garrett Wilson: 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 18 Yards
Wilson struggled today, only being utilized in shorter pass plays and struggling to get yards after the catch. It’s been a couple of weeks like this in a row, and it’s a definite concern moving forward.
Kenny Yeboah: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards, TD
Caught his first career touchdown on a red zone play designed for him, not the start of anything fantasy-wise.
Tyler Conklin: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards | 1 Carry, 0 Yards
Conklin was the tight end running consistent routes and had a down game, but still, a streaming option moving forward. This offense will be focused around Hall and Adams, with Wilson and Conklin picking at the scraps.
Malachi Corley: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 10 Yards
Xavier Gipson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 17 Yards
Jeremy Ruckert: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards