What We Saw: Week 13

The What We Saw team recaps Week 13 of the NFL season from a fantasy perspective

Ben Brown
What We Saw 5 Months Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Seahawks @ Cowboys
Colts @ Titans
Chargers @ Patriots
Lions @ Saints
Falcons @ Jets
Cardinals @ Steelers
Panthers @ Buccaneers
Dolphins @ Commanders
Broncos @ Texans
Browns @ Rams
49ers @ Eagles
Chiefs @ Packers

Chiefs @ Packers

Final Score: Packers 27, Chiefs 19

Senior Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)

 

A thoroughly enjoyable Sunday Night Football matchup at a snowy Lambeau Field was founded on a terrific offensive performance from a young quarterbacks on show – this was not Patrick Mahomes. The emerging Jordan Love and his young cavalry of receivers deserve highlighted praise after an impressive performance that the Chiefs defense had little answer to. Love set the standard with two clinical drives in the first half to give the Packers a 16-4 lead as both teams only had two drives thanks to some efficient, clock-draining football.

Mahomes immediately responded in the second half with a touchdown pass to Noah Gray but Love was equal to the task and showed pinpoint accuracy at key moments in the fourth quarter. The Packers were creative with offensive play calling and threw enough at the Chiefs defense, reeling from a number of key injuries, to cause them problems. There were a couple of horrendous errors by the officials in the final two minutes but all in all it was a deserved win for Green Bay, who now enter the playoff conversation in a wide open NFC wildcard race.

 

Four Up

  • Jordan Love – another rung on the ladder climbed for Love, who is stepping up as a fantasy quarterback to note after this accomplished showing up against Mahomes
  • Christian Watson – two scores in prime time will do a lot for the reputation of the young receiver whose career has been stunted by injury so far – he looked like a WR1 in this game but came off injured late
  • Isiah Pacheco – a dominant, aggressive showing from the second-year back who looked threatening with every carry – showed the determination and skill to put the Chiefs in with a chance to win the game
  • AJ Dillon – a virtuoso performance from a back who has traditionally been limited to early downs and short yardage situations – has the ability to become the lead in this offense

One Down

  • Aaron Jones – missing through injury once again, the veteran back could see himself on the outside looking in gooing forward after Dillon provided both strength and speed in the run game

 

Kansas City Chiefs

 

Quarterback

 

Patrick Mahomes: 21/33, 210 Yards, TD, INT, 3 Sacks | 4 Carries, 26 Yards

 

The Chiefs only had two drives in the first half as the Packers controlled the clock but each drive resulted in first downs in the red zone. However, the Packers found a way to find Mahomes in the pocket and the superstar failed to make the magic happen to find the end zone. He answered back early in the second half but a uncharacteristic throw in the fourth quarter resulted in a devastating pick for the Chiefs. Mahomes threw an ill-timed slot fade that Skyy Moore didn’t pick up at all after a defensive pass interference call gave Kansas City some momentum. Mahomes has been underwhelming to say the least over the past month and this fantasy output was the worst of his season. He now has only two games with over 20 fantasy points in the last eight games. Yikes!

 

Missed opportunities

  • Took two sacks on third down in the red zone on back-to-back drives which meant the Chiefs had to settle for a field goal – Mahomes had good protection but his receivers could not get open
  • Two lazy throws in the third quarter handed the ball back to the Packers immediately after you sensed the Chiefs would take control of the game – Mahomes targeting Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling rather than Travis Kelce

 

Running Back

 

Isiah Pacheco: 18 Carries, 110 Yards, TD | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 13 Yards

 

The no-doubt lead back for the Chiefs showed his importance in this offense with two key runs in the first half – one was a strong 26-yard gain on an outside-zone run that ended at the Packers 6-yard line, the other a nice up-the-middle eight yard gain to convert on third down. Both runs highlighted Pacheco’s ability as an every-down back. He got caught up in a scrum early in the second half and stayed down for some time after some heavy weight fell on his right leg. But the tough runner remerged a few plays later for a tough 11-yard run where he broke out of two tackles between the numbers. That run setup the offense for their third red zone trip, which this time ended with Pacheco waltzing the ball in for his seventh score of the season.

 

The second half was equally as productive for Pacheco who had two dynamic runs before running the ball in from a yard out on the first drive of the half before touching the ball six times on the second, a drive that resulted in another Chiefs score. He was by far the most productive element of the entire Chiefs offense in this contest.

He did lose his cool on the final Chiefs drive of the game, throwing a punch whilst blocking on a passing play that was returned for a touchdown by the Packers before being called back by penalty. Pacheco was disqualified from the final few plays of the contest but he is unlikely to face further suspension.

 

Clyde Edwards-Helaire: 2 Carries, 6 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Travis Kelce: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 81 Yards

 

A disappointing night for the big tight end, who potentially lost quite a few fantasy managers their matchups this week after posting a modest yardage total on just four catches. Kelce was well marshalled by the Packers defense and there was just one play where he found himself in space with room to run. The Chiefs only had seven drives all game, one of those was a three-and-out and another a two-play drive due to the interception. So, there wasn’t the traditional volume on offer for Kelce to feed on. He recorded just one catch in the second half although he should of provoked a flag on the final Hail Mary play of the game after being taken out nowhere near the ball by a Packers defensive back.

 

Rashee Rice: 9 Targets, 8 Receptions, 64 Yards

 

For the second straight week rookie Rashee Rice led his team in targets for and he now has 24 targets in the past three games as he emerges as the best wideout for looks from his quarterback in an underwhelming group. Rice saw plenty of volume underneath as the Packers took away anything deep downfield. He had a couple of nifty catch-and-run plays where his speed picked up extra yards. He was unlucky to fall just short of the goal line on a screen in the red zone at the start of the second half – Rice was downed at the 1-yard line before Pacheco finished off the drive.

 

Marquez Valdes-Scantling: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 25 Yards

 

It’s just not working for MVS in Kansas City. Over the past few weeks it has been mainly his own fault (drops!) but tonight he failed to see a fair look from the officials on a deep ball on the Chiefs’ final drive. Beating his marker off the line and racing deep downfield he looked set to haul in a dime from Mahomes inside the Packers 10-yard line but he was suddenly accosted from behind in a WWE-like headlock by Carrington Valentine, a play the officials deemed did not deserve a flag. Ridiculous.

 

Richie James: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards

Skyy Moore: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards

Noah Gray: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards, TD

 

Caught a touchdown on his only pass of the game. Otherwise, a ghost.

 

Kadarius Toney: 1 Carry, 6 Yards

 

Green Bay Packers

 

Quarterback

 

Jordan Love: 25/36, 267 Yards, 3 TDs, 2 Sacks | 2 Carries, 10 Yards

 

The rise of the Packers’ once and future king at quarterback has peaked over the past month as Green Bay have now won three straight one-score games on the back of Love’s excellent play at the position. Love came out focussed and completed his first nine passes and led two touchdown drives prior to half time. Love connected with Watson on the second drive of the game to finish up an eight-play, 75-yard drive that showed his mastery of the offense.

 

Love was composed and careful with the ball throughout the contest ensuring his team worked the clock as well as scoring points despite the Chiefs coming out firing in the third quarter. Love was brilliant moving the chains by hitting receivers near the sideline, with Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed making standout catches to keep drives alive.

Love has thrown for three touchdowns in his last two games and for at least two in the last four, with no turnovers and a mastery that is a joy to watch. He is approaching the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks on the season and is still only 64% rostered. He’ll be a popular waiver wire add this week as the Packers look to push for the playoffs.

 

Notes

  • Two surgical drives to open the game showed us how Love has mastered this offensive scheme from Matt LaFleur – mixing up play action with a strong power run game opened up opportunities on early downs later in drives
  • Executed throws on third down beautifully, showing poise in the pocket and finding his open receivers despite heavy pressure – Watson was the beneficiary of many of these throws

Missed opportunities

  • Just flopped down under limited pressure on third down in the Chiefs red zone at the two-minute warning at the end of the game, taking a 10-yard sack and making a field goal tricky for his rookie kicker – could have finished the game with a touchdown

 

Running Back

 

AJ Dillon: 18 Carries, 73 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 14 Yards

 

A powerful performance from Dillon in the absence of Aaron Jones did a lot to help the Packers establish a balanced offensive approach in the first half. Dillon carried the ball seven times on the opening drive alone and was featured heavily once again as the lead back. His production doesn’t tell the whole story as Dillon looked explosive and illusive throughout the game and was a key cog in the effectiveness of LaFleur’s offensive machine. Dillon’s 73 yards on the ground was his second-best effort of the season. The availability of Jones will obviously impact upon Dillon’s already limited share of this offense.

 

Patrick Taylor: 2 Carries, 29 Yards | 1 Target

James Robinson: 1 Carry, 2 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, -2 Yards

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Romeo Doubs: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 72 Yards

 

Two big catches for important gains underpinned Doubs’ performance after being held without a catch at half time – the wideout hauled in a 33-yard deep ball on fourth down to setup the Packers inside the red zone midway through the third quarter on the drive immediately after the Chiefs had made it a two point game. The second catch was a 27-yard gain on the drive early in the fourth quarter that resulted in a field goal and made the Chiefs have to play for a touchdown rather than a field goal late in the game. Doubs remains an integral part of the offense but with limited targets he is dependant on touchdowns for fantasy success. He does have seven across the season, however.

 

Christian Watson: 9 Targets, 7 Receptions, 71 Yards, TD | 2 Carries, 15 Yards

 

The contribution made by Watson during the last three games cannot be underestimated, and his performance in this game was crucial in putting Green Bay into a winning position. Showing the slick route-running and vertical extension that wowed scouts in the draft process, Watson fought hard for both his scores – for the first he lost his marker in the back of the end zone after Love extended the play, and on the second he out-leaped the cornerback to go up high and haul in a terrific catch.

 

Unfortunately, after making a key grab on the final Packers drive of the game, Watson immediately grabbed his hamstring and fell to the ground and did not return for the rest of the time remaining. His status will be updated but with a history of soft tissue problems it doesn’t look good.

 

Dontayvion Wicks: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 43 Yards

 

Another rookie who is making a claim as a viable NFL receiver, Dontayvion Wicks made a couple of key grabs to ensure his name remains as an option in the playbook. Wicks was found on two short passes which he fought for extra yards, his pace clear in short bursts. Wicks has at least three catches in each of his last four games. He remains on the fringe of a regular role, however.

 

Tucker Kraft: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 37 Yards

 

Benefitting from the absence of highly regarded tight end Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft functioned as the starting tight end for much of this game and his six targets were second on the team. After scoring a touchdown last week, Kraft had to watch as fellow rookie Ben Sims was called for a red zone play to notch his first ever score as a professional. It was clever from the Packers but it doesn’t point to Kraft as a regular feature.

 

Jayden Reed: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 16 Yards

 

Potentially limited by a chest injury that has been niggling the rookie for the last few weeks, Jayden Reed saw work early but faded in this contest as both Watson and Doubs were featured alongside Wicks. Reed had scored a touchdown in each of the last three games so this minimal involvement was disappointing if not surprising. It is hard to point to Reed as a fantasy asset with this level of volume of opportunity.

 

Malik Heath: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards

Ben Sims: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard, TD

 

See Noah Gray comment above. Also, his first ever NFL touchdown, nice work, Ben!

Series Navigation
Introduction
Seahawks @ Cowboys
Colts @ Titans
Chargers @ Patriots
Lions @ Saints
Falcons @ Jets
Cardinals @ Steelers
Panthers @ Buccaneers
Dolphins @ Commanders
Broncos @ Texans
Browns @ Rams
49ers @ Eagles
Chiefs @ Packers

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