What We Saw: Week 2

Los Angeles Chargers vs Detroit Lions

 

Los Angeles Chargers

 

Quarterbacks

 

• Philip Rivers: 21/39, 293 yards, 1 INT | 1 carry, 12 yards

 

This one is definitely going to sting for Philip Rivers and the Chargers. Rivers played well for most of the game, regularly finding the best options to throw to. He was regularly looking Keenan Allen’s way, and the two did a good job carving up the Detroit defense most of the game. Rivers showed off his composure, staring down incoming rushers to make some big passes. Still, Rivers missed a couple of big shots that could have turned things around. He also stared down Allen on a potential game-winning touchdown, allowing Darius Slay to get position and make a huge interception.

 

Running Backs

 

• Austin Ekeler: 17 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble | 6 targets, 6 receptions, 67 yards
• Justin Jackson: 7 carries, 59 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards

 

As Melvin Gordon sits out another week, you were again rewarded for starting Austin Ekeler. Ekeler saw 17 carries and generally was able to find holes when they were there. He made some nice cuts on the day but he was definitely the most dangerous as a receiver. Rivers threw to him early and often on screen passes, and this should continue for the foreseeable future. The only dark spot for Ekeler was a fumble at the goal line that cost the Chargers much needed points. 

All this being said about Ekeler, I still think Jackson is the better runner. Justin Jackson only had seven carries on the day, but he averaged better than eight yards per rush. His best carry came early in the second half. Jackson found some space and exploded through a hole. He took off down the sideline leaving defenders in his wake on his way to the endzone. Holding late on the run cut off the last 20 yards, but carries like this show what Jackson could be with a lead role.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

 

• Keenan Allen: 15 targets, 8 receptions, 98 yards
• Mike Williams: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 83 yards
• Dontrelle Inman: 2 targets, 1 reception, 28 yards
• Travis Benjamin: 2 targets, 0 receptions

 

The big headliner of the day was supposed to be the battle between elite talents at WR and DB: Keenan Allen and Darius Slay. Someone forgot to tell Keenan Allen about the ‘challenge’. He mostly had his way with Slay, seeing a ridiculous 15 targets. Allen could have had an even bigger day if Rivers didn’t miss a couple of big shots. Allen started his day with a couple big first down catches, including one to set up Los Angeles’ only touchdown. Later, he made a nice toe-drag catch at the sideline. Allen was the runaway winner until Slay made his late interception.

Mike Williams didn’t see as much work, but he made each catch count. Williams is fun to watch as a contested-catch receiver, and he battled hard for everything he got. Williams had a pair of near touchdowns, but he wasn’t able to hold on to either one. He should continue to be very boom-bust, but bigger days are surely ahead.

 

Detroit Lions

 

Quarterbacks

 

• Matthew Stafford: 22/30, 245, 2 TD, 2 INT | 4 carries, 13 yards

 

Matthew Stafford played well, even if the stat line doesn’t completely show it. His first interception came when Casey Hayward out-dueled Kenny Golladay for position, was interfered with, and still made the endzone pick. This is a ball that Golladay simply needs to win for his quarterback. Stafford frequently used his eyes and body to look off safeties, creating the throws he wanted. On a screen pass to Kerryon Johnson, Stafford looked left–pulling the defense over–and then threw to Johnson. Despite it almost being dropped, Johnson still had plenty of space to outrun the defense for the touchdown. I love how Stafford is playing right now, and I would be happy to start him.

 

Running Backs

 

• Kerryon Johnson: 12 carries, 41 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TD
• C.J. Anderson: 5 carries, 8 yards
• Ty Johnson: 5 carries, 30 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 6 yards

 

This week was certainly a step in the right direction, but I feel like the Lions need to keep working on their usage plan for Kerryon Johnson. Too often, they ran him straight up the middle for little or no gain on the play. Johnson clearly worked best in open space as he likes to spin and juke his way to the open field. When Johnson caught the aforementioned screen pass, he looked like a rocket moving down the field. On another short pass, Johnson juked a defender, spun around another, and then ran past a third. He is an excellent runner when there is room, so hopefully the Lions can make use of this. C.J. Anderson was less involved this week (good), but rookie Ty Johnson saw five carries and J.D. McKissic saw two as well. Unless the Lions fully focus on Kerryon, he is going to be all the more boom-bust each week. 

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

 

• Kenny Golladay: 10 targets, 8 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD
• Marvin Jones Jr.: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 43 yards
• T.J. Hockenson: 3 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards
• Jesse James: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 18 yards

 

Hopefully, you didn’t buy in on T.J. Hockenson too completely. The rookie tight end reminded us of the growing pains young players typically go through, seeing only three targets. I’m not worried though–the depth of weapons on the Lions should allow plenty of games where Hock slips free from the defense. 

Kenny Golladay had himself a great day, getting involved early and often. He frequently found space in the Chargers secondary, and Stafford was on point in finding him. The only down moment for Golladay was when he let the aforementioned Stafford interception get away from him.

Marvin Jones Jr. also played well and his day could have been bigger if he had pulled in a deep shot later in the third quarter. Stafford launched a bomb, but Jones was double-covered on the play and the result was another Stafford interception. Jones has better days ahead, but he is dependent on those deep catches. Still, he is easily worth a flex spot right now. I am happy to lean on the Lions pass-catchers with how good Stafford looks.

 

 — Mike Miklius