New York Giants @ Chicago Bears
Regardless of the outcome, the big news here is the feared torn ACL for Saquon Barkley. He will be getting further tests tomorrow, but it isn’t looking good for the superstar back. Check back with us later in the week for news on the injury and how you should respond on waivers. In the game itself, Chicago looked good early as they took a 17-0 lead into halftime. They never scored again, opting to slowly watch the lead melt away. The Giants battled back to 17-13, but were stopped on a final goal-line pass play for the win. Here’s what I saw in the game.
New York Giants
Quarterback
Daniel Jones: 25/40, 241 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; 3 carries, 21 yards, 1 fumble
I know some of us had Daniel Jones as a sleeper for this season, but I think it’s time to give up on the whole ‘weekly starter’ thing. The Giants passing game was lackluster, with Jones having 152 yards going into the fourth quarter. He bumped his final numbers thanks to some work against the Bears prevent defense. Jones still has trouble protecting the ball — losing a fumble, throwing a pick, and nearly throwing another. Add in four sacks given up to a Bears defense that struggled last week, and I don’t see brighter days ahead. With Saquon Barkley out and Sterling Shepard already limping, I have no interest in the Giants offense this year. Daniel Jones may be useful for streaming in the right matchups, but I’m not using him.
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley: 4 carries, 28 yards
Dion Lewis: 10 carries, 20 yards, 1 TD; 5 targets, 4 receptions, 36 yards
Why must fantasy football be so cruel? A year after Barkley missed four games, he is knocked out with a torn ACL in week 2. Barkley was playing well early before his injury, but it’s doubtful he will be seen again this year, especially playing for a team that’s 0-2 without much upside. This leaves us with Dion Lewis. Lewis was unimpressive in the running game, even factoring in how overmatched the Giants line looked. Lewis has never been a great runner between the tackles, and this continued here. Still, he is a skilled pass-catcher, and that could be enough to make him useful if the gameplan shifts his way. Check out our waiver wire article later in the week for more on this situation.
Wide Receiver/ Tight Ends
Evan Engram: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 65 yards
Golden Tate: 5 targets, 5 receptions, 47 yards
Darius Slayton: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 33 yards
Sterling Shepard: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 29 yards
Remember a week ago when Darius Slayton was emerging? Get ready to be frustrated all season by this passing game. The volume will be low, the top weapon will shift (Evan Engram barely caught a pass last week), and this team probably won’t be scoring much. How can we respond? Darius Slayton–despite the slower week–still seems like the best shot here. Don’t expect WR1/ WR2 upside, but he is the most talented weapon left standing for the Giants. Evan Engram will have some nice weeks at tight end, and that might make him useful enough at a bad position. Golden Tate could become useful if Sterling Shepard is out–keep an eye on the injury report.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Mitch Trubisky: 18/28, 190 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs; 4 carries, 16 yards
I was feeling good at halftime, before the Bears’ offense completely shut down. Trubisky had thrown two touchdowns, he built a nice lead, and everything was clicking. I am typically a harsh critic for Trubisky, but I have to admit that he was looking good early on in this one with a nunber of nice throws. Well, not all good things last. The offense ground to a halt in the second half and Trubisky threw a pair of interceptions to give New York a chance. The first was intended for Allen Robinson, but was batted into the air. The second was a sideline throw to Robinson with an excellent play made by the defender to steal the ball away. This offense is frequently an issue of not enough volume, and once again that made most of the weapons tough to rely on.
Running Backs
David Montgomery: 16 carries, 82 yards; 3 targets, 3 receptions, 45 yards, 1 TD
Tarik Cohen: 5 carries, 12 yards; 1 target, 1 reception, 12 yards
Cordarelle Patterson: 7 carries, 25 yards; 2 targets, 2 receptions, 8 yards
David Montgomery was the big winner in Chicago this week, despite leaving the game for a stretch with a neck injury. Montgomery did a good job staying on his feet, despite lacking the elite speed or agility to bust huge plays. His biggest play came on a third and seven when Trubisky hit him for a first down. Montgomery evaded a few defenders as he scampered for the endzone. Tarik Cohen was dreadfully quiet, and should not be counted on moving forward. After only two targets in week one, Cohen saw only one pass his way in week two. He lagged behind Cordarelle Patterson in both carries and targets, and it feels like it’s been a long time since he’s broken anything. Montgomery should be useful week to week, but the backfield stops there.
Wide Receiver/ Tight Ends
Allen Robinson: 9 targets, 3 receptions, 33 yards
Anthony Miller: 3 targtes, 0 receptions
Darnell Mooney: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 36 yards, 1 TD
Jimmy Graham: 1 target, 1 reception, 18 yards
Cole Kmet: 1 target, 1 reception, 12 yards
Allen Robinson led the way in targets and receptions, but it was a quiet day for the elite wide receiver. He was looked to early and often, but it just wasn’t there this week. Robinson faced tight coverage, and twice he saw a ball intended for him taken the other way. The Bears will need to continue to develop their ancillary weapons so that teams can’t just key in on their top weapon. Anthony Miller was blanked, and this is feeling a lot like last year: lots of buzz heading into the season and then a quiet start. I am not relying on anyone here other that Robinson for now. Darnell Mooney made a nice play to score a touchdown. Trubisky scrambled around the pocket, and Mooney found space on the far side of the field. Trubisky hit him for a catch in the endzone and the team’s second TD. Shoutout to tight end Cole Kmet–St. Viator alum–for his first NFL catch.
-Mike Miklius (@SIRL0INofBEEF)