What We Saw: Week 2

Recaps of every game on the Week 2 slate!

Brett Ford
What We Saw 3 Months Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Commanders @ Packers
Browns @ Ravens
Jaguars @ Bengals
Giants @ Cowboys
Rams @ Titans
Bears @ Lions
Patriots @ Dolphins
49ers @ Saints
Bills @ Jets
Seahawks @ Steelers
Broncos @ Colts
Panthers @ Cardinals
Eagles @ Chiefs
Falcons @ Vikings

Browns @ Ravens

Final Score: Ravens 41, Browns 17

Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan on Twitter)

 

After the sting of yet another choke job in Buffalo on Sunday night of Week 1, the Baltimore Ravens looked like a team with something to prove – taking out their aggression on the hapless division rival Cleveland Browns. In a slow-moving first half, Baltimore took a 10-3 lead into halftime. The Ravens extended their lead to 20-3 in the third quarter and then blew the game wide open in the final frame. Lamar and the offense slung the rock around the stadium deep into the fourth quarter while the Ravens’ defense forced a couple of turnovers and converted one for a defensive touchdown to take down their AFC North foes, 41-17.

Lamar Jackson showed off his elite playmaking ability, while DeAndre Hopkins turned back the clock and Devontez Walker came out of nowhere to make an impact. On the Cleveland side, Joe Flacco spread the ball around, but the Browns struggled to consistently move the football. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins got more snaps than anticipated in his NFL debut, while Harold Fannin Jr. and Dylan Sampson proved that they can still be fantasy relevant – even in a blowout.  The Ravens continue to be a high-powered offense, scoring 40 points for the second-straight week, but the guys that fantasy managers were counting on weren’t necessarily the ones who produced. Let’s dig in.

 

Three Up

  • Lamar Jackson – He may have lost the head-to-head battle in Week 1, but Lamar might have pulled ahead of Josh Allen in too-early MVP talks after this one.
  • Quinshon Judkins – On the field for the first time, Judkins exceeded his snap and touch expectations and looked explosive in limited work.
  • DeAndre Hopkins – Hopkins might end up as just a touchdown merchant, but he turned back the clock with a pair of huge catches.

Three Down

  • Derrick Henry – He fell by the wayside as Baltimore seemed more concerned with showcasing Jackson’s playmaking ability than handing the ball to their workhorse back.
  • Mark Andrews – Might as well have played offensive tackle – at least he got a couple of red zone targets.
  • Jerome Ford – Led the Browns in RB snaps, but seems to be on his way out with the two rookies gaining more traction.

 

Cleveland Browns

 

Quarterback

 

Joe Flacco: 25/45, 199 Yards, TD, INT | 1 Carry, 8 Yards, Fumble (LOST)

As a Ravens fan, this was a conflict in my heart. Flacco will always be a legend in Baltimore, but on this day, he was made an example of. The Ravens’ defense was in full attack mode as the Browns struggled to sustain their drives. The gun-slinging Flacco that we saw in Indianapolis under Shane Steichen feels like it has shifted significantly. Eight of Flacco’s 12 first half completions went for 10 yards or fewer – six of those went for six yards or fewer. Since joining the Browns, Flacco seems to be operating more in a game manager role, checking down to his running backs and tight ends instead of attacking downfield with his wide receivers. He threw an interception on a very poor decision and coughed up a fumble for a Ravens scoop-and-score. There will be calls for a change in Cleveland if he plays like this again.

 

Dillon Gabriel: 3/3, 9 Yards, TD

For what it’s worth, Gabriel was fine. His touchdown came on what appeared to be a defensive miscommunication on who was covering the back. It was a good throw to a relatively small window. He could be called upon to start Week 3, but that remains to be seen.

 

Running Back

 

Dylan Sampson: 4 Carries, 6 Yards |3 targets, 3 receptions, 13 yards

Sampson was on the field for 18 snaps and was utilized slightly less than his draft classmate. He did, however, pull in a touchdown reception from Gabriel in trash time, proving his pass-catching chops for the second-straight week.

 

Quinshon Judkins: 10 Carries, 61 Yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 10 yards

Judkins led the Browns in carries, which I think very few people saw coming before this game. He played just 19 snaps and got 13 total opportunities (10 carries, three targets). The usage is massive and should indicate where the Browns intend to move with their backfield workload as the season goes on. He showed excellent balance and the ability to absorb contact on his best run of the day – a 31-yard scamper to the left side.

 

Jerome Ford: 6 Carries, 31 Yards

Poor guy. He’s been friend-zoned by the Browns again. Whenever they need him, he’s there for them and is a great guy! But he’s not what they’re looking for in the backfield for the long term. Younger, hotter names are ready to carry the ball for the Browns, and Ford is going to be left holding roses in the rain for another season.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Jerry Jeudy: 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 51 Yards 

Cedric Tillman: 7 targets, 2 receptions, 22 yards, TD

Jeudy and Tillman were each on the field for nearly every snap and consistently ran routes downfield only to either be ignored or thrown an uncatchable ball on what felt like half of their opportunities. It took an incredible stroke of luck for Flacco to find Tillman in the end zone, as he pulled in a ball that Marlon Humphrey nearly picked but instead practically handed to Tillman for a score. Unless the Browns’ offense opens up and allows for more shots downfield, Jeudy and Tillman are going to struggle to produce consistently this season. They may benefit from a change at quarterback, but only if whoever assumes the role of starter is allowed to chuck it around.

 

Harold Fannin Jr.: 5 targets, 5 receptions, 48 yards

David Njoku: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 40 yards

Once again, the tight end targets were split nearly down the middle between Njoku and Fannin. Njoku was on the field for 60 snaps while Fannin was out there for just 46. Njoku ran 40 routes to Fannin’s 36, but each tight end was targeted five times. Fannin continues to be moved around the formation, split out wide and in the slot more often than played in line. Fannin was actually the player targeted on Tillman’s touchdown catch, not that it matters that much.

 

Isaiah Bond: 3 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards

Jamari Thrash: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards

 

Baltimore Ravens

 

Quarterback

 

Lamar Jackson: 19/29, 225 Yards, 4 TDs | 2 Carries, 13 Yards

Jackson was off-rhythm early on, missing badly on a couple of throws in the first quarter. He rebounded quickly, though, making plays through the air to lead the Ravens to a lopsided win over their division rivals. Though this game lacked the fanfare and excitement of Week 1 at Buffalo, it wasn’t without its incredible highlights of Jackson doing things that only Jackson can do. See below.

 

Running Back

 

Derrick Henry: 11 Carries, 23 Yards

Positive Ravens game script, plenty of garbage time possession, this game had Henry’s name written all over it, right? As the great Lee Corso would say, “NOT SO FAST, MY FRIEND!” Henry carried the ball just 11 times, gaining only 23 yards. On the field for just 34 snaps, Henry was ineffective in the early game as the Browns committed to stopping the run (it appeared) and then was fazed out as the Ravens built their lead. Harbaugh has been guilty of limiting Henry’s touches in his Baltimore tenure in certain games, and after an explosive game last week, this could have just been thought of as some time off for the veteran running back.

 

Justice Hill: 3 Carries, 7 Yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 18 yards

Hill was on the field for 22 snaps, but was utilized with just six touches. Until the Ravens get in a massive hole early in the game, Hill is pretty much irrelevant for fantasy purposes. He may end up culturing a touchdown or two (likely through the air), but shouldn’t factor into any major decisions for Henry managers.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Zay Flowers: 11 targets, 7 receptions, 75 yards

Flowers more than doubled the next Ravens’ pass-catcher with 11 targets in this game, pulling in seven of them for 75 yards. The only mark against Flowers in this game was that he didn’t find the end zone. He’s a special playmaker and is tied to one of the best quarterbacks in the league. His separation and YAC are both elite, and he plays for the highest-scoring team in the NFL (through two weeks). He’s a candidate to become a WR1 before the end of the season.

 

DeAndre Hopkins: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 64 yards, TD

Hopkins was only on the field for 10 snaps, the fewest of any Ravens pass-catcher, and yet he nearly finished with two touchdowns on the day. He still has the ability to make great plays and is intriguing in deep leagues. It doesn’t appear he’ll become a volume pass-catcher this season, but he could be a touchdown merchant. And he definitely isn’t washed.

 

Rashod Bateman: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards

Devontez Walker: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards, 2 TDs

In his career, Walker has three receptions. He also has three receiving touchdowns. He must be the greatest wide receiver to ever live! Well, he looked good in this one, pulling in a pair of touchdowns. The first he grabbed in the back of the end zone on a crossing route. The second was a corner route where he had nearly two steps on his defender and made the easy grab for a score. Walker is a rotational depth piece for the Ravens, but he outshined Bateman in this one. His development could spell trouble for the former first-round pick.

 

Tylan Wallace: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 25 yards, TD

Another rotational depth receiver, Wallace caught a touchdown, beating his defender on a stacked release on a corner route. Jackson found him after rolling to his right and placing a very catchable ball in Wallace’s bread basket. Another guy on this Baltimore squad that has talent, but isn’t fantasy relevant.

 

Mark Andrews: 3 targets, 1 reception, 2 yards | 1 carry, 2 yards

Andrews posted another dud – but at least this time he was targeted in the end zone as the Ravens tried to integrate the tight end into the passing game. He also ran a sneak play on a fourth-down conversion. There’s a chance that when Patrick Ricard returns from injury that Andrews could see more time split out wide instead of used as a blocker, but that seems a little thin at this point. Isaiah Likely is also due to return soon and will likely cut into whatever workload Andrews was meant for as well.

 

Zaire Mitchell-Paden: 1 target, 0 receptions, 0 yards

Series Navigation
Introduction
Commanders @ Packers
Browns @ Ravens
Jaguars @ Bengals
Giants @ Cowboys
Rams @ Titans
Bears @ Lions
Patriots @ Dolphins
49ers @ Saints
Bills @ Jets
Seahawks @ Steelers
Broncos @ Colts
Panthers @ Cardinals
Eagles @ Chiefs
Falcons @ Vikings