What We Saw: Week 3

Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs

 

Baltimore Ravens

 

Quarterback

 

• Lamar Jackson: 22/43, 267 yards, 3 sacks | 8 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD

 

Lamar Jackson completed his first two passes and looked like he was well on his way to another big day. It didn’t last for long though. Jackson missed on four of his next five passes, though the offense still managed to find the endzone to start their day. Jackson struggled overall, often overthrowing his targets whether they were open or not. It wasn’t until a late TD drive against “prevent” defense that he saved his day statistically. Before that, he was 16/35 for 206 yards and 39 rushing yards. Jackson is still clearly a QB1, but this game should temper our expectations a bit from the extreme highs of the first two games. Arizona is proving how lousy a pass-offense they have and we know what the Dolphins are. The Browns defense will be another big challenge for Jackson next week.

 

Running Backs

 

• Mark Ingram: 16 carries, 103 yards, 3 TDs | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 32 yards
• Gus Edwards: 7 carries, 53 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards
• Justice Hill: 1 carry, 1 yard | 3 targets, 0 catches

 

You’d be forgiven for thinking moving from New Orleans to Baltimore was a downgrade for Mark Ingram. It’s clear now, though, that you’d be wrong about that. Ingram looked powerful as he led the Ravens backfield rushing for 100 yards. He fits Baltimore perfectly: he rarely loses yardage, and he fights hard for each extra inch. His best carry on the day came in the third quarter: he was quickly hit by a defender on a 3rd and five, but fought his way through traffic to pick up five yards and the first down. The Ravens would go on to score a touchdown on the drive. Ingram is a no-brainer RB1, though he’ll benefit from Baltimore not falling far behind.

Gus Edwards came in to spell Ingram and he looked quick. He got up to speed quickly and made some good moves on his seven carries. If I owned Ingram, I’d pick up Edwards just in case. If Ingram goes down, Edwards should be an immediate RB1/ RB2.

Justice Hill rarely saw the field today and he didn’t have the chance to show off his speed. I have Hill as the clear third in this backfield, and I have a hard time finding a full-time role for him until he shows us more. He was also returning kicks so maybe this is how he’ll make his mark. For now, you can drop him if necessary.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

 

• Nick Boyle: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 58 yards
• Marquise Brown: 9 targets, 2 receptions, 49 yards
• Willie Snead IV: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 47 yards
• Mark Andrews: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 15 yards
• Hayden Hurst: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 14 yards
• Miles Boykin: 1 target, 0 receptions

 

The whole passing game seemed deflated today as Jackson struggled. Nick Boyle led the team in receptions and yards, but this is little more than a blip on the radar. Marquise Brown could have had a bigger day, but he was covered tightly and frequently overthrown when going deep. I still love the volume here, and I think Brown is already a must-start because of it. This is why we look at target numbers each week. Be aware, though, that he will likely be boom-bust when facing stronger defenses. Mark Andrews also saw plenty of targets, though he ended with only three catches. Miles Boykin had the chance for a crucial TD catch, but he couldn’t hold on to it in the endzone. Boykin’s preseason hype is just about all gone.

 

Kansas City Chiefs

 

Quarterback

 

• Patrick Mahomes: 27/37, 374 yards, 3 TDs, 1 sack | 4 carries, 9 yards

 

Death, taxes, and Patrick Mahomes having a big day. I could have pretty much written this section before the game started…Mahomes does some amazing things, makes the hardest position in football look like child’s play, and throws 3 TDs and 300+ yards before you blink. Even though we know what Mahomes is (a superstar), I still marvel at some of the throws he makes. There was one in particular where he barely flicked his arm and the ball flew 40+ yards threw the air. It pains me every week that the Bears passed on Mahomes, but I’m used to bad quarterback play: I’m a Bears fan. In case it wasn’t clear, Mahomes is a QB1 unless his arms fall off.

 

Running Backs

 

• LeSean McCoy: 8 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards, 1 TD
• Darrel Williams: 9 carries, 62 yards | 5 targets, 5 receptions, 47 yards
• Darwin Thompson: 4 carries, 8 yards

 

With Damien Williams out this week, LeSean McCoy saw the first crack at the backfield and he looked quick on his carries. McCoy was fast and agile, making the most of his touches when he had some room to move around. He finished with two touchdowns, but aggravated his already-injured ankle in the fourth quarter. Keep a close eye on this whole situation.

Darrel Williams spelled McCoy today, and he was effective with his touches. While McCoy’s pay is based on speed and agility, Williams’s strength is–well–strength. He’s a wrecking ball. He had two particularly good plays, one of which (a catch and run) was called back. The other was a first down run in the fourth quarter. Williams ran through a big hole in the line and nearly took it to the house. I expect Williams to be useful as long as LeSean McCoy or Damien Williams is out. He looks like he is far ahead of Darwin Thompson. Speaking of, Thompson only saw a few carries in garbage time today. We’ll have to keep waiting on this breakout, but I’m not holding my breath.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

 

• Mecole Hardman: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD | 1 carry 7 yards
• Travis Kelce: 8 targets, 7 receptions, 89 yards
• Sammy Watkins: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 64 yards
• Demarcus Robinson: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD

 

It’s not a matter of if the Chiefs will score, but rather how they will. Go ahead and take away Travis Kelce–we’ll hit LeSean McCoy out of the backfield or Demarcus Robinson in the corner of the endzone. I honestly found myself marveling at how capable every Chiefs position player looked against the Ravens defense. 

Kelce’s top moment came early when he fought through heavy contact to make a nice 21-yard grab. In case there was any doubt, Kelce is still a TE1. Sammy Watkins was targeted early, but he fumbled away his first catch. Luckily, it was recovered by Mecole Hardman. Watkins is a borderline WR1/ WR2 given the wealth of weapons in Kansas City.

Mecole Hardman was impressive on his two catches. The first saw Mahomes’ pass slightly tipped at the line, but Hardman pulled it in, narrowly avoided contact, and turned it into a first down. His second catch saw him burn the defense and run it 83 yards to the house. I laughed when people first compared Hardman to Tyreek Hill, but maybe they weren’t far off. Hardman is probably a WR3/ flex play right now, though he will have some quiet weeks when other guys are targeted. Still, he is clearly on the rise and should be owned in all leagues. If he guys off again next week, upgrade him to a weekly starter.

Demarcus Robinson is our last mention and he’s the Chiefs’ weapon I’m currently lowest on. Still, he made an amazing play for his touchdown. Robinson ran to the corner of the endzone and made a one-handed grab while dragging his feet inbounds. If you haven’t seen it, check out the highlights. It was truly special. Robinson is at best a flex play with so many names in front of him at the dinner table.

 

 — Mike Miklius