What We Saw: Week 3

Philadelphia Eagles vs Detroit Lions

 

Philadelphia Eagles

 

Quarterback

 

• Carson Wentz: 19/36, 259 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

 

It’s no secret that Carson Wentz’s receiving options were limited without Desean Jackson or Alshon Jeffrey on the field. Considering the lack of receiving options, Wentz’s numbers were decent, and he managed to avoid throwing any interceptions in the contest. There were quite a few times where he looked to be on a different page from his receivers, but that’s to be expected when two of the top receiving threats are sitting out. Wentz targeted Mack Hollins a surprising amount, including a deep ball at the end of the contest in a last-ditch effort to win the game. Wentz remains a startable fantasy QB without his top two options, but don’t expect him to outright win you any contests.

 

Running Backs

 

• Miles Sanders: 13 carries, 53 yards | 4 targets, 2 receptions, 73 yards
• Jordan Howard: 11 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD | 1 target, 0 receptions
• Darren Sproles: 2 carries, 4 yards | 1 target, 0 receptions

 

Miles Sanders continued his enigmatic rookie campaign with a solid outing in Sunday’s contest. With a limited receiving corps, the Eagles called on Sanders often in the receiving game. He was able to snag a 40-yard catch with only a minute off the clock in the first quarter and was consistently running routes downfield throughout the game. His rushing numbers were also noticeably improved over the frustrating stats he’s put up in his previous two outings, but his two fumbles in one drive with around seven minutes left in the second quarter could be some cause for concern. Regardless, the Eagles appear to want to involve Sanders heavily, and he should only improve as the season goes on.

Jordan Howard is a man playing beyond his time. His bruiser ability was on full display with 10 minutes left in the first quarter when he took the ball up the middle and completely leveled Lions safety Tracy Waller with a lowered shoulder. He would have been seen as an all-star if he had only played a decade or so ago, but instead, he’s stuck in a rotational grinder role in the Philadelphia offense. He was able to get a rushing touchdown in the contest, but with his current role, it’s still hard to believe that he will consistently see those opportunities. Sanders is still the guy to target in this backfield, if anyone.

Darren Sproles had a sideline catch in the fourth quarter that could have put the Eagles in a position to win it, but he pushed off of his defender and the play was negated due to his pass interference. He’s an inconsistent flex option in PPR leagues, but, again, Sanders is looking like the guy to own.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

 

• Nelson Agholor: 12 targets, 8 receptions, 50 yards, 2 TDs
• Mack Hollins: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 62 yards
• J.J. Arcega-Whiteside: 3 targets, 1 reception, 10 yards
• Zach Ertz: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 64 yards
• Dallas Goedert: 1 target, 0 receptions, 0 yards

 

Nelson Algholor ended the day with a relatively impressive stat line and two touchdowns, but he’s still far from a reliable fantasy option. He killed the Eagles’ first drive of the second quarter with a drop resulting from relatively light contact and had a fumble with two minutes left in the first half. He has inconsistent hands and his stat line is largely thanks to the absence of other viable receiving options. Even though he racked up two touchdowns and should have had another early in the first quarter (pass interference broke it up), I find it hard to trust him moving forward.

I expected J.J. Arcega-Whiteside to serve as the bonafide #2 wide receiver for the Eagles on Sunday, but that honor appeared to be usurped by third-year receiver Mack Hollins. Hollins saw some deep looks, including a deep ball down the sideline with about 10 minutes left in the third quarter that was called back on an interference penalty and a last-minute deep ball to try to win the game. He’s an intriguing option moving forward if the other receivers continue to miss time, and he can likely be acquired for cheap.

Zach Ertz was probably the best receiving option on the field for the Eagles on Sunday and he looked the part. His consistent hands and usage in the slot mean he’ll remain one of the top three tight ends in the league moving forward. Dallas Goedert failed to make an impact. His lone opportunity was a deep TD target with 9:07 left in the fourth quarter, which bounced right off oh his hands in the end zone.

 

Detroit Lions

 

Quarterback

 

• Matthew Stafford: 18/32, 201 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

 

Matthew Stafford put up a relatively pedestrian stat line, and he is entirely at fault. It seemed like every time his receivers made a catch they were forced to drive or fight for a contested ball. There were very few opportunities for receivers to put up yards after-the-catch, and anyone considering Stafford an accurate quarterback based on his stat line in this game should keep in mind that those completions were more the work of the receiving corps than they were Stafford’s accuracy. 

 

Running Backs

 

• Kerryon Johnson: 20 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD | 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
• J.D. McKissic: 1 carry, 44 yards
• Ty Johnson: 4 carries, 5 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 0 yards, 0 TDs

 

While his rushing stat line was abysmal, Kerryon Johnson looked like a very competent and patient north-south runner in Sunday’s contest. He consistently fell forward for extra yardage and committed to great cuts to put himself into running lanes. He was least successful when trying to break runs outside or making gaining extra yards with flashy moves, and he seemed very aware of those limitations. His touchdown leap over the line of scrimmage with 14:12 left in the second quarter was impressive, and his goalline usage bodes well for the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities. Look for him to continue to get a respectable amount of volume and consider him a starter in your lineup based on volume alone.

JD McKissic had one huge play on a double end-around that took the Eagles’ defense completely off guard. There’s no way he consistently makes splash plays like that one and likely isn’t worth targeting in your leagues.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

 

• Marvin Jones Jr.: 9 targets, 6 receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD
• Danny Amendola: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 32 yards
• Kenny Golladay: 8 targets, 2 receptions, 32 yards
• Jesse James: 1 targets, 1 reception, 13 yards
• TJ Hockenson: 4 targets, 1 receptions, 1 yard

 

The Lions’ receiving group as a whole deserves some serious credit. Almost every play it seemed like they were forced to make contested or diving throws and they were able to demonstrate those abilities time and time again. It was a bit frustrating to see few opportunities for yards-after-the-catch, but the group looked very sure-handed and were able to track down some errant and difficult passes from Stafford.

Marvin Jones Jr. is the obvious #1 receiving option on this team. He demonstrated fantastic hands and body awareness throughout the contest. With four minutes left in the first quarter, he found himself wide open. Rather than have an opportunity to grab a well-placed ball in open space, he was forced to make a diving catch on a lackluster throw. Similar situations were common throughout the contest, and if the trend continues it certainly limits the fantasy upside of all of the receivers on the Lions. Even so, Jones had over 100 yards in the contest, so he’s a guy worth targeting moving forward.

TJ Hockenson should have had a touchdown to start the second quarter, but he stepped out of bounds before the catch. He’s an immensely talented player, but with the presence of such talented wide receivers and fellow Tight End Jesse James in the lineup, he seems destined to be a frustrating fantasy asset.

Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola both looked like nothing more than safety valve options in the matchup. Amendola did pull off a nice toe-drag catch on the sideline, but there isn’t much to be excited about with either guy.

 

-Marshal Hickman