What We Saw: Week 4

The What We Saw team dissects every game from Week 4

Ben Brown
What We Saw A Year Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Lions @ Packers
Falcons @ Jaguars
Dolphins @ Bills
Vikings @ Panthers
Broncos @ Bears
Ravens @ Browns
Steelers @ Texans
Rams @ Colts
Buccaneers @ Saints
Commanders @ Eagles
Bengals @ Titans
Raiders @ Chargers
Patriots @ Cowboys
Cardinals @ 49ers
Chiefs @ Jets

Chiefs @ Jets

Final Score: Chiefs 23, Jets 20

Senior Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)

 

The Kansas City Chiefs came into a Taylor Swift-frenzied MetLife Stadium and threatened to completely annihilate the New York Jets as they led 17-0 in the first quarter of a one-sided encounter. However, a catalogue of sloppy mistakes by the Chiefs, including two unfathomable interceptions from Patrick Mahomes, allowed the Jets to fight their way back into the contest in the second quarter. A missed field goal prior to half time deflated the home crowd. Robert Saleh has to take responsibility for not going for it on fourth-and-one after the offense found some rhthym.

The Jets opened up the second half with a nicely executed 7-play, 75-yard touchdown drive owing much to Zach Wilson‘s improved quarterback play as some much-needed confidence returned to his demeanour. It was not enough, however, as a complication with a second-down snap with 7:34 left on the clock handed the ball back to the Chiefs, who then masterminded seeing out the clock with the help of some questionable officiating.

A harsh holding call against the Chiefs late in the fourth quarter was too much for Robert Saleh, who was called for unsportsmanlike conduct on the final play of the game for racing up the sideline to scream at the official. A sad, if not embarrassing end for yet another Jets loss. At least this time, they gave it some heart.

 

Three Up

  • Isaiah Pacheco – the second-year back has established himself as the lead in this backfield, notching a season high 23 touches and making an impact with the biggest play of the game with a terrific run
  • Garrett Wilson – an outstanding display from the wideout who made a couple of phenomenal grabs in coverage to keep drives going – the box score does not do him justice
  • Zach Wilson – now, there is finally something to work with here as Wilson showed maturity to improve his accuracy alongside a more adventurous, confident game plan

Three Down

  • Dalvin Cook – looking like an expensive backup running back right now
  • Breece Hall – not only are the Jets being very cautious with his usage, he is ceding work to Cook and finding himself in a negative game script week on week
  • Chiefs receivers – they are not fantasy relevant. It’s Kelce or nothing

 

Kansas City Chiefs

 

Quarterback

 

Patrick Mahomes: 18/30, 203 Yards, TD, 2 INT, Sack | 7 Carries, 51 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)

 

An uncharacteristically bad performance from Mahomes for large periods of this game outside of the opening quarter and the final drive of the game. There was an element of casualness that crept into Mahomes’ process as he seemed to be lethargic in the pocket and one-dimensional in targeting Travis Kelce no matter what, even if in double coverage with linebackers sitting in front. And that is how he turned the ball over on two lobbed, lazy throws.

 

The most effective Mahomes was tonight was by using his legs, carrying the ball seven times for 51 yards including a game-clinching scramble late in the fourth quarter on third down – Mahomes taking off after reading the coverage and understanding the space was always going to be in front of him away from his strong side of the line.

 

Notes

  • Terrible lobbed throw for an interception midway through the second quarter that allowed the Jets to gain some momentum – rare mistake from Mahomes when given so much time in the pocket
  • Oh wait, he did it again! After the Jets missed a field goal, Mahomes tried to steal some points prior to the half and lobbed the ball up again for the Jets defense to take it away
  • Struggled to move away from relentless pressure from the Jets’ defensive line
  • Pressure also prevented the offense from creating opportunities for him beyond the short passing lanes

 

Running Back

 

Isaiah Pacheco: 20 Carries, 115 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 43 Yards

 

The Chiefs looked to be on their way after second-year back Isaiah Pacheco broke off an impressive 48-yard run through the middle on their second drive of the game – the all-purpose back showing a nice early side-step before reading the blocking and exploding through the hole for an electric run.

 

He then struggled to another 67 yards on 19 carries at an average of 3.5 yards-per-carry as the Chiefs offense ground to a halt thanks to a stout Jets defensive front and some poor quarterback play. Pacheco did see most of the snaps in passing downs too adding another 43 yards on three catches.

Pacheco has emerged as the lead back after back-to-back starter reps and carry share. Both Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon were used to give Pacheco a breather.

 

Clyde Edwards-Helaire: 3 Carries, 12 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard

Jerick McKinnon: 3 Carries, 7 Yards | 1 Target

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Travis Kelce: 9 Targets, 6 Receptions, 60 Yards

 

The superstar tight end saw nine of Mahomes’ 30 passing attempts and remained the focal point of the passing offense. However, his quarterback sold him short on one of those horrible lofted passes that was easily intercepted. Kelce had a busy first quarter but was held without a catch until the third quarter as the Jets defense made adjustments and gave up the underneath to use their linebackers in coverage to dispel the tight end from the game plan.

It’s not the output we expect from Kelce and this game played out a lot like the loss earlier in the season to the Lions where other receivers failed to step up to make plays.

 

Noah Gray: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 34 Yards, TD

 

A nice cameo from backup tight end Noah Gray, who made up for what some of the receivers failed to do in this game – get open and make plays. The touchdown pass was Gray’s only catch, it came on third down and the big man did well to run his route through traffic, which was aimed to cause confusion before bursting to the outside. He still had work to do and outrun the safety to the end zone. He was also the target for Mahomes’ first interception, a lofted ball he had no chance of hauling in.

 

Rashee Rice: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 32 Yards

 

Another game of modest output from rookie Rashee Rice, who despite a Week 1 touchdown has failed to do much with the opportunities handed to him. It was the same in this game, with Rice failing to bring in his first two targets in the second quarter in the red-zone. He finally made a grab late in the third quarter and followed it up with a nice 18-yard grab to setup his team just outside the red-zone from out of the slot position.

 

Kadarius Toney: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 22 Yards

 

Oddly, the speedy Kadarius Toney earned all his yards on back-to-back catches in the second quarter – he converted a pass on third-and-six and then added another catch and run to take the Chiefs down to the red-zone. He was never seen again. You explain that to me on a night when Mahomes couldn’t establish chemistry with many of his receivers for the bulk of the game.

 

Marquez Valdes-Scantling: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards

Justin Watson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 5 Yards

Skyy Moore: 2 Carries, 19 Yards | 2 Targets

 

The second-year wideout’s role continues to be minimal and seems to be limited to jet sweeps in the rush game as an alternative. He saw just two targets in the passing game and was largely unnoticeable on the broadcast despite being on the field for 36 snaps, the second most of all the wide receivers.

 

New York Jets

 

Quarterback

 

Zach Wilson: 28/39, 245 Yards, 2 TD, 2 Sacks | 2 Carries, 14 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)

 

Arguably Wilson’s best game as a professional, this performance looked unlikely after the Jets punted on their first three drives and found themselves down 17-0. But something changed as the Chiefs got sloppy and Wilson grew in stature as the game went along. The throw that really showed everything the Jets saw on his college tape came on the opening drive of the second half – a balanced drive was finished off by a dart from Wilson to Allen Lazard through tight coverage.

 

He showed excellent poise in the pocket in the second and third quarter – he also showed toughness and a willingness to put his body on the line for his team. He dived in for a two-point conversion to tie things up and the emotion lifted the stadium.

 

The unfortunate blunder late in the fourth quarter with the game on the line at midfield robbed us of an exciting ending as the Jets would not see the ball again. It was really interesting to see Wilson show this kind of quality as I haven’t seen it to this standard before. He suddenly becomes an interesting prospect for fantasy streaming.

 

Notes

  • He’s not Aaron Rodgers when it comes to making big time plays off-script – missed two touchdown throws that Rodgers would have converted
  • Showed growth across intermediate throws as the game went along, specifically in Chiefs territory
  • Miscues and lapses in concentration are still going to plague him – still looks like a rookie

Missed opportunities

  • Could not connect with Tyler Conklin midway through the second quarter as he scrambled away from a sack in the pocket before throwing too low for the tight end to haul in at the front of the end-zone
  • Slightly over thrown ball down the right sideline for Garrett Wilson after a second quarter turnover should have been a score

 

Running Back

 

Breece Hall: 6 Carries, 56 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 13 Yards

 

Still being conservative with his usage, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett did employ Hall is a big spot after the Jets drew level in the third quarter. It was a sign that if the game is there to win, Hall is the guy in this backfield. He broke off an eye-catching 43-yard rush to give the Jets hope before the drive stalled.

 

Saying that, Hall is nowhere near the fantasy production he put up as a rookie and continues to see his usage limited heavily. There is no sign of him repaying fantasy managers who rostered him high.

 

Dalvin Cook: 5 Carries, 16 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards

 

Used in a supplemental role behind Hall, Cook showed little in his limited action. He now averages a terrible 2.5 yards per rushing attempt as a Jet and looks way off the pace. He is still splitting reps with Hall but that will decline quickly once Hall is ready to handle more work from a physical standpoint.

 

Michael Carter: 1 Carry, 9 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 12 Yards

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Allen Lazard: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 61 Yards, TD

 

The former Green Bay receiver and favorite of Rodgers has been relatively anonymous so far with Wilson under centre, however he willed himself into relevance in this contest by working hard to make things happen. An early deep catch on a broken play embodied Lazard’s hard work in remaining active during a play. He also connected with Wilson for the touchdown that brought the Jets level. It was a shame he did not see more targets late in the game.

 

Garrett Wilson: 14 Targets, 9 Receptions, 60 Yards

 

Leading the team with 14 targets and nine catches, Wilson showed skill and determination all night against the Chiefs’ double coverage team. He beat L’Jarius Snead regularly on the outside and was only hindered by his quarterback’s inability to put the ball where it needed to be for him to make more of an impact. He actually turned a couple of poor throws into catches and gains when really he had no business doing so.

 

Wilson showed terrific burst on a play down the right sideline but Wilson put the ball too far out in front of his number one target. The volume is there and he has shown he can beat cornerbacks at will. Fantasy managers will be hoping Wilson makes bigger strides at the quarterback position sooner rather than later.

 

Tyler Conklin: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 58 Yards

 

For the third game in a row, tight end Tyler Conklin recorded fantasy relevant targets and turned them into modest production without seeing any threat in the red-zone. Wilson does have a history of working well with Conklin and he hit him with a couple of nice throws for important gains. Conklin also put in a couple of excellent blocks in the run game, be could have done better in Hall’s excellent run, tripping over Hall as he went to block.

 

Jeremy Ruckert: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 26 Yards

Xavier Gipson: 2 Carries, 13 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards

Randall Cobb: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 8 Yards

C.J. Uzomah: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard, TD

 

One target, one catch, one touchdown – “The C.J. Uzomah Story: The New York Years”. The monster tight end has value but the Jets continue to ignore him except in the red-zone. He needs to be a bigger part of the offense.

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

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