What We Saw: Week 5

The What We Saw team recaps everything you missed from Week 5

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

Giants @ Dolphins

Final Score: Dolphins 31, Giants 16

Senior Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)

 

Despite turning the ball over three times to the New York Giants, the impressive Miami Dolphins got back on track with a convincing win at home. Dominating the time of possession and out-rushing the Giants on the ground 222 yards to just 85, rookie De’von Achane and veteran Raheem MostertΒ both found the end zone in this contest. On the other side, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones left the game in the fourth quarter, after a devastating blind side sack from Andrew Van Ginkel forced him out with a significant neck injury.

 

The Giants looked hapless on offense once again without talismanic running back Saquon Barkley, who, despite being questionable to play, was ruled inactive prior to the contest. Giants fans saw their hopes diminish with that news.

 

Three Up

  • De’von Achane – the rookie speedster is looking like the cornerstone of this offense with another monster game – did fumble for the first time in his career but didn’t affect usage
  • Raheem Mostert – this run game is a two-headed beast and there is enough to feed on for Mostert too – the veteran was hardly a factor last week but bounced back with a solid 12 touches and a score
  • Darren Waller – we’ve been vocal about Waller’s lack of usage in this offense so this uptick is welcome even if it wasn’t significantly impactive.

Three Down

  • Daniel Jones – depending on the results of the tests, this could be season over for Jones, who once again took a beating behind his embarrassing offensive line – it was only a matter of time
  • Matt Breida – someone doesn’t like Breida in New York as he was sent down the pecking order despite some early effective touches in this game – his fantasy relevance sans Barkley has been disappointing
  • Wan’Dale Robinson – the promising second-year rookie is being seriously underused and misused in this offense and his limited opportunities to make an impact continue

 

New York Giants

 

Quarterback

 

Daniel Jones: 14/20, 119 Yards, 6 Sacks | 4 Carries, 24 Yards

 

As has been the game plan over the season so far, Jones was asked to throw short of the sticks for the entirety of this game with the presumable (and predictable) aim to get his receivers the ball in space to run at the defense. It didn’t work, again. Unfortunately, he can’t stay in the pockets or drop back deep because he would be immediately swallowed by a raging defense who have already taken care of his dreadful offensive line. In the first two drives, the signs were there. If he wasn’t spraying the ball out quickly to the sidelines, he was under pressure – he was sacked twice on the Giants’ second drive of game, setting the tone for the rest of the contest.

 

The drives Jones did put together were slow, laborious affairs with a mix of the ineffective run game and short passes both being stuffed to end up with long field goal attempts, one successful, the other missed. The three second half drives lasted just 12 plays and resulted in two punts and a field goal after an interception. It was rough to watch.

 

Notes

  • Jones once again took plenty of hits and was under pressure from offensive line woes
  • He wasn’t asked to use his feet as much as last week
  • Four of six drives he started resulted in less than 25 yards
  • Giants had only two plays in the Dolphins red zone all game

 

Tyrod Taylor: 9/12, 86 Yards, Sack | 3 Carries, 14 Yards

 

Veteran Tyrod Taylor took over for Jones in a hopeless situation with just 12 minutes left in the game. To be fair, he did lead the team into field goal range on both drives but never looked like he would be able to get the ball in the end zone. Taylor also stayed down for a time after taking a vicious hit head-on while trying to throw out of the pocket.

Taylor could be the starter next week so keep him in your prayers.

 

Running Back

 

Eric Gray: 12 Carries, 25 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Receptions, 1 Yard

 

It was the first time we have seen rookie Eric Gray carry the ball in an NFL game, and an early burst through for 21 yards showed what nice feet he has between the tackles. Unfortunately, the play was called back for a penalty but he followed it up with a couple of nice cuts and some tough running on subsequent carries. Gray looks to have a little something that can spark this offense but the game script in the second half prevented any major opportunities. He should be a nice complementary option once Saquon Barkley returns.

 

Matt Breida: 9 Carries, 21 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards

 

Veteran Breida started at running back, and showed some nice touches before giving way to Gray on the second series. The two exchanged touches for the rest of the game with minimal impact as the Giants worked from behind in the second half. Breida looks to be the odd man out once Barkley returns, now that the rookie Gray is being prioritized.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Darren Waller: 11 Targets, 8 Receptions, 86 Yards

 

Finally! Fantasy managers rejoice (if you hadn’t already dropped Waller to your bench in favor of an alternative option) as Waller put up season-highs in targets, catches and yardage as he led the Giants offense through the air. It felt like there was a conscious effort to get Waller the football in this game after not seeing a target early in the previous few games. Waller twice caught balls on third down on the Giants first scoring drive – the first a sideline screen he took for 21 yards and the second a strong catch over the middle for 13 yards. He was then the target of one of very few deep balls down the left sideline, he juggled the ball through the dive before Xavien Howard did well to knock it away. You’d expect Waller to complete these catches.

Waller also nabbed 23 yards in garbage time on the last drive of the game as the Dolphins were offering up easy throws through the middle to run out the clock.

 

Darius Slayton: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 35 Yards

 

We’ve been vocal about the lack of use for Darius Slayton downfield given his ability in contested catch situations. Slayton grabbed a 20-yard ball in garbage time and had one other opportunity near the sideline where he hauled in an overthrown ball but couldn’t keep his feet in bounds. Yet another tough night with limited opportunities for the talented wideout.

 

Parris Campbell: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 23 Yards

Isaiah Hodgins: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 19 Yards

Wan’Dale Robinson: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 18 Yards | 1 Carry, 1 Yard

 

Another puzzling offensive game plan did not help Robinson use his traits to help this offense. Robinson was used mainly behind the line of scrimmage on fly-sweeps, screens, and checkdowns. Almost immediately he was met by the defense as he struggled to fight for yardage. He was terribly underthrown on a third-and-six when he had a clear road to the first down.

 

Sterling Shepard: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 13 Yards

Daniel Bellinger: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards

 

Miami Dolphins

 

Quarterback

 

Tua Tagovailoa: 22/30, 308 Yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, Sack | 2 Carries, 6 Yards

 

Despite a couple of uncharacteristic errors, Tua Tagiovailoa was in complete control of this offense as usual as he focused the aerial game on his two primary receivers. 226 of his 308 yards went to either Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle, as they each shared one of Tua’s two touchdown passes. Tua connected with Waddle for the first score of the game after an incisive 8-play, 89-yard drive which exhibited all the signal-caller’s strengths.

 

Tua started the second half in the same way, connecting with Hill for a breakaway 69-yard score to give his team a 14-point lead that all but sealed the contest. This play secured Tua’s third game of the season with at least two passing scores. He remains a solid QB1 with upside for fantasy purposes.

 

Still, the two interceptions were notable errors. The first one took away a likely six points as it occurred in the red zone and was picked off at the second attempt and returned for the Giants’ only touchdown of the game.

 

The second was on a broken play and Tua hurried through his mechanics to lob the ball late to Waddle, who had already run past his route. The ball was thrown behind him quite significantly. Luckily, the Giants offense could not muster up a play to punish the mistake and it remained a two-score game in the third quarter.

 

Running Back

 

De’Von Achane: 11 Carries, 151 Yards, TD, Fumble (Lost) | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 14 Yards

 

The rookie is the real deal! Achane announced himself with a shifty 24-yard run on Miami’s first offensive play of the game as they went straight down the field and scored. However, the youngster had a shock into reality as his second carry of the game was punched out by safety Xavier McKinney for a fumble.

 

This did not affect his role or production as on the very next drive, Achane worked through a lane and sprinted to the outside to beat the secondary and run all the way for a 76-yard touchdown. It was a show of faith from both coach and player.

 

Achane shared carries almost simultaneously with Mostert on the Dolphins’ final touchdown drive of the game, Achane contributing 33 yards on four touches before his running mate punched the ball in from two yards out.

 

Raheem Mostert: 10 Carries, 65 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 13 Yards

 

Despite taking the proverbial back seat to rookie Achane, Mostert ran hard and was efficient with the football, padding his fantasy value with his seventh rushing score of the season on a two-yard run on the final play of the third quarter. Mostert had two bites at the end zone after a strong 23-yard run to set up his team for the game-clinching score.

 

Both of these running backs are crucial to McDaniel’s offense game plan and look to be the new kids on the block in terms of running back one-two punches in the NFL.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Tyreek Hill: 9 Targets, 8 Receptions, 181 Yards, TD

 

Another game, another sensational fantasy output from Hill, who topped off his big day with a long touchdown at the start of the second half as he executed his stop-go move to burn the cornerback for the score. Hill did most of his work on two big plays, the second being a screen pass from Tua prior to the half which he turned into a 64-yard run that put the Dolphins in the red zone prior to his quarterback’s interception. Hill checked back from an outside run and made his way across to the other side of the field as the comical sight of the entire Giants defense backtracking to stop him came into full view. Peak Tyreek!

 

Cedrick Wilson Jr.: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 52 Yards

 

Coming into the season recovering from an ACL and restructuring his deal to stay with the team, it was good to see former Cowboys wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. finally see some relevant involvement in this offense. The WR3 role is still very much open and Wilson looked more like his former self showing speed after the catch on a couple of occasions. In a highly productive passing offense, Wilson could see his role become fantasy-relevant going forward. He is one to keep an eye on as Mike McDaniel is a big fan of the all-purpose offensive weapon.

 

Jaylen Waddle: 10 Targets, 5 Receptions, 35 Yards, TD

 

The yardage return for Waddle is a little underwhelming and his touchdown grab saved his fantasy day, even though it came early in the contest. Waddle was the target for Tua’s first attempt at a score on the opening drive but the talented wideout was not to be denied the second time around going up for the ball high and making a standout catch. Waddle was the target for both Tua’s interceptions and neither were his fault. One was another red zone target, the other was a ball thrown behind him on a broken play. Waddle operated outside the numbers for a lot of the game as the Dolphins pinpointed the Giants as vulnerable on the outside. The second-half game plan switched to the run game after the Dolphins enjoyed a 14-point lead to open the half.

 

Braxton Berrios: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 13 Yards

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

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