Rams @ WFT
When Sean McVay closes his eyes at night and starts to dream it is of games like this – the Los Angeles Rams dominated proceedings through methodological drives from Jared Goff and the offense complemented by huge plays on defense from none other than Aaron Donald, the destroyer. The best defensive lineman in the league totaled 4 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and also forced a fumble in a game-winning performance as the Rams triumphed 30-10 against a beleaguered Washington Football Team, whose only bright spot was the return of quarterback Alex Smith from a life-threatening leg injury.
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Jared Goff: 21/30, 309 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 1 fumble, 1 sack | 3 carries, 0 yards, 1 TD
Even though it is quite surprising, you can also understand why Jared Goff (25.36 fantasy points) is still only 77% rostered in Yahoo! leagues. After a dismal performance against the Giants last week, Goff bounced back in spectacular fashion by leading the Rams’ first 3 drives for touchdowns. Goff has always seemed more comfortable at the start of games, aided by McVay’s creatively scripted gameplan. Today was no different. Goff fired a perfect 56-yard deep pass to Robert Woods for the Rams’ second score of the day.
Robert Woods from 56-yard out.#FantasyFootball | #Rams pic.twitter.com/O6uLul0DXz
— QB List (@TheQBlist) October 11, 2020
After the half, Goff struggled mightily as the Washington defense provided better coverage in the secondary alongside elite pressure upfront. Inconsistency has plagued the former UCLA quarterback throughout his career and questions remain as to whether Goff has the nous to be able to think on his feet under duress. This awful interception has become a regular feature for Goff, who still has significant steps to take to become a top NFL quarterback.
Outstanding job by Kendall Fuller here. Works to the flat but spots the throw going behind him. Sinks back and gets the INT. Ball floats because Chase Young drove the LT into Goff's lap as he delivered the throw. pic.twitter.com/qZu7KLffUE
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 11, 2020
Running Backs
Cam Akers: 9 carries, 61 yards
Darrell Henderson: 15 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 30 yards, 1 TD
Malcolm Brown: 8 carries, 30 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, -6 yards
Make no mistake this backfield is a true three-headed monster, the perfect committee. The head of the monster is the fantasy running back everyone forgot about in the offseason, Darrell Henderson. He had an extremely quiet rookie year but has thrived so far this season, and today he showed both toughness and agility as a pass-catcher by hitting paydirt both on the ground and through the air. His second was a beautifully disguised slot route after lining up in the backfield.
Darrell Henderson is looking like the top option out of the Rams' backfield with 2️⃣ TDs on the day. ✅pic.twitter.com/xGBC3JDBx4
— Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) October 11, 2020
Rookie Cam Akers (9 carries) and hard-working veteran Malcolm Brown (8 carries, 2 targets) both saw plenty of looks but failed to make an impact on the game. Henderson is the guy to roster in this offense going forward, with Akers and Brown the boom or bust flex options against favorable matchups.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Gerald Everett: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 90 yards
Robert Woods: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
Cooper Kupp: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 66 yards
Josh Reynolds: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 46 yards
Tyled Higbee: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 12 yards
Former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (17.10 fantasy points) has played himself into a four-year, $65 million extension with superstar status in his time with the Rams. His versatility, speed, and tremendous hands were all on show against a tough Washington secondary. He is the receiver to own in this offense.
Robert Woods went in motion across the formation on his 56-yard TD reception, creating a coverage bust that left Woods a open lane to run after the catch for a TD.
Woods had a 52.8% TD probability based on our expected YAC model when he caught the ball.#LAvsWAS | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/HO7GDPtvwE
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 11, 2020
Cooper Kupp has taken a backseat to Woods after being Goff’s favorite weapon of choice last season. Kupp continues to draw plenty of targets and will have weeks when he eclipses Woods on the stat sheet. He works out of the slot primarily, acting as a safety blanket for Goff but has the big-play ability he showed today. He will remain a top weekly target and is a solid WR2.
Goff hits Kupp for a gain of 49 yards! #RamsHouse
📺: #LARvsWAS on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/BGCKhfX8uY pic.twitter.com/BqmsVFYddj— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2020
Tyler Higbee had a monster start to the season, however, Gerald Everett has outperformed him over the past couple of weeks thanks to an increase in targets. Higbee is a big red zone option for the Rams, Everett is more of a threat as an open-field receiver. The game script has fallen Everett’s way over the past few weeks but Higbee should still be considered as the preferred TE in this offense.
Josh Reynolds is the black sheep of the family. He is a decent enough receiver who made a few nice grabs to extend drives today, however, he is simply not fantasy-relevant as it stands.
Washington Football Team
Quarterback
Kyle Allen: 9/13, 74 yards, 2 sacks | 1 carry, 7 yards, 1 TD
Alex Smith: 9/17, 37 yards, 1 fumble, 6 sacks | 1 carry, 1 yard
After coach Ron Rivera made the decision to bench Dwayne Haskins this week, former Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen was given the nod to start. During a gutsy first-quarter performance, Allen scrambled for a touchdown from 7 yards out to draw his team level.
Pocket collapses but @KyleAllen_10 sprints to the edge for a @WashingtonNFL touchdown! #WashingtonFootball
📺: #LARvsWAS on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/BGCKhfX8uY pic.twitter.com/86ZNRrrdjn— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2020
He was forced out of the game in the second quarter, however, after a helmet-to-helmet hit from Jalen Ramsay. It was disappointing, as up to that point Allen looked competitive in his first start for Washington, showing decent chemistry with rookie back Antonio Gibson and pass-catching specialist J.D. McKissic. The pure joy of seeing Alex Smith back on a football field for the first time since 2018 was a welcome surprise. Unfortunately, that was about as good as it got as Smith hardly had a dropback and was completely overwhelmed by Aaron Donald, the Rams defensive line, and the weather. He finished up completing just 9 of 17 passing attempts enduring 6 sacks. This quarterback situation is one to avoid going forward.
Alex Smith was back under center for the first time in 693 days. And it was an incredible moment 🙏 @WashingtonNFL pic.twitter.com/UYd1mV1osS
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 11, 2020
Running Backs
Antonio Gibson: 11 carries, 27 yards | 5 targets, 5 receptions, 24 yards
J.D. McKissic: 1 carry, 3 yards | 8 targets, 6 receptions, 46 yards
It was a terrible day all around for the Washington offense, who mustered just 108 total yards with a mere 38 coming on the ground. The wet weather and change of personnel at quarterback didn’t help matters, but rookie Antonio Gibson saw the big majority of the workload and can be locked in as the starter for the rest of the season. In football terms, this offense is going nowhere. In fantasy football terms, Gibson could be a cheap option as a productive flex option going forward. The third-round pick out of Memphis has shown impressive quickness, with good feet and plus scatback ability in the passing game. The likelihood is that we see Allen back under center next week with plenty of short-pass and check-down plays. It is a good time to pick up Gibson.
J.D McKissic saw plenty of 3rd down action today. Unless he sees touches in the red zone, however, he shouldn’t be considered a viable fantasy option going forward.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Terry McLaurin: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards
Temarrick Hemingway: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
Logan Thomas: 4 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards
Isaiah Wright: 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards
Jeremy Sprinkle: 1 target
Dontrelle Inman: 1 target, 1 reception, -2 yards
Oh dear, that is a miserable looking stat sheet from the Washington receiving corps. Again, it has hard to decipher much with the quarterback situation but this was also a tough matchup against a rough, no-nonsense secondary under wet weather conditions. Only Terry McLaurin should be seen as a must-start option going forward. There was little to shout about today. Allen and Smith combined for just 30 passing attempts, completing 18 and only 2 of those were beyond 20 yards. It is a worrying sight for McLaurin owners. At least with Haskins hurling the ball, McLaurin could go up and steal long balls with his ability. There is no way Allen or Smith will take risks in that manner.
There is little to add about the 5 receivers who combined for 8 targets and 15 yards. Logan Thomas has proved a red zone threat, something to note if you are desperate in the bye weeks.
— Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)