What We Saw: Week 5

Brett Ford
What We Saw 2 Weeks Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Buccaneers @ Falcons
Jets @ Vikings
Panthers @ Bears
Browns @ Commanders
Dolphins @ Patriots
Colts @ Jaguars
Ravens @ Bengals
Bills @ Texans
Raiders @ Broncos
Cardinals @ 49ers
Packers @ Rams
Giants @ Seahawks
Cowboys @ Steelers

Colts @ Jaguars

Final Score: Jaguars 37, Colts 34

Writer: Riley Blum 

 

This game turned into a shootout, with quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Trevor Lawrence playing well from the opening whistle.  The scoring really opened up in the second half with six touchdowns between the two teams.  Both teams had some explosive plays with Trevor Lawrence connecting with Brian Thomas Jr. for an 85-yard touchdown in the first half, and Tank Bigsby taking a pitch for a 65-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Joe Flacco connected with WR Alec Pierce thrice in the final quarter for 134 yards total and a touchdown.  The Jaguars took possession with 2:40 remaining in the game, and they drove to set up a 49-yard field goal for Cam Little, who nailed it, ultimately winning the game for Jacksonville.

Five Up

  • Trevor Lawrence –  Lawrence finally got back in the win column and played very well this game.  He threw for nearly 400 yards, and his only mistake was throwing an interception on a deep shot to Brian Thomas Jr.
  • Brian Thomas Jr. – The talented rookie is shining as the Jaguars’ best receiver.  He continues to be an elite deep threat with an 85-yard touchdown in this game, and he is starting to see more layup targets on slants and screens.
  • Tank Bigsby –  Bigsby led the Jaguars in carries and rushing yards, and cashed in two touchdowns.  He had a 7.8 YPC average on the day, and is a huge part of why the Jaguars won.  Bigsby looks like he has more juice as a runner than Travis Etienne Jr., and he made the case today that he should be given even more opportunities.
  • Joe Flacco –  Flacco threw for over 350 yards and had the offense humming for the majority of the game.  He now has seven consecutive starts where he has thrown for two or more touchdowns, and after the past two weeks, I would not be surprised if we have a QB controversy in Indianapolis.
  • Alec Pierce – Why is Pierce here when he only received three targets?  It’s because he turned those into 134 yards and a touchdown.  He is the best deep threat the Colts have, and they should be more willing to attack downfield with Pierce moving forward.

Three Down

  • Colts’ Offensive Line – The Colts’ Pro Bowl center was out for this game, and they lost their starting right guard who was carted off the field.
  • Travis Etienne Jr. –  Etienne had a solid day as a pass catcher, but he struggled in the run game (2.8 YPC).  Tank Bigsby looked like the better runner, and he should be given more opportunities after contributing to the Jaguars’ first win of the season.
  • Anthony Richardson –  Richardson missed this game with a hip injury.  I’m including him here because the Colts’ passing game looks much better with Joe Flacco at the helm, and if I was Shane Steichen, I would be strongly considering rolling with the Elite Dragon as the starting QB.

 

Indianapolis Colts

 

Quarterback

 

Joe Flacco: 33/44, 359 yards, 3 TD, 3 carries, 22 yards

Flacco got off to a fast start in this game starting 9/9 on his pass attempts.  Early on, he mainly worked the short area of the field with quick passes to Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr., whom he connected with for a fourth-and-goal touchdown on the Colts’ first drive of the game.  He connected with tight end Mo-Alie Cox for his second passing touchdown of the day.  Playing from behind in the final five minutes, Flacco finally unleashed the deep throws, connecting with Alec Pierce on three consecutive targets for gains of 24, 45, and 65 yards.  Flacco even had a 21-yard run as he continues to turn back the clock when given a chance to play.  If it was up to me, I’d ride the hot hand and continue starting Flacco at QB for the Colts.

Missed Opportunities

  • Barely missed on a long throw to Mo Alie-Cox that would have been the pair’s second TD connection of the game
  • Alec Pierce was ruled down by contact just short of the goal line, which led to a Trey Sermon rushing TD instead of another Flacco passing TD

 

Running Back

 

Trey Sermon: 10 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD, 6 targets, 6 receptions, 25 yards

Sermon served as the Colts’ starting RB with teammate Jonathan Taylor ruled out due to a high-ankle sprain.  Sermon doesn’t have quite the speed or burst of Taylor, but he is a strong back and was able to cash in a short touchdown run.  Sermon caught several check-down passes, so his fantasy total was especially solid in PPR (18.3 points in full PPR).  He’s nowhere near the talent of Taylor, but Sermon’s role with Taylor out is strong enough to slot in fantasy lineups for those who need help at RB.

Missed Opportunities

  • Sermon was ruled short of the goal line when it initially looked like he got in on a strong second effort.  He was stuffed on the next two runs, and the drive ended with a fourth-down TD pass to Michael Pittman Jr.

 

Tyler Goodson: 5 carries, 26 yards, 3 targets, 3 receptions, 31 yards

Goodson served as the Colts’ RB2 behind Trey Sermon.  Though Goodson did not produce as good of a fantasy day as Sermon, Goodson certainly looked like the faster back and showed more juice on his touches.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Michael Pittman Jr.: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD

Pittman was second on the team in targets, but he was not able to connect with Joe Flacco on throws down the field.  The big possession receiver was able to help move the chains for the offense, and he salvaged his fantasy day with a short touchdown reception on a fourth-and-goal pass from Flacco.

 

Josh Downs: 12 targets, 9 receptions, 69 yards

Downs led the Colts in receptions and targets, and his chemistry with Joe Flacco was evident as the QB looked for Downs early and often.  The slot receiver mainly worked underneath and over the middle of the field, and he helped to convert on multiple third downs.  Downs should remain a solid play in PPR, especially if Flacco is the starting QB.

 

Adonai Mitchell: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 38 yards, 1 carry, 4 yards, 1/1, 24 yards

Mitchell played ahead of WR Alec Pierce for much of the game. Mitchell clearly had plays schemed for him, including an end-around run, and a double pass where he connected with RB Tyler Goodson across the formation for a 24-yard catch-and-run.  It was encouraging to see the rookie’s early involvement, but Pierce’s fourth-quarter performance definitely overshadowed Mitchell.

 

Mo Alie-Cox: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD

Alie-Cox led the Colts’ tight ends in targets.  Though he only managed two catches, one of them went for a touchdown on a third-and-15 pass.

 

Missed Opportunities

  • Alie-Cox nearly had a second touchdown on a long pass from Joe Flacco, but it was just out of his reach.

 

Alec Pierce: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 134 yards, 1 TD

Pierce was seemingly behind rookie Adonai Mitchell for most of this game, but he made the most of his opportunities and exploded in the fourth quarter.  Pierce had nearly double the yards of the Colts’ second-leading receiver on the day.  He drew three deep targets with the Colts playing from behind with time winding down, and he caught all three.  His shortest catch was probably his most impressive as he tipped the ball up and caught it while falling to the ground for a 24-yard gain.  Pierce likely earned himself more playing time and still looks like the best deep threat on the team.

Missed Opportunities

  • On his second catch, Pierce was ruled down by contact just short of the goal line after it was initially called a TD.  The defender’s leg must have made slight contact with Pierce’s, but I struggled to see it even on the replays.  Trey Sermon punched in the touchdown on the next play.

 

Will Mallory: 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards

 

Drew Ogletree: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards

 

Ashton Dulin: 1 carry, 9 yards

 

 

Jacksonville Jaguars

 

Quarterback

 

Trevor Lawrence: 28/34, 371 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 2 carries, 4 yards

Lawrence played his best game of the season and finally got a win.  He connected with Brian Thomas Jr. and Christian Kirk on a couple of deep balls, and otherwise did a good job of taking what the defense gave him.  Lawrence played largely mistake-free except for the interception on a deep shot to Brian Thomas Jr.; given the rookie’s ability, I can excuse Lawrence taking a shot at the home run play.  With the game tied at 34 and 2:40 remaining,  Lawrence led the Jaguars on a 39-yard drive, leading to a 49-yard field goal for kicker Cam Little that ultimately won the Jaguars the game.

 

Missed Opportunities

  • There was a 25-yard pass to Brian Thomas Jr. called back on a face mask penalty.

 

Running Back

 

Travis Etienne Jr.: 6 carries, 17 yards, 7 targets, 6 receptions, 43 yards

Etienne had a lackluster game as a rusher and was out-carried 13 to six by Tank Bigsby.  He may lose more touches to Bigsby moving forward.  The silver lining is that Etienne appears to be the favored RB in the passing game, finishing second on the team in targets with seven.  Still, it is concerning to see Bigsby look so much better as a runner, especially with the draft capital many fantasy owners spent on Etienne.

 

Tank Bigsby: 13 carries, 101 yards, 2 TDs, 1 target, 1 reception, 28 yards

Bigsby is looking like the Jaguars’ best rusher, and he had an explosive game against the Colts.  He cashed in touchdown runs of 19 and 65 yards, and turned his only target into 28 yards.  Bigsby clearly has juice as a runner and is making a strong case for more touches moving forward.  He also looks shifty when he makes his cuts, and he forced multiple broken tackles.

 

D’Ernest Johnson: 1 carry, 1 yard, 3 targets, 2 receptions, 9 yards

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Brian Thomas Jr.: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 122 yards, 1 TD

Brian Thomas Jr. led the Jaguars in targets and receiving yards.  His 85-yard touchdown was the Jaguars’ longest pass play since 2015.  On that play, he beat his man and Trevor Lawrence made a beautiful throw;  Thomas made the catch and turned on the jets to outrun the Colts’ defenders for a touchdown.  We’ve already seen that the rookie is one of the better deep-threat WRs, but now we are seeing him be more of a focal point of the offense and schemed easier targets and YAC opportunities.  Assuming he continues seeing this role, I’d consider BTJ a strong WR2 with upside going forward.  He has proven to be one of the best values from fantasy drafts so far this season.

Missed Opportunities

  • Brian Thomas Jr. had a 25-yard reception called back due to a face mask penalty.

 

Christian Kirk: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 88 yards

Kirk finished second on the team in receiving yards, largely due to his 61-yard catch.  Kirk continues to be overshadowed and outperformed by teammate Brian Thomas Jr. (and rightfully so), but he was able to produce a decent stat line.  Trevor Lawrence also connected with Kirk on a key 14-yard catch-and-run on what would prove to be the game-winning drive for the Jaguars, so the trust and chemistry are still there.  Kirk just likely won’t be the target hog he once was with the increased target competition this season.

 

Gabe Davis: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards, 1 FL

Davis tied Christian Kirk with four targets in this game, however he did not have much production.  Davis also lost a fumble on his 21-yard catch.  The broadcast said Davis was seen in a heated discussion with Trevor Lawrence on the sideline, leading to Lawrence throwing the tablet on the bench.  The teammates were seen talking calmly later, so it was likely a benign incident.

 

Brenton Strange: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 24 yards, 1 TD

Filling in for the injured Evan Engram once again, Strange hauled in all four of his targets, including a leaping 4-yard touchdown grab.  In the tight end wasteland, that touchdown rewarded any fantasy manager who started Strange in a pinch.  Engram seems likely to return next week for the Jaguars.

 

Devin Duvernay: 1 carry, 3 yards

The return specialist did have a big 53-yard punt return to set up a 19-yard touchdown run by Tank Bigsby.

 

Luke Farrel: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards

 

Josiah Deguara: 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards

 

 

Series Navigation
Introduction
Buccaneers @ Falcons
Jets @ Vikings
Panthers @ Bears
Browns @ Commanders
Dolphins @ Patriots
Colts @ Jaguars
Ravens @ Bengals
Bills @ Texans
Raiders @ Broncos
Cardinals @ 49ers
Packers @ Rams
Giants @ Seahawks
Cowboys @ Steelers

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