What We Saw: Week 6

Brett Ford
What We Saw A Month Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Jaguars @ Bears
Buccaneers @ Saints
Commanders @ Ravens
Cardinals @ Packers
Colts @ Titans
Texans @ Patriots
Browns @ Eagles
Chargers @ Broncos
Steelers @ Raiders
Falcons @ Panthers
Lions @ Cowboys
Bengals @ Giants

Buccaneers @ Saints

Final Score: Buccaneers 51 – 27 Saints

Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL)

 

With Derek Carr nursing an oblique injury, rookie Spencer Rattler made his NFL debut Sunday against the Buccaneers. This NFC South divisional showdown always brings fireworks, especially between longtime nemeses Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore, and this game did not disappoint. From fumble-sixes to multiple 1st career touchdowns, a 51-point first half set the tone for a shootout. The Buccaneers took complete control in the second half on the backs of Chris Godwin and the RB tandem of Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker, cruising to a 51-27 victory. The Buccaneers set a franchise record in total yards with 594 and will gear up for a Week 7 matchup on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens. The Saints have a primetime game of their own in Week 7 in which they’ll look to get back on track against the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football as they look to break a four-game losing streak.

 

Three Up

  • Chris Godwin – A sensational performance for the veteran slot receiver. Godwin was a target magnet all afternoon and showed great after-the-catch ability.
  • Bucs RBs Not Named Rachaad White – Both Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker turned in impressive performances and had highlight-reel plays. Although the latter’s role is up in the air when White returns from injury, both bolstered their cases for an increased workload moving forward.
  • Spencer Rattler – It was a mixed bag for Rattler in his NFL debut, but he showed signs of promise, especially early on. It’ll be worth watching to see how he develops over the next couple of weeks as Carr works his way back from injury.

Two Down

  • Bucs RBs Named Rachaad White – White was forced to watch from the sidelines as both Irving and Tucker looked far more explosive than he has all season. It’s hard to envision him being a strong play when he returns from injury after today.
  • Saints Receivers – Between Chris Olave‘s injury and Rashid Shaheed‘s lack of production, this was an overall down week from this group. Things won’t get much easier against a tough Broncos secondary on TNF in Week 7.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 

Quarterback

 

Baker Mayfield: 24/36, 325 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT | 3 carries, 29 yards

It’s one of the most eventful box scores you’ll see this season. Baker started the game off hot, marching the Bucs downfield and delivering a perfect strike to Chris Godwin to open the game up with a TD. After missing Mike Evans for a touchdown near the end of the first quarter, Baker sputtered towards the end of the first half, throwing a pair of interceptions. Mayfield would go ballistic in the second half, along with most of the Bucs’ offensive players, as the team set a franchise record for yards in a game. Baker looked tough, decisive, and confident in his play, and he’s making a case to belong in the every-week QB1 ranks. His matchup against the Ravens next Monday should be an excellent primetime game.

 

 

Running Back

 

Bucky Irving: 14 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD | 2/2 receiving, 24 yards

Bucky Irving took the backfield lead on Sunday and continued to look impressive as a powerful and agile runner. The highlight of Irving’s day came on a 31-yard run punctuated by a beastly stiff arm. Despite his smaller size, Irving is showing he belongs as an NFL runner and should earn a larger role moving forward. If there’s anything to criticize, it’s that Irving was stuffed a couple of times at the goal line throughout the game before finally punching one in during the fourth quarter. Irving’s athleticism and efficiency make him a solid RB2 option moving forward.

 

Sean Tucker: 14 carries, 136 yards, 1 TD | 3/3 receiving, 56 yards, 1 TD

Normally a special teams player, Tucker was thrust into a more prominent role with Rachaad White inactive. Tucker looked as spry and shifty as he did in his days at Syracuse and scored his first NFL touchdown on an impressive catch-and-run where he turned on the jets to burst through the Saints’ secondary. Tucker added several powerful runs in the second half and added another score on the ground to help seal the deal for the Bucs. It remains to be seen what Tucker’s role will be when the Bucs’ backfield is at full health, but he certainly made a case for increased work after today. If you have the bench space, he’s worth a speculative add. You may be #PL34SED with the investment.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Chris Godwin: 11/13 receiving, 125 yards, 2 TD

Chris Godwin had himself a career game on Sunday, operating as the go-to target for Baker Mayfield. Godwin’s 13 targets set the pace for the Bucs and continued a trend of increased usage operating out of the slot. The vet found seams in the Saints’ secondary all day and added plenty of yards after the catch. The play of the day came on his 55-yard catch and run for his second score of the day. Godwin is a reliable, high-floor receiver on the WR1/2 borderline with weekly WR1 upside when he’s able to find the end zone like he did today.

 

Mike Evans: 2/6 receiving, 34 yards

While a disappointing stat line, this performance was somewhat predictable given Evans’ documented struggles against Lattimore and the Saints throughout his career. The stalwart vet also seemed to be nursing a nagging injury most of the afternoon, checking in and out of the game frequently and even heading to the locker room for a brief moment, but he would return to action. An underwhelming performance, but nothing to be concerned about–Evans is a weekly WR1/2 borderline option much like his teammate.

 

Cade Otton: 2/6 receiving, 15 yards, 1 TD

Cade Otton continues to make a case as a decent streaming option in the fantasy TE landscape. The yardage total isn’t impressive, but the 9.5 PPR fantasy points aren’t too shabby. He should continue to be a decent stream at the position for BYE-week fill-ins.

 

Sterling Shepard: 3/4 receiving, 23 yards | 4 carries, 31 yards

The former Giants receiver made a few key plays to pick up first downs throughout the day. He’s a solid real-life NFL option as a gadget WR3, but he shouldn’t be considered for your fantasy rosters.

 

Jalen McMillan: 0/1 receiving

A tough day for the rookie, who mishandled the only pass thrown his way to result in Mayfield’s second INT of the day. He’s a work in progress and has potential, but he should only be rostered in Dynasty leagues right now.

 

Ryan Miller: 1/1 receiving, 39 yards

 

Tristan Wirfs: 0/0 receiving, 9 yards

A wild Tristan Wirfs appears in the box score thanks to catching a lateral from Chris Godwin as time expired in the first half. Obviously, Wirfs cannot even be rostered in fantasy leagues, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to share the double spin cycle move from the lineman.

 

New Orleans Saints

 

Quarterback

 

Spencer Rattler: 22/40, 243 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT | 4 carries, 27 yards

The rookie QB also started things off hot, completing a pass to Juwan Johnson for a 27-yard gain on his first play from scrimmage. Throughout the first half, Rattler appeared poised and limited mistakes, keeping the Saints hanging around as they played from behind for most of the game. The rookie also showed off his legs, breaking off chunk runs on a couple of occasions to keep the chains moving. Shortly after a Saints interception, Rattler found fellow rookie Bub Means for his first career NFL touchdown with a nice strike to the corner of the end zone. Things didn’t stay quite as strong for Rattler the rest of the way, however–after beginning the game 11/13 passing, Rattler went 11/27 the rest of the way and threw two picks. Not all of the incompletions were his fault, of course, but there’s still plenty of room for the rookie to grow. Derek Carr presumably still has the starting gig when he’s healthy, but Rattler’s first NFL start should have Saints fans feeling solid about the future of the QB position in New Orleans, especially with Klint Kubiak at the helm.

Notes

  • There were a couple of plays where Rattler had a wide open receiver and just didn’t appear to see them. Improving his vision and seeing all parts of the field should be a primary area of focus for his development.

 

 

Running Back

 

Alvin Kamara: 13 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD | 5/8 receiving, 24 yards

Kamara didn’t seem to find much room running for most of the first half but was able to punch in a touchdown late in the 2nd quarter to put the Saints back ahead in this back-and-forth contest. The Saints were forced to abandon the run in the 2nd half while playing from behind, meaning Kamara’s opportunities were limited. It was just another day at the office for Kamara, who remains one of the no-doubt fantasy RB1s thanks to his workload and passing game involvement.

 

Jamaal Williams: 2 carries, 7 yards

In case there was any doubt, Jamaal Williams is firmly off of the fantasy radar at this stage in his career.

 

Jordan Mims: 1 carry, 5 yards | 2/4 receiving, 13 yards

Rookie RB Jordan Mims saw minimal work in this one and remains third on the depth chart behind Kamara and Williams. He shouldn’t be rostered, even in the deepest of leagues.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Chris Olave: 1/1 receiving, 5 yards, 1 fumble lost

A tough game for the Saints’ WR1, who caught the first pass thrown his way but then fumbled the ball away for an Antoine Winfield Jr. defensive touchdown. Olave took a huge hit on the play and was ruled out after being evaluated for a concussion. Here’s hoping Olave can get healthy and ready for the Week 7 matchup against the Broncos.

 

Rashid Shaheed: 1/7 receiving, 11 yards | 1 carry, 2 yards | Punt Return TD

Rashid Shaheed gave the Saints the spark they needed in the 2nd quarter, showing off his speed by returning a Bucs punt for a touchdown (hopefully your league counts those!). Unfortunately, that’s about the only impression Shaheed would make in the box score, as he and his rookie QB could not get on the same page. Shaheed remains a risky yet explosive FLEX option in most leagues.

 

Bub Means: 5/8 receiving, 1 TD

Bub Means stepped into a larger role after Olave’s departure and caught Rattler’s first NFL touchdown pass for the first touchdown of his career. Means made a couple of nice grabs throughout the day but also nearly lost a fumble in the same way Olave did earlier in the game. Thankfully, the play was ruled an incomplete pass. Means shouldn’t be rostered in redraft leagues but showed enough to be an enticing end-of-bench stash in Dynasty leagues if you have the room.

 

Foster Moreau: 2/2 receiving, 54 yards

Moreau is an athletic tight end but isn’t involved or consistent enough to be considered a streaming option for right now. He should remain on waivers.

 

Juwan Johnson: 3/3 receiving, 48 yards

Johnson caught Rattler’s first career NFL pass and is generally a bigger red zone threat than Moreau, but he is also a risky low-floor, low-ceiling streaming option at TE.

 

Cedrick Wilson Jr.: 2/3 receiving, 28 yards

 

Mason Tipton: 1/2 receiving, 15 yards

 

Series Navigation
Introduction
Jaguars @ Bears
Buccaneers @ Saints
Commanders @ Ravens
Cardinals @ Packers
Colts @ Titans
Texans @ Patriots
Browns @ Eagles
Chargers @ Broncos
Steelers @ Raiders
Falcons @ Panthers
Lions @ Cowboys
Bengals @ Giants

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