What We Saw 2023: Week 6

The What We Saw team recaps everything you missed from Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season.

Drew DeLuca
What We Saw A Year Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Ravens @ Titans
Commanders @ Falcons
Vikings @ Bears
Seahawks @ Bengals
49ers @ Browns
Saints @ Texans
Colts @ Jaguars
Panthers @ Dolphins
Patriots @ Raiders
Lions @ Buccaneers
Cardinals @ Rams
Eagles @ Jets
Giants @ Bills

Seahawks @ Bengals

Final Score: Bengals 17, Seahawks 13

Writer: Nick Beaudoin (I don’t have Twitter)

 

The most anticipated matchup of the week was the tale of two halves, with two (expected) playoff teams trading blows until the final whistle. The first half was an offensive masterclass. Both sides opened the game with perfect, methodical drives, walking the length of the field and scoring easy touchdowns. It looked like we were on our way to a fantasy goldmine.

However, the second half was a different story, turning a shootout into a defensive battle. Adjustments were made, and both offenses were shut down entirely – mounting up sacks, creating turnovers, and stopping anyone from making big plays. It was a dogfight until the very end, but the Bengals made fewer mistakes and proved the (slightly) better team.

 

 

Three Up

  • Joe Burrow – At one point making 15 straight completions, Burrow looks healthy and confident, doing just enough to help the Bengals to their third straight win.
  • Kenneth Walker – He is the clear leader in this backfield and put together another (likely) RB1 performance.
  • Tyler Lockett – Although he lives in the shadows of DK Metcalf, he continues to produce at an elite level in both real life and fantasy.
  • (Bonus) – Both DCs – Both DCs made incredible halftime adjustments, flipping the script of this game from an offensive to a defensive battle.

Three Down

  • Geno Smith – What started as an extremely promising first half ended in a rough performance.
  • Joe Mixon – Although he’s still the only option in the backfield, he had a season-low in touches and yardage.
  • DK Metcalf – This is harsh due to his actual output, but DK and Geno missed a few plays that could have changed the game. His attitude and composure continue to get the best of him, sometimes hurting his team instead of helping them.

 

Seattle Seahawks

 

Quarterback

 

Geno Smith: 27/41, 323 Yards, 2 INT, 4 Sacks | 4 Carries, 20 Yards

 

Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense came out firing, going 5/5 passing, taking the ball 75 yards down the field, and watching Kenneth Walker walk freely into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown. Although this was the only touchdown of the day, Geno put together a promising first half, making smart decisions and accurate throws consistently.

In the second half, the tone changed. The Bengals front four was able to consistently create pressure (12 QB hits), clearly making him uncomfortable in the pocket, and forcing uncharacteristic turnovers from the typically mistake-prone QB. The Seahawks got away from their identity in the second half. The OL could not open holes or contain the defensive front, which caused them to essentially abandon the run and rely on the passing game. This was unlike HC Pete Carroll and statistically made no sense – as the Bengals have been miserable in run defense and impressive in pass defense this season – but for whatever reason, this was what they felt gave them the best chance to win the game.

In their defense, Geno did have his chances – including two drives at the end of the game that brought him into the red zone, but he was unable to capitalize, instead taking three big sacks, one of which on fourth down to end the game. Most people will be (and already are) quick to blame Geno, but even with the return of LT Charles Cross, there are definitely some concerns with the Seahawks’ OL.

Notes

  • This team historically has relied on the run game to balance the passing game, and they went away from that today. Geno entered the game with a 79% completion rate on play action (second only to Josh Allen), but play action only works when the run game is successful. The Seahawks got impatient today, and they arguably lost the game because of it.
  • Geno’s second interception looked horrible live, however, the replay showed that it was DK Metcalf who stopped on his route.

Missed Opportunities

  • He missed DK Metcalf wide open for what would have been a TD in the second quarter. This was partially due to pressure, but there was nobody within 10 yards of Metcalf.
  • He was picked off in the red zone looking for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. It was a solid, creative play call to get JSN involved, but the defender was in position the entire time and the ball was underthrown.
  • Had two red zone opportunities within the final few minutes of the game, and came away with 0 points.

 

 

Running Back

 

Kenneth Walker: 19 Carries, 62 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 27 Yards

 

Kenneth Walker looked like he was on his way to an absolutely dominant day on the first drive of the game. He displayed excellent vision, patience, and burst, making multiple defenders miss, and capping off the drive with an easy one-yard touchdown. It was every bit of what I expected when I was writing the Sit/Start article for this game. In the second half, he struggled, and the team as a whole moved away from the run game. The OL did him no favors, but he was arguably being too patient, often dancing around the backfield searching for holes that were not opening. Although Zach Charbonnet will likely (slowly) continue eating into his workload, Walker has 22 touches on the day and is still the clear RB1 in this offense.

 

 

Notes

  • Walker silenced haters with a spectacular one-handed catch in the third quarter.

Missed Opportunities

  • He had two separate blocking penalties (one in the red zone) that moved the team backward on each occasion.

 

Zach Charbonnet: 2 Carries, 5 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards

 

Rookie Zach Charbonnet served as the clear backup to Kenneth Walker, combining four touches for 19 yards. I expected to see more from him today, but with the Seahawks focusing on the passing game in the second half, he did not provide too much value to the offense. For now, he is a highly valuable handcuff and was (basically) the only other RB on the team to receive a touch.

 

DeeJay Dallas: 1 Target, 1 Reception, -1 Yards

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

DK Metcalf: 10 Targets, 4 Receptions, 69 Yards

 

It was a very inconsistent day DK Metcalf, with a classic combination of highlight-reel catches and mental errors. Despite making a few big plays, he and Geno felt slightly off the entire game. They almost had a few plays that would have changed the game significantly but were unable to finish, and DK wore that on his sleeve. Although 69 yards is not the ceiling most hope for with Metcalf, his 10 targets were extremely promising. This was always going to be a difficult matchup for Metcalf, as the Bengals perimeter CBs have (still) not allowed a touchdown on the season. Brighter days are on the horizon.

 

 

Missed Opportunities

  • DK dropped a deep play-action pass in the first quarter. It would have been a difficult catch with a defender on him, but the ball was in his hands and ripped out at the last moment.
  • In the second quarter, DK beat his defender deep, standing wide open in the end zone but Geno was unable to find him due to pressure.
  • The very next play, DK felt he was open deep (again), but Geno was unable to find him (again) – instead throwing a blindside block for no reason, resulting in a 15-yard penalty (see above).
  • On a fairly well-thrown ball in the third quarter, Geno hit DK on a deep fade at the one-yard line, however, he was unable to get his feet down. DK went to the locker room with a hip injury on this play but returned in the fourth quarter.
  • On Geno’s second interception, DK stopped his route, resulting in the defender jumping and intercepting the pass.

 

Tyler Lockett: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 94 Yards

 

Tyler Lockett’s 94 yards paced the Seahawks, with a lot of his output coming early in the first half, disappearing for a huge chunk of the day, then hitting a 36-yard gain to give the Seahawks a chance with the game on the line. Lockett remains among the most consistent and clutch receivers in the league. He is still able to create separation at an elite level, displayed tremendous hands, and continues to excel in both the slot and on the outside. Although I’m sure the team would love to get JSN more involved, Lockett continuing to perform is his biggest obstacle.

 

Missed Opportunities

  • Lockett was targeted in the end zone on a 3rd and 4 (with Metcalf out), but the defender jumped the route and was able to break up the play.

 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 48 Yards

 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had his best game as a professional, reeling in four receptions for 48 yards. It was an encouraging performance, although one that most could have seen coming (assuming they read our Sit/Start articles) – as the Bengals struggle against slot WRs, where JSN plays 80%+ of his snaps. The Seahawks did their best to get him involved early and often, with a few designed screen passes and a perfectly placed first down in the middle of zone coverage. His lone “miss” was an interception on a designed wheel route in the red zone, but this was an underthrown ball and not his fault. JSN posted elite metrics in the combine and may eventually prove to be an electric playmaker in this league, however, his ceiling continues to be capped by the play of Metcalf and Lockett.

Missed Opportunities

  • On a play that was drawn up for him, Geno looked his way on a wheel route inside the five-yard line, resulting in an interception.

 

Jake Bobo: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 43 Yards

 

Colby Parkinson: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 16 Yards

 

Noah Fant: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards

 

Will Dissly: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards

 

The TE room in Seattle is a nightmare and one that will keep you guessing each week.

Missed Opportunities

  • Noah Fant had his defender beat for a touchdown in the first quarter, but Geno threw into coverage instead. The play resulted in a PI and the Kenneth Walker touchdown.

 

Cincinnati Bengals

 

Quarterback

 

Joe Burrow: 24/35, 185 Yards, 2 TDs, INT, 3 Sacks | 2 Carries, 4 Yards

 

Joe Burrow looked on his way to another great performance, throwing for two touchdowns in the Bengals’ first two drives, and at one point completing 15 straight pass attempts. He was picking apart the Seattle defense for the entire first half, and his connection with Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd looked unstoppable.

Similarly to Seattle’s offense, the second half was a different story. He did not see nearly as much pressure as Geno Smith, however, the Seahawks’ coverage team excelled, forcing several three-and-outs and an interception thrown Chase’s way deep down the sideline. Burrow only mustered three first downs and 42 yards passing in the second half, but fortunately for him, his defense was able to carry the team to a win. After starting 0-3, this team likely feels really good about being .500 heading into their bye week, and you can sleep soundly knowing Burrow and Tee Higgins now get two weeks of rest.

 

 

Notes

  • His calf injury is still being treated, but there were no limitations to his game. He did not throw downfield often, but he was not afraid to scramble in the pocket, including one where he made several defenders miss, completing a three-yard pass on 3rd and 10.
  • Burrow spread the ball around well, completing passes to six different receivers on the first drive. He also threw a touchdown pass to rookie Andrei Iosivas and hand-delivered him the game ball as a birthday gift (see above).

Missed Opportunities

  • The Bengals also abandoned the run game, relying on Burrow to carry the team. It worked in this situation, but they will need to find a way to keep a balanced attack in the future.

 

Running Back

 

Joe Mixon: 12 Carries, 38 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 24 Yards

 

Joe Mixon also looked poised for a big day with a few solid runs and receptions early – however, just like Seattle, the Bengals abandoned the run in the second half, letting Mixon run wind sprints and work on his pass blocking for Burrow. I personally believe that Mixon has lost a step, and it appears that the team is aware of this as well. His 3.2 YPC today was the lowest of the season (tied with last week), and his performances are trending in the wrong direction. His volume and role as the lead back on the team are unquestioned, but his ceiling continues to be capped if the team isn’t using him in goal-line situations.

Missed Opportunities

  • Two early red zone drives led to two passing touchdowns for Joe Burrow. Mixon was not getting the first looks at the goal line.

 

Chase Brown: 1 Carry, 4 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards

 

Trayveon Williams: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 3 Yards

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Ja’Marr Chase: 13 Targets, 6 Receptions, 80 Yards

 

It looked like we were going to see a repeat for Ja’Marr Chase early in this game, finding holes in the defense and making contested catches look easy – but along with the entire Bengals’ offense, he was brought back to life in the second half. There isn’t much to say about Chase’s performance. He is Burrow’s first read, the alpha WR on this team, and with Burrow likely fully healthy after the bye, this stat line feels like Chase’s floor performance any given week.

 

 

Missed Opportunities

  • After an interception was thrown his way in the third quarter, the Bengals struggled to get Chase involved in the second half.

 

Tee Higgins: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards

 

Tee Higgins surprisingly got in a full practice on Friday and was able to play today, despite suffering a fractured rib two weeks ago. Although he was active, Higgins was expectedly on a snap count and often used as a decoy. He did have two receptions but was not a focal part of the offense.

Notes

  • Higgins now gets two weeks to rest his injured rib. Now is a good time to buy the very talented WR in your league.

 

Tyler Boyd: 7 Targets, 7 Receptions, 38 Yards, TD

 

Tyler Boyd brought in his first touchdown of the season, putting together the game that the fantasy community was hoping for last week. Like the rest of the team, he looked on his way to a big performance but was essentially shut down in the second half.

Notes

  • He had a few plays drawn up for him, including his eight-yard touchdown reception on the Bengals first drive.
  • Boyd will likely revert back to the WR3 option on this team if Tee Higgins can return fully healthy after the bye

 

Andrei Iosivas: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards, TD

 

Irv Smith Jr.: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards

 

Drew Sample: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards

 

The Bengals TE room is also one to avoid. Despite a lot of off-season buzz about Irv Smith Jr.’s role on the offense, we have not seen anything to support that in an actual game.

 

Series Navigation
Introduction
Ravens @ Titans
Commanders @ Falcons
Vikings @ Bears
Seahawks @ Bengals
49ers @ Browns
Saints @ Texans
Colts @ Jaguars
Panthers @ Dolphins
Patriots @ Raiders
Lions @ Buccaneers
Cardinals @ Rams
Eagles @ Jets
Giants @ Bills

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