What We Saw: Week 7

Ben Brown
What We Saw 3 Years Ago
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Eagles @ Raiders

Final Score: Raiders 33, Eagles 22

Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)

 

In only their second game under Interim Head Coach Rich Bissacia, the Las Vegas Raiders moved to the top of the AFC West with a convincing 33-22 victory over an obsolescent Philadelphia Eagles, who were once again architects of their own downfall. Derek Carr completed an impressive 91% of his passing attempts, throwing for 323 yards and two touchdowns to propel his team to 5-2 on the season. Carr connected for touchdowns with Bryan Edwards and back-up tight end Foster Moreau, who led the team in yards in the absence of an injured Darren Waller.

Jalen Hurts once again struggled mightily to stay in the pocket and allow plays to develop, completing only 18-of-34 attempts with plenty of garbage time yardage and a lucky passing touchdown to Jalen Reagor to save his fantasy day. He also lost a fumble at the Raiders goal line on third down in the third quarter to effectively end any kind of true fightback from this dismal Eagles offense.

The Raiders dominated by scoring on five straight possessions after the Eagles jumped out to a 7-0 lead on their opening drive. Leading 30-7 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Raiders took their foot off the gas and the Eagles scored twice on two tedious touchdown drives. There was enough time for Yannick Ngakoue to sack Hurts for the second time in the game and bring out a rather interesting victory dance.

 

Philadelphia Eagles

 

Quarterback

 

Jalen Hurts: 18/34, 236 yards, 2 TD, 2 sacks, Fumble (Lost) | 13 carries, 61 yards

 

The best worst quarterback in the league for fantasy purposes had another dismal night in reality on the field but still looked healthy in the fantasy stats column. Hurts threw for two touchdowns and added 61 yards on 13 rushes to continue his run of 20+ fantasy points in all seven games he has started this season, the only quarterback in the league to do so. His legs continue to be his best asset.

https://gfycat.com/thankfulspiffyanole

 

It started well, the Eagles marching down the field before Hurts connected with Kenneth Gainwell for the score. However, the usual issues reared their ugly head quickly, with Smith failing to convert third downs and scrambling out of the pocket to force throws into coverage.

Despite only completing 52% of his passes, Hurts was able to pad out his score with a late touchdown in the fourth quarter. But he also lost a fumble inside the Raiders 5-yard line midway through the third quarter – the ball tipped off the hands of the guard after the snap from the center and Hurts simply couldn’t handle it properly.

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Hurts is somehow a top 10 option at quarterback right now. That really is a short term fantasy rather than a long term reality.

 

Running Back

 

Miles Sanders: 6 carries, 30 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, -3 yards

Boston Scott: 7 carries, 24 yards, TD | 2 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards

Kenneth Gainwell: 5 carries, 20 yards, Fumble (Lost) | 8 targets, 4 receptions, 41 yards, TD

 

Miles Sanders has had rotten luck these last few weeks – first, the team bizarrely struggle to get him involved in games resulting in jeers and cheers from the Eagles fans when he actually does get a touch and makes a play; second, he runs well in the opening drive in this game touching the ball five times before rookie Kenneth Gainwell gets the red zone carry and takes it in for the score; then, finally after getting plenty of work early, Sanders gets tangled up and injuries his ankle on the Eagles’ second drive of the game. He was carted off the field and the outlook doesn’t look good for the talented 2019 second-round pick out of Penn State.

 

It was Boston Scott who took over early down duties in Sanders’ absence. Gainwell continued his role as a feature in the passing game as normal. His run for the early score was a nifty bit of work out of the slot.

 

The fifth-round rookie out of Memphis did lose a fumble late in the first half, which could have been even more costly than the field goal that the Raiders put up to extend their lead to 17-7 at half time. Gainwell has shown flashes on limited work so far this campaign, but there isn’t the confidence that this staff know how to use any of these running backs correctly.

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Scott was serviceable at best and did bully himself in for a garbage time score. If Sanders is to miss significant time, this running game will probably centre around Jalen Hurts even more.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Dallas Goedert: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 70 yards, 2PT

DeVonta Smith: 9 targets, 5 receptions, 61 yards

Quez Watkins: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 37 yards

Jalen Reagor: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 25 yards, TD

 

Fitting that Dallas Goedert would return to the lineup after being on the COVID-IR on National Tight Ends Day and lead the team in yards. Goedert also pulled in a two-point conversion attempt in garbage time at the end of the day to pull to a level of respectability. The tight end is the best receiving option in this group and a red zone threat no matter who is under center.

https://gfycat.com/faintthoroughdeermouse

 

Hurts’ lack of composure in the pocket is really hurting this receiving corps, with the majority of passing attempts either being forced on a first read, or relying on the receivers to stay active and create space while Hurts scrambles around out of the pocket looking for options downfield. Jalen Reagor‘s late touchdown was a perfect summation of the Eagles aerial offense under Hurts this season.,

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Rookie DeVonta Smith and second-year standout Quez Watkins are more than capable but Hurts is failing to build significant chemistry with them in the passing game. There just wasn’t enough plays like this one where Hurts found his receivers exposing the linebackers in coverage. This was a lovely route by Watkins, who flashed his silky hands and lightening speed.

https://gfycat.com/gentletastybirdofparadise

 

Las Vegas Raiders

 

Quarterback

 

Derek Carr: 31/34, 323 yards, 2 TD, INT | 2 carries, 1 yard

Marcus Mariota: 1 carry, 4 yards

 

A banner day for franchise quarterback Derek Carr as he solidifies himself as a top quarterback in the National Football League in 2021. Carr was both efficient and surgical in the passing game, executing his reads perfectly and consistently hitting his receivers with pinpoint accuracy. Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson also called a great game, exposing the Eagles’ weaknesses especially in the red zone. This lovely design for Bryan Edwards‘ touchdown to put the game to bed midway through the third quarter.

 

Carr was that good that the Raiders’ social media team quickly put together a montage of his best throws from the day. It is a pleasurable watch for all except you, Eagles fans! Sorry!

 

Carr’s statistics tell the whole story. He is a quarterback extremely comfortable in this offense, accentuating the qualities of his receivers while leaning on a dynamic running game that now has a top end offensive line to work behind. The Autumn Wind is blowing…

 

The only blip from Carr was this poor dump off in the red zone that costed the Raiders points on their first drive of the game – Carr’s throw was tipped one-handed by Jalen Richard straight into the arms of Avonte Maddox for the interception.

 

Running Back

 

Josh Jacobs: 6 carries, 29 yards, TD | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 39 yards

Kenyan Drake: 14 carries, 69 yards, TD | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 10 yards

Jalen Richard: 4 carries, 8 yards | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 17 yards

Alec Ingold: 1 carry, 1 yard | 1 target, 1 reception, 29 yards

 

A significant change over the past few weeks since the departure of Jon Gruden has been the usage of the Raiders running backs both on the ground and in the passing game. The running back room saw 11 targets out of the backfield to go along with 25 carries – that is a healthy workload for this group to be productive in terms of fantasy. Josh Jacobs looked to be set for a big night under the lights at home, strolling in for a score prior to the half to cap an effective 10-play, 96-yard drive in which Jacobs touched the ball five times.

 

However, Jacobs didn’t feature in the Raiders’ next drive after an Eagles fumble and was downgraded to out at half time due to a chest injury. Reports after the game suggested it was not serious, and the Raiders now have a bye week to allow for extra recovery. At least he managed to accumulate 68 yards from scrimmage and a score before departing,

After Jacobs left the game with that concerning injury, Kenyan Drake took over lead duties and enjoyed a lot of success between the tackles. He finished off the Raiders’ first drive in the second half with a gutsy run up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown.

 

Drake wasn’t a huge factor in the previous regime but is starting to become a versatile weapon in this Raiders offense. Saying that, Jalen Richard popped up regularly with the Raiders holding a big lead. Presumably, the Raiders did not want to risk Drake too much with Jacobs’ injury.

My favorite play of the game is well worth a mention – fullback Alec Ingold showing some nice route-running skills to get open downfield before ploughing ahead for extra yardage. Love me some fullback action!

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Foster Moreau: 6 targets, 6 receptions, 60 yards, TD

Hunter Renfrow: 8 targets, 7 receptions, 58 yards

Bryan Edwards: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 43 yards, TD

Zay Jones: 1 target, 1 reception, 43 yards

Henry Ruggs III: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 24 yards | 1 carry, 7 yards

 

It was bittersweet that on “National Tight Ends Day” the prolific Darren Waller was a late scratch and missed out on what could have been a feast against this shaky Eagles secondary. The tough and capable Foster Moreau stepped in and had himself a day with a strong showing, hauling in all his targets, including this beautiful grab in heavy coverage for the touchdown.

 

Hunter Renfrow and Bryan Edwards are not the most high-profiled receiver one-two in the league, however they make plays and Renfrow in particular has made the slot his home, dominating the middle of the field by creating separation quickly in man-coverage. His seven catches for 58 yards were nothing to shout about but key to extending drives that resulted in points.

https://gfycat.com/welloffthreadbareadeliepenguin

 

After a couple of fantastic performances this season, deep-threat Henry Ruggs III was mainly limited to short-yardage throws and despite hauling in all his targets, never really looked like an intrinsic cog in the offense today. Instead, one of only a few deep balls went to Zay Jones, who made a nice grab to set up a red zone attempt on the Raiders’ first drive. It was a perfect sideline throw from Carr, a big improvement in his game this year.

https://gfycat.com/glitteringsoreiaerismetalmark

 

— Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)

Series Navigation
Introduction
Broncos @ Browns
Panthers @ Giants
Jets @ Patriots
Bengals @ Ravens
Chiefs @ Titans
Football Team @ Packers
Falcons @ Dolphins
Lions @ Rams
Eagles @ Raiders
Texans @ Cardinals
Bears @ Buccaneers
Colts @ 49ers

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