What We Saw: Week 7

Brett Ford
What We Saw Yesterday
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Introduction
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Patriots @ Jaguars
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Patriots @ Jaguars

Final Score: Jaguars 32 – Patriots 16

Writer: Jesse Maida

 

Despite falling behind 10-0 after 17 minutes of play, Trevor Lawrence only needed to attempt 20 passes, the fewest of his career, to easily dispose of the Patriots at Wembley Stadium. The Jaguars leaned on the ground game to secure their victory, including a stretch of 19 straight rush plays in the second half, which killed a ton of clock and limited New England to eight minutes of possession in the second half. Led by Tank Bigsby, the Jaguars accumulated 171 rushing yards versus only 38 for the Patriots. Doug Pederson survives another week.

 

Two Up

  • Brian Thomas Jr. – An explosive play, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion, Brian Thomas Jr. did it all in week 7 even with a poor game script.
  • Tank Bigsby – Another 100-yard, two-touchdown game, his second in three weeks. Those two games are the only wins for Jacksonville this season

Two Down

  • Ja’Lynn Polk – After proclaiming to have the best hands in the league, Ja’Lynn Polk failed to catch a pass despite his hands touching the ball three times.
  • Travis Etienne – With Travis Etienne out, Bigsby looked fantastic on 26 carries, but D’Ernest Johnson also played well in his role.

 

New England Patriots

 

Quarterback

 

Drake Maye: 26/37, 276 yards, 2 TD | 3 Carries, 18 Yards

Drake Maye started off hot, building upon his impressive NFL debut in Week 6. He led the Patriots to an opening-drive touchdown and two consecutive scoring drives (both for the first time this season), totaling 104 yards in the first quarter. The Patriots had trouble picking up first-downs in the second and third quarters, while the Jaguars had multiple five-minute-plus drives, including an 11-minute drive that kept Maye off the field. Luckily for fantasy managers, Maye was able to salvage his day with a garbage-time passing touchdown with a beautiful strike to K.J. Osborn midway through the fourth quarter. Maye was far from perfect but he looked confident, played smart, made some terrific throws, and frequently had to escape pressure behind an abysmal offensive line.

 

Running Back

 

Rhamondre Stevenson: 7 Carries, 18 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 7 Yards

The good news for Rhamondre Stevenson is that he got the start for the first time since Week 4 after missing last week with an injury and ceding his starting role to Antonio Gibson in Week 5. He also didn’t fumble for the second consecutive game after dealing with fumbling issues early in the season. The rest is all bad as Stevenson only touched the ball nine times for 25 yards after being game-scripted off the field in the second half with New England playing catch-up. Even when the game script did benefit Stevenson, the rushing attack was non-existent due to horrible offensive line play.

 

Antonio Gibson: 3 Carries, 4 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 yards

Gibson briefly left the game in the first half after getting banged up on the opening drive. He only played nine snaps versus five for JaMycal Hasty in the first half, with Hasty taking over passing downs in the second half.

 

JaMycal Hasty: 2 Carries, -2 Yards | 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 49 Yards, TD

Hasty got some revenge against his former team, scoring a first-quarter receiving touchdown after Gibson briefly left the game with a minor injury. Hasty acted as the primary receiving back this week, likely due to the Gibson injury, and was second on the team in targets, catching all five of them. For those in kick return yard leagues, Hasty did not return a single kick this week after returning six kicks for 139 yards in Week 6.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Hunter Henry: 9 Targets, 8 Receptions, 92 Yards

Hunter Henry was one of the few bright spots for New England, tying his season-high with eight catches. With Demario Douglas (see below) not 100% due to an illness, Henry was Maye’s primary target and he delivered with tough catches all game. Henry is now averaging 15 fantasy points per game in two games with Maye at quarterback and could have real season-long value if the rookie continues to improve.

 

Demario Douglas: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards

Despite the lack of reporting pre-game, Demario “Pop” Douglas apparently woke up sick and had to miss a large chunk of the game due to the illness. Douglas had a promising start to this one, catching two balls for 14 yards including a first down on the game’s first three plays. It’s difficult to take away much from this performance but Pop looked like the number one option on the first drive.

 

Kayshon Boutte: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 33 Yards

There were numerous positive reports earlier in the week praising Kayshon Boutte’s work ethic and attitude, which has led to a larger role on this team after a disastrous rookie season. The box score results have not been there yet, but Boutte is now playing starting wide receiver snaps. Some of his explosiveness which we saw at LSU is back, which he showcased in his only reception in Week 7. I think he’s one of the very few playmakers the Patriots have and I would be willing to bet he earns a larger workload going forward.

 

Ja’Lynn Polk: 3 Targets

Polk was the worst offensive player on the field for New England. Head coach Jerod Mayo called out the rookie wide receiver after the game, stating “they need more from Polk, more concentration.” Polk had one drop early on, after multiple drops last week. Polk likely won’t be credited with more than one drop from this game, but all of his targets were catchable as he got his hands on all of them. He even slipped on a two-point conversion attempt. They can’t get much worse than this.

 

K.J. Osborn: 3 Targets,  2 Receptions, 26 Yards, TD

Osborn caught a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He only has seven receptions on the season and should not be rostered.

 

Kendrick Bourne: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 14 Yards

Since being activated in week five, Kendrick Bourne has not been involved in this offense but has caught all five of his targets.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars

 

Quarterback

 

Trevor Lawrence: 15/20 193 Yards, TD | 2 carries, 13 Yards

Lawrence disappointed those who started him this week but he was extremely efficient and nearly perfect. The highlight was a beautifully thrown 58-yard bomb to Thomas in the second quarter. Lawrence has really turned it around the last three weeks and looks like a quarterback we can finally trust again as long as there is a favorable game script. He certainly was impressive in his second game this season in London, but can he do it on a cold, rainy day in Stoke?

 

Running Back

 

Tank Bigsby: 26 Carries, 118 Yards, 2 TD |1 Target

Bigsby got the start with Etienne ruled out with a hamstring injury and lived up to his name, running tough, rolling over defenders, and picking up chunk gains all game long. Tank has reached 90 yards rushing in three of the last four games, and surpassed 100 yards rushing in two of the last three. It wasn’t all perfect as he was stuffed on numerous short-yardage situations and dropped a screen pass. Bigsby only has one reception on two targets through seven weeks, so Etienne will retain that role when he returns, but I don’t see how the Jaguars don’t give Bigsby double-digit carries every week, even with a healthy Etienne.

 

D’Ernest Johnson: 9 Carries, 38 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 32 Yards

D’Ernest goes to London and takes over the passing back role. It is extremely clear going forward that if Etienne is to miss time, Johnson will be the passing back while Bigsby acts as the early down and short yardage workhorse. Johnson played well and looked explosive on several occasions. He will have fantasy value in negative game scripts with Etienne out of the lineup.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Brian Thomas Jr.: 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 89 Yards, TD | 2 Carries, 2 Yards

In case you were wondering if the rookie was still a must-start after a disappointing Week 6 result, this should answer all of your questions. Operating as the clear WR1, Thomas led the team in routes run, commanded a 25% target share, scored the only Jaguars passing touchdown, and secured a two-point conversion. He showcased his blazing speed, beating Christian Gonzalez for a 58-yard gain, reaching 21.11 MPH! There’s not really much to say, the Jags rookie is a stud who should be in your lineup every single week.

 

Evan Engram: 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 35 Yards

After a 10 reception, 100+ yard performance in his Week 6 return, this week’s results are disappointing but Evan Engram was the #2 option in this passing attack, tying Thomas for the most targets. Engram had three receptions for 34 yards at half-time but was not asked to do anything in the second half. His target share remains high when on the field and is a must-start tight end going forward.

 

Christian Kirk: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 24 Yards

This is Christian Kirk’s second game of the season with a stat line of three targets with one reception. With Evan Engram back in the lineup, Kirk is impossible to trust in your lineups going forward as he is now at best the third option in the passing game. He should only be started in games where the Jaguars are expected to have high passing volume.

 

Missed Opportunities

  • Could only get one foot down on his end zone target in the third quarter

 

Gabe Davis: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 13 Yards

Gabe Davis led all Jaguars wide receivers in snaps but was unable to replicate his monster Week 6 performance, which was his only game of the season with more than three receptions. He should not be in your fantasy lineups.

 

Series Navigation
Introduction
Broncos @ Saints
Patriots @ Jaguars
Seahawks @ Falcons
Titans @ Bills
Bengals @ Browns
Texans @ Packers
Dolphins @ Colts
Lions @ Vikings
Eagles @ Giants
Panthers @ Commanders
Raiders @ Rams
Chiefs @ 49ers
Jets @ Steelers

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