What We Saw: Week 8

We Watched Every Game So You Don't Have To — Here's What We Saw!

Brett Ford
Misc 7 Hours Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Vikings @ Chargers
Dolphins @ Falcons
Jets @ Bengals
Browns @ Patriots
Giants @ Eagles
Bills @ Panthers
Bears @ Ravens
49ers @ Texans
Buccaneers @ Saints
Cowboys @ Broncos
Titans @ Colts
Packers @ Steelers

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts 

Final Score: Colts 38, Titans 14

Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan)

 

It’s Jonathan Taylor‘s world. We’re just living in it. Taylor ran roughshod over the Titans as he led to Colts to a big win over their division rival on Sunday afternoon. Three Taylor touchdowns led the Colts past the Titans as the Indianapolis offense continued to click at an elite level. The Titans, on the other hand, continued to sputter offensively as rookie quarterback Cam Ward proved to still be a development project. The Colts opened up a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and continued piling on, pulling away in the second half to secure the 38-14 victory. Let’s dig in.

Three Up

  • Jonathan Taylor — It’s amazing what he’s doing on a weekly basis.
  • Michael Pittman Jr. — He completed one of the best catches of the season for a score, adding to his excellent season.
  • Tyjae Spears — Looked like one of the only explosive players on the Titans’ offense.

Two Down

  • Tony Pollard — Spears is finally emerging and it’s coming at the expense of Pollard and his volume.
  • Tyler Warren — He was fine, but didn’t get the volume managers have grown accustomed to — and on National Tight Ends Day, too.

 

Tennessee Titans

 

Quarterback

 

Cam Ward: 22/38, 259 yards, TD, INT

There were some bright moments. Ward made some plays where he extended, escaped and connected with his receivers. But there were also some moments like this.

Growing pains continue for a franchise with a quarterback and no coach. It’s tough to expect much more from Ward at this point as he continues to try and improve on a weekly basis while he’s surrounded by a below-average supporting cast and a coaching staff in flux.

 

Running Back

 

Tyjae Spears: 9 carries, 59 yards, TD | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 23 yards

Tyjae Spears was clearly the more exciting of the two Titans running backs on Sunday afternoon, and he was rewarded for it with 37 snaps to Pollard’s 33. Granted, the game script lent itself to the passing game, which Spears is more likely to be on the field for, but the fact that he outsnapped Pollard for the first time this season is significant. He feels like the equivalent of Rico Dowdle in this Titans offense, without the benefit of having the backfield to himself for a few weeks. He ought to be the guy, but is stuck behind Pollard (for now).

 

Tony Pollard: 11 carries, 44 yards | 2 targets, 1 receptions, 9 yards

This is what fantasy managers were dreading during draft season — the emergence of Spears and the subsequent loss of volume for Pollard. Pollard played fewer snaps than Spears which some could blame partially on the game script, but his touches weren’t nearly as electric as his counterpart. Spears has led the Titans in rushing yards in back-to-back games now. Without elite volume, Pollard is just another running back.

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Chimere Dike: 8 targets, 7 receptions, 93 yards | 1 carry, 1 yard

Calvin Ridley is hurt. Tyler Lockett has been granted his release. There’s not much competition for targets here in Nashville and Dike is taking full advantage. Dike, Van Jefferson and Elic Ayomanor tied for the team lead in targets, but clearly Dike did more with what he was given. The Titans are finding creative ways to get him the ball and scheming him into favorable matchups. He might be the only Tennessee pass catcher worth a roster spot at this point.

 

Chig Okonkwo: 5 targets, 4 Receptions, 53 yards

Gunnar Helm: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards, TD

It was a near split for the two tight ends as far as snap share, with Helm (37) closing the gap quite a bit to come within seven snaps of Okonkwo (44) this week. Though Chig earned more targets, it was Helm who pulled in a touchdown, a 1-yard catch on a crossing route (on a play that Okonkwo was open early).

 

Elic Ayomanor: 8 targets, 4 receptions, 52 yards

Elic Ayomanor was on the field the most of any Titans receiver, but he still isn’t getting the consistent first-read looks that you’d expect from a top wide receiver. Those seem reserved for Dike at this point. There’s also a concern that Ridley may step in and steal from his volume when he returns from injury.

 

Van Jefferson: 8 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards

Van Jefferson took a backseat to the two rookies, despite getting the same amount of targets. The looks that the veteran was getting were nowhere near as schemed … or catchable.

 

Indianapolis Colts

 

Quarterback

 

Daniel Jones: 21/29, 272 Yards, 3 TDs | 1 Carry, 3 Yards

It’s amazing the way that Daniel Jones has bounced back in his career, becoming an elite game manager with the ability to make plays when he needs to. It helps to have a stellar supporting cast surrounding him — an offensive line that stands firm, an above-average corps of pass catchers and the best running back in the league. Jones put up another respectable fantasy stat line and most importantly got the win. There’s rumors swirling that the Colts are looking to sign the former journeyman to a long-term contract after the season. Good for you, DJ!

 

Running Back

 

Jonathan Taylor: 12 Carries, 153 Yards, 2 TDs | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards, TD

He’s the best fantasy running back in football on a fairly consistent basis. Arguments could be made for Christian McCaffrey or Bijan Robinson, but Taylor continues to be a touchdown maven and seems like an unstoppable force at the moment. He’s really fun to watch.

 

Ameer Abdullah: 2 Carries, 5 yards | 1 Target, 3 Yards

Tyler Goodson: 2 Carries, 2 yards

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Michael Pittman Jr.: 9 Targets, 8 Receptions, 95 yards, TD

An every-down receiver that has gained the trust of his quarterback, Michael Pittman Jr. has blossomed into the elite receiver that fantasy managers thought he could be when he entered the league. Pittman dominated the target share, nearly doubling the next closest pass catcher, and pulled in one of the most ridiculous touchdown catches of the season — his sixth of the year.

 

Tyler Warren: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 53 yards

Tyler Warren was on the field for 39 out of 53 offensive snaps, but the Colts didn’t need to call on their secret weapon in this one. It was a no-frills victory, so no tight end rushing snaps and not a ton of tight end targets to go around. The game script leaned away from the passing game, minimizing Warren’s impact. Though if he had found the end zone, managers would not be complaining at all.

 

Alec Pierce: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 69 Yards

A deep-ball merchant, Pierce has found a niche in this offense of running go routes and pulling in deep balls. Sunday marked his third game with a reception of at least 40 yards this season as he pulled in a 50-yarder from Jones.

 

Josh Downs: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 39 yards, TD

Back from a concussion, Josh Downs was in his usual slot receiver role on three-receiver sets and was targeted just three times. However, he found the end zone on an extended play, breaking open to help his quarterback in the red zone. Downs’ volume has taken a hit this season with the emergence of Pittman and the addition of Warren, but he has pulled in touchdowns in each of the last two games he’s played.

 

Adonai Mitchell: 1 Target

Drew Ogletree: 1 Target

Ashton Dulin: 1 Target, 1 Reception, -8 Yards

Series Navigation
Introduction
Vikings @ Chargers
Dolphins @ Falcons
Jets @ Bengals
Browns @ Patriots
Giants @ Eagles
Bills @ Panthers
Bears @ Ravens
49ers @ Texans
Buccaneers @ Saints
Cowboys @ Broncos
Titans @ Colts
Packers @ Steelers