What We Saw: Week 9 2018

Chiefs vs. Browns

Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs continued their offensive dominance, steamrolling yet another AFC foe.KC scored 37, the eighth time in nine games they have scored 30 or more, defeating the Cleveland Browns 37-21. The Chiefs never seemed threatened on Sunday, scoring on their first possession and never trailing in the game. As we’ve become used to, the Chiefs weapons were on full display.

Showtime is playing on All-Madden difficulty and making things look easy.

Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes continues to separate himself in the MVP race. On Sunday Mahomes extended his consecutive 300-yard passing games to eight, within one of QB Drew Brees record of nine. Brees has done this twice in his career, during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, but it’s a remarkable feat for such a young QB. And while his streak of 4 passing touchdown games ended at three, he still managed to throw three TDs Sunday to bring his total to a lead leading 29. Mahomes is on pace to throw for 51 passing touchdowns. Fifty passing touchdowns has only been accomplished twice, both coming in historic quarterback seasons: QB Peyton Manning (55 in 2013) and QB Tom Brady (50 in 2007).  

While Mahomes was sacked twice and felt pressure from a solid Cleveland defensive line, he was always in full control throwing for 375 on 23-for-32 passing. If anything Mahomes seems to be improving, completing more than 70% of his passes for the third straight week. Pat Mahomes is a joy to watch each week and has earned his QB1 fantasy rank this season.

All-purpose monster Kareem Hunt got it done by ground and by air.

We felt RB Kareem Hunt had a favorable matchup this week and he proved us right. Hunt showed his signature elusiveness from the opening drive when he took a screen pass 50 yards to the house while evading two would be tacklers. Hunt added 91 yards rushing on 17 carries but more importantly he added two rushing touchdowns. Hunt scored 33 fantasy points in PPR, his fourth game of the season with 25+ points. Hunt is currently top 8 in scoring in most formats and has solidified himself as a player you can trust weekly. During his rookie year, last season Hunt disappeared for a long stretch of games after a hot start. I don’t see that happening again, he’s a player that will lead fantasy owners into the playoffs.

Mahomes had his full complement of receiver weapons making plays.

One of the most confounding questions fantasy owners has to ask themselves each week is who to start from this Chiefs explosive passing offense each week. One of the answers is clear but others continue to be frustrating but no one the less productive.

TE Travis Kelce is clearly the horse to bet on each week. Sunday was no different as he finished with seven catches for 99 yards and two incredible touchdowns. Kelce has been the rock that Mahomes relies on, the young QB recognizes where his bread is buttered and looks to Kelce in all situations.

The receivers each had a quiet day but they weren’t needed all that much to be fair. Top wideouts Tyreek Hill (4 for 69) and Sammy Watkins (5 for 62) were not much a part of the game-plan but in this dynamic offense, they each finished for more than 10 PPR fantasy point for their owners. That is all that owners can hope for on a down afternoon.

One positive note for fantasy owners was the solid production in limited playing time for RB Spencer Ware. Ware had his second double-digit fantasy game in three weeks, with 4 receptions for 69 yards and he added two carries for 12 yards. Right now it is time to start thinking about planning for your fantasy playoffs and Ware is a solid pickup if you have the bench room. The Chiefs are almost certain to wrap up a playoff bye prior to the Week 16 fantasy playoffs and leading back Hunt may rest. It is forward thinking moves like this that can win a fantasy owner championships.

-Marc Salazar

Browns

Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to the Week 9 What We Saw for the Browns. While not matching the best case scenario I wrote about in my week 9 preview, the Browns did much, much better than my week 9 worst case scenario. At the very least, the Browns are looking better than they have all season, and Freddy Kitchen seems to be fulfilling the promise of an upgrade at OC. Overall, there is a positive outlook for the Browns, and fantasy relevance just beyond the horizon for the receiver corps. Let’s take a look at what happened and how it matters for your team.

Baker Mayfield has just one pick, throws two touchdowns, only sacked twice!

QB Baker Mayfield threw for 297 yards, his second highest total for the season and his best passing yards total by far since week 5. He also threw two touchdowns, and it looked like Freddy Kitchens’ schemes were designed to help Mayfield succeed. Given that the Chiefs’ defense is on the rise and performing better than they look on paper, this game against the Chiefs make me feel very good about Mayfield against a truly atrocious defense for ATL. That game is also at home. I am expecting mid-to-low QB1 numbers next week, so if you need a bye week filler, Mayfield becomes an excellent option.

Here’s an excellent play to start the match:

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Receivers catch passes!

So a big problem for the Browns has been drops, and those are finally being reduced. WR Antonio Callaway has now made some pretty tough catches, such as this one early in the 1st:

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WR Jarvis Landry is getting the help he needs with other receivers catching balls and Kitchens opening up the offense, so he was able to catch 6 of his 7 targets. His yardage is still low, but I think as Callaway continues to develop, by season’s end, Landry will be getting closer to 100 yards in games. Here Landry is making a big catch just before the half:

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And WR Rashard Higgins was finally back, but only caught 3 of 4 targets for 19 yards. Still, with little fantasy relevance, Higgins does help open the field up. WR Damion Ratley has similar stats, catching 2 of 4 targets for 16 yards. He and Higgins have basically the same role, though I wonder if Higgins’ play time was limited being back from a fairly long injury. It’s just something to watch, for now. WR Breshad Perriman received 6 targets, only catching 2. While 3 receivers for Mayfield have no fantasy relevance, anything that keeps the ball moving is a plus.

Running backs are the stars of the show for CLE

RB Nick Chubb is the real deal. The Browns gave him 22 carries, which amounted to 85 yards and very good score. Chubb has the perfect blend of talent and opportunity as the Browns run a lot of offense and do not abandon the run. On his touchdown, Chubb showed patience waiting for a hole to open before hitting the hole hard. It was definitely a well earned 6 points.

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RB Duke Johnson, Jr. also finally got the touches he deserves. Though almost all of his work came in the passing game, that’s exactly where he shines brightest. He had 9 targets, caught all of them, and that included 2 touchdown passes which were both run in. On his first TD pass, he shed a tackle and raced across the goal line.

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His second was a shallow crossing route where he was schemed open and in- a very positive sign, and evidence that Kitchens, the former RB coach, will keep The Duke involved moving forward. If you can get him, especially in PPR, get him.

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Njoku puts goose egg behind him

TE David Njoku received 5 targets in week 8. It was a little low of a target share for my taste, but still gave him plenty of upside in the TE landscape. It wasn’t as big of a day as I was hoping for, but I still think Njoku is an every week starter, especially when he makes catches like this:

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Defense falls apart

The defense struggled, but not because they faced an uber powerful offense, although the Chiefs are largely just undefendable. No, their problems this week were all health-related. Denzel Ward, E.J. Gaines, and Christian Kirksey, all went out. It would be a big loss to the Browns defensively if those injuries result in extended time out.

-Sam Turrubiartes