Jahmyr Gibbs quiet for second-straight week
Only 2 targets for Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions did get up early, and Goff only threw the ball 25 times, but this is the first time Gibbs hasn’t seen at least 5 targets since Week 3. I’d expect that to bounce back next week against Chicago - he’s had two somewhat down performances in a row, but I’m still goin to continue to start him in what should be a competitive game in Chicago in Week 14. It’s worth noting that David Montgomery is still the clear lead back on early downs, and it’s really just the receptions that need to be there for Gibbs to have his value - and I think that will come more often than not. Sunday was the first time in a month and a half that the targets just weren’t there for him. They also weren’t there for Amon-Ra St. Brown - very quiet game from him… the Saints took him out of the game.
Breece Hall is stuck in a wasteland
Breece Hall’s efficiency on the ground has been absolute shit these past few weeks… teams are stacking the box and taking him out of the game. Not surprisingly, nobody is respecting the pass at all… the floor is there in PPR given all the dump offs he’s been in line to get, but we haven’t seen that ceiling from earlier in the season in a while. He’s wasting away with Garrett Wilson in New York right now. But he’s under 3 yards per carry in 5 of his last 6 games… and he handled 13 carries for 16 yards in this one… just absolutely brutal. He’s a RB2 in PPR next week against Houston, but if you’re not in a PPR league, you’re pretty much banking on a breakaway run or reception to salvage his day… he’s extremely capable of that, though, which is why it’s really tough to bench him. It’s crazy to say, but they need Zach Wilson back under center. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see that next week.
Conner and McBride shine vs PIT
James Conner came out of nowhere with a huge performance against his old team - 25 carries for 105 yards and 2 TDs. Conner also ended up getting some of the passing down work as well with Emari Demercado getting banged up in this game, and even though Michael Carter was involved a little bit , it wasn’t enough to warrant any concern about him being a mainstay piece in this offense.
Kyler Murray didn’t throw it a whole lot, but when he did he threw it to Trey McBride - 8 catches for 89 and a TD on 9 targets (39% share) for McBride… he’s looking like an elite tight end. Extremely efficient, he’s a target hog, and you’re extremely happy if you have him right now… but also, you’re even more happy in dynasty if you snagged him - he could be someone who you’re starting for years to come.
Hollywood Brown ended up leaving the game because of that heel injury he came in questionable with… he ended up with no catches and gave you a big donut in your lineup if you started him. He did run 20 routes, so that was 74% of the dropbacks… but if he’s running that many routes, you’d expect him to put up something. Hopefully it didn’t cost you the win.
Moss and Pittman Jr. are utilization kings
Zack Moss ended up playing a bell cow role with 94% of snaps for the Colts but couldn’t find the end zone, and he wasn’t overly involved in the receiving game. As a result, it didn’t amount to fantasy points - he ended up with 22 opportunities, but the Titans stifled the run in this game: his 19 carries only went for 51 yards. Probably his worst game of the season… but he has a great matchup against the Bengals next week though, so make sure he’s in your lineup for that one. Chase the utilization, not the production as a wide old friend of ours once told me.
Also, Michael Pittman is a baller. 16 targets, 11 catches, 105 yards and a TD against the Titans Sunday - I talked him having the good matchup and Josh Downs having the tough matchup, and that played out in this one with Downs only catching 3 balls for 14 yards. But damn Pittman has emerged as one of the league’s best WRs… he’s a clear alpha, and is getting the job done. He’s a weekly fantasy WR1. Solid matchup next week against the Bengals, too, although Josh Downs will be more in play for that game than this past one against Tennessee.