Mike Evans’ streak of consecutive games with at least one catch ended at 64 on Sunday. According to Pro Football Reference, he failed to record a catch for the first time since Week 2 of 2015 when he saw three targets in a 26-19 win over the Saints. That came in his sophomore campaign.
In a twist of irony, Evans also drew a meager three targets Sunday against the Saints on a day Chris Godwin dominated. The latter garnered nine targets, notched his third 100-yard receiving game of 2019 and caught his sixth touchdown. Through Sunday’s games, Godwin ranks first in receiving TDs (six), third in receiving yards (511) and averages a robust 15.5 YPR. He’s the darling of the Bucs new scheme and looks like a league-winner. Expect Evans to rebound, but temper rest-of-season expectations.
Despite Ronald Jones showing out in Week 4, Tampa Bay went right back to Peyton Barber to start the game against New Orleans. Jones earned more work down the stretch, but neither back impressed in the timeshare. Barber carried eight times for 32 yards (4.0 YPC) and a score, and Jones saw nine carries which he turned into 35 yards (3.9 YPC). Jones and Dare Ogunbawale each saw three targets and caught two passes while Barber secured his lone target. Jones remains the back to own but his outlook takes a hit given the even split with Barber.
It’s Raining Fantasy Points
What a week for breakout performances, with no team showing more fireworks than the Houston Texans. Gamers who faced Deshaun Watson and/or Will Fuller likely woke up feeling depressed Monday morning. Watson (41.7) found himself among five players who scored more than 40 PPR points. But no player balled out harder than Fuller (52.7), who dropped a 50-burger by racking up 217 receiving yards and three TDs while catching 14-of-16 targets. He fell just short of two additional TDs.His long play was a 44-yard score.
Meanwhile, Christian McCaffrey continued his torrid pace by compiling 243 total yards and three TDs. He averaged 9.7 YPC en route to 176 rush yards. Michael Thomas rounds out the 40-plus club after hooking up with Teddy Bridgewater for 182 yards and two scores. Bridgewater looks to have found his footing as a passer, completing 26-of-34 passes for 314 yards, four TDs, and one interception.
Run Down
Aaron Jones quieted doubters by making four trips to the end zone. He repeatedly gashed the Cowboys for chunk gains and added seven catches for 75 yards, his best receiving performance this season.
Entering Week 5 action Austin Ekeler led all RBs with 41 targets – one more than Christian McCaffrey. He added 16 more to that total Sunday, catching 15 passes for 86 yards to lead the team in both categories.
Ekeler saw only three carries and ceded work to Melvin Gordon, who ran 12 times for 31 yards (2.6 YPC) in his first game action since returning from his holdout.
Gordon caught 4-of-6 targets for seven yards, averaging 1.7 YPR compared to 5.7 for Ekeler. Neither back found the end zone and Ekeler lost a fumble. Gordon looks ready to return to his lead back role, while Ekeler holds more value in PPR formats going forward.
Kyler Murray showed off his rushing prowess by turning 10 carries into 93 yards and a score to lead the Cardinals on a day they rushed for a combined 266 yards.
David Johnson (17-91-0) and Chase Edmonds (8-68-1) both added strong outings.
Josh Jacobs proved the Bears run defense is beatable, averaging 4.7 YPC and scoring two rush TDs. He finished with 123 rush yards, the most the Bears have given up to a player this season by a wide margin.
After Wayne Gallman exited in the first quarter of a 28-10 loss to Minnesota, Jonathan Hillman proved ineffective in relief. He rushed nine times for 20 yards (2.2 YPC) and caught one pass for four yards. The Giants need Saquon Barkley back in a big way.
Redskins WR Stephan Sims led the team in rushing by carrying one time for 65 yards and a TD. Wendell Smallwood, Chris Thompson, and Adrian Peterson combined for 17 carries and 66 yards.
Air Raid
Adam Humphries led the Titans in targets (6) but turned that into four catches for 30 yards. He also fumbled. Their receiving corps should be avoided at all costs in redraft due to baffling usage of Corey Davis and A.J. Brown and poor play by Marcus Mariota. The latter posted a 13.9 QBR in the loss to Buffalo.
Adam Thielen tied a season-high with eight targets and turned that into seven catches for 130 yards and two scores. The Vikings still only attempted 27 passes.
The Jets’ season slips away while Sam D’Arnold continues to sit out with mono. Luke Falk averaged 4.6 YPA and threw two INTs for an ugly 1.8 QBR.
The Eagles receiving corps enjoyed a quiet day while the defense scored twice, but Zach Ertz managed his first TD of the season.
Marquise Brown exited the Ravens win over Pittsburgh early with an ankle injury, but not before he scored his third TD of 2019.
The GOAT Tom Brady tossed for 348 yards and three TDs in a 33-7 thumping of Washington, which fired coach Jay Gruden on Monday morning. Brady has 10 TDs to two INTs on the season.
Patrick Mahomes struggled in a loss to the Colts, taking four sacks and injuring his ankle. He was limping noticeably.
