Battle of the Heismans

On this week’s Thursday Night time Soccer matchup, we’ll see 2017 and 2019’s Heisman Trophy Winners face off in a battle of the AFC North. Every of them was drafted because the first-overall decide in his respective draft to groups that sorely wanted gutted and transformed from high to backside

Notes from Cleveland: As somebody who actually named their canine after Baker Mayfield, I can formally say it is time to be involved. The flashes from Mayfield’s rookie season appear lengthy gone, and the arrogance that when helped to hold a chip on his shoulder appears to have fizzled. Among the many 32 beginning quarterbacks in Week 1, Mayfield had 66.7% adjusted completion proportion – the third-lowest – and tied for 0.26 fantasy factors per drop again – the second-fewest within the league. He accomplished simply 58.3% of passes from a clear pocket, the second-lowest amongst QBs to begin the season. The record of causes to be involved for Mayfield’s regression as a passer goes on and on.

Notes from Cincinnati: Joe Burrow has been described by many as essentially the most pro-ready rookie quarterback of his class, and his teammates have spoken extremely of his management all through coaching camp. He is simply too cool for college; nothing appears to trouble him. It is a attribute that may’t be taught. There is not any playbook for emotional intelligence. As for the physicality of Burrow himself, he stands sturdy within the pocket and would not get flustered below strain. He and his receivers actually want extra work with timing, too.

What We Ought to Anticipate: It would not be shocking to see every of those groups deploy a run-heavy method to alleviate strain on every of their respective quarterbacks. For Mayfield, establishing the run might assist with Mayfield’s effectivity and alleviate some strain from opposing defenses. For Burrow, the establishing the run might present him only a second longer within the pocket to progress in his learn. It is a win-win sport plan for every of those younger QBs.

Questions within the Backfield

Each the Browns and Bengals backfields have some questions as we begin to make our manner by way of the 2020 NFL season.

Notes from Cleveland: The Browns have probably the greatest 1-2 punch operating again units within the NFL in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. We nonetheless have some questions on how they’re going to be deployed nevertheless. The Ravens rapidly ran up the rating, which did not permit the group a lot time to expire the clock, although each Chubb and Hunt have been shifting the chains properly.

Notes from Cincinnati: The query for the Bengals is not who will probably be receiving touches however is reasonably what Joe Mixon will produce on these touches. Mixon has been utilized closely since drafted in 2017, averaging almost 16 dashing makes an attempt and a pair of.5 receptions per sport. With all of that he stays inefficient with 3.6 yards per dashing try and had only one run of 10+ yards to begin the season … the second-fewest of any again to see at the very least 17 dashing makes an attempt on the week.

What We Ought to Anticipate: Hunt noticed 17 touches to Chubb’s 11 and noticed the group’s solely carry contained in the five-yard line on the day. Every again exceeded 5.5 yards per try and 4.Zero yards after contact per try and rank within the top-10 amongst RBs in Week 1. A super sport plan? Get every of those backs 15+ touches per sport and reset the highlight wherever however with Baker Mayfield. Whether or not Mixon does a lot along with his personal carries, he is a must-play begin on the premise of quantity alone and the place he was drafted in fantasy soccer leagues.

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Fast Slants

RB Miles Sanders practiced in full Wednesday after lacking the Eagles’ Week 1 matchup versus the Washington Soccer group. His presence will probably be a welcome addition to the offense, which had simply two drives of greater than 17 yards within the second half. QB Carson Wentz took eight sacks within the sport. … The Broncos positioned CB A.J. Bouye on injured reserve with a shoulder dislocation. … Bucs WR Chris Godwin was positioned within the concussion protocol on Wednesday after Sunday’s matchup in opposition to the Saints. If he’s certainly out, anticipate to wager the over on WR Scotty Miller, who has curried favor with Brady by way of the offseason and noticed a career-high in receptions and receiving yards in Week 1 … Broncos WR Courtland Sutton bought in a restricted observe Wednesday, an encouraging signal for his Week 2 availability. Rumor has it that his means to do 10 leaping jacks is the benchmark to clear him to play following his AC joint sprain. If he returns, we might even see much less involvement for TE Noah Fant. … WR DeVante Parker left Sunday’s matchup in opposition to the Patriots with a slight hamstring harm and could possibly be on observe to return to the sphere in Week 2. If he does, he’s a legal responsibility as a starter in fantasy contemplating the matchup versus the Payments and potential to dial again his workload. … DB Richard Sherman was positioned on injured reserve with a calf pressure. The 49ers merely can not maintain gamers on the sphere.

Story continues

Some Wednesday DNP’s value watching: Steelers RB James Conner bought the DNP tag Wednesday after spraining his ankle Monday night time in opposition to the Giants. It is potential he’ll be able to roll in opposition to the Broncos. If he is not, Benny Snell seems as if he is made some vital strides within the offseason and will present instantaneous RB2 worth. … TE George Kittle sat off form with a sprained knee Wednesday and stays questionable for sport day. Even when energetic, we should always anticipate restricted snaps, and subsequently fewer targets. WR Brandon Aiyuk did not observe both, leaving their receiving choices extraordinarily restricted. Price noting: Trent Taylor noticed 4 crimson zone targets in Week 1 and two of the group’s finish zone targets. It might be value dropping a few bucks on his odds to attain a landing in Week 2.