The later we get into the year, the less explanation is needed. If last night marked the end of Week 1, we might have wondered if Daniel Jones's one rushing yard on three carries was a fluke. He entered this season averaging a healthy 5.8 yards per carry and 31.9 yards per game. With his status as an NFL starter on the precipice, we might have considered the strong possibility that his legs would continue to elevate his floor.
Instead, eight weeks in, it would take a mammoth shift for Jones to change course. He now has a mere 185 yards on 53 carries -- a pedestrian 3.5 YPC on 23.1 yards per game. While he's still getting work inside the five-yard line (three scores on five touches), his decline in ground yardage has made him almost entirely TD-dependent. In three contests where he's scored, Jones has hit 18.3 points per game. In his other five contests, he hasn't exceeded 11.8 points (his only double-digit performance from that subset).
So we now have a pretty good understanding of Jones circa 2024. Yes, he might snap back. But that becomes less and less likely with each passing week.
And if this were Week 1, we also might wonder what's up with Darius Slayton, who finished last night with a 4-108 receiving line. In August 2022, he was a prime cut candidate. But a series of WR injuries forced him into action, and he came through as "good" for the third time in four campaigns. He started the 2024 season once again as an afterthought, this time running far behind Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson.
But he now has 56+ yards in four of his last five outings. Even with Nabers and Robinson healthy, Slayton led the way. Such a Week 1 performance might have led to mass confusion: Who's the Giants' #1 WR?
Instead, with the NFL trade deadline looming and this franchise going nowhere -- and with Slayton headed for free agency after this season -- the perennially underappreciated receiver is a prime trade candidate. So it's not shocking that a non-playoff contender would keep him on the field to elevate his value. If he isn't traded, then seriously, what are the Giants thinking? But assuming he is, this passing attack will return to top-heaviness, featuring Nabers and Robinson.
And what about Tyrone Tracy? If this were Week 1, we might wonder if this could be a hot-hand backfield. New York signed Devin Singletary in the offseason. He was the preseason RB30 based on ADP, suggesting he'd give managers streaming value (though in fairness, he was my preseason RB43 -- a major fade). Surely most people wouldn't have given up on Singletary after only one game.
But now we're midseason, and hopefully we've seen enough. While an apparent head injury keeps Tracy's Week 9 status in limbo, Singletary lacks the upside of a traditionally trustworthy RBs. His relatively limited usage through the air and declining efficiency make him an offensive afterthought more often than not. Maybe the Giants can find a trade partner for him, though they probably couldn't fetch much for a 27-year-old non-bell-cow on a back-loaded three-year contract.
For Pittsburgh, if this were Week 1, Najee Harris would look like the clear workhorse over Jaylen Warren. But let's remember that Warren's battled injuries this year and has been ramping back up, finishing the past two games with double-digit touches. As good as Harris looked yesterday, he's no longer the catch-friendly RB we saw as a 2021 rookie, and his career 3.9 YPC isn't likely to magically pop. Unless Warren takes a firm backseat, we can't assume Harris will maintain 20+ or even 16+ touches per game.
Finally, Pittsburgh's passing game: Honestly, who knows. I thought Justin Fields would be the better fantasy option than Russell Wilson if the former earned the Week 1 starting job. Instead, despite a 4-2 record, head coach Mike Tomlin had seen enough and installed Wilson. If this were the start of the season, we might think Wilson is entrenched as the starter. And you know, that might be the case regardless.
But the Steelers just beat two teams that are now a combine 4-12. Let's see what happens when they head to Washington after their upcoming bye. Then Baltimore. Both of those opponents are vulnerable on defense, though injuries can be blamed partially for the Ravens' woes. Still, I would argue that Fields' Week 2/3 efforts against the stiffer Broncos and Chargers defenses showed he's no less than a capable starting QB. Although Wilson's experience and poise might be enough to keep him atop the depth chart, we shouldn't be surprised if there are rumblings if -- after toppling two fading franchises -- Wilson looks far more human against playoff contenders.
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