With their backs against the wall, the Jets came through. It wasn't always pretty -- such as rookie Malachi Corley's inexplicable untouched fumble at the goal line. But each of the four core offensive players stepped up.
Aaron Rodgers had his first three-TD performance in nearly two years, and only his second three-fer in nearly three years. Breece Hall ran great, even if the fantasy numbers were lacking. And at least for one night, Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams looked like an elite WR tandem. All of them did what they do best. Is it a sign of things to come? Who knows, but at least they showed it can still be done.
Although not that interesting, it's notable that Mike Williams was the only Jets wideout to earn more than one target. A couple weeks ago it appeared Rodgers was done with him. Amazing what happens when Allen Lazard lands on injured reserve and the previously mentioned Corley commits the unthinkable. Williams has a surprisingly firm hold on the #3 job, making him at least a very-deep-league short-term stash.
For Houston, Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie were afterthoughts, as Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz were targeted on half of C.J. Stroud's throws. I didn't expect much from Texans' passing attack. Dell proved me wrong. If Collins doesn't return soon, Dell will be a featured player against the Lions and (possibly) Cowboys -- both likely high-scoring contests.
And Joe Mixon now has 51 touches since Sunday. He actually has 24 in three straight games. That's not sustainable. Who would be fascinating backfield addition to take pressure off Mixon and buy insurance for a potential playoff run? Chuba Hubbard. The Panther is set to be a free agent after this season. Maybe as a rental he'd cost a third or fourth rounder? Probably worth it for a team with one of the least-talented backup RB collections. It would also crush both starters' fantasy values. Whether or not it's Hubbard, I still believe Houston desperately needs RB depth. Mixon's fantasy value probably has nowhere to go but down.
What's going on with C.J. Stroud? For that matter, what's going on with second-year QBs in general? The top four quarterbacks taken in 2023 -- Bryce Young, Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and even Will Levis -- have regressed in Year 2. Young and Levis went from troublesome to benchable. Richardson went from star to benchable.
Stroud is obviously (so far) the best of the group. His poor numbers reflect, in part, injuries to Collins and Stefon Diggs, as well as the offseason loss of frequent #3 WR Noah Brown. He's also taken 30 sacks in nine games, far above his rookie-year clip.
We can also look at strength of schedule. Last season Houston had a third-easiest schedule based on team'' win-loss records the previous year. This season they have the fourth toughest. Perhaps that's on non-injury factor capping Stroud's production.
Kudos to Jeff Laboda and Tom Windedahl Jr. for co-winning the closest-score competition. Oh, and home teams are now 64-61 (.512), which I believe would be the lowest home-team winning percentage in more than 50 years. Let's keep that in our back pocket so we don't unnecessarily overweight home players when making sit-start decisions.
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