Film Review: 49ers On the Rise

New England vs. Buffalo

Tyrod Taylor's injury shut down whatever might have been interesting about this game, but it was going drearily before that, too. Taylor and the Bills offense looked good on their first drive, but Taylor would throw a puzzlingly bad interception in the red zone, right into the heart of the New England front seven with no realistic targets around. The offense would sputter generally from that point through the first half, with the pass catchers struggling to create separation and Taylor otherwise not helping. Like any offense, this one will struggle until it finds a credible deep threat. Unfortunately, they seemed to double down on the opposite when they traded for Kelvin Benjamin. It's always easier to move the ball on a bigger field.

LeSean McCoy continues to look very good and he has favorable matchups the next two weeks. He's on pace for 64 receptions, which would be his most since 2010 (78).

Rex Burkhead isn't fast, but you'd have to say he's at least swift. He runs with urgency and awareness at the same time, and he has enough burst to run routes effectively from the slot. While Chris Hogan's return might harm his projection a bit, Burkhead has been effective enough in this role that it should mostly be Danny Amendola and Phillip Dorsett who see their usage sapped at that point. For the upcoming week, none of that matters because of Rob Gronkowski's suspension. It should be another stable week for Lewis and Burkhead against Miami.

It was a highly disappointing day for Tom Brady owners, though that's obviously attributable to the fact that Buffalo never made it competitive. Brady was generally good against a Bills defense that, at least early on, played reasonably well. But when you're up 23-3 and Nathan Peterman enters the game, you're obviously not going to feel much urgency.

Jacksonville vs. Indianapolis

When Blake Bortles throws for 309 yards and two touchdowns, you pretty much know the defense was selling out against the run. That's also because it's the only way you'd limit Leonard Fournette to 56 yards on 20 carries. Marqise Lee is a WR2 in a decent passing offense, but he's done a nice job this year and this game was an example of what he can do against a below average pass defense. Dede Westbrook had an explosive preseason, but he looks like less of a big-play threat than people expected of him. I wouldn't expect much against Seattle, though he should push for eight or more targets again if Allen Hurns (ankle) remains out.

Kansas City vs. Jets

When you see a game like the one Alex Smith, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce had, which is specifically in the context of what was a slump for the Chiefs offense prior to this game, you have to wonder whether the breakout was a fluke, or the direct result of Kansas City's playcalling changing from what didn't work to something new that does work. Specifically, did the Chiefs try to push the ball downfield, the single greatest element missing from the offense at its low points? Were the Jets just a uniquely favorable matchup given their style of play? Did all of it happen for no reason?

Kelce's second touchdown was on a double move out-and-up where he completely lost rookie safety Marcus Maye, who was left in man coverage on the tight end. That's of course a matchup to attack, but the opportunity wouldn't have ever presented itself if the Chiefs hadn't called a vertical route for Kelce. Even more than Kelce, the Chiefs have generally done a poor job of utilizing Hill downfield this year. That too was different here, with Kansas City seemingly making an emphasis of targeting him more downfield. If the Chiefs keep doing this, Hill, Kelce, and Smith should remain slump-free. But will Andy Reid keep it up? This solution was always obvious, so if Reid does keep it up it would be puzzling that he ever did anything else.

In what was otherwise a high-scoring and favorable matchup, Kareem Hunt was undone by minimized usage. Hunt still looked good, and it would be odd if he didn't have another big game or two before the end of the year, but his current sequence of multiple missed opportunities is difficult to explain, and the eventual break in the trend will therefore be difficult to anticipate.

The rushing touchdown that went to Bilal Powell was nearly claimed by Elijah McGuire, but what was initially ruled a touchdown for McGuire was reversed upon review, leaving Powell with the one-yard carry opportunity. He and Matt Forte both posted useful box scores and are candidates to do it again in any particular context, but this Chiefs defense didn't pose much resistance, either.

Robby Anderson is a great example of why it's bad to fixate too much on drops when evaluating a wide receiver. All year long Anderson has dropped or otherwise narrowly missed receptions here and there – it's what happens when you go deep as often as Anderson has – but he does so much on the targets that do hit that he's clearly one of the best receivers in the league. Jermaine Kearse was moved around a lot in this one and saw a decent amount of time in the slot. He seems to have gained at Austin Seferian-Jenkins' expense over the last two weeks.

Tennessee vs. Houston

For at least another week, the breakout efforts from Stephen Anderson and Andre Ellington will carry over in the Texans offense, particularly if Braxton Miller misses the upcoming game against the 49ers due to the concussion he suffered Sunday. Andre might basically replace his cousin Bruce as the team's primary slot receiver, and he showed good rapport with Tom Savage in this game. Anderson is basically a wide receiver – he played it at California and, at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, is smaller than wideouts like Brandon Marshall, among numerous others – so he'll continue to get targets with C.J. Fiedorowicz out again. DeAndre Hopkins will of course be a hit in that setting – he had a first quarter touchdown narrowly overruled upon review when it was clear that he didn't get both feet down in the end zone.

The lumbering and disoriented style of the Tennessee offense is like watching the flu play football. Once again, on nearly every throw Marcus Mariota made, the target was well-covered. I think it's safe to say that opposing defenses are aware of nearly every route combination that Tennessee runs for any given situation or personnel grouping. Even if you think Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, and Eric Decker are bad, the lack of separation in their routes is difficult to explain. It should have dawned on me earlier this year, but Mariota's increase in rushing production this season wasn't by design. He's had to turn to it because the throws that worked in 2015 and 2016 don't anymore.

DeMarco Murray looked better in this one, but he's still not approaching Derrick Henry's level. Mike Mularkey always lives up his name.

Chicago vs. San Francisco

It was a disappointing fantasy day for Carlos Hyde, but I thought he mostly played well. He lost chunks of yardage in a few plays where he was hit in the backfield, but when he had a chance to get past the line he continued to look good, as he has for almost all of the last two years. Matt Breida remains involved but I don't think he's truly a threat beyond his current capacity.

Jimmy Garoppolo is clearly a huge improvement for San Francisco, and in this game I thought he looked promising. I wasn't high on Garoppolo when he came out of Eastern Illinois, so I don't have any investment in him being good, but I think he probably is. Even if he isn't, this scheme should be one so conducive to fantasy production that I'm optimistic he'll hover around QB1 utility the rest of the way, and especially this week against the Houston pass defense. Garoppolo completed all of his targets to Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor, which is encouraging since they'll be his top two pass catchers going forward. Goodwin is seemingly improving on a weekly basis, and at this point it's safe to say he has a real wide receiver skill set in addition to this Olympic-level athleticism. Taylor is a good slot prospect whose hands and quickness after the catch should make him a great fit with Garoppolo.

The Bears should go forward with Dontrelle Inman as their WR1 and Tarik Cohen as their WR2 and primary slot receiver. The first one seems like something they've committed to for weeks now, and hopefully Cohen's punt return for a touchdown gives them reason to revisit his workload as a receiver. Even if this were the arrangement, Mitchell Trubisky would have a dreadful surrounding cast right now. That Chicago voluntarily removes Adam Shaheen from the passing game certainly doesn't help. John Fox is well past the expiration date.

Jordan Howard shouldn't have had such a bad fantasy day, but his case is just another frustrating example of how a few sputters in an NFL game can send the entire projection awry. This doesn't happen as much in college football, where games usually feature 140-150 plays instead of the 120 or so in a typical NFL game.

Miami vs. Denver

Kenyan Drake did a very nice job in this one, and it wasn't because he had his numbers handed to him by an easy matchup. Favorable as the matchup might have been against a Denver defense lacking two of its top run-stopping defensive linemen, Drake did more than take what the defense gave him. At Alabama he had a tendency to run wild with no regard for the structure of the play or the approach of the defense, but he's rounding out his skill set and developing as a between-the-tackles runner. With his quickness and burst, Drake could be a standout starter if he continues to show the ability to work behind his blockers.

The only other thing of much note in this game is the Denver running game, which inexplicably abandoned Devontae Booker after weeks of increasing his workload at the expense of C.J. Anderson, who instead was the only Denver runner to touch the ball much in this one. As much as Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders figure to scrape together some production before the season's end, this offense is pointless.

Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay

Brett Hundley is still bad and I'm losing hope that he'll develop into anything other than what he currently is. The arm, the accuracy, and the athleticism are there, but he just does not seem to be making progress in his reads.

Jamaal Williams, on the other hand, was quite promising in this game. I remain skeptical that his 210-pound frame will hold up with his violent running style, and I think he otherwise lacks truly explosive traits as a runner, but he's adequate in enough areas that his motor can put him over the top against a vulnerable defense. The Buccaneers haven't been a pushover against the run, though, and Williams still had a strong game. As much as I think Aaron Jones is the better player, Mike McCarthy's recent tendency to fixate on one and only one runner bodes well for Williams' workload the rest of the year. I would probably look to sell high in dynasty, though.

The running back on the other side of this game also had a strong box score despite me doubting them as a prospect. Peyton Barber had easily his best game as a pro, and might have made the case to start even when Doug Martin (concussion) is able to return. I remain highly skeptical of Barber – he averaged 4.3 yards per carry his final year at Auburn, and struggled to even earn a starting role that year – but for now his potential for volume makes him the best running back pickup in most fantasy leagues.

He has substantial talent and plenty more around him, but I worry that Jameis Winston is simply too much of a buffoon to be anything more than the next Jay Cutler. His fumble-turned-touchdown to Dean Lowry was reminiscent of the utterly impossible play at Florida State when he banana peeled himself against Oregon and threw the ball backwards. He did throw the ball adequately enough in this game, but the low quality of the Packers pass defense means we probably shouldn't take much for granted, especially since he couldn't get the ball to Mike Evans or DeSean Jackson in the favorable matchup.

Atlanta vs. Minnesota

Jerick McKinnon got the touchdown, but I thought this was the best Latavius Murray has played this year. Rather than sort of stumbling around missed tacklers, perhaps from the changeup effect contrast to McKinnon's greater burst and speed, Murray seemed to actually evade tacklers in this one. He's shown well enough since shaking his ankle injury that he should be able to hold off McKinnon as the lead runner, especially since McKinnon doesn't offer any power.

The pass rush gave Case Keenum some trouble in this one, and the Atlanta corners otherwise seemed to show well against Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Given that Desmond Trufant and Brian Poole were both out, I'm not sure how the latter thing happened.

Of course, the Vikings defense was even better. They've been great all year, and they were particularly tough in this one. Trae Waynes has been good enough at corner that there's no easy target to pick on when Xavier Rhodes has the No. 1 receiver covered, and the formidable pass rush otherwise escalates the danger in throwing the ball. Julio Jones' letdown is the first one of the year that I would attribute to the defense rather than the playcalling.

Chargers vs. Cleveland

It's so good that Josh Gordon is back. He looked great, especially relative to any reasonable expectations. DeShone Kizer really isn't looking bad these days, so with Gordon, Corey Coleman, and David Njoku all showing major upside, this passing attack just might finish strong this year. Especially against Green Bay's underwhelming secondary this week. The Cleveland pass catchers are simply loaded with talent right now.

Keenan Allen continues to play red-hot, and he nearly had a second touchdown in this game when he couldn't quite catch a target in the end zone in the second quarter. It doesn't seem like there's any reason he would slow down, just as there's seemingly no reason to think Tyrell Williams or Travis Benjamin will ever show up. Philip Rivers is only accurate on shorter routes, making Allen and Hunter Henry the only reliable pieces of the passing game.

Melvin Gordon continues to hold on to his starting role despite not showing much in it. Austin Ekeler appears the more effective player, as has been the case for at least a month or so.

Arizona vs. Rams

He didn't catch it against Patrick Peterson, so Sammy Watkins' day wasn't quite as impressive as it could have been in that case, but it was still reassuring to see him find the end zone in a day with such a problematic matchup. With Robert Woods (shoulder) likely out another week, Watkins should have an easier task against a still-formidable Eagles pass defense in Week 14. Cooper Kupp remains Jared Goff's crutch, however, and Sunday marked one of his better showings of the year. The six targets were a lower volume than I expected, but he secured five of them for 68 yards. It's amazing to watch Sean McVay try week after week to get something out of Tavon Austin, but he just can't. If not McVay, who could possibly turn Austin into a useful player? It's disappointing that Josh Reynolds couldn't produce in this setting while Watkins dealt with Peterson.

Blaine Gabbert could only stay afloat for so long. His first interception of this game was one of the worst you'll ever see, as he attempted to throw deep to a triple-covered J.J. Nelson but underthrew the ball so badly it would have missed Nelson by about 20 yards if he hadn't cut off his route to come back to it. Gabbert's production was necessarily tied to the unsustainable per-target production of Ricky Seals-Jones, who remained a factor in this one but proved incapable of saving Gabbert from his true nature. Larry Fitzgerald was of course great, and he's worked so well with Gabbert that it's hard to consider the quarterback much of a threat to Fitzgerald's production going forward.

Kerwynn Williams showed some promise in this one, but the Rams run defense has been so bad this year that there might not be any significance to it.

Oakland vs. Giants

Ah, so Geno Smithisn't good. Moving on...

It was good to see Evan Engram bounce back after struggling with drops and general dysfunction the prior two games. He and Sterling Shepard should both finish strong for however many games Eli Manning remains starter. The Orleans Darkwa/Wayne Gallman split remains in the former's favor, but he didn't do well enough in this game to definitively ward off the threat Gallman might pose. Both are sub replacement-level talents, so not much can be taken for granted there.

Marshawn Lynch was capable of a game like this all year, but this is the first time he had the volume and the matchup at the same time. He showed more speed than even I expected on his long first quarter touchdown run, though, only slightly gained on by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie over the course of the play. The Chiefs defense is looking like a pushover at the moment, so Lynch could make it three strong weeks in a row in Week 14.

Cordarrelle Patterson is a fun player – it's too bad he's a running back in a wide receiver frame. Amari Cooper (concussion/ankle) might miss more than one game, so Patterson could stay relevant even with the return of Michael Crabtree from suspension.

Seattle vs. Philadelphia

Mike Davis may have been the most interesting development in this game, as the former South Carolina star seemed to grab the lead running back role by the horns and put up a strong showing against a Philadelphia run defense that's easily been the most stingy in the league against opposing running backs. Davis' average of 4.0 yards per carry against the Eagles is worth at least 5.5 yards per carry against most defenses. Davis has a history of durability troubles, but he otherwise has useful traits for a running back. He runs with a low center of gravity and has quick feet, which is ideal for dicing through a defense between the tackles. He's also a good pass catcher.

While Tyler Lockett found the end zone in this one, he generally seemed to lose even more ground to Paul Richardson in the Seattle wideout rotation. I suspect that Lockett lost some of his athleticism with his compound fracture, because he was a much better player than Richardson before the injury. Perhaps he just needs more time. Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham are locked in as the top targets of course, and the latter seems like a good bet for a touchdown every game the rest of the way.

The Seattle pass rush showed up the Philadelphia offensive line a little bit, throwing a wrench into Carson Wentz's plans. The Eagles offensive line has generally held up well against pass rushes this year, earning a slightly above average pass-blocking grade from Football Outsiders, but Seattle showed its weak spots. Since he's a star, Wentz was able to scrape together a useful fantasy outing despite the broader struggles, largely thanks to the increasingly impressive Nelson Agholor. Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz have clearly earned their distinctions as the top two pass catchers in this offense, but Agholor's unique explosiveness merits further accommodation, however it must be done.

The Eagles are so spectacularly coached and managed on the field, but their asset management in the front office is a bit puzzling. Trading a fourth-round pick for Jay Ajayi just to give him around eight touches per game is objectively wasteful, so it's bizarre that they don't turn to Ajayi more, especially since his burst stands out from LeGarrette Blount, good as Blount might have been to this point.