2020 Dynasty/Fantasy Week 15 Game Analysis: Browns 20, Giants 6 (Short Report)
I take notes during the live watch. I re-watch the game on tape looking for hidden clues to report on. Here are my notes/takes on what I saw and how it related to FF 2020. I normally write anywhere from 1,000-3,000+ words on each game, and I must move fast to get to all of them through the week…so, please forgive any typos/grammar.
SHORT REPORT is an attempt at ‘just the facts’ report on this Week 15 game with a Week 16/title week focus for conveying what we need to know.
GAME ANALYSIS:
Without James Bradberry, the Giants defense and team started in a hole even before kickoff. The Browns are rolling on offense as Baker Mayfield is starting to turn into a top QB again. Baker was excellent and the Giants just don’t have the offensive firepower to hang with a very good Browns team.
The Giants actually drove down the red zone the first few drives of the game, but they went for fourth downs and couldn’t convert (it was smart strategy but they couldn’t make the plays when they needed it). A bunch of near misses early to stay in the game. The Giants took a 3-0 lead, and then the Browns scored the next 20 points and just put NYG to sleep.
The Giants may be permanently sleeping for the playoffs. Now (5-9) and they have to have a lot of help to get to the division title. If they win out, they do have a real shot. They’ll likely fall short at Baltimore and end it Week 16 – but I think they will cover the -10.0 and might even win that game if Daniel Jones is healthy.
Cleveland is the best team in the AFC North right now…they are (10-4) and a game behind the Steelers. They can still win the division…Week 17 hosting Pittsburgh is going to be quite the event. I think they might just pull this off. I hope they do.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW FOR WEEK 16?
— Considering this was a big game for both teams, but knowing NYG lost its 2020 MVP James Bradberry, it was still going to be a fight for Baker Mayfield (27-32 for 297 yards, 2 TDs/0 INT) to put up numbers against a game NYG defense — but look at those numbers...88% Comp. Pct. with 297 yards and 2 TDs. A very clean game against a really good defense (albeit Bradberry out).
This is another piece of evidence that Baker is coming alive as a top 10-15 NFL QB and rising.
I expect it should keep up Week 16 vs the Jets...only the weather could slow him down, but it should be OK enough for numbers for Baker this week.
Since Week 11, Baker is the #8 PPG scorer among QBs…ahead of Kyler and Herbert, among others.
— Who is Baker throwing to?
Jarvis Landry (7-61-1/8) is really coming on since Week 12. Just look at the turn that has occurred…
3.8 rec., 47.1 yards, 0.0 TDs per game = Landry Weeks 1-11
7.7 rec., 79.5 yards, 0.75 TDs per game PLUS a passing TD = Landry Weeks 12-15
Since Week 12, Landry is the #10 PPR PPG WR in fantasy. Before that he was a nobody WR4.
Rashard Higgins (4-76-0/5) has become a very solid #2 WR for Baker and WR2 threat in good matchups...like Wk16 v. the Jets. His last three games: 5.3 rec., 79.7 yards, 0.67 TDs per game.
— Austin Hooper (5-41-1/6) is showing signs of a re-rising here.
Weeks 1-3, it was tough sledding and people were dropping him.
Weeks 4-6 = 5.0 rec., 47.7 yards, 0.33 TDs per game…and things were starting to turn.
But then he had an emergency appendectomy, and he missed a few weeks and came back slowly. However, he has 2 TDs in his past 3 games and his best targeting since Week 6 here. Facing the Jets Week 16 has to be an opportunity.
— This was not the Wayne Gallman (9-29-0, 0-0-0/3) any of us were hoping for. Alfred Morris (7-39-0/4) nearly had as many carries. As the Giants’ offense sinks with Colt McCoy, the run game is getting pinched. Daniel Jones back (if) might help but he’s limited in his escapability/running threat -- so teams can focus on the RBs instead.
Devonta Freeman returning from IR (maybe) is hovering over Gallman as well.
I don’t like the feel of, or the focus on Gallman by defenses lately. I’m FF-worried about him for Week 16 at BAL.
— This NYG passing game is so bad, so how can you have a ton of faith in ultra-athletic, capable of huge FF games Evan Engram (4-46-0/7) ? I think I have more enthusiasm with Hooper with Baker than Engram with McCoy/Jones.
Engram has ‘hope’ any week. He had an end zone shot or two here but couldn’t connect. That’s the problem…not Engram, it’s the QBs.
ANY 2021 FUTURE THOUGHTS (Dynasty Offseason or Stash Items):
— As Baker rises...and as OBJ has been gone...rookie WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (3-55-0/3) is starting to show signs of something…2.7 rec., 73.7 yards, 0.33 TDs per game the last 3 weeks.
He’s a very solid, talented WR prospect...his draft hopes a bit buried by a weak passing game offense in college. He’s starting to make some noticeable plays with Baker as the season rolls on.
He’s still just #3 option among the Browns WRs. He’s not a #1 WR type future star but a very solid #2-3 option who can block and make tough catches.
DPJ has upside but it may take another season to start scratching that surface. Probably a better NFL WR than FF one, but there’s hope here that he grows with Baker and rises with him.
IDP/DST NOTES:
-- The Giants defense couldn’t hang as well without James Bradberry. He should be back this week, and if so -- he’ll make a massive difference vs. the Ravens. The Ravens offense is not a favorable matchup for the NYG-DST…but it may not be as bad as we think. I believe the NYG defense is one of the five best in football at full strength.
-- You see what the Browns-DST did to the Giants here. Getting Denzel Ward back just makes this defense solid. Facing the Jets this week with Ward getting full health – gotta love them again this week.
SNAP COUNTS OF INTEREST:
23 = Gallman
18 = D Lewis
13 = Morris
38 = Chubb
21 = Hunt
45 = Hooper
31 = Njoku
30 = H Bryant
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