• Jerry Jeudy dominates in his revenge recreation: Jeudy tallied greater than 200 receiving yards for the Cleveland Browns, which he by no means did in his 57-game profession with the Denver Broncos.
• Backup operating backs lead the backfield: Jerome Ford and Jaleel McLaughlin led their respective groups in dashing yards — slightly than Nick Chubb and Javonte Williams.
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Estimated Studying Time: 6 minutes
PFF’s fantasy soccer recap focuses on participant utilization and stats, breaking down all of the very important info you want to obtain fantasy success in 2024.
Cleveland Browns @ Denver Broncos
Broncos proceed the hot-hand method at operating again: Jaleel McLaughlin ended the sport as Denver’s major operating again.
Over the primary 9 weeks of the season, the Broncos largely caught with Javonte Williams as their major again, and he took 102 carries in comparison with 53 for Jaleel McLaughlin. Williams acquired double-digit carries in six video games throughout the nine-week stretch, whereas McLaughlin reached 10 carries solely as soon as.
In Week 10, the Broncos began with Williams and McLaughlin. Rookie Audric Estime acquired his first snap late within the first quarter and performed nicely, so he ended up with 14 carries. He was the favored waiver-wire add of the week, however Denver turned proper again to McLaughlin because the starter in Week 11, and Williams acquired the recent hand. Williams ended the sport with essentially the most dashing yards and makes an attempt.
In Week 12, Williams had essentially the most carries, nevertheless it was McLaughlin who performed nicely, so McLaughlin led the workforce in carries within the second half. Williams began once more this week, however McLaughlin was once more operating nicely, so he took over for a lot of the second half.
It’s finest to go away the Broncos’ operating backs on the waiver wire in most leagues. Denver has its bye subsequent week after which will probably rotate between Williams and McLaughlin in Week 15, and whoever is taking part in higher will see extra second-half snaps. Estime even had two robust carries however wasn’t given many different alternatives regardless of the recent begin. There’s a probability he may catch hearth in one other recreation as he did in Week 10. It’s unpredictable who will lead the workforce in carries heading into any recreation, so it might be extremely dangerous to begin any of the Broncos’ operating backs in a redraft league.
Marvin Mims Jr. has his finest recreation of the season: Mims has been far more concerned within the Broncos’ offense over the previous few weeks.
Mims, typically on the backside of Denver’s large receiver depth chart this season, began to see no less than 10 routes run per recreation in Week 5. At that time, the Broncos had usually settled right into a rotation with Courtland Sutton and Lil’Jordan Humphrey in run conditions, and Sutton, Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin in passing conditions. Mims would are available in to vary the tempo.
His influence was minimal from Weeks 5-10, with lower than 20 receiving yards in every recreation and only one first down. In Weeks 11 and 12, his routes didn’t improve, however he made essentially the most of his targets. He caught 5 passes for 93 yards and a landing, with 4 of these passes going for first downs. On this recreation, he caught a 93-yard landing, together with two brief passes, and completed with 105 yards.
Sadly, even when Mims sees a bit bit extra taking part in time, it probably gained’t be sufficient to begin him. Devaughn Vele appeared like a large receiver on the rise, however he stays on this heavy rotation and had one reception on a quiet night time.
Jerome Ford leads the Browns in carries: Nick Chubb was restricted to 9 carries for 21 yards.
Since Chubb’s return from a knee harm suffered in 2023, the Browns have used a two-man rotation with him on early downs, Ford on passing downs and Ford as the first backup on early downs. Typically, if the Browns are profitable, that results in extra taking part in time for Chubb. And if they’re shedding, then they play Ford extra.
That largely explains the distinction in taking part in time for the 2 backs on this recreation. Nevertheless, it’s additionally value noting that Chubb has been largely ineffective as a runner this season. He got here into the week averaging 3.0 yards per carry this season, and this recreation will carry down his dashing common. On a drive in the course of the second quarter with the Browns profitable, Ford took all three snaps as a result of he had made a number of good runs.
Whereas the Browns are unlikely to bench Chubb altogether, there’s a probability Ford will sneak in additional carries and snaps in future weeks.
Browns alter with out Cedric Tillman: The Browns’ X receiver was inactive this week as a consequence of a concussion.
Tillman has been probably the greatest surprises within the league this season. In his first three video games as a starter after the Amari Cooper commerce, he caught 21 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns. He had a quiet Week 11 after which suffered a concussion in Week 12.
Final week, fifth-round rookie Jamari Thrash took over in Tillman’s absence. Thrash had been inactive or didn’t play on offense over the primary third of the season, having tallied simply 38 snaps earlier than this recreation. The Browns had Jaelon Darden and James Proche II as different potential replacements.
Cleveland additionally elevated Mike Woods from the observe squad for the primary time this season. The 2022 sixth-round choose performed 154 snaps in his rookie season, however a ruptured Achilles value him the 2023 marketing campaign. He surpassed Thrash and Darden to be the X receiver on this recreation, catching two passes for 29 yards.
Whereas Woods took Tillman’s snaps, his absence largely meant extra targets for Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore and David Njoku. All three noticed double-digit targets and recorded 19-plus PPR factors. If Tillman misses one other recreation, count on extra robust performances from these three gamers.
Miscellaneous Notes
• Broncos large receiver Josh Reynolds, who had been on injured reserve, was a full participant in observe all week however was listed as questionable. The Broncos opted to not activate him for this contest. Denver might want to add him to the 53-man roster by Wednesday for him to play this season.
• Broncos fullback Michael Burton scored his second profession landing. He was injured on a kickoff however was capable of return to the sport.
• The Browns elevated large receiver Kadarius Toney from the observe squad for the second time this season. He acquired a number of snaps early within the recreation, together with a carry, however didn’t play a lot after the scripted first 15 performs.
• The Browns positioned backup tight finish Geoff Swaim on injured reserve with a concussion. Blake Whiteheart has taken Swaim’s roster spot because the third tight finish.
• The Browns launched backup quarterback Bailey Zappe earlier at present to make room for gamers at different positions.
Desk Notes
• Snaps embody performs known as again as a consequence of penalties, together with offensive holding or defensive cross interference. The opposite three stats have these performs eliminated.
• Targets could differ from official NFL sources. The probably discrepancy could be from a transparent thrown-away cross, the place the NFL could give the goal to the closest receiver whereas this knowledge won’t.
• Carries are solely on designed performs. Quarterback scrambles gained’t rely for the overall variety of carries within the recreation.
