Fantasy Football: Thursday Night Film Crew (Rams-49ers)
What. A. Game.
— Jason Moore (@jasonffl) September 22, 2017
Each week we will highlight the Thursday Night Game with our writing staff film crew. In the unlikeliest of sexy matchups, this one delivered people. You’ll want to hang around on this roller coaster of fantasy emotions filled with the Ballers’ tweets. The goal is to get the honest, raw, real-time thoughts as we watch the game together and I stay up way later than an East Coast man should.
Listen to Andy, Mike, and Jason’s thoughts on the Rams-49ers game on today’s podcast coming out later today.
1st Quarter
-Guys, right now Hoyer is on the short list of players that could be out of the league by next year. Cue the “Can You Take Me Hoyer” music.
-I want Jared Goff to be good. Is that weird? He showed the arm strength on his back shoulder throw to Robert Woods. Still, he got bailed out on a great adjustment by Woods.
-Gurley in the red zone on short TD. The Red zone plan for the Rams is simple: give it to Gurley… Get Him the dang ball.
Gurleyyyyyyyy.
— Andy Holloway (@andyholloway) September 22, 2017
-The offense looks good but against a solid run defense and a shutdown corner on Sammy Watkins, I’m not sold on the long-term prospects of an “explosive” offense. The offensive line is definitely improved from last year. -Nate Hamilton (@DomiNateFF)
– Todd Gurley was gifted a 3-yard touchdown opportunity 12 seconds into the 1st quarter and has looked pretty effective thus far.
–Brian Hoyer might get benched by the end of this game lol. JK…he ran in a TD so he might keep his job for at least a couple more games…Might be a running showdown between Hyde and Gurley. Update: Hyde questionable to return with a possible hip injury. New Update: He’s back in the game. -Brandon Sanders (@brandontsanders)
–Hyde owners have to be sick. He was looking great and Rams are one of the worst against the run. Big missed opportunity the longer he sits. -Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive)
2nd Quarter
-While the fantasy production looks quite different from last year, I don’t see Gurley hitting the hole quite like he did before in his rookie year
-Finally, a Sammy Watkins target and catch with 2:40 left. Finally, they give him some space to make a play. Goff hits him on an in-route with Gurley taking on-coming rusher in pass protection. This is where Gurley has grown since his rookie year when Bennie Cunningham used to spell him. Last year he showcased he can stay in on passing downs and catch the ball (40 times). This year he’s definitely uber involved in the pass and blocking game.
-We’re seeing the 2-minute drill offense by Goff: handoff to Gurley, targeted Cooper Kupp twice, and Robert Woods with big hit… Gurley races outside for the left-hand TD. This is a different rhythm passer than last year
Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
-Gurley’s 1st Half: 53 yards… 3 TDs… He was in the backfield on all 27 snaps.
3rd Quarter
-What a catch by Watkins. Over the shoulder basically “Willie Maysing” it. If Goff continues to target down the field, good things will happen with Watkins. Ask Tyrod Taylor.
Sammy Watkins #NextGenStats:
– 4.8 yards of cushion at snap
– 2.6 average yards of separation on his targets
– Route chart ? pic.twitter.com/ZCY6FiMYnL— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) September 22, 2017
-On 3rd down, Goff went through his reads (something he usually doesn’t do) and scrambled right and threw towards Watkins for pass interference. Smart play Goff… Gurley stuffed twice at the goal line. This is what we saw last year.
–Carlos Hyde runs low to the ground. He’s what a downhill RB should look like. If Hyde was in NE or PIT we’d be talking about him as a top 5 RB. This summer I wrote his What’s On Tape which gave me courage after doubting him in years past. The 49ers are daring to run right at Aaron Donald 3 tries in a row. On 4th tote by Hyde, they make it in the end zone. I like the bold calls by Shanahan.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
-Sean McVay finally decides they decide to do something somewhat creative with a quick in-breaking slant with Watkins for the TD. Just bad coverage by 49ers giving way too much space for the top receiving option for the Rams.
4th Quarter
-The fake Jet Sweep with Tavon Austin seems like its actually getting some respect this year now that Gurley is cooking. With Andrew Whitworth kicking out for a lead block, Gurley is sprung for a 30 yard Gurley run. Whitworth has been a great FA pickup. More valuable than I thought. Also, Gurley is an all-purpose machine….
Victory lap time! Gurleyyyyyy delivering for those who believedddd.
— Andy Holloway (@andyholloway) September 22, 2017
-Goff is now 11 for 11 in the red zone to start the season. That unbelievably efficient and won’t hold up.
-Watkins left open in zone coverage for out-stretching TD. Unfortunately, he was started in only 23% of ESPN leagues so there are some points left on the bench (including my main home league)
-Garcon catches a bomb to at least make this game interesting.
Staying up late watching this game be like… pic.twitter.com/09DLgodDke
— Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg) September 22, 2017
-A kickoff fumble by Pharoah Cooper and Tavon Austin’s muffed punt have me actually staying up late to see what happens. Austin and Watkins are being evaluated for concussion-like symptoms.
-Hyde bangs in another short TD. I’m telling you this guy is money.
-A successful onside kick! I’m telling you guys Thursday Night Football has catapulted us into a new stratosphere.
-Gurley deservingly caps the night off with a 20-yard run and goes over 100 yards on the night.
-80 points and over 800 yards of offense between these two teams. Wow.
Highest scoring game in #TNF history (80 pts) @NFLResearch
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I repeat: the @NFL Zigs when u expect it to Zag.— Scott Hanson (@ScottHanson) September 22, 2017