Steichen: Still no timetable for Pierce’s return

Nabers was clearly not a point of emphasis in a game expected to carry significant weather impacts. Despite the weather subsiding in the second half, McCarthy remained fixed on Isaiah Likely, feeding the veteran tight end 11 targets. The matchup also played a role in the game plan, with the Commanders missing numerous key linebackers while blitzing at an above average rate. Nabers is in a good spot to bounce back against the Jaguars in Week 11, where he’ll return to WR1 status in fantasy circles.

The New York wide receivers were clearly limited by a game plan to feature tight end Isaiah Likely, with the starting trio of Malik Nabers, Fields, and Darnell Mooney combining for just 10 receptions, one more than the nine of Likely. Even so, Fields continued to demonstrate a strong connection with quarterback J.J. McCarthy as the rookie finished second on the team in receiving despite seeing only four targets. The highlight of the game came in the second half when McCarthy threaded a ball over one defender and underneath two more down the left sideline for a 25-yard gain to Fields. Although his weekly volume likely won’t be vast enough to return consistent fantasy production without an injury to Nabers or Likely, Fields continues to show the growth dynasty managers were hoping for.

Likely as clearly the going-in game plan in a game expected to be heavily influenced by weather. The rain cleared in the first half but Likely remained the featured option through the air, likely influenced by heavy blitz rates and unrelenting pressure from the Washington defense. The 11-target game was the fifth time this season that the veteran tight end hit double-digit targets but the first time doing so with J.J. McCarthy under center. Likely remains a surefire TE1 ahead of a difficult matchup against the Jaguars in Week 11.

Skattebo immediately returned to a workhorse role following the shortcomings of Devin Singletary in Week 10, the latter of whom saw but one opportunity to the 22 of Skattebo. The Skatt-man bookended halftime with a score from one yard out on the team’s final possession of the first half and a score from 13 yards out on the team’s first possession of the second half, earning two backflips in the process. The second-year back also escaped down the sideline for a 34-yard reception in the first quarter to pad his counting stats. Despite the resurgence in workload, Skattebo will be a borderline FLEX option in a difficult matchup against the pass-funnel Jaguars in Week 11.

McCarthy appeared to be in complete control throughout before a game-sealing interception with under a minute to play in a three-point game. He demonstrated plus pocket presence and made numerous dime-worthy throws, the most impressive of which was a 25-yard dart to rookie Malachi Fields that was put in the only place where Fields could come down with the ball, over one defender and underneath two more down the left sideline. McCarthy leaned heavily on Isaiah Likely, feeding the veteran tight end 11 targets in what appeared to be a matchup-based game plan in the face of an aggressive pass rush. The Giants fall to 5-3-1 with the loss and pass the first tie-breaker to the Commanders after the two teams’ tie earlier this season. The Giants get a difficult matchup against arguably the most well-rounded roster in the AFC when they host the Jaguars in Week 11, where McCarthy falls to a mid-range QB2 in fantasy circles.

Burks fought through clear discomfort after coming into the game listed questionable following a Wednesday downgrade on the practice report, catching two early passes for 27 yards before succumbing to the inside-funnel nature of the New York defense. Quarterback Jayden Daniels directed 22 of his 33 pass attempts to the trio of Stefon Diggs, Chig Okonkwo, and Ben Sinnott over the middle of the field. Burks’ situation is unlikely to improve in Week 11 with lockdown perimeter corner DJ Turner on deck.

Sinnott entered the game with just one reception this season while playing as the primary blocking tight end alongside Chig Okonkwo. Okonkwo departed in the second quarter with a back injury and returned to start the second half, with the time off the field paving the way for Sinnott to triple his year-to-date reception total and score his first touchdown of the season. He would add one reception in the second half to push his total to four. The touchdown reception also came with a bit of intrigue as the pass appeared to be targeting Stefon Diggs in the end zone. Sinnott was on a crossing route at the goal line and happened to cross paths at the perfect time. He will not be fantasy viable for as long as Okonkwo remains healthy.

Williams cashed in on his first target of the game for a 31-yard score in the third quarter, adding one additional grab for 11 yards in the final frame. The electric rookie continues to play starters snaps and challenge for the team lead in route rate but had yet to get completely on the same page with quarterback Jayden Daniels, the latter of whom leaned heavily on Stefon Diggs and tight end Chig Okonkwo in this one. The talent is undeniable for Williams, but fantasy managers would love to see a bump in targets before feeling comfortable entering him into starting lineups. Williams’ next chance to return a usable fantasy outing comes in Week 11 against the inside-funnel Bengals, where he should avoid the primary coverage of lockdown corner DJ Turner.

Diggs and the Washington pass offense went as Jayden Daniels went, with the dual threat quarterback mixing perfectly thrown passes with completely errant ones, two of which were directed toward Diggs. A third incompletion bounced off Diggs’ helmet as the veteran receiver should have drawn a defensive pass interference penalty, with the ball eventually ruled an incompletion upon further review after Treylon Burks appeared to come down with what would have been one of the wilder receptions of the season. Daniels’ best pass of the game came on the game-winning touchdown to Diggs in the flat on a crosser, threaded between two defenders. Diggs made a third miss as he took it into the end zone from 32 yards out to send the team to a 3-5-1 record, now two games behind the Giants with the first tie-breaker in hand. He will remain a volatile WR3 on capped routes against the Bengals in Week 11.

The veteran in-season addition’s 13 opportunities matched that of starter Rachaad White, the latter of whom played the team’s first two drives before splitting the workload the rest of the way. Ekeler also split red zone work, although it was White that nearly missed a touchdown on a seven-yard run that was tackled at the one in the second quarter. Either way, the near-even split between the two caps the fantasy upside of both backs in the absence of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, with neither on the fantasy radar ahead of a Week 11 meeting with the Bengals.