NFL

Slayton has essentially had the same game all three weeks of 2023. The G-Men are unwilling to increase his volume, while Slayton hasn’t forced the issue with enough big plays. With New York’s receiver corps something of an endless, bottomless rotation right now — one that just got back Wan’Dale Robinson — Slayton feels miles from WR5 relevance ahead of Week 4 against the Seahawks.

Pro Football Focus charted Robinson as playing only 11 snaps, but he was targeted on each of his first four routes. That shows a clear commitment to getting him the ball. With Parris Campbell continuing to look like one of the least explosive receivers in football, it is easy to see why the Giants tried to force the issue with his backup. Robinson might not remain Campbell’s slot No. 2 for long, but his stamina and fitness remain a question after his quick recovery from last November’s torn ACL. There’s not yet a reason to put out the PPR call for the Giants’ second-year wideout.

Campbell led the Giants in catches while tying for the team lead in targets, but he continued to provide pathetically little production. The ex-Colt is now averaging 4.3 yards per grab through his first 11 catches as a Giant. That would be horrendous for a running back, to say nothing of a receiver. It’s probably as much about the offensive environment as Campbell’s skills, but Campbell has at no point looked explosive since he finally stayed healthy beginning last season. With Wan’Dale Robinson back from his torn ACL and contributing four catches this evening, Campbell’s PPR volume could quickly dry up.

Matt Breida dominated the Giants’ backfield snaps in Saquon Barkley’s absence, but Brightwell tied him in touches and out-produced him 36-18. Neither back, of course, covered themselves in glory on an awful offensive night for the Giants against a dominant defense. Week 4 opponent Seattle is far more permissive on the ground, but there isn’t a FLEX case to be made for Brightwell in 12-team leagues for that one.

It was the definition of “saved his fantasy night with a touchdown.” Pro Football Focus charted Breida as dominating the Giants’ backfield snaps, but he wasn’t able to cobble together touch volume since the G-Men spent the entire evening playing from behind, frequently by two scores. He also got out-gained 36-18 by Gary Brightwell despite the No. 2 back also handling just six touches. With Saquon Barkley finally admitting before the game he is battling a high-ankle sprain, it is probably going to be these two backs again for Week 4 against the Seahawks, but it could be Brightwell who gets a chance to operate as the 1A the second time around. Breida can’t be trusted as a FLEX even in what should be better game script.

It was by far Kittle’s best effort of the young season, one where his physical dominance was on full display after the catch. Most importantly, he looked 100 percent healthy after being left off this week’s injury report. Kittle’s nine looks were undoubtedly partly a product of Brandon Aiyuk missing the game with a shoulder injury, but it was a needed reminder of his ability to stuff the box score in a way few tight ends can right now. The Cardinals are a plus Week 4 matchup.

It was a night to forget for the Giants’ No. 1 pass catcher, who was being treated more like a traditional wideout than seam stretcher by coach Brian Daboll. It resulted in some unfortunate lowlights, including a fourth quarter pick where Waller let the ball bounce off his hands into the air. In Waller’s defense, it wasn’t a particularly high-upside decision from Daniel Jones. Danny Dimes and Waller also failed earlier in the half to connect on a would-be first down conversion after Waller didn’t properly calibrate a jump. Off to a slow Big Apple start — 12 catches for 132 scoreless yards — Waller at least has 11 days to rest up for a potential Week 4 springboard matchup with the Seahawks.

McCaffrey’s four-yard touchdown in the second quarter made it 12 straight games he has found the end zone as a 49er. Special stuff. McCaffrey was running angry this evening, routinely tacking on extra yardage after first contact. With the 49ers playing on just three days rest, Elijah Mitchell was finally a little more involved, but CMC still made it three straight 2023 appearances that he has cleared 20 touches. In fact, he has yet to notch fewer than 23 handles. He now has 10 days to rest up for Week 4 against the Cardinals.

Playing behind a makeshift offensive line against the 49ers’ ferocious front seven, Jones had his second scoreless outing in three 2023 starts. Jones, as always, was overly conservative, but there just wasn’t much he good do against this defense with the limited number of playmakers at his disposal. Jones and play-caller Brian Daboll tried to force the issue with Darren Waller, but it resulted in an inefficient night for the pass catcher and an interception for Jones. Waller let a fourth quarter target clang off his hands and into the air for the pick. Jones has bookended last week’s strong fantasy effort against the Cardinals with dominations at the hands of Dallas and San Francisco’s elite defenses. The Seahawks should offer a Monday night respite in Week 4.

Limited to 43 yards on nine first half targets, Samuel finally got rolling after the break. The highlight was his 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, where the blitzing Giants left Samuel 1-on-1 with Adoree’ Jackson. He did not lose the hand fight. Tonight was another Samuel YAC masterpiece, with a massive chunk of his yardage coming after first contact. That led to a scary moment in the fourth quarter where several G-Men landed on Samuel’s mid-section after a rugged run and he remained down on the field. He finally staggered to his feet after “only” seeming to have the wind knocked out of him. The defintion of a “rolling ball of butcher knives,” Samuel has re-solidified his WR2 value regardless of Brandon Aiyuk’s health status. Aiyuk should be back from his shoulder injury in Week 4 against the Cardinals.