9.15.22: TNF, Dobbins, Rookies, Swift, Lazard, Dortch

TNF

TNF: Chiefs favored over the Chargers by 4

Details:?PointsBet has set the over/under at 54 points.

PM vs. JH:?Patrick Mahomes has won two of the three head-to-head matchups between him and Justin Herbert.

Last Meeting:?When the two last met (December 2021), the Chargers’ defense had no answer for Mahomes (who threw for 401 yards) and Travis Kelce (who caught 10 passes for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns.) The Chiefs walked away with a 34-28 victory.

The Difference??Derwin James — one of the league’s best safeties — did not play in that matchup and should help to limit Travis Kelce tonight. The Chargers will also have offseason upgrades like Khalil Mack and slot corner Bryce Callahan this time around.

• Mack tallied 3 sacks in his Chargers’ debut last week. While Callahan finished with an interception.

KC Injuries:?Notable injury-related absences for the Chiefs include corner Trent McDuffie and kicker Harrison Butker. Matt Ammendola — Butker’s replacement — made 13-of-19 field goals with the Jets last season.

LAC Injuries:?Star corner J.C. Jackson (ankle), who didn’t play last week, will be a game-time decision. Keenan Allen (hamstring) has already been ruled out.

• Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, DeAndre Carter, and Jalen Guyton will serve as Herbert’s receivers.

Image: William Purnell/Icon Sportswire

Dobbins

JK Dobbins on track for Week 2

Details:?Dobbins got in a?full?practice for the first time in over a year on Wednesday.

• Jamison Hensley (ESPN) tweeted after practice that Dobbins is “trending toward playing” this Sunday against the Dolphins.

Ouch:?At an event earlier this week, Dobbins revealed that in addition to his ACL, he tore his LCL, hamstring, and meniscus last year.

2020:?In his only healthy season (rookie year in 2020), Dobbins totaled 925 scrimmage yards (805 rushing, 120 receiving) and scored 9 touchdowns. He averaged an outstanding 6.0 yards per carry.

Help Needed:?The Ravens rushed for only 63 yards (3.0 ypc) against the Jets last week. Kenyan Drake (31 yards on 11 carries) will start on Sunday if Dobbins doesn’t play.

Favorites:?The Ravens (1-0) are 3-point favorites over the Dolphins (1-0).

Image: Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire

RYP VIP

RunYourPool offers Legit Football readers an exclusive deal

Details:?RunYourPool, which has over 2 million active players, offers every pool game type under the sun — from Pick’Em and Survivor to Fantasy Pool. For the casual fan: it’s easy. For the serious fan: it’s customizable.

RYP VIP:?RunYourPool is introducing a brand new subscription service called RYP VIP — that helps you get an extra edge against the books, plus exclusive access to real money pools.

Perks:?VIPs get entry into a Week 2 pool with a guaranteed $5,000 payout, as well as a season-long pool with a guaranteed $100K payout. VIPs also gain access to exclusive guides and data.

Deal:?Use code:?LEGITVIP?to get 50% off of your first month of RYP VIP.?Sign up here.

Rookies

Travon Walker and other rookie defenders were excellent in Week 1

Walker:?Walker, the No. 1 overall pick, totaled 3 tackles, a sack, and an interception in the Jaguars’ loss to the Commanders. He earned a respectable 66.2 PFF grade (that many feel should be higher).

Stingley:?Texans CB Derek Stingley, the No. 3 overall pick, allowed only two catches on five targets and broke up a Matt Ryan touchdown pass.

• ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime?wrote?that “Stingley's technique and ball skills were sound throughout the day.”

Gardner:?Jets CB Sauce Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick, allowed two catches on four targets. He played every defensive snap and broke up what would have been a long Lamar Jackson touchdown pass.

Surprise:?Interestingly, PFF’s highest-graded defensive rookie was undrafted Dolphins CB Kader Kohou — who broke up a pass and forced a fumble in limited action (just 18 snaps).

• Kohou could see his snap count go up with Byron Jones on the PUP list.

Image: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire

Swift

D’Andre Swift downplays ankle injury

Details:?Swift was held out of practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury.

• After practice, Swift told reporters that he is “not at all” concerned about the issue — which bodes well for his availability against the Commanders on Sunday.

Week 1:?Swift totaled 175 scrimmage yards (144 rushing, 31 receiving) and scored a touchdown on just 18 touches versus the Eagles.

• He was PFF’s?highest-graded?Week 1 running back.

OL Injuries:?Two of the Lions’ top offensive linemen — LT Taylor Decker (knee) and C Frank Ragnow (groin, foot) — did not practice either. Both are considered day-to-day.

Favorites:?The Lions (0-1) are 1.5-point favorites over Washington (1-0). Note that the Jaguars averaged nearly 7.0 yards per carry on the Commanders last week.

Image: Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire

TOGETHER WITH STATHEAD

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Who caught the most touchdowns in 2007?

1. Plaxico Burress
2. Terrell Owens
3. Randy Moss
4. Braylon Edwards

Lazard

Allen Lazard returned to practice

Details:?Lazard practiced — on a?limited?basis — for the first time in two weeks. His participation puts him on track for Sunday’s matchup against the Bears.

• Lazard has been dealing with an ankle injury.

Big Boost:?Lazard’s return should help Aaron Rodgers, who struggled in the Packers’ loss to the Vikings last week.

• Rodgers passed for just 195 yards and failed to throw a touchdown pass.

More Help:?Left tackle David Bakhtiari and right tackle Elgton Jenkins — both of whom did not play last week — participated in individual drills on Wednesday and could debut against Chicago as well. Note that Rodgers was sacked four times versus Minnesota.

Favorites:?The Packers (0-1) are 10-point favorites over the Bears (1-0).

Image: Steven King/Icon Sportswire

Dortch

Cardinals WR Greg Dortch set for another featured role

Details:?With DeAndre Hopkins suspended and Rondale Moore injured, Dortch led the Cardinals in targets (9), catches (7), and receiving yards (63) last week.

• He out-produced Hollywood Brown (4 catches for 43 yards) and A.J. Green (2 catches for 13 yards).

Moore:?Moore continues to?miss?practice with a hamstring injury and looks doubtful for Arizona’s Week 2 matchup against the Raiders — which should keep Dortch in the starting lineup.

Attractive:?Dortch could be an attractive fantasy start versus a battered Raiders’ secondary in a game with shoot-out potential (51.5 over/under).

More Cardinals News...

• J.J. Watt continues to miss practice with a calf injury and his status for Sunday appears to be in serious doubt.
• The Raiders (0-1) are 5.5-point favorites.

Image: Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire

More News

• Broncos?OLB Randy Gregory (shoulder/knee) did not practice
• Saints?QB Jameis Winston (back) was limited in practice
• Buccaneers?WRs Mike Evans (calf) was limited in practice
• Buccaneers?WRs Julio Jones (knee) and Russell Gage (hamstring) did not practice
• Rams?WR Van Jefferson (knee) doubtful for Week 2
• 49ers?TE George Kittle (groin) did not practice
• Broncos?placed S Justin Simmons (quad) on IR
• Bengals?WR Tee Higgins (concussion) was limited in practice
• Colts?WR Alec Pierce is in the concussion protocol

TOGETHER WITH STATHEAD

QUESTION OF THE DAY (Answer)

Answer: Randy Moss

• Randy Moss: 23
• Braylon Edwards: 16
• Terrell Owens: 15
• Plaxico Burress: 12

The Most Powerful Research Tools in Sports

Stathead?offers the most expansive collection of football research tools available to the public. Make?customized?searches through all statistics in NFL/AFL/AAFC/APFA history, including every touchdown since 1920 and every play since 1994.

Used by analytically-minded journalists, front offices, and fans, Stathead is the industry standard for finding and analyzing the statistical history of your favorite sport.

Try it for FREE