This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
Usually I bury the lede, but I won't here. Christian McCaffrey leaving with a hamstring injury that requires an MRI is seismic. I don't have any McCaffrey, and I do have some Chuba Hubbard, but this is massive, and it's even worse that he got hurt early in the game and probably cost his owners the matchup, to boot. A kick in the nuts on the way out the window.
- Sam Darnold is more or less the same guy he was with the Jets. It pains me to say this because as a Jets hater, there's nothing that would give me more joy than to see Darnold pan out huge for another team, especially if Zach Wilson continues to struggle. But Darnold, who moves well, has a strong arm and can make any throw, also showed poor pocket awareness, laxness with the ball and too much unsteadiness. The talent is obvious, he's still only 24, he'll put up decent fantasy numbers in an improved environment, but I'd be surprised if he's ever a top-10 NFL QB. The two rushing TDs were nice for your superflex league, though.
- Darnold only has eyes for DJ Moore (12-8-126-0) apparently. I had drafted Robby Anderson (2-1-8-0), who caught 95 passes with Teddy Bridgewater last year, in a couple places as a "safe" option, given his history with Darnold, but Darnold barely looked his way, and Anderson dropped a short pass too. Terrace Marshall (5-4-48) made some plays in the second half and looked smooth doing so.
- Hubbard (11-52-0, 5-3-27-0) struggled early, but looked great in the second half, breaking tackles, fighting for extra yards and catching a few passes. He'll be the expensive waiver wire pickup this week, but he should already have been rostered in most places.
- Davis Mills looked okay under the circumstances -- he was poised in the face of the rush and didn't make too many mistakes. He also never took any shots down the field, either.
- Brandin Cooks (11-9-112-0) should have one of the highest target shares in the league. Anthony Miller (6-4-20-1) might be the distant No. 2.
