NFL

With Kirk Cousins dropping back 62 times, McCloud posted season highs in targets and receptions. Both the No. 3 receiver and No. 3 overall weapon in the Falcons’ passing game — at least for now, Kyle Pitts could be awakening — McCloud has established last-gasp PPR WR4 appeal with Cousins’ attempts predictably increasing as he puts his achilles injury further in the rear-view mirror in his new home.

The vet’s second quarter score was one of just two targets he drew with Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer on the shelf. Shepard was an interesting Week 4 story after he popped up for 3/51, but he’s going to be in a weekly fight to keep his 53-man roster spot, let alone become fantasy relevant.

Otton has now cleared 40 yards in three consecutive games after combining for 1/5/0 across Weeks 1 and 2. 3/44 doesn’t look impressive, but it came in a contest where Baker Mayfield attempted only 24 passes. Otton has done enough to establish weekly TE2 value considering the sorry state of his position. The Saints await for Week 6.

White churned up 56 yards when he was sprung free on a counter then broke a tackle. Rather amazingly, this evening was actually the first time White out-rushed Bucky Irving all season. Irving also lost a fumble and got stood up on the goal line. Of course, White failed to convert a goal-line target of his own. White is still out-snapping Irving because of his advantage on third downs, but it’s abundantly clear this has become a committee.

For the second week in a row, Allgeier seemed to be turning the Falcons’ backfield into a committee, though Bijan Robinson did out-touch him 15-9. He also soundly out-gained him, 77-25. Allgeier was nevertheless featuring on third downs and seemed glued to the field late in the fourth quarter and overtime. Pro Football Focus did chart Robinson with an overall snap advantage of 58-31. Allgeier is good, but we still haven’t seen any reason to believe Robinson isn’t better. Allgeier’s “fantasy value” continues to come more in the form of what he is costing Robinson than gaining for himself.

How consistent has Godwin’s start been? This evening’s five receptions were actually his fewest of the season. He still reached 60 yards for the fourth time in five games, with the exception being 53 yards in Week 3. Godwin did lose a fumble, but Mike Evans recovered. Baker Mayfield’s overall efficiency is leading to some low attempts totals, but Godwin and Evans dominate target share to the degree that they remain safe WR2s. That includes for next Sunday’s grudge match in New Orleans. With Evans likely to battle nemesis Marshon Lattimore, expect plenty of Godwin looks.

Irving also lost a bad, critical late fumble that helped lead to overtime. He was victimized by a dreaded Jessie Bates “Peanut punch.” Tonight was actually the first time all season Irving got out-rushed by Rachaad White, who turned his 10 carries into 72 yards. This remains an even rushing timeshare, but White continues to win the snap battle. Hopefully Irving’s fumble didn’t endanger his future totes. We doubt it. The Bucs need his between-the-tackles prowess too much. He has 10 days to ruminate and get ready for Week 6 in New Orleans.

The three-score effort was Mayfield’s first since Week 1. He also added six carries for 42 yards, looking shockingly lively with his legs. Mayfield deserved a better fate, but the Bucs’ defense fell apart late and Mayfield himself missed a few throws that could have ended the game, most notably a wide-open Mike Evans for what would have been the duo’s third score. Mayfield never saw the streaking wideout. The QB still wasn’t the reason the Bucs lost, looking decisive as he operated an increasingly uptempo attack. There was a scary third quarter moment where Mayfield got his leg twisted up on a red zone third down, but he was good to go after some sideline reflection. The Saints await as a Week 6 road matchup. Mayfield has bulled his way into the QB10-15 mix.

Evans’ fourth and fifth scores of the season give him 100 for his career. 99 receiving and, amusingly, one on a fumble recovery. Evans, coincidentally, also recovered a Chris Godwin fumble this evening. He was schemed wide open on both his scores, a two-yarder in the first quarter and 23-yarder in the second. He got free for a potential third strike with the Bucs milking clock in the fourth quarter, but Baker Mayfield didn’t see him. Looking as Mike Evans-y as ever, he gets arch-nemesis Marshon Lattimore’s Saints in Week 6.

Robinson out-touched Tyler Allgeier 15-9 but very much remained in a committee, mostly standing around on the sideline as Allgeier gobbled up important third-down and end-of-game snaps. Or at least it felt that way. Pro Football Focus still charted Robinson as out-snapping Allgeier 58-31. He was also finally more efficient, turning his 15 handles into 77 yards compared to 25 on nine for Allgeier. Battling a hamstring injury coming into the proceedings, Robinson now has 10 days to rest up for Week 6 against the Panthers. We’ll keep him in the low-end RB1 mix for that one.