#Jets vs. Broncos fantasy recap: Melvin Gordon, Jamison Crowder

The Jets and Broncos entered this matchup with a combined 0-6 record and had all the makings of a low-scoring affair.

Both teams had been ravaged by injuries and the Vegas point total for this game was 41. It ended in a 65-point shootout, with the Broncos picking up their first win of the season. Well-known players such as Melvin Gordon, Jerry Jeudy and Jamison Crowder all contributed, but there were also a number of surprising performances from lesser-known receivers like Jeff Smith and Tim Patrick.

Third-string Denver quarterback Brett Rypien threw three interceptions and still bested the undisciplined Jets and Sam Darnold, who had a scary moment early in the game and was briefly relieved by backup Joe Flacco. The game ended 37-28, as the Jets fall to an abysmal 0-4 record this season.

Here are five things you need to know for fantasy football:

1. Melvin Gordon III dominates Denver backfield, scores twice

Gordon bounced back big time after being shut down by the Buccaneers in Week 4. He was featured heavily in Thursday night’s game and saw 23 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two of three passes for 11 yards. Royce Freeman saw just three carries for six yards.

It’s Gordon’s backfield so long as Phillip Lindsay remains sidelined with a foot injury. He is a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside in the right matchups.

2. Jamison Crowder leads Jets in receiving in return from injury

Crowder missed Weeks 2 and 3 after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1. He led the team in receiving yards and targets and caught seven of ten targets for 104 yards. Crowder has now played two games and has broken 100 yards in each, but it’s difficult to trust any player in this offense for week-to-week production. He’s a WR3 with upside moving forward.

Darnold attempted 42 passes and spread the ball around to rookie Jeff Smith, Chris Hogan, and a number of Jets’ pass-catchers. Smith — who was activated off of injured reserver earlier in the day with Breshad Perriman out with an ankle injury — saw nine targets and caught seven passes for 81 yards. He will likely see more playing time in light of the copious Jets injuries.

3. Jerry Jeudy scores first NFL touchdown, eclipsed by Tim Patrick

Jeudy was poised to see more opportunities in this game with Courtland Sutton on IR. He was targeted a season-low four times and caught two passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. The scoring play came on a 48-yard pass from Rypien that was nearly intercepted by cornerback Pierre Desir. The 2020 first-rounder ended up walking into the end zone for his first career touchdown. He has had pedestrian fantasy production thus far and has finished as WR47, 49 and 45 prior to this evening. He remains a week-to-week flex play in spite of a solid Week 4.

It was Patrick — not Jeudy — who led the team in receiving on Thursday night. He caught six of seven passes for 113 yards and scored for the second week in a row. He could be worth an add in deep PPR leagues.

4. Quiet evening for Noah Fant

Entering the game, Fant was the one of the most fantasy-relevant names and was expected to perform regardless of who played quarterback for the Broncos. He ended the night with five catches on six targets for 35 yard and zero touchdowns, leaving in the third quarter with an ankle injury. Though he was carted off the field, ESPN.com reported the injury was considered “minor.” It’s a disappointing night for fantasy, but he remains a borderline TE1 and should continue to see consistent volume.

5. Jets run game stymied

Darnold led the team in rushing, mostly due to a 46-yard TD run on the first drive. Frank Gore saw 13 attempts for 30 yards for an abysmal 2.3 yards per attempt. Next in line is La’Michael Perine, who had five carries for 15 yards, and Kalen Ballage, who had zero rushing attempts and two catches for 11 yards. There’s no one you can trust out of this backfield for fantasy until Le’Veon Bell returns, and even he is a risky option.