A closer look at Sunday’s games, with the benefit of film analysis:
Eagles O vs. Redskins D
Philadelphia had a shrewd plan. In the air, the Eagles featured hitch routes that took advantage of the off-coverage techniques that Redskins corners like to play. On the ground, they featured delay off-tackle runs. On those plays, off the snap, the Eagles’ offensive tackles allowed the Redskins outside linebackers to penetrate off the edges. This made the outside linebacker speed actually work against Washington and also masked the limitations of Todd Herremans (playing a little out of position at left tackle) and Winston Justice (first start of the season at right tackle). Brilliant. This concept was also used on screen passes (Brent Celek’s touchdown being most notable). Not every team can use this sort of delay approach; the stop-start nature of it requires a running back with outstanding initial quickness and laterally agility. Few, if any, running backs are better at this than LeSean McCoy. As for other Eagles, Michael Vick ran well, was accurate and had a firm grasp on his straightforward reads. When Herremans wasn’t asked to steer Brian Orakpo outside, he was asked to make blocks at the second level. He did a fantastic job. Celek had a few issues catching the ball cleanly, but, for the first time in a long time, was a focal point in the passing game.
Redskins O vs. Eagles D
Rex Grossman was as bad as the numbers indicate. However, he was playing behind an offensive line that lost both of its left side starters early. When underrated Kory Lichtensteiger went down, Will Montgomery moved to left guard and Erik Cook played center. Both struggled against the energetic, forceful Eagles defensive tackles (Mike Patterson was particularly impactful). Left tackle Sean Locklear, replacing Trent Williams, also had some hiccups. This doesn’t come close to excusing Grossman’s poor performance. He was frenetic in the pocket and simply did not read the safety on several throws (Kurt Coleman’s anticipation and athleticism generated three interceptions). When he wasn’t tossing picks, Grossman was inaccurate under duress and throwing outside the numbers. John Beck led the Skins down the field late, but he had some struggles with arm strength and presnap reads. Finally, Philadelphia’s much-maligned linebacking group played well operating in fewer wide-9 defensive fronts. Jamar Chaney was sharp in run reads and Brian Rolle was heady in zone coverage.
Saints O vs. Bucs D
The Bucs did a 180 from a week ago, seeming to be extremely well prepared. Their front seven played fast and successfully limited Darren Sproles’s runs after catches. Linebacker Geno Hayes was dynamic in the first half. Up front, end Michael Bennett was disruptive against the run, and opposite him, rookie Adrian Clayborn ate left tackle Jermon Bushrod’s lunch (no surprise). Brian Price was solid if not spectacular at nose tackle, plugging early and penetrating late. The Saints were able to move the ball in the second half, primarily because Drew Brees is a magician with incredible pocket awareness. Tight end Jimmy Graham remained the go-to guy, lining up all over the formation. There’s simply no answer for him (he was often defended by Ronde Barber). That said, the Bucs’ secondary played well over all and tipped the scales with a few opportunistic turnovers.
Bucs O vs. Saints D
Josh Freeman rebounded well, coming off the worst performance of his professional career. After unnecessarily fleeing the pocket at San Francisco last week, Freeman commendably stayed home and kept his eyes downfield against an aggressive Saints rush. The Saints never did reach him (credit the poised Bucs O-line). Still, it was not the crispest of passing attacks. Freeman often threw with defenders in his face, which was a problem. Much of Freeman’s arm strength comes from his legs; when he’s not on the move or doesn’t have room to step into his throw, his ball tends to float. This allowed time for the Saints corners to swat passes. Bucs wideout Mike Williams needs to do a better job of attacking the ball when defenders are draped all over him. The difference in the game was Tampa Bay’s ability to generate timely big plays and get running back Earnest Graham, who’s more dynamic than LeGarrette Blount, to the second level.
Rams O vs. Packers D
The Rams executed well enough – they just don’t have the receiving talent to compete with a world champion defense. The Packers had no trouble containing the receivers one-on-one, whether it was press-man or, more often, moving zone concepts. Wideout Danario Alexander has a good frame but must improve his body control and fight harder for positioning versus man coverage. Rookie Greg Salas caught everything thrown to him underneath, but what he’ll be remembered for from this game was showing up Sam Bradford when he didn’t get the ball late in the fourth (blatant immaturity). For the Packers, two things stood out: A.J. Hawk (fantastic quickness and execution on green dog blitzes, and he played with speed and recognition patrolling underneath) and the cornerbacks’ speed and stoutness in run support (Charles Woodson might be the smartest run-defending defensive back in the league).
Packers O vs. Rams D
The Packers evaluated the Rams on film and decided that their defensive back seven could be manipulated with play-action and play fakes. That was the crux of the plan in the first half, and it worked to perfection on Green Bay’s first two touchdowns (an outstanding rollout and long loft from Aaron Rodgers to James Jones on the first one, a pump fake on a double move by Jordy Nelson against Al Harris on the second one). Green Bay’s front five was outstanding in pass protection (particularly Bryan Bulaga, who started at right tackle in his first game back from a Week 3 knee injury) and Rodgers was sensational in the way he bought himself time. One concern from this game for the Packers could be their ground attack. Green Bay’s offensive line was unable to move St. Louis’s defensive line – especially inside. That limited what Green Bay’s running backs could do against a Rams linebacking corps that is not playing with confidence or clarity these days.
Colts O vs. Bengals D
The longer Curtis Painter held the ball, the worse things seemed to be for the Colts. The more complex the situation, the more likely Painter was to make a mistake. It was wise of offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen to compose a gameplan that featured quick slants and underneath seam throws. Those plays had Painter making one read and striking. That said, the Bengals are an aggressive, athletic bunch, so it’s not enough to think you can simply out-execute them. Their defensive line didn’t dominate, but it controlled the trenches. Their cornerbacks kept everything in front of them (save for Morgan Trent’s poor pass interference penalty in the end zone). It still remains to be seen how this defense will respond once it encounters a high-flying passing attack. Cincinnati’s safeties have not been challenged in coverage thus far.
Bengals O vs. Colts D
This was Andy Dalton’s most impressive performance as a young pro. The rookie had a clear picture of Indy’s zone defense and confidently knew where and when his throwing windows would open up. He had great timing with Jerome Simpson (a quick-breaking slant receiver who can pluck the ball) and allowed the sinewy A.J. Green to capitalize on big-play opportunities. Dalton’s accuracy was sharp both in the pocket and on designed rollouts (often off play-action, which sliced the field in half and defined his reads). The Colts’ speedy linebackers and safeties were excellent against the run (Pat Angerer was everywhere) but pass-rushers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis seemed to be non-factors. Credit Bengals offensive tackles Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith for that.
Andy Benoit is an N.F.L. analyst for CBSSports.com and founder of NFLTouchdown.com. He can be reached at andy.benoit@NFLTouchdown.com or @Andy_Benoit.
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