A look back at some of the games from Week 5, with the benefit of film analysis:
Seahawks O vs. Giants D
The Giants’ defense appeared to take the Seahawks lightly, seeming unprepared for Seattle’s up-tempo, quick-striking passing attack. Seattle dictated tempo most of the game. Early on, the Seahawks liked the Ben Obomanu-Aaron Ross matchup, and for good reason. Seattle stayed in three-receiver sets almost the entire game. That allowed them to do two things: use sturdy slot wideout Doug Baldwin in the voids down the seams (behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties, where the Giants’ coverage often broke down) and run Marshawn Lynch inside against nickel linebacker Jacquian Williams, who isn’t very good in traffic. That’s two weeks in a row that the Giants’ run defense has struggled. The Giants were able to get solid pass-rushing pressure on Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst, but both quarterbacks avoided mistakes.
Giants O vs. Seahawks D
Both units played well and executed their plan. The difference was that the big plays and opportunistic breaks tilted in Seattle’s favor. Chris Clemons’s two sacks were critical. So was Earl Thomas’s interception in the first half (that’s exactly how safety help is meant to be played in two-man coverage; a poor job by Eli Manning in hanging the ball up like that). Obviously, no turnover was bigger than the pick-six to Brandon Browner, who played fairly well after struggling early in the season. Victor Cruz slipped on the play and tried to make what would have been his third spectacular sticky-handed catch of the game (he had a career-best eight receptions). Not too much to worry about with this Giants unit over all. The issues pertained to execution, which are correctable.
Raiders O vs. Texans D
The Texans out-schemed and out-executed the Raiders in all facets. If they’d been able to force just one more sack or, certainly, one more turnover, they would have won. Credit Jason Campbell for not making any fatal mistakes. Campbell was inaccurate downfield and predictably flustered with defenders in his face, but he consistently went to the right spots and protected possession. Most of his throws targeted Jason Allen, Houston’s No. 2 corner, who was attacked deep early and played with a fat cushion the rest of the game. The Texans’ front seven was aggressive and fast, particularly with stunts and inside blitzes that frazzled the Raiders’ pass protection, especially in the first several possessions. Inside linebacker Brian Cushing was especially dominant in all phases. He’s a high-velocity, high-ferocity force. Early indications are that the Texans can survive the loss of Mario Williams. Outside linebackers Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed were dynamic against the run and pass.
Texans O vs. Raiders D
This game was very similar to the Raiders’ game against the Jets a few weeks ago. The Texans came out with the same approach as the Jets: extend plays through rollouts and play-action and hope that the Raiders secondary can’t maintain its man coverage that long. Matt Schaub did extremely well at moving to prolong the play, passing for about 200 yards in the first half. However, it was not sustainable. Without Andre Johnson, the Texans’ aerial attack was restricted mainly to screens for Arian Foster and tight end crossing routes. This solid but limited approach allowed the Raiders to play with aggression. If not for two blown coverage assignments by middle linebacker Rolando McClain, Houston would have probably scored only 10-13 points. Solid as the Raiders were in coverage, the story of the game was their defensive line against the run. The Texans simply could not block Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour inside.
Bengals O vs. Jaguars D
Andy Dalton made just enough big throws to take advantage of a Jaguars defense that remains content to play vanilla zone coverages. The Bengals’ most important downfield plays (like A.J. Green’s 37-yard touchdown on the opening possession) were a product of good route design. For the most part, the Jags’ secondary played well, but no zone scheme can hold up without a consistent edge-rushing presence (which Jacksonville lacked). Jacksonville effectively stifled Cincinnati’s ground game. Linebacker Daryl Smith showed good recognition as a playside defender, and for four quarters defensive end Jeremy Mincey dominated the Pro Bowl left tackle Andrew Whitworth with power and leverage. One final note (and it’s always tough to single out one particular player like this): Bengals left guard Nate Livings was awful in all categories.
Jaguars O vs. Bengals D
This contest was just another illustration of Jacksonville’s limitations at wide receiver. The Bengals were confident that they could handle the Jaguar receivers, and aside from a zone coverage blunder or two at safety, they were right. Blaine Gabbert was poised in the pocket, but only by rookie standards (he had no turnovers or senseless sacks). Gabbert made a few big-time throws, but there were also cases where he was slow in decision-making. Cincinnati’s front seven executed a straightforward approach that kept Jacksonville’s run game in check and prevented most underneath passes from turning into big plays. Virtually any successful run play or underneath throw for the Jags was a product not of the play design, but of the ball-carrier making something happen. Solid as this performance was, the Bengal D is not as good as its No. 1 ranking suggests. A lack of an outside pass rush will leave the Bengals vulnerable when they finally do face a potent offense.
Bucs O vs. 49ers D
This game was exactly what the lopsided score suggested. The 49ers were swarming and astute, and the Bucs were not sharp. The Niners got a solid performance out of their entire front seven. In coverage, the back seven did an excellent job helping one another out. Josh Freeman got decent protection but did not read the field with clarity, and his receivers were all very ordinary in executing their routes. Looking at the 49ers, if cornerbacks Carlos Rogers, Tarrell Brown and Chris Culliver (a rookie who was superb in nickel assignments) play this well the rest of the season, this defense alone is good enough to make a little noise in the postseason. With the rookie Aldon Smith outside and rising inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman next to the near-flawless Patrick Willis, the Niners might have the most athletic linebacking unit in all of football.
49ers O vs. Bucs D
San Francisco seemed more prepared. Alex Smith made great decisions and a few uncharacteristically strong-armed throws. He appeared to have no trouble whatsoever diagnosing the coverage. Early in the first half, the coverage was often zone. Later in the first half, it was man. The Niners had the perfect play calls for every situation. On the ground, Frank Gore was effective in setting up his blocks. The Bucs’ linebacking unit looked limited, with the backup Dekoda Watson filling in for the injured Quincy Black and with Geno Hayes not showing great anticipation. This should be a toss-out-the-film-and-move-on deal for both clubs.
Chargers O vs. Broncos D
San Diego controlled the line of scrimmage the first three quarters and got a few big plays from Philip Rivers and Malcom Floyd. Those plays were pure guts and savvy on Rivers’s part (reading the defense, hanging in the pocket under pressure and throwing deep) and wonderful athleticism and savvy on Floyd’s. The story was Ryan Mathews, who had a career day rushing thanks in part to outstanding blocking. Left guard Kris Dielman might be the best all-around interior run-blocker in the game, while right tackle Jeremy Clary was fantastic as a playside drive-blocker. Mathews played with good vision and smooth lateral agility. For Denver, no one stood out with consistently big plays, and several young defensive backs, as well as the rookie linebacker Von Miller, made costly mental errors in coverage.
Broncos O vs. Chargers D
The Broncos’ problem was not Kyle Orton – it was their wide receivers. No one could get open against what’s proving to be a very solid San Diego secondary. Orton certainly had a poor game – he seemed to lose confidence and optimism by the end of the first half. With the play designs not working, Denver was better off going with the superior athlete at quarterback. That would be Tim Tebow. Orton is a rhythm quarterback, while Tebow has the physical ability to ad-lib and extend the play. That ad-libbing was needed in this game and it helped the Broncos in the fourth quarter. Whether the ensuing quarterback controversy is worth the change is a separate issue. It’s a safe bet that Tebow’s improvisation (or just about any quarterback’s) is not a sustainable formula for success. More encouraging for Denver than Tebow’s performance is the fact that the offensive line, especially center J.D. Walton, was outstanding on the ground, and that Willis McGahee showed a bounce in his step.
Andy Benoit is an NFL analyst for CBSSports.com and founder of NFLTouchdown.com. He can be reached at andy.benoit-at-NFLTouchdown.com or @Andy_Benoit.
