A big gain isn’t always a scoring play, or even a game-winning play. But when C.J. Spiller ended the proceedings Sunday night, Mark Schofield ran to the film room to break it down. Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints were desperately wanting their first win of the season Sunday night when they hosted the…
Last May, Chuck Zodda examined the rule change that pushed extra points from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line, and the data analysis showed a likelihood that kickers would connect at a 92.7% rate. Through four weeks of the season, NFL kickers are on track to make 94.1% of the longer extra points. Will…
The NFL passing game is complex. Mark Schofield shows how quarterback Derek Carr finds Amari Cooper, and why that’s a reason for fans to be excited about the future in Oakland. Next to the back-shoulder throw, the deep comeback route is perhaps the hardest to defend in the NFL. Similar to the back-shoulder throw, a deep comeback route, when executed well,…
The New England Patriots have coasted into their bye week with a spotless record, largely due to their passing attack. However, the team still knows how to run the ball effectively. Brian Filipiak shows us how the effective Patriots wham schemes helped them amass a large amount of yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in just a…
Each week, Mark Schofield watches a lot of tape. This makes him a force to be reckoned with in fantasy football, as he always knows who to sit and who to start. This week he looks at the Washington defense ‒ and how Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton is an IDP superstar. Here is a secret…
Through the first three weeks, the 2015 NFL season has been full of exciting special teams plays. Week 3 included a successful fake punt run by Colts punter Pat McAfee, and a fake attempt by the Jacksonville Jaguars that was diagnosed and attacked perfectly by the New England Patriots. Chuck Zodda breaks down the error…
The Houston Texans and all-world defensive lineman J.J. Watt travel to take on the undefeated Atlanta Falcons in NFL Week 4. Dave Archibald has a two-part preview, focusing on the unstoppable Julio Jones in Part 1 and here, on the matchup between Devonta Freeman against the Texans linebackers. Freeman of the Hour While the back end of the Texans defense is…
The Atlanta Falcons, under new coach Dan Quinn, are off to a fast start but they face a challenge as they welcome the Houston Texans, and all-world defensive lineman J.J. Watt to the Georgia Dome. Dave Archibald has a two-part preview, focusing on the Atlanta running game and here, on the unstoppable Julio Jones. What…
The Philadelphia Eagles escaped an 0-3 start with a win over the New York Jets. Mark Schofield says the difference was the Eagles minor tweaks in the running scheme. The Eagles dropped their first two games of the 2015 season, and their anemic running game played a role in both losses. In the season-opening loss…
Special teams play is a major factor in the outcome of games each week. Chuck Zodda breaks down the best and worst in special teams play, with a special love for kickers and punters. So when Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee runs a fake punt, you know Zodda went to the film room. Pat McAfee was so close…
The Indianapolis Colts avoided dropping to 0-3 by defeating the Tennessee Titans after falling behind in the fourth quarter. The Colts had seen much criticism of their choice to use their 2015 NFL Draft first round pick on a wide receiver, but as Mark Schofield explains the decision to take Phillip Dorsett paid dividends in…
Despite the cliche, games are rarely decided in one play. However, turnovers and momentum have more than a fleeting acquaintance. Dave Archibald explores what happens when things go wrong for the Dallas Cowboys against the Atlanta Falcons. After a game-changing play, announcers will often suggest that “momentum” has shifted and lady luck has cast her eye on…
The NFL drive of Week 3 came just before halftime as the Cleveland Browns hosted Oakland Raiders. Already leading, the choice of how aggressive to be would come after a first down running play to start the clock. Mark Schofield details how timely execution led to the Raiders punching one in. The Browns cut the Raiders…
Everyone has a bad day at the office. Unfortunately for quarterbacks, their bad days play out on millions of TV screens, as fans and fantasy players despair. Mark Schofield breaks down how San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick ended up in quicksand on Sunday. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick got off to a disastrous start…
Tavon Austin returned a punt for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. The reason? Poor use of coverage lanes by Seattle, abandoning everything that is the basis of punt coverage in the NFL. Chuck Zodda breaks down how the Seahawks flunk punt coverage 101. The St. Louis Rams had two punt returns for touchdowns in 2014…
NFL Week 3 featured many blowouts and just a few close, competitive games. The clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens was a seesaw affair, but when the Bengals trailed, the Dalton and Green answer was Mark Schofield’s NFL Big Gain of the week. Following their 2-0 start, the Bengals traveled east for a big…