You may not expect to find Mark Schofield breaking down a sequence of plays from a battle of 1-4 teams, but in the game between Houston and Jacksonville, the Texans quickly turned a three-point game into a double-digit lead. Over the short drive, the film showed just how thin the line can be between making…
It has been a busy season for special teams. There have been blocked punts, punters scrambling to complete passes – even plays that defy all explanation. Today, Chuck Zodda breaks down a textbook fake punt and how it helped lead the Detroit Lions to victory over the Chicago Bears. When you’re 0-5 and down by…
In their week 6 matchup with the Green Bay Packers, the San Diego Chargers were gashed for a big gain when a key defender failed to do his job. Mark Schofield shows how Jahleel Addae’s failure to set the edge led to a touchdown by James Starks. When a defender is tasked with setting the…
The San Francisco 49ers perfectly executed a play action pass against the Baltimore Ravens. Mark Schofield demonstrates how Colin Kaepernick hit Torrey Smith for a huge play. Both Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin got a chance to play against their old team when the San Francisco 49ers hosted the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Boldin hauled in…
The matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots last night saw more of Pat McAfee’s brilliance in the punting game. So Chuck Zodda was stunned when the Colts turned to a trick play on a fake punt instead of playing to win the field position game, and went to the film to see…
Running backs are integral parts of any offensive scheme, especially one who can run routes from the backfield or line up wide. Mark Schofield looks at one the NFL’s premier pass catching backs, Shane Vereen, and how he excels in flat/texas routes. With the status of Odell Beckham Jr. still unclear before tonight’s game against…
It has been a busy season for special teams. Fake punts, exciting returns, and now a Saints blocked punt. Chuck Zodda looks at how the New Orleans Saints put an early touchdown on the board in a play reminiscent of Steve Gleason’s magical block in 2006. The New Orleans Saints have had little to cheer…
The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts are set to square off in Week 6 in a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game. Brian Filipiak shows that no matter the back, style, or scheme, the New England ground game has shown that there is more than one way to go running on Indy. Over the…
The Indianapolis Colts defense is fresh off its best performance against the run this season, holding the Houston Texans to 82 yards on the ground in a Week 5 victory. Brian Filipiak looks at the rookies revamping the Colts run defense. Operating with a completely new starting defensive line, the Colts much-maligned run defense from…
When the Seattle Seahawks meet the Carolina Panthers in NFL Week 6, it will be a rematch of last season’s divisional round matchup, won by the Seahawks. Mark Schofield looks at how Panthers quarterback Cam Newton must be patient against Seattle’s defense. Seattle’s Best Safety: No, Not Him, The Other Guy While Kam Chancellor has grabbed headlines early this season…
Chuck Zodda has written about Matthew Slater as a punt gunner. He’s written about Slater as a blocker. He’s written about Slater as a defender. And now he’s writing about Slater again – because he’s actually that good. The New England Patriots traveled to battle the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, facing a stout defense…
The St. Louis Rams recent history is full of exciting special teams plays. Last year, they scored two punt return touchdowns – conventionally and unconventionally. This year, punter Johnny Hekker’s fake punt scramble drill against the Green Bay Packers took lemons and made them into lemonade. Time stood still. The ball hung in the air as the 25-year-old…
The 2015 season has been a roller coaster for the Philadelphia Eagles, with an anemic running game part of the problem. Mark Schofield shows how they got back on track against the New Orleans Saints, thanks to an efficient Eagles drive and defenders colliding. After dropping their first two games, Chip Kelly’s team earned their first win…
So many traits are needed to be an elite quarterback: quick release, ability to climb the pocket and read the field being just a few. Mark Schofield explains how all of these were on display with this quick strike for Aaron Rodgers against the Rams. One of the more intriguing NFL matchups this past weekend occurred in…
The team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game, and it’s no mystery why: whether a fumble that stakes an underdog to a lead, a giveaway that shifts momentum, or a game-saving pick, few plays make more of a difference in winning and losing. Dave Archibald looks at Robert Alford’s overtime pick six…
An already bad season took a turn for the worse for the Detroit Lions on Sunday when they were blown out at home by the Arizona Cardinals. Mark Schofield looks at how the big run by the Cardinals Andre Ellington had Lions’ fans headed to the exits, early. The Lions were dominated on both sides…