Chuck Zodda has an infatuation with special teams. He enjoys long punts through the air, well-lit wall returns, and quiet time spent alone with punt gunners. But he also has a side that loves confrontation – in this case, the epic battle about to be waged between the Indianapolis Colts‘ Pat McAfee and New England…
It is no secret that the NFL is a copycat league. Coaches and scouts scour hours of game film trying to find a play, a concept, a blitz, or a formation to gain an advantage over an upcoming opponent. Mark Schofield reviewed the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive footage from 2014 to identify concepts that the New…
Special teams have been home to a number of creative plays this year —— from fake punts to hidden returners, Inside The Pylon has profiled them all. So whether you are more excited by a blocked punt or great punt coverage, we have it for you. Today, Chuck Zodda breaks down the Indianapolis Colts attempting a…
Cries of foul play follow the New England Patriots, and legendary coach Bill Belichick, as night follows day. The latest incident found Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh claiming the Patriots use of an unbalanced line and ineligible receivers was somehow “deceptive.” The NFL has deemed the plays “legal” and another media-driven controversy is underway. The…
Each week Inside The Pylon takes a look at the standout offensive plays from around the league in Reel Film Recap. In this Divisional Sunday edition, Mark Schofield keeps the football on the ground and examines the running games in both the Green Bay Packers win over the Dallas Cowboys and the Indianapolis Colts victory…
Heading into the Divisional Round game against the Baltimore Ravens, the New England Patriots defense knew exactly what to expect. They just had a very difficult time stopping it. The Patriots defensive front failed to handle the stretch run concepts that helped Ravens running back Justin Forsett reach over 1,200 regular-season rushing yards rushing in…
The New England Patriots qualified for their fourth consecutive AFC Championship game after defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 35-31, in an instant classic between the two rivals. In previewing the game, we noted that Brady and the offense would likely see the Ravens’ double overload pressure concept at a crucial point in the contest. The Patriots…
The NFL is a copycat league and streak routes are in every team’s playbook. Still, it is incredibly rare to see nearly identical patterns for each team become turning points in the eventual outcome. With the season on the line, both the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens ran the same play. Dave Archibald and…
The Colts at Broncos special teams preview looks at the kickoff and punt coverage units, the return teams, plus the kickers and the punters for both teams. The Indianapolis Colts travel to Denver to battle the Broncos in what shapes up as a high-scoring affair. While the AFC West winners have been near the top…
The Cowboys at Packers special teams preview looks at the kickoff and punt coverage units, the return teams, plus the kickers and the punters for both teams. After a thrilling win on Wild Card Weekend against the Lions, the Dallas Cowboys trek to Lambeau Field for a classic NFL Playoffs showdown against the Green Bay…
The Panthers at Seahawks special teams preview looks at the kickoff and punt coverage units, the return teams, plus the kickers and the punters for both teams. Connoisseurs of fine special teams skill, prepare to be disappointed. The Carolina Panthers managed to escape from the wreckage of one of the greatest special teams railroad catastrophes…
Having earned home field advantage in chilly Foxboro, the New England Patriots welcome the Baltimore Ravens in the 2015 Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Both teams are looking at the film, trying to find matchups to exploit and schemes that can work – be sure to check out our developing coverage of the game…
The Ravens at Patriots special teams preview looks at the kickoff and punt coverage units, the return teams, plus the kickers and the punters for both teams. The Baltimore Ravens face the New England Patriots for the fourth time in the postseason. Special teams proved decisive in their 2012 battle, as Billy Cundiff’s missed field…
Each week Inside the Pylon takes a look at the standout offensive plays from around the league in Reel Film Recap. In this Wild Card Saturday edition, Mark Schofield examines three ways the Carolina Panthers attacked the Arizona Cardinals defense in the run game, and the importance of Steve Smith, Sr. to Joe Flacco and…
Each week Inside The Pylon takes a look at the standout offensive plays from around the league in Reel Film Recap. In this Wild Card Sunday edition, Mark Schofield looks at Andrew Luck’s feet and left hand, and at the Cowboys’ offensive line. Keeping Plays Alive is Good, Keeping the Football is Better In the…
The New England Patriots’ pass defense has been a strength this season, with new arrivals Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner keying coverage that has been stifling at times. Dave Archibald explores a potential weakness for the team entering Saturday’s playoff opener against the Baltimore Ravens. If the Patriots defense has an Achilles’ heel, look no…