Most kick returns for a touchdown are big plays, changing the momentum in the game. This is not one of those plays. The Chicago Bears were being thoroughly destroyed by the Green Bay Packers, eventually losing 55-14 when one of those many Packer kickoffs resulted in this Bears flawless kick return. The kicking game is…
In Part 1, Jake Vincent explored the State of the Eagles offense, looking at their struggles and their opportunities to improve. In Part 2, the NFL‘s best pass rush comes under the microscope. And to complete all three phases of the game, please enjoy Darren Sproles and how-to block a punt. Philadelphia’s improvement on defense…
Rob Gronkowski runs over Colts. Five of them on this play, as he jukes, spins, stiff-arms and hurdles Indianapolis Colts defenders on the way to the end zone in the New England Patriots 42-20 victory. Mark Schofield breaks down the film. With a 15-point lead and 6:58 remaining in the game, Tom Brady stood in…
Tim Wright pulled in his fourth touchdown catch of the season from Tom Brady in the New England Patriots 42-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Mark Schofield looks at the Optimum Offense Patriots play of the week. With their team out to a four-point halftime lead on the road against a tough conference opponent, one…
Deontae Skinner is a rookie linebacker having, literally, an up-and-down first NFL season, having started a game and been released. Now on the New England Patriots practice squad, Inside The Pylon’s Brian Filipiak looks at Skinner’s performance against the Bears for the good and the “needs improvement”. It’s been quite the roller coaster ride for…
Darren Sproles punt return for a Philadelphia Eagles touchdown against the Carolina Panthers helped lift his team to a 7-2 record. Special teams have been key for the Eagles, who are on a historic pace for touchdowns ‒ and for featured articles by Chuck Zodda ‒ who explores this play. In Philadelphia, special teams play…
Indianapolis (6-3) hosts New England (7-2) on Sunday night, and the Colts defense will try to slow down the Patriots in-form passing attack. Mark Schofield has reviewed the tape and breaks down how the innovative coverages, willingness to double-cover wide receivers, and struggles against tight ends form the basis of a game plan for Tom…
Playing quarterback in the NFL is never as easy as it looks. Alex Smith, once the #1 overall pick, spent his years in San Francisco as a disappointment, but since relocating to Kansas City he has rejuvenated his career. Taking a page out of his college playbook Sunday, Smith ran the read-option to perfection and…
The NFL features plays every week that almost defy description – incredible displays of athleticism and awareness that leave fans in awe. Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers are lagging behind in their division race and needed a win at New Orleans and with the game on the line, Kaepernick delivered a tremendous throw…
The New England Patriots sit at 7-2 during their Bye Week, having won five in a row after a rocky 2-2 start. The primary culprit in that first month was the play of the offensive line and their inability to protect the quarterback. In this conclusion to a three-part midseason review, the question is answered:…
The New England Patriots sit at 7-2 during their Bye Week, having won five in a row after a rocky 2-2 start. The primary culprit in that first month was the play of the offensive line and their inability to protect the quarterback. Has New England fixed what’s in front of Tom Brady? In Part…
Punters are weird, weird people. Often employed as the holder for field goal and point-after attempts, they handle the ball more than most NFL players. So, when Brad Wing of the Pittsburgh Steelers bobbled the snap on a PAT attempt, it was nearly a disaster. But thanks to the inattentiveness of the Baltimore Ravens special…
The New England Patriots sit at 7-2 during their Bye Week, having won five in a row after a rocky 2-2 start. A primary culprit in that first month was the play of the offensive line and their inability to protect the quarterback. Has New England fixed what’s in front of Tom Brady? The New…
Julian Edelman of the New England Patriots is one of the best punt returners in the NFL. Not the best of all-time ‒ that’s still Devin Hester. Edelman’s combination of skill, technique, instincts and speed allow him to capitalize on mistakes ‒ like the ones made by Britton Colquitt and the Denver Broncos. Two weeks…
Strength in all three phases of the game led New England to a big win over Denver. Our recaps have already discussed Tom Brady’s touchdown throw to Brandon LaFell, and Rob Gronkowski’s big night. Part 1 of the film review looked at Danny Amendola’s Interception, and Part 2 focuses on two key 3rd down conversions…
Rob Gronkowski turned in a spectacular performance in New England’s victory over the Denver Broncos. In our four–part passing preview we highlighted how Denver needed to be physical with Gronkowski to deny him a free release off the line of scrimmage. Their reluctance to employ that concept on Sunday, coupled with creative design and his…