NFL Week 4 Instant Analysis: New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals

October 2nd, 2007 8:09 pm
by Pro Set

New England 34-13 Cincinnati

Cincinnati fell to 1-3 because the Bengals defense could not pressure the passer. It did not help that the only CIN TD drive came when a turnover gave a short field to the Bengals.

When Cincinnati had possession, there were promising signs, but the Bengals were unable to convert drives into scoring opportunities. On the ground, RB Kenny Watson (13 rush; 55 yards) made some nice plays with RB Rudi Johnson injured. Watson, however, was unable to rush for enough early down yardage to allow QB Carson Palmer, 21-35 (234; TD; 2 INT) to test the New England secondary in play action. As CIN fell behind by two scores, the rushing game became more and more irrelevant.

The CIN passing attack was throttled early on as the Bengals favoured the ground attack. I though the Bengals game plan did not deserve the criticism that it received from the announcing booth. The plan was clearly one of keeping the game close and seeing how effective the running attack could be. And it almost worked. The score, remember, was NE 17-7 CIN at the two minute warning of the first half, with CIN in possession and in scoring range. The drive was fruitless as Palmer threw an INT. It was surprising that the MNF announcers even noticed the INT, as they were so focussed on the great story line of how the Bengals only had two fit linebackers.

In the end, with CIN unable to draw within one score, the pressure rested completely upon the passing game. With the heat on, I thought that the Bengals receivers dropped too many passes (albeit difficult ones). I also felt that Palmer was under perceived pressure from the NE pass rush. It was clear that Palmer was determined to get the ball out and not be sacked. In the circumstances, I thought that he threw more catchable balls than his number suggested. Indicative of the night experienced by the CIN receivers was the first INT thrown by Palmer when WR Chad Johnson (3 rec; 53 yards) ran a streak and Palmer threw for the square in route.

When New England had the ball, the attack was clinical. On the ground, RB Sammy Morris (21 rush; 117 yards; TD) did what was required. The Bengals were unable to stop the run with their front seven. It’s interesting to note that the only real time that the Bengals created real down-and-distance pressure on the Patriots, they forced a turnover. This was a 3^rd & 23 at NE 14 early in the 2^nd quarter. QB Tom Brady (25-32; 231; 3 TD; INT) forced the pass into bracket coverage.

Overall, the aerial attack of NE was too accurate and the pass protection was too good. Brady is just so good at stepping up whilst keeping his eyes downfield. In my mind, the only worthwhile pressure must be straight up the middle. It will take a good team playing near-flawless football to beat the Patriots on current form.

Posted in Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals, Week 4 Instant Analysis, Sammy Morris, Kenny Watson, Carson Palmer, Monday Night Football, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, New England Patriots, Tom Brady, Analysis | No Comments »

NFL Week 4 Instant Analysis: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

September 30th, 2007 11:54 pm
by Pro Set

Philadelphia 3-16 NY Giants

It would be tempting to blame the injury problems of Philadelphia for the loss to NY Giants. RB Brian Westbrook was among those sorely missed. The truth is, however, that the Eagles were outplayed in a classic demonstration of why left tackles get paid so much money.

When Phildelphia had possession, I felt that they ran the ball well through RB Correll Buckhalter. I also felt that PHI followed up their rare first downs with too many subsequent 1^st & 10 pass plays. The NBC coverage foussed heavily on the battles between RT Jon Runyan and LE Michael Strahan, and, on the other end, LT Winston Justice and RE Osi Umenyiora. It is trite to say that the Giants dominated the edge rush and forced QB Donovan McNabb into rushing his passes.

What nobody seemed to address, however, was that McNabb was not stepping up into the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield. He was taking five step drops and then getting hit. After the sheer volume of sacks that the Eagles conceded, I wanted to see McNabb hit his final drop step and step up, allowing his tackles to concentrate on stopping the inside move. Did anyone hear the name of DT Fred Robbins get mentioned? That means that there was less inside pressure on McNabb, but I guess that they did not have time to pressure him before he was sacked by the edge rushers.

There really is no point writing more than this. Since PHI could not protect the passer, the Eagles could not throw the ball. This meant that it was imperative for the Eagles to get the lead. On this reasoning, the game was decided in two plays.

First, with NYG moving forward late in the second quarter, LB Omar Gaither picked off a QB Eli Manning pass. After carrying the ball back to midfield, he ran out of bounds. I could not believe that he did not try to run over Manning. This was a terrible decision. The momentum of the turnover disappeared in a symphony of penalties and negative plays. How many truly great NFL defenders would run out of bounds when faced with a QB guarding the yardage to the endzone: not many.

Second, the FR TD return by LB Kawika Mitchell deserves mention. I still don’t know how a skill position player like Correll Buckhalter could not cover up that fumble. This Giants TD, occurring late in the 3^rd quarter, drained the belief from the PHI players. If PHI had entered the final quarter, after conceding endless sacks and penalties, with only a ten point deficit, the NYG player might well have thought that the Eagles would prove impossible to extinguish: it’s happened before in this rivalry.

So, overall, the Eagles tried but failed in their (hopefully unintended) application of the Homer Simpson strategy. Stand up like a man, take as many punches as the other guy can possibly throw at you, and then push him over for the knock out victory. Having said that, Andy Reid had as many answers to the NYG pass rush as Moe Siszlak had to the power of Drederick Tatum. Was Andy Reid not once an NFL offensive lineman?

Finally, we only had to wait 90 seconds before John Madden mentioned exotic blitzes (see preview).

Posted in Kawika Mitchell, Fred Robbins, John Madden, Correll Buckhalter, Week 4 Instant Analysis, Jon Runyan, Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Shaun Andrews, Andy Reid, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL on NBC, Analysis, Eli Manning, Philadelphia Eagles, Brian Westbrook, Donovan McNabb, NY Giants, NFL | No Comments »

SEA @ SF - Final Thoughts

September 30th, 2007 7:16 pm
by Big Dog

To be honest, this game has been pretty disappointing. Even Seattle fans don’t have much to be thrilled about. At best you can say that the Seahawks have been able to do what is needed to secure the win. Probably the best aspect of their game has been their clock management. Mike Holmgren is known for running the clock down once he’s established a lead and today was no exception.

While QB Matt Hasselbeck has put up some good numbers, I think the more dominant Seahawks performance has come from their pass rush, which consistently caused problems for the 49ers. In addition, CB Marcus Trufant came away with two interceptions for the game.

While the final score may give the impression that Seattle controlled the game, it would be a mistake to believe that completely. By far the most decisive onfield performance was the San Francisco Offensive Line. They were offensive in almost every way, with 7 penalties, 6 sacks allowed and an inability to provide any kind of consistent protection for QB Trent Dilfer.

This made Dilfer skittish and jumpy, showing a tendency to scramble or throw early and often getting himself and his receivers into trouble as a result. In addition, it eroded the trust need to run an offense successfully. With the QB second guessing his line, the receivers second guessing the QB and nobody trusting anybody, there was no way San Francisco was going to turn this around.

That may sound harsh, but there’s no questioning the fact that San Francisco had their chances. They blocked a punt in the first half and failed to convert the excitement that generated into points. They started the second half with a successful onside kick. The first play of that drive Dilfer threw for an interception. Even when Dilfer was making good throws (and to be fair, he made some excellent throws), his receivers weren’t holding onto them.

At the end of the day, Seattle did what it took to win and San Francisco struggled to do anything at all.

Final score: Seattle 23 - San Francisco 3.

Posted in Mike Holmgren, Seattle Seahawks, Trent Dilfer, Matt Hasselbeck, Week 4 Instant Analysis, Marcus Trufant, NFL on FOX, San Francisco 49ers, Analysis, Game, NFL on television, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Coaches, NFL Players, NFL | No Comments »

SEA @ SF - First Half Observations

September 30th, 2007 5:41 pm
by Big Dog

This game has taken a long time to get going. Neither team could be accused of putting on a display for the fans. ForSan Francisco the first half has been full of sacks, fumbles and a failed challenge. It took until just under 6 minutes to go in the second quarter before Trent Dilfer was able to connect with Frank Gore for the 49ers’ first, 1st down. This was the first of only two plays in which the 49ers looked remotely impressive.

That said, the 49ers defense has generally done a good job of containing Seattle RB Shaun Alexander.

Similarly, while Seattle have managed to rack up 13 first half points (17 yd TD pass from Matt Hasselbeck to Bobby Engram, 2 FG), the truth is that their defense has been the more significant unit on the field. They’ve broken through the SF offensive line over half a dozen times and sacked Dilfer repetitively. They’ve forced multiple fumbles from Dilfer and Gore, and have generally harrassed the SF offense into submission.

At half time, the 13-0 scoreline favours Seattle, but probably gives an unfair impression of how the game is currently going.

Posted in Frank Gore, Seattle Seahawks, Bobby Engram, Trent Dilfer, Week 4 Instant Analysis, Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, NFL on FOX, Analysis, Game, NFL on television, NFL Franchises/Teams, San Francisco 49ers, NFL Players, NFL | No Comments »