A Look Back - A Look Ahead (Week 16)
Welcome to “A Look Back / A Look Ahead,” where we break down one play from the Pats’ most recent game and one play by the upcoming opponent. If you enjoy this breakdown, check out Dave's blog at http://davebreaksdownfilm.blogspot.com/
A Look Back - The Patriots had shown real improvement in their pass defense the pass few weeks, but on Sunday the 49ers had 4 touchdown passes of at least 24 yards. New England was beaten in zone and in man, whether blitzing or rushing four, and nearly every defensive back was picked on at one point or another. It was a disappointing performance.
This play was a 27-yard touchdown strike in the third quarter. The 49ers line up in the shotgun with trips right, but they're not three wide receivers; tight end Delanie Walker (#46) is split wide, and TE Vernon Davis (#85) is in the slot. WR Michael Crabtree (#15) is close in to the right tackle. Like the Patriots, the 49ers use creative formations out of two-tight end personnel to create mismatches, and this is a good example.
The Patriots are in a cover-2 zone, and the 49ers have a perfect playcall for it; Crabtree angles in and then runs up the middle of the field, splitting the two deep safeties. Davis runs a deep corner route, which puts pressure on Steve Gregory (#28), who is responsible for both Davis and Crabtree but not in a good position to defend either. Crabtree gets a free release, linebacker Brandon Spikes (#55) doesn't impede him at all, and Devin McCourty (#32) gets over too late to help Gregory.
One common thread all game was a lack of pressure from the pass rush, which sacked 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick just once and didn't hit him again all game. In the end zone view we can see end Rob Ninkovich (#50) chips LaMichael James (#23) coming out of the backfield, so this is effectively a three-man rush. You can also see that Kaepernick (#7) has a completely clean pocket to work with. None of the New England D-linemen get any push or penetration, and it's just a matter of time before something bad happens. A lot of bad things happened Sunday night.
A Look Ahead - Probably no team has as little talent as the Jaguars, and as Jam noted in his stats column, this manifests itself (among other ways) in an inability to convert third downs and an inability to protect the quarterback.
This play from the first quarter of last week's game against Miami shows both flaws. The Jags are trying to convert a 3rd-and-7 in the red zone. They line up in the shotgun with an empty backfield and run a route combination on the right side, with Justin Blackmon (#14) running up the seam and Jordan Shipley (#16) running an out route underneath. Their crossing motion rubs off Shipley's defender in man coverage, but QB Chad Henne (#7) appears to read it late. Blackmon and most of the other Jags' receivers can't get clean releases against Miami's press coverage, and this may have disrupted the timing of the play.
The other factor is that Dolphins tackle Jared Odrick (#98) just dominates guard Uche Nwaneri (#77), shoving him back, controlling his hands, and knocking him off balance. In the end zone shot, Henne has gathered himself and stepped to throw in Shipley's direction, but Odrick is closing in on him and Henne ends up eating it for a drive-ending sack.
We have it all here: receivers not getting off the line, a hesitant quarterback, and an offensive line that can't win one-on-one matchups. No wonder the Jaguars are 31st in the league in points scored.
The Patriots are in a cover-2 zone, and the 49ers have a perfect playcall for it; Crabtree angles in and then runs up the middle of the field, splitting the two deep safeties. Davis runs a deep corner route, which puts pressure on Steve Gregory (#28), who is responsible for both Davis and Crabtree but not in a good position to defend either. Crabtree gets a free release, linebacker Brandon Spikes (#55) doesn't impede him at all, and Devin McCourty (#32) gets over too late to help Gregory.
One common thread all game was a lack of pressure from the pass rush, which sacked 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick just once and didn't hit him again all game. In the end zone view we can see end Rob Ninkovich (#50) chips LaMichael James (#23) coming out of the backfield, so this is effectively a three-man rush. You can also see that Kaepernick (#7) has a completely clean pocket to work with. None of the New England D-linemen get any push or penetration, and it's just a matter of time before something bad happens. A lot of bad things happened Sunday night.
A Look Ahead - Probably no team has as little talent as the Jaguars, and as Jam noted in his stats column, this manifests itself (among other ways) in an inability to convert third downs and an inability to protect the quarterback.
This play from the first quarter of last week's game against Miami shows both flaws. The Jags are trying to convert a 3rd-and-7 in the red zone. They line up in the shotgun with an empty backfield and run a route combination on the right side, with Justin Blackmon (#14) running up the seam and Jordan Shipley (#16) running an out route underneath. Their crossing motion rubs off Shipley's defender in man coverage, but QB Chad Henne (#7) appears to read it late. Blackmon and most of the other Jags' receivers can't get clean releases against Miami's press coverage, and this may have disrupted the timing of the play.
The other factor is that Dolphins tackle Jared Odrick (#98) just dominates guard Uche Nwaneri (#77), shoving him back, controlling his hands, and knocking him off balance. In the end zone shot, Henne has gathered himself and stepped to throw in Shipley's direction, but Odrick is closing in on him and Henne ends up eating it for a drive-ending sack.
We have it all here: receivers not getting off the line, a hesitant quarterback, and an offensive line that can't win one-on-one matchups. No wonder the Jaguars are 31st in the league in points scored.
great article Dave! as always. I really like the gimp stuff. It looks just like Madden or something...
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