To have a chance at beating the Ravens, the opposing offense has to match or surpass the Ravens offense’s ball control. I think the Browns did that today. (They had a 16 or 17 play drive in the 3rd that was crucial.) Also, they got turnovers and big plays on ST (although they muffed a punt that should have cost them the game).
Another thing: It really helps to have a mobile QB. Watson outplayed Lamar in my opinion, and that was also important to the outcome. Lamar had a terrible INT on a vertical sideline pass. He also had another bad INT into the end zone, but that was luckily negated by a Browns penalty. The last INT, a pick 6, was deflected, and I don’t think I’d blame that on Lamar.
Why were you routing for the Browns? I keep hearing that the Ravens have a great defense. But the mediocre Brown’s offense hang 20+ points on them? Do you think the Ravens have the best defense in the NFL?
Yeah, why ARE you rooting for the Browns? I would think the Ravens are your kind of team, with all the organizational stuff the talking heads always point to and John Harbaugh’s approach to coaching his teams.
I’m willing to give DeShaun Watson a chance at proving he’s not a serial sex assaulter (anymore?), I’m not ready to root for him.
I would think the Ravens are your kind of team,…and John Harbaugh’s approach to coaching his teams.
I generally like a team like the Ravens, and I like Harbaugh, so you guys questioning me gave me pause. Why was I rooting for the Browns? The first thing that comes to mind is that the Ravens look like the best team in the league, and they also just pounded the Seahawks. I wanted to see another team beat them. I’m also not a fan of Lamar, although I do think he is an MVP candidate.
I keep hearing that the Ravens have a great defense. But the mediocre Brown’s offense hang 20+ points on them? Do you think the Ravens have the best defense in the NFL?
In watching the Ravens this year, they never crossed my mind as one of the best defenses in the league. I really wondered if I just wasn’t paying attention.
Here’s my sense: They’re the best defense if their offense can consistently control the ball for long stretches–and the opposing offense can’t really match that. To me, Ravens ball control offense pushes them into another category. They’re very good in general, but maybe great if the Ravens can control the ball. (The Eagles seem to be like this as well, but my sense is that the Ravens defense is better.)
The Browns offense more or less matched the Ravens in terms of ball control. The Browns offense may not seem great, but they have a good OL, Stefanski seems like a solid play caller as well. Ultimately, though, it depends if Watson is playing and if he’s healthy. If he’s healthy, I think they are a Super Bowl contender. (Actually, if Watson is not fully healthy or not fully effective, that might actually benefit the Browns–if the Browns rely on running a bit more, making the offense more balanced.)
49ers defense came out intense and maybe even angry. Jags actually didn’t look bad. It’s just the 49ers looked a lot better.
Texans@Bengals
Texans controlled most of this game. Instead of running on 3rd down with about 3:00 minutes or so left, with a 10 point lead, they tried a play action pass–which wasn’t terrible, but Stroud threw an INT. Bengals scored a TD, cutting it to 3. They kick a FG, but Stroud drives them down the field for a winning FG.
Texans had a nice balanced attack. Singletary had a good game.
Burrow had two INTs.
Commanders@Seahawks
Seahawks win, but they don’t look good, on both sides of the ball.
Niners, Jags: The Niners front four was really good in this game. They didn’t look that good against previous opponents. I thought the Jags offense would be better this year, but it almost looks like Lawrence has taken a step back from last year.
If lose my fantasy football game because Cooper Rush’s INT (which lead to 3 points), I’m going to be annoyed.
Falcons@Cardinals
I don’t know how long ago Grady Jarrett went down with an ACL, and I don’t know if the Falcons have other injuries on defense, but they might be the worst defense in the league now. Falcons had a really long, clock-eating drive, which can energize a defense. But when the Falcons defense came back on the field. Nope. They can’t win with this defense.
Here’s a question for you: If Dak plays better in a more pass-first offense, would you prefer that to a more balanced attack? I’m starting to wonder about this. He’s looked better from the shotgun and when they pass a lot. (Yesterday, I think he threw a bad pick when he was under center–on a PA pass?)
Seeing this made me wonder something else: The Hawks are not running the ball much, and their offense looks more like the Bengals offense. Given the way Pete Carroll values running, and the fact that a run-first offense would put Geno in the best position to succeed, I’m now wondering if the latter is wrong. Maybe a pass-first, spread offense gives Geno the best chance to succeed? (Carroll has been signaling that he wants the run game to a more critical part, so I actually don’t think this is true.)
The beginning of the season, it really looked like McCarthy wanted to run the ball. He fired Kellen because of not running the ball. But that inside handoff from shot gun was and is not working. In the past few games Dallas seem to mix up the running game more, with less inside handoffs and a little more off tackle or outside running plays. This has shown to be somewhat effective overall, although the inside runs almost always gets stuffed, and as you said Dak has shown to be more effective passing more and in shot gun. I’m not married to the run game as much as you, so I’m fairly okay with it. But to me, you have to run the ball in the red zone or at least inside the ten-yard line and you have to run the ball more to close out games. I don’t get the sense that the Cowboys can or are willing to do either. So bottom line or overall, I’m don’t think passing a lot is a winning formula for this Cowboy team (You mentioned the Bengals, and I think it could be a winning formula for their team).
For the Cowboys, I would like to see a more varied running game (ie: a little outside zone, a little bit of double teaming of the inside defenders, etc) and sticking to it more.
But to me, you have to run the ball in the red zone or at least inside the ten-yard line and you have to run the ball more to close out games. I don’t get the sense that the Cowboys can or are willing to do either.
That’s the impression I get. I think what’s most important is playing a style that will ensure good ball security from Prescott–if the style of offense would make a difference. My general sense is that Prescott’s ball security looks better when they’re passing more (from shotgun).
If the same thing happened with Geno, I think I would be mostly for a more spread-type of offense, especially if Geno played well in this offense.
The Bills and Josh Allen–looked awful. Even when they weren’t turning the ball over 4 times, they looked out of sorts. The way the game ended seemed to typify the Bills day. The Broncos missed the FG, but the Bills had 12 men on the field, which gave the Broncos a second chance at the FG.
My sense is the Broncos dared the Bills to run–like the way the Giants played the Bills in the 1992 Super Bowl (or was it ’91?)–but the Bills didn’t run it enough.
I can understand if the defense didn’t look good, due to their injuries, but they looked good, especially in the trenches. The Broncos OL looked overwhelmed.
The Broncos played a conservative ground-and-pound game, and did enough to win. This was a game Pete Carroll would have loved.
Add to what you wrote, I thought the Bills ran the ball decently. It’s not like they were getting stuffed on every play. Also, I can understand why the Bills don’t want to run their QB more in regular season games, but they should add those designed runs for Allen when the game is on the line, IMO.
There was a series where they ran the ball over and over and moved down the field. Some OC just won’t stick with this, even if it’s working. (I think Waldron is one of those OCs as well.)
I think they did try to have Allen run towards the end, but it was like one or two plays only.
Browns@Ravens
To have a chance at beating the Ravens, the opposing offense has to match or surpass the Ravens offense’s ball control. I think the Browns did that today. (They had a 16 or 17 play drive in the 3rd that was crucial.) Also, they got turnovers and big plays on ST (although they muffed a punt that should have cost them the game).
Another thing: It really helps to have a mobile QB. Watson outplayed Lamar in my opinion, and that was also important to the outcome. Lamar had a terrible INT on a vertical sideline pass. He also had another bad INT into the end zone, but that was luckily negated by a Browns penalty. The last INT, a pick 6, was deflected, and I don’t think I’d blame that on Lamar.
Why were you routing for the Browns? I keep hearing that the Ravens have a great defense. But the mediocre Brown’s offense hang 20+ points on them? Do you think the Ravens have the best defense in the NFL?
Yeah, why ARE you rooting for the Browns? I would think the Ravens are your kind of team, with all the organizational stuff the talking heads always point to and John Harbaugh’s approach to coaching his teams.
I’m willing to give DeShaun Watson a chance at proving he’s not a serial sex assaulter (anymore?), I’m not ready to root for him.
I generally like a team like the Ravens, and I like Harbaugh, so you guys questioning me gave me pause. Why was I rooting for the Browns? The first thing that comes to mind is that the Ravens look like the best team in the league, and they also just pounded the Seahawks. I wanted to see another team beat them. I’m also not a fan of Lamar, although I do think he is an MVP candidate.
In watching the Ravens this year, they never crossed my mind as one of the best defenses in the league. I really wondered if I just wasn’t paying attention.
Here’s my sense: They’re the best defense if their offense can consistently control the ball for long stretches–and the opposing offense can’t really match that. To me, Ravens ball control offense pushes them into another category. They’re very good in general, but maybe great if the Ravens can control the ball. (The Eagles seem to be like this as well, but my sense is that the Ravens defense is better.)
The Browns offense more or less matched the Ravens in terms of ball control. The Browns offense may not seem great, but they have a good OL, Stefanski seems like a solid play caller as well. Ultimately, though, it depends if Watson is playing and if he’s healthy. If he’s healthy, I think they are a Super Bowl contender. (Actually, if Watson is not fully healthy or not fully effective, that might actually benefit the Browns–if the Browns rely on running a bit more, making the offense more balanced.)
Jaguars@49ers
49ers defense came out intense and maybe even angry. Jags actually didn’t look bad. It’s just the 49ers looked a lot better.
Texans@Bengals
Texans controlled most of this game. Instead of running on 3rd down with about 3:00 minutes or so left, with a 10 point lead, they tried a play action pass–which wasn’t terrible, but Stroud threw an INT. Bengals scored a TD, cutting it to 3. They kick a FG, but Stroud drives them down the field for a winning FG.
Texans had a nice balanced attack. Singletary had a good game.
Burrow had two INTs.
Commanders@Seahawks
Seahawks win, but they don’t look good, on both sides of the ball.
Niners, Jags: The Niners front four was really good in this game. They didn’t look that good against previous opponents. I thought the Jags offense would be better this year, but it almost looks like Lawrence has taken a step back from last year.
Yeah, that’s my impression as well. I sure see it in fantasy football!
Giants@Cowboys
If lose my fantasy football game because Cooper Rush’s INT (which lead to 3 points), I’m going to be annoyed.
Falcons@Cardinals
I don’t know how long ago Grady Jarrett went down with an ACL, and I don’t know if the Falcons have other injuries on defense, but they might be the worst defense in the league now. Falcons had a really long, clock-eating drive, which can energize a defense. But when the Falcons defense came back on the field. Nope. They can’t win with this defense.
Don,
Here’s a question for you: If Dak plays better in a more pass-first offense, would you prefer that to a more balanced attack? I’m starting to wonder about this. He’s looked better from the shotgun and when they pass a lot. (Yesterday, I think he threw a bad pick when he was under center–on a PA pass?)
Seeing this made me wonder something else: The Hawks are not running the ball much, and their offense looks more like the Bengals offense. Given the way Pete Carroll values running, and the fact that a run-first offense would put Geno in the best position to succeed, I’m now wondering if the latter is wrong. Maybe a pass-first, spread offense gives Geno the best chance to succeed? (Carroll has been signaling that he wants the run game to a more critical part, so I actually don’t think this is true.)
The beginning of the season, it really looked like McCarthy wanted to run the ball. He fired Kellen because of not running the ball. But that inside handoff from shot gun was and is not working. In the past few games Dallas seem to mix up the running game more, with less inside handoffs and a little more off tackle or outside running plays. This has shown to be somewhat effective overall, although the inside runs almost always gets stuffed, and as you said Dak has shown to be more effective passing more and in shot gun. I’m not married to the run game as much as you, so I’m fairly okay with it. But to me, you have to run the ball in the red zone or at least inside the ten-yard line and you have to run the ball more to close out games. I don’t get the sense that the Cowboys can or are willing to do either. So bottom line or overall, I’m don’t think passing a lot is a winning formula for this Cowboy team (You mentioned the Bengals, and I think it could be a winning formula for their team).
For the Cowboys, I would like to see a more varied running game (ie: a little outside zone, a little bit of double teaming of the inside defenders, etc) and sticking to it more.
That’s the impression I get. I think what’s most important is playing a style that will ensure good ball security from Prescott–if the style of offense would make a difference. My general sense is that Prescott’s ball security looks better when they’re passing more (from shotgun).
If the same thing happened with Geno, I think I would be mostly for a more spread-type of offense, especially if Geno played well in this offense.
Broncos@Bills
The Bills and Josh Allen–looked awful. Even when they weren’t turning the ball over 4 times, they looked out of sorts. The way the game ended seemed to typify the Bills day. The Broncos missed the FG, but the Bills had 12 men on the field, which gave the Broncos a second chance at the FG.
My sense is the Broncos dared the Bills to run–like the way the Giants played the Bills in the 1992 Super Bowl (or was it ’91?)–but the Bills didn’t run it enough.
I can understand if the defense didn’t look good, due to their injuries, but they looked good, especially in the trenches. The Broncos OL looked overwhelmed.
The Broncos played a conservative ground-and-pound game, and did enough to win. This was a game Pete Carroll would have loved.
Add to what you wrote, I thought the Bills ran the ball decently. It’s not like they were getting stuffed on every play. Also, I can understand why the Bills don’t want to run their QB more in regular season games, but they should add those designed runs for Allen when the game is on the line, IMO.
There was a series where they ran the ball over and over and moved down the field. Some OC just won’t stick with this, even if it’s working. (I think Waldron is one of those OCs as well.)
I think they did try to have Allen run towards the end, but it was like one or two plays only.