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Topics - bighitterdalama

#1
Hi all. In this podcast, Ceri and I discuss the Giants' free agency moves since the market officially opened up on Monday (March 11). Run time is 26:44. Enjoy!

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/2024-off-season-fa-ceri-session-mixdown-1
#2
Hi all. In this podcast, Ceri and I examine the state of the Giants roster and discuss potential fixes, both in free agency and the draft. Run time is 33:11. Enjoy!

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/off-season-2024-ceri-mixdown-1
#3
Hi all. I've got a podcast scheduled with Ceri that we intend to record Monday afternoon. Subject matter will include the Giants' off-season to date, the on-going combine, and early thoughts on free agency and the upcoming draft. I'd like to include a Q & A block consisting of questions submitted by members of the BBH community. If possible, we might even be able to take a few live phone call questions. Interested BBH members can post their questions here or can shoot me a PM. Thanks to all, and hope to talk to you soon.

Brian/Big Hitter
#4
Hi All. Ceri and I cut an accelerated scouting report on the 49ers. I'll be back a bit later with some additional bullet points. Total run time is 34:48. Enjoy!

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/49ers-session-mixdown-1
#5
Hi all. Instead of the written scouting reports I've done in years past, I thought we'd might try out an audio format instead. Ceri agreed to come on and, as they say in his home country, "give it a go." Total run time is 36:35. Have a listen and enjoy!



https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/cowboys-scouting-report-mixdown-mixdown-1
#6
Hi all. I am joined on this show by Steve Azul of the Bleed Blue Show. Steve and I discuss the Giants' initial "final" 53-man roster following Cutdown Day. Total run time of 47:43. I hope you all enjoy it.

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/steve-azul-2023-cutdown-session-mixdown-1

#7
Big Blue Huddle / Giants vs Jets Game Thread
August 26, 2023, 05:41:43 PM
Post comments here.
#8
Post comments here.
#9
Hi Everybody. Ceri and I just finished recording a podcast that looks at all that occurred during the Giants off-season. Points covered include the front office, coaching staff, players retained and not retained, free agent signings, and draft picks. With quite a bit of subject matter, the show runs 44:24, but it does move along quite briskly. Technical issues caused it to be recorded over Wednesday and Thursday, with the final mixdown just completed this afternoon. I hope that you enjoy it.

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/2023-off-season-wrap-up-session-mixdown-1
#10
Hi everybody. Here is our post-draft podcast with Ceri Dovey, our very own UKGiantsFans, BBH draft analyst. This podcast includes an approximately 15 minute Q & A block with questions directed from the BBH membership. As always, Ceri was terrific. Total run time of 43:29. Hope you all enjoy it!

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/2023-post-draft-podcast-with-ceri-dovey-session-mixdown-1
#11
Big Blue Huddle / Podcast Questions for UKGiantsFan
April 29, 2023, 07:09:44 PM
Ceri and I are recording a post-draft podcast tomorrow morning that I hope/should have out by tomorrow afternoon. I think it might be an interesting twist to solicit questions from the BBH membership, questions that we could address in the podcast. Any board member who might have a question for Ceri (or me) can post it below or send it to me via PM or email. Thanks in advance,

Brian
#12
Hi all. Here, in Part 2 of our look at the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, Ceri and I discuss the defensive prospects and how they might fit with the the Giants. Total run time is 37.16. Enjoy!

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/2023-nfl-draft-defense-session-mixdown-1
#13
Hi All. Brian here. The NFL Draft is just two weeks from today. In this podcast, Ceri and I discuss the offensive draft prospects and their potential fit with the Giants. We will look at the defensive prospects early next week. The total run time of today's podcast is 26:34. Hope you find it fun and informative.

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/2023-draft-ceri-offense-session-mixdown-2
#15
Big Blue Huddle / Giants to Draft at #26
January 22, 2023, 03:59:04 PM
This question came up on the Zoom meeting the other night. Patti Traina just tweeted this info, with link from Tankathon: Giants to draft at 26, 58.

https://www.tankathon.com/nfl/full_draft
#16
Big Blue Huddle / It was a great ride
January 21, 2023, 11:36:46 PM
Remember that the Giants, coming off a terrible season, were predicted to be just as bad. Instead, the Giants won and excelled, playing into the second level of the playoffs. Great job by the front office, coaching staff, and, especially, the players. Thank you all. On to 2023. Take a listen, it fits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5_LQArLa0
#17
Hi guys. Sorry, I 've overwhelmed this week and am way behind schedule. I thought I'd get what I do have done of the defensive report out now and add linebackers and DBs later when they are done. As always, thanks for the interest and kind words.

Eagles Defense

Jonathan Gannon's hire as the Eagles' defensive coordinator is his first stint as a DC. Gannon previously spent several years as defensive backs coach, first with the Vikings, then with the Colts, where he worked along side Nick Sirianni. Originally a scout for the Rams, Gannon has a key eye for talent. In his first-year (2021), the Eagles' defense was solid, ranking 10th in yardage and 18th in points. During the last off-season, the Eagles added three pieces that bolstered their defense from "good" to elite: linebacker/edge Haasan Reddick, corner James Bradbury, and safety CJ Gardner-Johnson. More on these players below.

Technically a 4-3-4 defense, the Eagles almost never use that alignment. In any given game, the Eagles most common alignment will be the 3-3-5, played on about 60-65% of the snaps. The next most common, the 4-2-5, mostly used on run downs, will account for about 30-35% of the snaps, while the 3-4-4 alignment will account for less than 10% of the snaps. The Eagles preferred coverage is zone with a Cover 2 shell, but they do utilize man-2-man about 40% of the snaps and shift out of Cover 2 to a Cover 1, Cover 3/Cover 6 and Quarters. The Eagles' off-ball defenders rarely blitz, with DBs sent just 35 times and off-ball linebackers 54 times (out of a total of 636 pass attempts). The Eagles fearsome pass rush is generated by four-and-five-man fronts. They key to the pass rush is the multi-dimensional Haasan Reddick, who can seamlessly shift from a three or four man front SAM to a four or five man front edge.

Statistically, the Eagles are 2nd in the NFL in yards/game (301.5) and 7th in points (20.2 PPG). Their run defense is middling, yielding 121.6 yards/game (16th), with an average yards/carry of 4.6 (24th). Their pass defense has been fantastic, ranked #1 in the NFL at just 179.8 yards/game. This success results from a combination of both a fierce pass rush and terrific coverage, particularly by starting edge corners Darius Slay and James Bradbury. The Eagles recorded 70 sacks, first in the NFL and just 2 short of the all-time record, while their sack yardage, minus 491 yards, was also 1st best. The Eagles had the 4th most interceptions (17) and the 4th most takeaways (27). They yielded the third least number of third downs (325) and allowed just a 38.6% success rate on third down. Opponents had a 41.6% run/pass ratio.

Defensive Tackle

The defensive philosophy of Eagles' DC Jonathan Gannon requires a firm base at defensive tackle. Strong play at DT allows for the multiple front pass rush schemes employed by the defensive ends and outside linebackers. As such, the Eagles, who average 2.25 DT personnel per snap, utilize various DT packages. Employed mostly on run downs, they use the traditional 1 tech NT/3 tech DT alignment on about 37% of the snaps. The Eagles currently carry two nose tackles. Rookie Jordan Davis, selected with the #16 overall pick, became an immediate starter. Davis played well but suffered an ankle injury in the Week 8 win over Pittsburgh that landed him on the non-season-ending IR. The Eagles subsequently signed 34-year-old free agent Linval Joseph, the Giants' second-round pick way back in 2010, to play NT in Davis' place. Davis was reactivated on December 3rd, and since then he and Joseph have split action at NT. On the season, Davis, who has taken 224 defensive snaps, has 18 tackles (8 solo), 1 tackle-for-loss, and one pass defended. He earns PFF grades of 71.8(run defense)/59.4(pass rush)/71.4(overall). Joseph, with 189 defensive snaps, has 20 tackles (8 solo), 0.5 sacks, and 1 QB hit. Joseph grades 59.9(run)/59.1(pass rush)/58.9(overall).

When not utilizing a nose tackle, the Eagles utilize a variety of 3-tech packages. In fact, on about 25% of the snaps, they will employ a third DT outside the tackle in a 5-tech alignment. The Eagles base 3-tech duo consists of veterans Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. The 32-year-old Cox, a six-time Pro Bowler and (in my mind) a future Hall-of-Famer, is not the dominant player he once was but nonetheless remains solid. On the season, Cox recorded 43 tackles (23 solo), 7 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 14 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. He scores 49.0(run)/62.0(pass rush)/56.4(overall), ranking #77 of 125 qualifying DTs. 29-year-old Hargrave, a former Steeler, had another terrific season. On the year, Hargrave recorded 60 tackles (37 solo), 10 TFL, 11.0 sacks, 2 PDs, 16 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. Hargrave received PFF scores of 48.2/90.8/78.2, ranking #12 of 125.

The Eagles had solid rotational backup DTs in Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, and Ndamukong Suh. In fact, the 23-year-old Williams, a 2021 third-round pick from LSU, was terrific. In 396 (36%) of the defensive snaps, Williams recorded 36 tackles (19 solo), 9 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 2 PD, and 6 QB hits. He graded 75.7(run)/58.5(pass rush)/72.6(overall), ranking #26 of 125. Tuipuloto, a 2021 sixth-round pick from USC, did not have a good year. In 232 (21%) snaps, he recorded 16 tackles (8 solo), 1 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 1 fumble recovery, earning poor grades of 40.7/57.7/48.5. Following Week 10, Tuilupotu was benched, his spot in the rotation taken by veteran Ndamukong Suh. Suh, who has since taken about 35% of the defensive snaps, has played fairly well. In 176 total snaps, Suh has recorded 10 tackles (4 solo), 1.0 sacks, and 2 QB hits, grading 68.9/54.6/64.2. Suh, like Tuipulotu before him, was often employed in the 5-tech role described above.

Defensive End

With the 5-tech DT included in the numbers, the Eagles average just 1.15 defensive ends/defensive snaps. As such, the single true DE position consists of the outstanding rotation of Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat. The 34-year-old Graham, a 2010 first-round pick from Michigan, had terrific season. In 473 (43%) of the defensive snaps, Graham had 35 tackles (19 solo), 11 TFL, 11.0 sacks, 1 PD, 16 QB hits, and 2 forced fumbles. Graham earned PFF grades of 71.9(run)/89.1(pass rush)/89.9(overall), ranking #6 of 120 qualifying players. Sweat, the 2018 fourth-round pick from Florida State, was every bit as good. In 587 (53%) of the snaps, Sweat recorded 48 tackles (31 solo), 15 TFL, 11.0 sacks, 1 PD, 1 interception (a Week 16 pick against Dallas that he returned 42 yards for a touchdown), 23 QB hits, and 1 forced fumble. Sweat earned grades of 80.5/82.1/86.6, ranking #8 out of 120.
#18
Eagles Offense

The 2020 Eagles were a fiasco. Only three years removed from a stunning Super Bowl victory over New England, the Eagles sunk to an NFC East last place record of 4-11-1. Their offense ranked 24th in yards and 26th in points and the normally stout defense stumbled to 19th and 20th. Franchise quarterback Carson Wentz pouted about, ultimately benched himself, and backdoor demanded a trade. The final straw occurred in the season's final week, a game against Washington that had huge playoff implications. HC Doug Peterson, either on his own or on orders from above, purposely tanked the game in the fourth quarter by pulling starting rookie QB Jalen Hurts in favor of nonentity Nate Sudfeld. As expected, Sudfeld was terrible, the Eagles lost, and Washington won the division. A players' revolt ensued, and Pederson was fired a few days later.

In their subsequent HC search, the Eagles went but a short distance outside the organization. In a bit of a surprise move, they hired then-39-year-old Nick Sirianni, who was then serving as offensive coordinator for the Colts under Eagles' former OC Frank Reich. Sirianni then hired as Eagles OC Shane Steichen, then 35 years old, who had recently served as OC of the Chargers. Sirianni and Steichen were quite familiar, having coached together in the mid-2010s in San Diego. For defensive coordinator, Sirianni hired Jonathan Gannon, who had been the Colts corner backs coach.

Despite their 2020 record, the Eagles were not bereft on talent. The defense retained a solid core group, although it did need an infusion of talent. (More on the defense later.) The offense also possessed a solid base with which to work. They possessed one of the NFL's best offensive lines and had a plan in place to keep that line current and top-shelf. They also had a terrific young tight end and a running back unit that was solid. Two big questions required addressing: wide receiver and quarterback. The wide receiver corps was weak and under-performing. At quarterback, Wentz was gone and Hurts, entering sophomore year, remained a question mark. Step-by-step the Eagles built a strong wide receiver unit while Sirianni and Steichen designed an offense that accented Jalen Hurts attributes while minimizing his shortcomings. The Eagles finished a solid 9-8 in 2021, making the playoffs as a Wild Card. In the ensuing off-season, the Eagles added three huge pieces to the roster: wide receiver AJ Brown, SAM OLB/EDGE Haasan Reddick, and cornerback James Bradbury. These additions vaulted the Eagles from a good team into the elite. The Eagles finished the 2022 season at 14-3, the best record in the NFC.

Statistically, the Eagles' offense finished 3rd in the NFL in both points/game (28.1) and yards/game (389.1). Their rush attack ranked 5th (157.6) and rush attempts 3rd (544). The Eagles scored 32 rushing touchdowns, tops in the league. Their passing attack, 241.5 Y/G, ranked 9th, while the completion percentage, 65.3%, ranked tied for 13. The Eagles had 25 passing touchdowns (14) and only 9 interceptions (3rd best). They gave up 44 sacks (tied for 11th most) for minus 259 yards (17th most). The QB rating, 99.0, was 6th best. Time of possession, 30:33, was 9th best. The Eagles were 2nd in first downs (385) and 4th in both third-down and fourth-down conversion rates (46.0% and 68.8%). The Eagle offense committed 90 penalties (T12) for 682 yards (8). Their run pass ratio was a very balanced 48.4%.

The Eagles average just one running back per snap. They run 12 personnel about 34% of the snaps and 11 personnel 66% of the snaps. As stated above, they run the ball 48.4% of the plays and pass 51.6%. The Eagles are not much for passing towards the backs. On the season, running backs have been targeted with 12% of the pass attempts, garnering just 5.5 yards/completion and 4.3 yards/attempt, with zero touchdown catches. Tight ends have been targeted with 18.4% of the passes, averaging an impressive 12.8 yards/catch and 9.7 yards/attempt. The obvious showcase of their pass attack is directed towards the wideouts. With 69.5%of the targets, the WRs average 13.9 yards/completion and 9.1 yards/attempt. The Eagles aren't big on trickery: on the season, wide receivers have run just 4 reverses and tight ends none. They do run some wildcat plays (I don't have the statistics), but have not tried a RB/TE/WR option throw all year.

Quarterback

Jalen Hurts has answered, in a big way, those (including myself) who questioned his ability to be a quality NFL quarterback. As a lifelong Alabama fan, I saw Hurts quite a bit during his college years. No doubt about his physical ability, smarts, and toughness, but I thought that Hurts, who at 6'1" is short for an NFL QB, struggled at Alabama and Oklahoma to throw accurate short and mid-range passes over the much taller offensive linemen. What I saw in his rookie season in Philadelphia seemed to support this. Come 2021, this issue disappeared and Hurts now looks to be close to joining the NFL's "elite" category. This season, Hurts made his first Pro Bowl. On the season, he completed 306 of 460 passes for 3701 yards, a completion percentage of 66.5%, 22 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions. Her averaged 12.1 yards/completion and 8.0 yards/attempt. Hurts was sacked 38 times for minus 231 yards, had a quarterback rating of 101.5 and a QBR 101.5. Hurts is a terrific runner. On the season, he rushed for 760 yards on 165 carries, and average of 4.6 yards/carry, and an amazing 13 touchdowns (three more than the 10 he scored in 2021). Hurts did have 9 fumbles. PFF gave him grades of 80.6(passing)/84.4(running)/85.9(overall), ranking him #4 of 39 qualifying quarterbacks.

Hurts did miss two late season games, replaced by Gardner Minshew. The Eagles lost both games, a 40-34 road loss in Dallas and a 20-10 home loss to New Orleans. In all, Minshew took 151 snaps, completing 44 of 76 passes (57.6%) for 663 yards, 3 touchdowns and three interceptions. Minshew was sacked 6 times for minus 28 yards and committed four fumbles. Minshew does not have Hurts running ability: on the season, he rushed just 3 times for 7 yards, 1.4 Y/C, and 1 touchdown. He earned a quarterback rating of 83.4 and a QBR of 38.7.

Offensive Line

Philadelphia's offensive line is, perhaps, the best in the NFL. Over the years, the Eagles have done a terrific job of first building, then maintaining, the consistency of that line. Consider left tackle. For 12 seasons, that position was anchored by All-World and future Hall of Famer Jason Peters. In 2019, with Peters approaching 40 years of age, the Eagles drafted his future replacement, highly touted Washington State left tackle Andre Dillard, with the #22 overall pick. Peters continued at left tackle through 2020, then was left unsigned at the end of the season. (He is currently a quality backup/spot starter in Dallas.) Meanwhile, Dillard suffered a torn bicep in the 2020 preseason and spent the entire year on the IR. In his place emerged Jordan Mailata, a developmental player the Eagles had taken in the seventh-round of 2018. Mailata, an Australian rugby player who did not attend college and had no football experience, entered the NFL under the International Player Pathway Program. After two years of tutelage under the Eagles staff, Mailata began 2020 as the Eagles primary swing tackle. He subsequently started ten games, primarily at right tackle for Lane Johnson, who missed time due to injury and covid. An absolutely mammoth man, even by NFL O line standards, the 6'8"/365 lb Mailata showed a surprising athleticism that soon impressed. In the 2021 preseason, Mailata firmly entrenched himself as the starting left tackle, a position he has held ever since. In 2022, Mailata missed most of two early season games with a shoulder injury but otherwise played 1026 out a possible 1179 offensive snaps. He earned PFF scores of 75.9(run blocking)/72.5(pass protection)/76.5(overall), ranking #16 out of 83 qualifying tackles. Dillard, on the other hand, has struggled to find a role on the Eagles line. Dillard took just 37 offensive snaps, earning an overall PFF score of 67.9. The Eagles declined to pick up Dillard's fifth year option and he is likely gone after this season is over.

Ten-year veteran right tackle Lane Johnson is suffering from a debilitating groin injury that will require off-season surgery. Season-wise, Johnson has been terrific, earning his fourth Pro Bowl selection. In fact, Johnson recently set an NFL record of not allowing a sack in 26 consecutive games. On the season, Johnson posted PFF scores of 73.5(run)/89.8(pass pro)/83.2(overall), ranking #6 out of 83 qualifying tackles. Johnson did miss some playing time this year, including the season-ending game against the Giants. On the year, he has played 974 out of 1179 snaps. Johnson has vowed to play through the injury until after the season, but, nonetheless, his availability and/or effectiveness for Saturday's Giants game is, at best, questionable. Johnson's backup is third year player Jack Driscoll, a 2020 fourth-round pick from Auburn. Driscoll, who has played 354 snaps backing up both Johnson and Mailata, earns PFF scores of 61.6/56.2/60.5, ranking #66 of 83.

35-year-old center Jason Kelce, a six time Pro Bowler and five-time All Pro, mulled retirement this off-season before signing a one-year/$14 million contract. The contract paid off well for both Kelce and the Eagles, as Kelce's play this year has been flat-out terrific. Having taken 1151 out of a possible 1179 snaps, Kelce earned PFF grades of 89.4(run)/82.0(pass pro)/88.5(overall), ranking #2 out of 40 qualifying centers. The Eagles have already taken steps to replace Kelce, having drafted rookie Cam Jurgens in the second-round of the 2022 draft. Jurgens took just 35 offensive snaps this season, earning an overall PFF grade of 60.1. At guard, the Eagles took steps to replace three-time Pro Bowler but oft-injured Brandon Brooks (who officially retired last off-season) by selecting Alabama guard Landon Dickerson in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.  Dickerson was installed at left guard while Isaac Seumalo, who had started five years at left guard, moved over to right guard. This realignment worked out well for both players: in 2022, Dickerson was selected to the Pro Bowl and Seumalo was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate. On the season, Dickerson, who played 1096 (93%) of the offensive snaps, earned grades of 65.3/76.8/67.3, ranking #23 of 77 qualifying guards. Seumalo, who took 1137 (96%) of the snaps, scored grades of 69.5/79.1/75.2, ranking #7 of 77. The primary backup guard, Sua Opeta, a 2019 UDFA from Weber State, did not, in limited playing time, play particularly well. In 92 snaps, he earned PFF scores of just 40.8/57.1/38.1.

Running Backs

The Eagles offense has the NFL's fifth-best rushing attack at 147.6 yards/game. Much like the Giants (4th best), the Eagles run attack relies primarily on a single running back and a fast, elusive quarterback, with a smattering of quality yards spread among backup running backs and QBs. The Eagles had 544 rush attempts, 3rd most in the league, and averaged 4.6 yards/carry. They ran for a league-high 32 touchdowns. Unlike the Giants, who feature their backs in the pass game, the Eagles runners tend to be one-dimensional. On the year, the Eagles' backs have been targeted with just 12% of the pass attempts, catching 48 passes on 61 targets for 262 yards, an average of just 5.5 yards/completion and 4.3 yards/target. The Eagles' backs have zero touchdown catches.

Fourth-year player Miles Sanders came into his own this season, becoming on of the league's best. A 2019 second-round pick from Penn State, Sanders, who was selected to his first Pro Bowl, finished 5th in the NFL with 1269 rushing yards on 259 carries (8th most) and 11 touchdowns (also 8th most). In the pass game, Sanders caught 20 passes on 26 targets for just 76 yards, an average just 3.9 yards/catch. Sanders earned PFF scores of 82.3(run)/35.5(receiving)/74.0(overall), ranking 28 out of 63 qualifying backs. Sanders is backed up by second-year player Kenneth Gainwell, a 2021 fifth-round pick from Memphis. Gainwell garnered 240 yards on 53 carries, 4.5 yards/carry, and had four rushing touchdowns. He also caught 23 passes on 29 targets for 169 yards, 7.3 yards/catch. Gainwell graded 62.3/49.8/57.0, ranking #60 of 63.

As usual, third-string running back Boston Scott did little all year EXCEPT in his games against the Giants. Scott's season totals were 54 carries for 217 yards, 4.0 Y/C, and three touchdowns, with 5 catches on 6 targets for 16 yards. In two games against Big Blue, Scott had 87 rushing yards on 15 carries, 5.8 yards/carry, and 2 rushing touchdowns. Also against the Giants, he returned three kickoffs for 119 yards, an average of 29.7 yards/return, including a long of 66 yards. Sort of reminds me of baseball player Tommy Hutton, a lifetime .248 hitter with 22 home runs who, in 62 plate appearances against Tom Seaver, batted .320 with 11 walks, an OBP of .452 and three home runs. Go figure.

Tight End

The Eagles have one of the NFL's best tight ends in Dallas Goedert. On the season, the 2018 second-round pick from South Dakota State caught 55 passes on 69 targets for 702 yards, 12.8 yards/catch, and 3 touchdowns. Goedert, who took 735 (62%) of the offensive snaps, earned PFF scores of 81.7(receiving)/55.1(run blocking)/76.2(overall), ranking #4 of 74 qualifying tight ends. The backup tight ends, Jack Stoll and Grant Calcaterra, were adequate if not spectacular. Stoll, a 2021 UDFA from Nebraska, took 574 (49%) of the offensive snaps, catching 11 passes on 14 targets for 123 yards, 11.2 yards/catch, and zero touchdowns. Stoll graded 46.4/57.4/50.6, ranking #66 of 74. Calcaterra, a rookie sixth-round pick from SMU, took 227 (19%) of the offensive snaps, catching 5 passes on 9 targets for 81 yards, 16.2 Y/C, and zero touchdowns. Calcaterra grades 57.2/63.0/61.4. End of bench/PS tight ends Tyree Jackson and Noah Togiai respectively played 34 and 12 offensive snaps. Neither has a measurable statistic, and neither have played in weeks. Barring a late week injury to one of the top three TEs, I'd be shocked if either Jackson or Togiai suited up for Saturday night.

Wide Receiver

When hired in early 2021 as the Eagles' head coach, Nick Sirianni inherited a mess at wide receiver. Despite having spent considerable draft capital on the position, the Eagles' WR unit was perpetually weak. Sirianni, a first-class offensive mind who once coached wide receivers, began work with the Eagles' front office in an earnest effort to upgrade the unit. This effort began with a housecleaning that saw former first and second round draft picks Jalen Reagor and JJ Arcega-Whiteside traded away for peanuts. (Reagor is now buried deep on the Vikings depth chart while Arcega-Whiteside was recently cut from Seattle's practice squad.) Retained was 2020 sixth-round draft pick Quez Watkins, a former star at Southern Miss. Next up, early in the 2021 draft, the Eagles engineered a trade with the Cowboys which gave them the opportunity to select former Alabama star and Heisman Trophy winner Davonta Smith (and allowed Dallas to select Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons). The third move occurred in March 2022 when the Eagles signed free agent WR Zach Pascal, a favorite of Siriani's during his time with the Colts. The final, biggest, and best move occurred during the 2022 draft when the Eagles traded the 13th and 101st overall picks to the Titans for superstar WR AJ Brown.

Brown's acquisition paid immediate dividends, transforming the Eagles' offense from solid into elite. On the season, Brown caught 88 passes (13th) on 145 targets (10th) for 1496 yards (4th), an average of 17.0 yards/catch (4th) and 11 touchdowns (tied 3rd). Brown, who took 1005 (85%) of the offensive snaps, earned a PFF receiving grade of 89.2, ranking #6 out of 123 qualifying wide outs. Smith was also terrific. Having played on 1083 (92%) of the offensive snaps, Smith caught 95 passes on 136 targets for 1196 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Eagles pass-heavy attack also got quality play from its backups. Watkins, who took 681 (58%) of the offensive snaps, caught 33 passes on 51 targets for 354 yards, 10.7 Y/C, and 3 touchdowns. Watkins earned a PFF grade 55.1, ranking #114. Pascal, who took 338 (29%) of the snaps, caught 15 passes on 19 targets for 150 yards, 10.0 Y/C, and 1 touchdown. Pascal earned a grade of 62.6, ranking #94 of 114.

Next up (hopefully): The Eagles Defense
#19
Big Blue Huddle / A Quick Playoff Question
January 13, 2023, 11:25:27 AM
IF the Giants defeat the Vikings (which I believe is going to happen; more on that later), who/when do they play? I know this question is loaded with ifs and buts. I believe, assuming a Seattle loss, they would play the Eagles in Philadelphia. If so, what day and time? I'm not jumping ahead, but my personal schedule the following week depends largely on whether the Gs would play Saturday or Sunday. As usual, the NFL provides confusing information on what should be an easy description.

Any input is appreciated.
#20
Washington Defense

Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was a smash-mouth linebacker who played 11 seasons in the NFL. Now a 26-year veteran coach, Del Rio brings his rough-and-tumble attitude to the Washington defense. Del Rio most always utilizes four down linemen, averaging 1.97 defensive tackles and 2.19 DE/edge players per snap. An old school 4-3 coach, Del Rio now runs a modified 4-2-5 set that replaces the third linebacker with a third safety. As such, Washington averages just 1.72 linebackers/snap but 2.59 safeties/snap (and 2.53 CBs/snap). Del Rio likes to pass rush with a four man front and drop seven into a zone Cover 2 shell. That said, Washington will attack the quarterbacks from multiple angles. Year-to-date, linebackers have rushed the passer 82 snaps, led by Jamin Davis with 48. Safeties have pass rushed 21 times and corners 14, yielding a back seven pass rush rate of 29%. Subtract out the 45 instances where D linemen dropped back into zone coverage, and the result is a 5+ man blitz average of 18%.

Statistically, Washington's defense is 8th in yards/game (310.0 Y/G) and 10th in points (19.7 PPG). They have the 8th best run defense (108.4 Y/G), allowing 4.4 yards/carry (tied for 15th). Washington has the 10th best pass defense (201.1 Y/G) and the 4th best completion against percentage (60.1 %). Washington has allowed 17 touchdown passes, tied for 27th worst, and has 7 interceptions (tied 19th). They have 30 sacks (tied 11 best) for minus 221 yards (8th best). They have allowed the eighth least first downs, 207, a number more impressive given that they have played one more game than most teams. Their third-down defense, an impressive 33.3%, is the league's 4th best; the fourth-down defense is 8/17. Washington's defense has committed 63 penalties (20th) for 524 yards (21st). The opposition shows a run/pass ratio of 42.5%.

Defensive Line

Much like the Giants, the strength of the Washington defense begins at defensive tackle. Starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are both former first-round picks from Alabama. Allen, the #17 overall pick in 2017, was a 2021 Pro Bowl selection. Give his year-to-date play, I would expect a return trip. Allen, a 3-tech who has taken 614 of a possible 739 defensive snaps (83%), has recorded 45 tackles (32 solo), 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 interception, 16 quarterback hits, and 1 forced fumble. Allen earns PFF grades of 62.6 in run defense, 87.4 in pass rush, 61.8 in coverage (five drop backs), and 82.3 overall, ranking #10 of 125 qualifying defensive tackles. Payne, the #13 overall pick in 2018, is more of a nose tackle. A durable player, Payne has played 633 (86%) of the defensive snaps. Year-to-date, Payne has 47 tackles (20 solo), 13 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 5 PDs, 14 QB hits, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 safety. Payne, strong in pass rush, has been a bit soft against the run. He shows PFF grades of 43.0(run)/70.3(pass rush), 57.4(overall), ranking 68 of 125. Rookie John Ridgeway, a fifth-round pick from Arkansas, has not played particularly well. With 185 defensive snaps, Ridgeway has 12 tackles (4 solo) with 1 pass defended. He grades a terrible 29.9 against the run, 50.5 in pass rush, 41.3 overall, ranking 109 out of 125.

All-World defensive end/edge rusher Chase Young suffered a devastating ACL injury in 2021 and has yet to play in 2022. Young, designated to return on November 02, did practice this week, with his participation listed as "limited." Although it is possible that Young sees action this Sunday, it seems more likely he will sit this game out, work though the upcoming bye week, and play two weeks hence vs the Giants in Washington. Montez Sweat, who would start opposite Young, is having a terrific year. The 2019 first-round pick from Mississippi State has played 528 (71%) of the defensive snaps, registering 35 tackles (22 solo), 11 TFL, 7.0 sacks, and 2 passes defended. Sweat grades 81.2(run defense)/81.1(pass rush)/88.2(overall), ranking 6th out of 120 qualifying DE/edge rushers. James Smith-Williams has been the primary starter opposite Sweat. A 2020 seventh-round pick from N.C. State, Smith-Williams has played 414 (56%) of the defensive snaps. Year-to-date, Smith-Williams has 22 tackles (11 solo), 4 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 PD, and 13 QB hits. He grades 61.2(run)/57.4(pass rush)/60.5(overall), ranking 81 out of 120.

The primary backup DEs are Casey Toohill, a 2020 seventh-round pick from Stanford, and Efe Obada, a 2015 UDFA (no college). Toohill, who has played 233 (32%) of the defensive snaps, has 15 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFL, 5 QB hits, and 2 fumble recoveries. Toohill grades 61.9(run)/56.4(pass rush)/73.4(coverage, on 11 drop backs)/65.6(overall) ranking 59 of 120. Obada, with 265 (36%) of the snaps, has 17 tackles (8 solo), 3 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 PD, and 7 QB hits. Obada grades 53.3(run)/60.1(pass rush)/56.9(overall), ranking 88 of 120. Third-tier backup Daniel Wise, a 2019 UDFA from Kansas, has played 92 defensive snaps. Wise has 1 solo tackle while grading 44.9(run)/56.7(pass rush)/46.8(overall). Shaka Toney, a 2021 seventh-round pick from Penn State, is a specialty teams ace who has taken 51 defensive snaps. At 6'2"/238, Toney is more sized as an outside linebacker but is listed as an edge on the Washington depth chart. Toney currently has 6 tackles (4 solo), with 1 TFL, with PFF defensive grades pf 74.8(run)/56.5(pass rush)/72.2(overall). 

Linebackers

Middle linebacker Cole Holcomb was having a solid season before suffering a Week 8 foot injury. He has since been placed on IR. Prior to the injury, Holcomb, a "cleanup artist" type linebacker, had 69 tackles (37 solo), 1 TFL 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. Holcomb earned PFF grades of 69.4(run defense)/67.0(coverage)/45.2(pass rush)/66.6(overall), ranking #34 of 83 qualifying inside linebackers. Holcomb's replacement has been 31-year-old veteran (and former second round pick) Jon Bostic. Bostic, who had previously been used primarily on special teams, has been, as a defensive starter, at best mediocre. To date, in 179 snaps, Bostic has 18 tackles (8 solo) while grading 50.7(run)/55.4(coverage)/51.7(pass rush)/50.9(overall). The SAM linebacker, 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis, is solid and improving. Davis, who has played 596 (81%) of the defensive snaps, has 68 tackles (44 solo), 6 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 PD, 5 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Davis grades 64.6(run)/45.2(coverage)/70.4(pass rush)/55.9(overall), ranking #57 of 83 qualifying linebackers. Davis is by far Washington's top blitzer, having rushed the quarterback 48 times.

The remaining backup linebackers are all primarily specialty team players. Former Giant David Mayo has 177 ST and 45 defensive snaps. He has 6 tackles (2 solo) while earning an overall defensive grade of 52.3. Milo Eifler, who has missed time with a hamstring injury, has played 88 ST snaps but only 6 defensive snaps. Kaleke Hudson, who has 169 ST snaps, has only 2 defensive snaps. Both Eifler and Hudson have 2 tackles apiece.

Cornerbacks

Kendall Fuller, a 2016 third-round pick from Virginia Tech, has developed into a solid edge corner. The 27-year-old Fuller, who has played 732 of a possible 739 snaps, has 41 tackles (31 solo), 1 TFL, 11 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. Fuller's PFF grades are 64.4(coverage)/69.9(run defense)/32.8(pass rush)/66.3(overall), ranking #45 of 121 qualifying cornerbacks. Fuller's fellow starter, Benjamin St-Juste, missed last week's Atlanta game with an ankle injury and has been ruled OUT for Sunday's Giants game. Prior to injury, St-Juste, a 2021 third-round pick from Minnesota, had 38 tackles (31 solo), 1 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 7 PDs, 2 QB hits, and 1 forced fumble. St-Juste's PFF grades are 63.3(coverage)/48.2(run defense)/85.1(pass rush)/59.8(overall), ranking #68 of 121. Playing in St-Juste's spot last week was rookie Christian Holmes, a seventh-round pick from Oklahoma State. Holmes, who had just 6 previous defensive snaps, played reasonably well against Atlanta, playing 55 of 57 defensive snaps. On the season, including STs, Holmes has 7 tackles (3 solo) and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF defensive grades are 63.2(coverage)/39.3(run defense)/51.6(overall).

Outside of Holmes, Washington has limited options at cornerback. In early November, they traded the disappointing William Jackson III, a former #1 of the Texans, to the Steelers for a seventh-round draft pick. Jackson, who in 2021 signed a three-year/$40.5 million dollar free agent contract, had played poorly this year. Following his poor play in the Week 5 loss to Tennessee, Williams was benched, resulting in his demand for a trade. Following the trade, second-year corner Rachad Wildgoose, a sixth-round pick from Wisconsin, benefitted the most from Jackson's demise. Wildgoose saw his playing time through Week 10 increase to 193 defensive snaps. That said, Wildgoose did not play well and has not taken a defensive snap in either of the past 2 games. On the season, Wildgoose has 15 tackles (11 solo) with 3 PDs. He grades 53.4(coverage)/40.3(run defense)/54.5(pass rush)/50.1(overall). One more CB option is Danny Johnson, a 2018 UDFA from Sothern U. Year-to-date, Johnson, with 63 defensive snaps, has 5 tackles (3 solo) and one PD. He grades 62.1/67.1/51.0/62.5.

Safeties

Kamren Curl, a third-year player out of Arkansas, is the starting strong safety. Just a seventh-round pick, Curl has developed into a pleasant surprise. Curl is capable both up tight to the line-of-scrimmage and deep off the line in Cover 2. When Washington stacks the LOS against the Giants' run game, expect Curl to he the eighth man in the box. On the season, Curl, with 598 (81%) of the defensive snaps, has 65 tackles (46 solo), 5 TFL, and 1.0 sacks. Probably a bit over-graded by PFF, Curl earns scores of 81.7(coverage)/82.6(run support)/63.9(pass rush)/84.8(overall), ranking #3 of 88 qualifying safeties. Starting at free safety is second year player Darrick Forrest. Much like Curl, Forrest, a fifth-round pick from Cincinnati, was a great find; also, like Curl, I find Forrest's PFF grades a bit high. On the season, in 545 (74%) defensive snaps, Forrest has 61 tackles (41 solo), 1 TFL, 6 PDs, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF grades are 81.4(coverage)/63.3(run support)/49.9(pass rush)/77.1(overall), ranking #7 of 88.

Washington DC Jack Del Rio prefers a safety, rather than a corner, to play the nickel back spot. This season, that role has been filled by veteran Bobby McClain. Somewhat the WFT's version of Julian Love, McClain fills multiple roles in the secondary, playing both slot corner and deep safety in Covers 2 and 3.  Expect to see McClain aligned deep when Curl moves into the box as run support. Originally a 2015 fifth-round pick of the Dolphins, McClain rarely comes off the field, having played 707 (96%) of the defensive snaps. On the season, McClain has 55 tackles (38 solo), 2 TFL, 4 PDs, and 1 QB hit. He grades 63.4(coverage)/34.0(run support)/57.9(pass rush)/56.2(overall), ranking 67 of 88 qualifying safeties. Elsewise, Washington has a second corner/safety hybrid in rookie Percy Butler. A seventh-round pick from Louisiana-Lafayette, Butler, with 39 defensive snaps, has 3 tackles (2 solo) and 1 fumble recovery. Butler grades 57.2(coverage)/44.6(run support)/50.9(overall). Jeremy Reeves, a 2018 UDFA from S. Alabama, did take 25 early season defensive snaps but has since played only on special teams. Clearly an ST ace, Reeves has 13 tackles (10 solo). His defensive grades are 64.9/63.8/68.7.

Special Teams

Washington's primary return man, Dax Milne, missed last week's Atlanta game with a foot injury and has been RULED OUT for Sunday. On the season, Milne, who has split kickoff duties with Antonio Gibson, has returned 12 kickoffs for 246 yards, 20.5 Y/R, with a long of 33 yards. Milne had been the sole punt returner, returning 30 punts for 233 yards, 7.8 Y/R, with a long of 19 and 14 fair catches. With Milne out, Gibson will handle all kickoff duties. On the year, Gibson has 13 returns for 327 yards, 25.2 Y/R, with a long of 45 yards. To return punts, Washington elevated Alex Erickson from the practice squad. The veteran Erickson, a long-time Bengal,  Erickson took over PR duties vs Atlanta but did not return a punt.

Joey Slye, a veteran journeyman, is Washington's kicker. Year-to-date, Slye is 18/20 on field goals, including 3/3 on 50+, and is 17/19 on extra points. Veteran Tress Way remains Washington's punter. Year-to-date, Way has 60 punts for a 47.3 gross average, a 43.7 net average, with 20 fair catches, 26 kicks inside the 20, and a return average of 6.1 Y/R.
#21
Washington Offense

The Washington Football Team, who began the season 1-3, have since won six their last seven games and now sits at 7-4. The turn-around began in a Week 6 Thursday night victory over the Bears, a game in which starting quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a finger injury that landed him on the IR. In the six games since that injury, under replacement quarterback Taylor Heinicke, Washington is 5-1. It's easy to attribute this recent success to the QB switch, an assumption which may in part be correct but which in fact is a bit more complex. It is likely more correct to say that the QB switch necessitated a change in the offensive system, a switch that has shown solid success. In six games with Wentz at quarterback, Washington averaged 39 passes per game; in the six games under Heinicke, the offense has averaged just 28 passes/game. The updated Washington offense is committed to a ball control style of play, a commitment that has produced results. Washington's average time of possession, 32:45, currently sits #1 in the NFL; in the past three games, their TOP has been a very impressive 36:09.

Ron Rivera coached at Carolina from 2011-2019. Fired after 2019 by the Panthers, Rivera was subsequently hired by Washington. Rivera hired Scott Turner, his QB coach/interim OC at Carolina, to be his new offensive coordinator. Like Rivera, Turner brings an old-school attitude to the game. Unfortunately for Washington, the strong arm of Carson Wentz combined with an impressive array of wide receivers tempted Turner into an early-season level of passing that was quite unacceptable. Wentz' injury resulted in a course adjustment back towards the power run/ball control offense that both Turner and Rivera instinctively prefer.  A side effect of this change has been a statistically impressive improvement in pass protection: in six games, Wentz was sacked 23 times for minus 140 yards; in the six games since, Heinicke has been sacked just nine times for minus 72 yards. Combine the recent success of this ball-control offense with a defense that that has allowed the 8th fewest first downs and whose 33% third down efficiency is the league's 4th best, the result is a team that is able to control the game through clock management and which thereby limits the offensive possessions of the opposition.

Outside of time of possession, Washington's offense, from a statistical point of view, is unimpressive. They are 23rd in yards/game (324.9 Y/G) and 24th in points (19.4 PPG). They average 121.1 rushing yards/game (15th). They have the 4th most rushing attempts (365) but are 26th in yards/carry at 4.0. Washington averages 203.8 passing yards/game (24th) with a completion rate 61.5 (28th). They are averaging 6.1 yards/attempt and 9.9 yards/completion, both low numbers. They are tied for 10th in touchdown passes with 17 but also have 11 interceptions. Overall, they have allowed 32 sacks for minus 212 yards, 8th and 9th best in the league. They have a season-long run/pass ratio of 45.6. Washington's third-down efficiency is a mediocre 36.8% (26th), while they are presently 8/16 on 4th down attempts. The Washington offense has committed 66 penalties (13th most) for 625 penalty yards (6th most). The team is an even zero in plus/minus turnover ratio: 3 fumbles lost/11 interception thrown by the offense vs 7 fumble recoveries and 7 interceptions by the defense.

Washington runs 12 personnel about 30%, 11 personnel about 70%. Washington very rarely runs 20 personnel, having featured two backs on only 12 out of 834 offensive snaps. The team averages 1.29 tight ends/snap and 2.69 wide receivers/snap. "Tackle eligible" is almost non-existent, having occurred only twice all season. Running backs have been targeted with 24.5% of the passing attempts. The completion rate to the backs is 77.7%, with an average of 6.9 yards/completion and 5.4 yards/attempt. Tight ends have been targeted with 19% of the attempts, with a completion rate of just 57.5%. Passes to the TE average 9.2 yards/completion and 5.3 yards/attempt. Wide receivers have been targeted with 56.5% of the passes, with a completion rate of 61.3. Wide receivers average 13.3 yards/completion and 8.1 yards/attempt. Of Washington's 17 touchdown passes, 3 have gone to running backs, 2 to tight ends, and 12 to wide outs. Despite its run-heavy offense, Washington has just 7 rushing touchdowns on the season.

Offensive Line

Offensive line, always a strength of the Washington Football Team, has been in a bit of a flux the past few seasons. All-World left tackle Trent Williams left in 2020 for San Francisco, where he is currently the top-rated tackle in the NFL. Right tackle Morgan Moses left in 2021, spending a year with the Jets before signing on this season with Baltimore, where he continues to somehow get away with holding on every pass play. Five-time Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Scherff left last spring for Jacksonville. Combine these losses with several key 2022 injuries, and one gets a WFT that has scrambled to put together a competent offensive line. This they have done, creating a winnable if unspectacular line that currently ranks 16th in run blocking and 25th in pass blocking. Let's take a look.

Left tackle Charles Leno Jr has been a pleasant surprise. A 2014 seventh-round draft pick of the Bears, the 31-year-old Boise State grad spent seven years in Chicago before joining Washington in 2021. Leno, who has played all 834 offensive snaps, has earned year-to-date PFF grades of 57.6 run blocking, 83.7 pass blocking, and 74.2 overall, ranking #17 out of 77 qualifying tackles. Samuel Cosmi began the season as the WFT's right tackle. Cosmi, a second-year former second-round pick from Texas, started the first four games of the season, playing well. He subsequently suffered a right thumb injury that caused him to miss Weeks 5-7. Since his return, Cosmi has split time at RT with Cornelius Lucas. Cosmi, who has played 398 (48%) of the offensive snaps, continues to grade well, scoring PFF grades of 83.8(run)/70.0(pass pro)/78.8(overall), ranking #12 of 77. Lucas, a journeyman tackle who was a 2014 UDFA out of Kansas State, has played moderately well. In 438 (52%) of the snaps, he grades 69.9(run)/58.0(pass pro)/64.9(overall), ranking #50 of 77.

Veteran Chase Roullier began the season as the starting center. Roullier subsequently suffered a knee injury at the end of the Week 2 loss to the Lions and has since been placed on season-ending IR. In 150 snaps, the 2017 sixth-round pick from Wyoming scored 52.6(run)/60.4(pass)/56.3(overall). Roullier's initial replacement was veteran Wes Schweitzer. Schweitzer, who had 20 snaps in Week1, played all 77 Week 3 snaps but suffered a severe concussion which landed him on IR. In 97 snaps, the 29-year-old Schweitzer graded 64.0/32.1/50.2. Schweitzer was designated to return this week but whether he is active Sunday is highly questionable. Schweitzer replacement for Weeks 4 & 5 was veteran Nick Martin. Originally the Texans' 2017 second-round pick from Notre Dame, Martin played poorly: in 137 snaps, he graded 58.3(run)/30.1(pass pro)/44.3 (overall). Following Week 5, Martin was replaced as starter by 31-year-old veteran Tyler Larsen. A 2014 UDFA signing by the Panthers, Larsen has played every snap at center since taking over from Martin. In 469 snaps, he grades 61.7/33.7/56.4, ranking #27 out of 38 qualifying centers.

Left guard Andrew Norwell, late of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was a solid 2022 FA acquisition. A 2014 UDFA signing by the Jags, the former Ohio State Buceye has been decent, if not spectacular. In 831 (out a possible 834) offensive snaps, Norwell grades 60.2(run)/55.9(pass)/57.5(overall), ranking #54 out of 81 qualifying guards. Right guard Trai Turner, a former 2014 third-round pick from LSU, began the season as the starter. Turner played every down before injuring his ankle/knee early in the Week 4 loss to Dallas. Turner missed the next three games, then returned as starter in Week 8. Turner played every down Weeks 8-11, then re-injured his knee last week vs Atlanta. He has not participated in practice this week and is, at best, questionable for Sunday. If Turner is unable to play, his likely replacement is 2020 fourth-round pick Sahhdiq Charles. Charles, who started earlier in Turner's absence, has played 290 snaps. He grades 49.7/29.7/42.3, ranking #75 out of 81 qualifying guards.

Running Backs

Washington is solid at running back. Starter Antonio Gibson, a third-year/former third-round pick from Memphis, is a productive player in both the run and pass games. Year to date, in 388 offensive snaps, Gibson has 476 rushing yards on 130 carries, 3.7 yards/carry, and three rushing touchdowns, and has 40 catches on 47 targets for 306 yards, 7.7 yards/catch, and 2 receiving touchdowns. Gibson, who had six fumbles in 2021, has cleaned up that issue: he has zero fumbles in 2022. Gibson grades 71.2(run)/82.3(receiving)/76.9(overall), ranking 14 out of 63 qualifying running backs. Rookie Brian Robinson, a third-round pick from Alabama, was victim to a robbery/shooting on August 28, an incident that left him with gunshot wounds to his knee and glute. Robinson missed the season's first four games but has since returned to full-time duty. A productive player, Robinson, in 218 snaps, has 126 carries for 467 rushing yards, 3.7 Y/C, and 2 touchdowns, and has caught 6 passes on 7 targets for 27 yards, 4.5 Y/C, and 1 touchdown. Robinson grades 83.5(run)/53.8(receiving)/83.0(0verall), ranking #8 of 63. 29-year-old J.D. McKissic remains Washington's third-down "change of pace" back. A 2016 UDFA from Arkansas State, McKissic, in 221 snaps, has 22 carries for 95 yards, 4.3 Y/C, and 27 catches on 40 targets for 173 yards, 6.4 Y/C. McKissic grades 53.8/54.4/54.2, earning a rank of 59/63. The #4 back, Jonathan Williams, has just 14 offensive snaps. Williams does 76 yards on 10 carries, an average of 7.6 Y/C.

Tight Ends

31-year-old journeyman Logan Thomas lists as Washington's starting tight end. A college quarterback at Virginia Tech, Thomas, a 2014 fourth-round pick, played his first three years in the NFL as a backup QB before switching to tight end. In 2022, in 438 snaps, Thomas has 21 catches on 36 targets for 190 yards, 9.0 Y/C, and 1 touchdown. Thomas earns PFF grades pf 58.6(receiving)/52.4(run blocking)56.8(overall), ranking #50 out of 69 qualifying tight ends. Thomas was listed as "limited" in Wednesday's injury report with a rib injury. #2 tight end John Bates is a 2021 fourth-round pick from Boise State. In 333 snaps, Bates has 14 catches on 22 targets for 108 yards, 7.7 Y/C, and 1 touchdown. Rookies Cole Turner, a fifth-round pick from Nevada, and Armani Rogers, a UDFA from Ohio, have been used primarily as a blockers. On the season, Turner, in 158 snaps, has 2 catches on 9 targets for 23 yards, 11.5 Y/C. Turner grades 47.6(receiving)/73.2(run blocking)/55.1(overall). Rogers, in 147 snaps, has 5 catches on 6 targets for 64 yards, 12.8 Y/C. Rogers also has one carry for 24 yards. Rogers grades 65.3/53.3/61.2.

Wide Receivers

Fourth-year wide out Terry McLaurin is solid as both a possession receiver and as a deep threat. Pretty much an every down player, and hence an every down threat, McLaurin has played 754, or 90%, of the 834 offensive snaps. To date, he has 54 catches on 86 targets for 840 yards, 15.6 yards/catch, and 2 touchdowns. McLaurin also has 6 carries for 17 yards; he does have one fumble. McLaurin grades 77.8(receiving)/37.7(run)/77.0(overall), ranking 19 out of 119 qualifying wideouts. The #2 receiver is fellow Ohio State Buckeye and former Carolina Panther Curtis Samuel. Signed as a free agent in 2021, Samuel's initial season in Washington was injury-plagued, but he has healthy throughout 2022. Year-to-date, in 630 snaps, Samuel has 48 catches on 72 targets for 493 yards, 10.3 Y/C, and 3 touchdowns. A bit of a gimmick player, Samuel has 28 carries for 165 yards, 5.9 Y/C, a long run of 49 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, and 1 fumble. Samuel's PFF grades are 69.7(receiving)/73.2(rushing)/71.1(overall), ranking #41 of 119. The #3 receiver is rookie first-round pick Jahan Dotson. The 2022 #16 overall pick from Penn State, Dotson has come along slowly. In 369 snaps, Dotson has 14 catches on 26 targets for 179 yards, 12.8 Y/C, and 4 touchdowns. To date not a threat on the reverse, Dotson has just 2 carries for minus 7 yards. Dotson grades 63.6(receiving)/50.5(run)/61.9(overall), ranking #85 of 119.

Washington does have three additional receivers that have received significant playing time. Cam Sims, a 2018 UDFA from Alabama, has played 287 snaps. Year-to-date, he has 6 catches on 14 targets for 75 yards, 12.5 Y/C. Sims earns PFF grades of 52.0(receiving)/49.0(overall), ranking 116 of 119 qualifying wide outs. Dyami Brown, a 2021 third-round pick from North Carolina, has played 116 snaps. Brown, a legitimate deep threat, has 5 catches on 14 targets for 143 yards, 28.3 yards/catch, and 2 touchdowns. Brown grades 72.0(receiving)/69.5(overall). Dax Milne was a 2021 seventh-round pick from BYU. In 80 offensive snaps, Milne has 6 catches on 7 targets for 37 yards, 6.2 Y/C, and 1 touchdown. Milne is also Washington's primary kick returner, averaging 20.5 yards on 12 kickoff returns and 7.8 yards on 30 punt returns.

Quarterbacks

As discussed above, the Week 6 injury to Carson Wentz resulted in him being placed on IR, replaced by Taylor Heinicke. This switch forced changes to the offense that has resulted in overall better team play. Individually, Heinicke has not been much of an improvement over Wentz. In six games, Heineke has completed 104 of 171 pass attempts for 1169 yards, 194.8 yards/game, 11.2 yards/completion, 6.8 yards/attempt, and a completion percentage of 60.8%. Heinicke has 7 touchdown passes, 5 interceptions, and has been sacked 9 times for minus 72 yards. Never a run threat, Heinicke has 6 carries for 21 yards, 3.5 Y/C, 1 touchdown, and 2 fumbles. Heinicke has a quarterback rating of 82.7 and a QBR of 47.0. He earns PFF grades of 49.5 passing, 56.2 rushing, and 50.7 overall, ranking #38 out of 39 qualifying quarterbacks. In contrast, also in six games, Wentz completed 144 of 232 pass attempts for 1489 yards, 248.2 yards/game, 10.3 yards/completion, 6.4 yards/attempt, and a completion rate of 62.1%. Wentz had 10 touchdown passes, threw 6 interceptions, and was sacked 23 times for minus 140 yards. Wentz did have 19 carries for 79 yards, an average of 4.2 yards/carry. Always poor with ball security, Wentz had 6 fumbles (compared to Heinicke's 2). Wentz had a quarterback rating of 84.1 and a QBR of 33.0. He earned PFF grades of 61.3 passing, 64.1 rushing, and 63.1 overall, ranking 29 out of 39 qualifying quarterbacks.
#22
The Detroit Lions Defense

No way to sugarcoat it, the Detroit defense is just plain bad. More to the point, they are the league's worst, sitting dead last at both yards/game (416.2) and points/game (29.3), In fact, they are on pace to have the 8th worst yardage defense EVER. The Lions are 31st in run defense (160.9 Y/G) and 27th in pass defense (255.3 Y/G). The Lions yield 5.3 yards/carry and have given up 15 rushing touchdowns, both 30th in the league. They have given up 15 touchdown passes (30th) and have 6 interceptions (tied 21st). They have yielded 213 first downs (tied for 29th) and are dead last in third down efficiency (51.4%). In a pick-your-poison choice, opponents have shown a balanced 46.7 run/pass ratio.

50-year-old Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn played fifteen years in the NFL. Glenn, a terrific three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, played 1994-2001 for the Jets, then 2002-2008 for the Texans, Cowboys, Jacksonville, and Saints. He later served as DB coach for the Browns (2014-2015) and the Saints (2016-2020) before Dan Campbell hired him in 2021 as the Lions DC. Glenn runs a 4-3-4/4-2-5 defense with elements of a 3-4-4/3-3-5. Glenn's scheme is blitz-happy: by my count, the Lions have sent 5 or more pass rushers on 29.1% of the passing downs. In fact, the Lions have rushed a back-seven defender 171 times, or 55% of the pass plays, while they have dropped a DE/edge into coverage 80 times, or 26% of the pass plays. None of this has helped an anemic pass rush: the Lions have just 15 sacks for minus 97 yards, both 28th in the NFL. The Lions began the season with quite a bit of man coverages, but a prodigious number of huge pass plays resulted in a switch to an almost exclusively zone scheme. This switch couldn't save the job of defensive backs/defensive passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant, who was let go on October 31.

Defensive Line

The who/what/where of the Detroit defensive line can be quite confusing. The Lions have a 3-to-4 player rotation at defensive tackle, but they also include a rotation of defensive ends to DT alignments and edge/outside linebackers to defensive end. Most of the D linemen are bad-to-awful in run defense but are also poor in pass rush. Add in a healthy dose of dropping DE/edge rushers into coverage and you get an ineffective if confusing mish-mash of WTF-is-going-on stew.

Alim McNeill is the Lions starting nose tackle. A 2021 third-round pick from North Carolina, McNeill has played 460 (74%) of 619 total defensive snaps. To date, he has 13 tackles (7 solo), three tackles for loss, and 2 QB hits. He earns PFF grades of 57.8 in run defense, 57.6 in pass rush, and 61.7 overall, ranking #46 of 124 qualifying tackles. The starting 3-tech is Isaiah Buggs, a 2019 sixth-round pick from Alabama. Buggs has to date played 440 (71%) of the defensive snaps. To Date, Buggs has 21 tackles (12 solo), 1 pass defended, and three QB hits. Buggs grades 40.9(run)/56.2(pass rush)/43.1(overall), ranking #104 out of 124. The primary backup DT is Benito Jones, a 2020 UDFA signing from Ole Miss. In 140 snaps, Jones has 5 tackles (3 solo) and one pass defended. Jones grades 39.2(run)/55.6(pass)/40.0(overall), ranking 109/124. The venerable 35-year-old Michael Brockers began the season as the starting 3-tech, but has since entered the coaches' doghouse and has not played since Week 5. A 2012 first-round pick of the Rams, Brokers, in 113 defensive snaps, has 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. Brockers grades 48.4(run)/55.8(pass rush)/50.1(overall). Rookie UDFA Demetrious Taylor has just 13 defensive snaps, all in the Week 5 blowout loss to New England. Taylor has since been waived.

Rookie first-round pick Aiden Hutchinson has been all that was expected and more. The #2 overall pick from Michigan, Hutchinson has played 533, or 86%, of the defensive snaps. To date he has 28 tackles (19 solo), 4 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 PD, 1 interception, and 10 QB hits. Hutchinson grades 61.6(run defense)/61.7(pass rush)/75.6(coverage)/66.8(overall), ranking #49 out of 119 qualifying DE/edge rushers. Starting opposite Hutchinson is co-rookie Josh Paschal. A second-round pick from Kentucky, Paschal has played 195 (32%) of the defensive snaps. Paschal presently has 7 tackles (4 solo) and 2 QB hits. He grades 63.4(run)/55.5(pass rush)/61.1(coverage)/61.5(overall), ranking 74/119. Paschal has been nursing a knee injury and has been ruled OUT FOR SUNDAY. Backup DE/Edge Charles Harris, a 2017 first-round pick from Missouri, has played 261 (42%) of the snaps. Harris has 14 tackles (10 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, 4 QB hits, and one forced fumble. He grades 45.3/56.5/64.4/56.4, for an overall rank of 93/119. Harris suffered a groin injury this week during practice and has been ruled OUT FOR SUNDAY. Backup DE John Cominsky, a 2019 fourth-round pick from West Virginia-Charleston, has played well. With 154 (25%) defensive snaps, Cominsky has 8 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL, 1.0 sacks, and 2 QB hits. He grades 73.1/57.9/60.3/67.6. Austin Bryant, a 2019 fourth-round pick from Clemson, has played 126 (20%) of the defensive snaps. YTD he has 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PD. He grades 61.8/56.2/55.9/58.1. Bryant did not play the past two games but, given the injuries to Paschal and Harris, will likely see extended playing time against the Giants.

Linebackers

Alex Anzalone is Detroit's starting middle linebacker. Anzalone rarely comes off the field, having played 584 (94%) of 619 defensive snaps. A 2017 third-round pick from Florida, Anzalone is, at best, below average. Year-to-date, Anzalone has 72 tackles (44 solo), 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 4 PDs, and three QB hits. He earns PFF grades of 57.2(run defense)/49.5(coverage)/67.5(pass rush)/51.9(overall), ranking #70 out of 82 qualifying inside linebackers. The Lions do carry two backup ILBs. Jarrad Davis was the Lions 2017 first-round pick (Florida). Davis spent a disappointing four seasons in Detroit. When the Lions did not pick up his option, Davis left and played 2021 for the Jets. Released by the Jets after just one season, Davis was signed back by Detroit to their practice squad. Due to linebacker injuries, he was promoted to the active roster for last week's game against the Bears. Davis played 12 defensive snaps, registering 2 tackles (1 solo) and 1 PD, with a PFF overall grades of 82.2. Elsewise, ILB Josh Woods is a specialty teams ace who has registered six ST tackles. He has just two defensive snaps.

Starting WLB Malcolm Rodriguez injured his elbow in the Week 9 win over Green Bay and missed last week's Bears game. He practiced all this week but is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday. A rookie sixth-round pick from Oklahoma State, Rodriguez has taken 371 defensive snaps. Year-to-date, Rodriguez has 54 tackles (41 solo), 5 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. He earns PFF grades of 57.2(run)/59.1(coverage)/76.7(pass rush)/61.6(overall), ranking 45 of 82 qualifying linebackers. SAM/swing linebacker Derrick Barnes is a second-year fourth-round pick from Purdue. With 187 defensive snaps, Barnes has 27 tackles (15 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. He grades 59.9(run)/39.7(coverage)/73.8(pass rush)/56.4(overall), ranking #55 of 82. Chris Board began the year as the nominal starting SAM but his defensive playing time severely dropped after suffering a Week 4 knee injury. Board has played just 13 defensive snaps over the past five games. On the season, the 2018 UDFA signing from North Dakota State has played 91 defensive snaps, registering 14 tackles (11 solo), 1 QB hit, and 1 forced fumble. Board grades 59.7(run)/90.6(coverage)/76.5(pass rush)/90.3(overall). Julian Okwara, the brother of injured DE Romeo Okwara, splits time at OLB and at edge. A 2020 third-round pick from Notre Dame, Okwara has played 169 defensive snaps. On the year, Okwara has 16 tackles (9 solo), 3 TFL, 2.0 sacks, and 3 QB hits. He grades 59.5/31.0/56.2/43.1. Listed as an edge by PFF (I disagree), Okwara ranks a very poor 115/119. Finally, Anthony Pittman, a 2019 UDFA OLB from Wayne State, is used mostly as a specialty teams player. He has taken 26 defensive snaps, earning an overall linebacker grade of 58.4.

Cornerbacks

By far Detroit's biggest defensive disappointment has been left corner Amani Oruwariye. Following a solid 2021 season, outlets such as Bleacher Report projected Oruwariye as a potential 2022 Pro Bowl candidate. Instead, the 2019 fifth-round pick from Penn State has completely tanked, ranking dead last in PFF's list of 114 qualifying corners. His play has been so bad that he was a healthy scratch twice this season and played just a single defensive snap in each of the past two games. Year-to-date, Oruwariye has played 342 defensive snaps, registering 32 tackles (26 solo), 1 TFL, 2 PD, and 1 fumble recovery. He posts atrocious PFF grades of 29.1 (coverage)/30.0(run defense)/28.2(overall). Will Harris, who has played several positions along the defensive backfield, has taken over at Oruwariye's corner spot. A 2019 third-round pick from Boston College, Harris has 261 total defensive snaps. To date, Harris has 31 tackles (25 solo), 2 TFL, 2 PDs, and 1 interception.

Starting at right corner is former Ohio State Buckeye Jeff Okudah. Taken by the Lions with the 2020 #3 overall pick, the "can't miss" Okudah disappointed his first two seasons. This year, his play has been quite solid and he is now one of the league's better corners. Having played 569 (91%) of the defensive snaps, Okudah has 50 tackles (42 solo), 2 TFL, 5 PDs, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. He grades 63.3 for coverage, 75.7 in run support, and 67.1 overall, ranking #44 of 114 qualifying corners. The Lions slot corner is former Vikings first-round pick Mike Hughes. Drafted in 2019, Hughes has been an overall disappointment. He played three years in Minnesota and one year in Kansas City before signing with Detroit last spring on a one-year, $3.5 million dollar contract. In 261 (42%) of the snaps, Hughes has 26 tackles (18 solo)m with 1 TFL and 2 QB hits. His PFF grades are 46.2(coverage)/69.9(run support)/74.3(pass rush)/53.1(overall), ranking 87/114.

Elsewhere, corner Jerry Jacobs, promoted off the PUP list in October, has played 77 defensive snaps the past two games and is in the mix as a potential starter. On the season, the 2021 UDFA from Arkansas has 7 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFL, and 1 PD, scoring solid PFF grades of 68.9(coverage)/58.5(run support)/67.2(overall). AJ Parker, who had 113 defensive snaps, did not play the past two games and was waived November 11. On the season, he had 11 tackles, with an overall PFF grade of 39.9. Bobby Price, a 2021 UDFA from Norfolk State, was placed on season-ending IR last October 23. In 38 defensive snaps, Price had 4 tackles and a PFF overall grade of 44.2. Chase Lucas, a rookie seventh-round pick from Arizona State, has mostly played on special teams. He has taken 5 defensive snaps with a 29.8 overall grade. Saivon Smith, a 2019 UDFA signing from Alabama, is on the roster but has suited up just once, taking 2 defensive snaps.

Safeties

The Lions starting free safety, Deshon Elliott, was a 2018 sixth-round pick from Texas. Year-to-date, Elliott has 57 tackles (44 solo), 4 TFL, 2 PDs, 1 interception, 2 QB hits, and 1 fumble recovery. Elliott is a solid player who grades 63.4 in coverage, 65.0 in run support, 72.2 in pass rush, and 66.4 overall, ranking #39 out 85 qualifying safeties. Elliott left last week's Bears game with a concussion and has been limited in practice all week. Still in concussion protocol, Elliott is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday. The Lions lost starting strong safety Tracy Walker in the Week 3 loss to the Vikings. Prior to the injury, Walker, in 140 snaps, had 20 tackles (11 solo), 1 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. A solid player, the 2018 third-round pick from Louisiana-Lafayette has PFF scores of 75.4(coverage)/58.5(run support)/77.6(pass rush)/74.3(overall). Walker's primary replacement has been rookie Kerby Joseph, a third-round pick from Illinois. Over 366 defensive snaps, Joseph has 38 tackles (21 solo), 4 PDs, 2 interceptions, 1 QB hit, and 2 forced fumbles. He grades 73.3/41.7/57.9/67.0, ranking 38/85.

Strong safety Juju Hughes, a 2020 UDFA signing from Fresno State, has taken defensive 165 snaps. To date, Hughes has 18 tackles (14 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, and 1 QB hit. Hughes shows PFF grades of 55.0/51.1/58.0/52.3.  Although healthy, Hughes has not taken a defensive snap the past two games, having lost his playing time to second-year player CJ Moore. (As I write this, Patti Traina is reporting that Hughes was just released by the Lions.) A 2021 UDFA from Ole Miss, Moore, who previously had 2 defensive snaps all year, logged 55 combined snaps the past 2 games. Moore, with 3 tackles and 1 PD, earns grades of 71.8(coverage)/28.3(run support)/58.1(overall).  Ifeatu Melifonwu, a 2021 third-round pick from Syracuse, has been hobbled with an ankle injury and has played just 5 defensive snaps all year.

Special Teams

Running back Justin Jackson is the primary kickoff returner. Jackson has 7 returns for 179 yards, an average of 25.6 yards/return, with a long of 39 yards. Recently released wide receiver Maurice Alexander returned 6 kickoffs for 146 yards, 24.2 yards/return, with a long of 47 yards. Wide receiver Kalif Raymond is the punt returner. Raymond has returned 10 punts for 79 yards, 7.9 yards/return, with a long of 13 yards and 9 fair catches. Raymond also has one kickoff return for 52 yards. Jack Fox is the Lions' punter. With 28 punts, Fox has a 48.7 gross and a 39.8 net, with 6 punts inside the 20 and 5 fair catches. The Lions punt coverage has been atrocious: over 17 returns, the Lions have allowed 229 return yards, an average of 13.5 yards/return. The Lions have run a carousel at place kicker. They started the season with Austin Seibert. Seibert was released three weeks in after missing two of five field goal attempts. Dominick Eberle came in for one game, missed two of four extra points, and was himself released. The Lions then brought in Michael Badgley, who had just been cut by the Bears. Badgley, still on the Lions' roster, has hit 5/5 on field goals, including 1/1 on 50+, and is 8/8 on extra points.
#23
Detroit Lions Offense

Year-to-date, the story of the Detroit Lions is a tale of two teams. The offense is strong, ranking solidly top ten in points and yardage. The defense is awful, dead last in points and yardage, close to the bottom in both run and pass defense. So, what is the deal with the Lions? Let us take a look, starting with the offense.

Detroit Head Coach Dan Campbell, the Giants third-round pick in 1999, played ten years in the NFL. A tight end by trade, Campbell, now 46-years-of-age, played four years in New York, three years in Dallas, and three years in Detroit. Following his retirement, Campbell was hired by Miami as their tight ends coach. Campbell held this position from 2010-2015. Four games into 2015, Miami fired then-head coach Joe Philbin and promoted Campbell to interim Head Coach. Campbell steered the Dolphins to a 5-7 finish. Following the season, Miami let Campbell go in favor of Adam Gase. Campbell then hired on in New Orleans, where he spent five seasons under Sean Payton as tight ends/assistant head coach. In 2021, Detroit hired Campbell as head coach. Campbell's first-year tenure with Detroit was rocky at best, with the team finishing a disappointing 3-13-1. Expectations were higher for 2022, but, to date, the product doesn't look to be greatly improved. To date, the Lions are 3-6, projecting to a 5-7 win season.

The Lions offensive coordinator is 36-year-old Ben Johnson. Johnson began his coaching career in 2009 at Boston College, where he spent three years as an offensive assistant/tight ends coach. He then moved on to Miami, where he coached alongside Dan Campbell. Over seven seasons with Miami, Johnson coached quarterbacks, tight ends, and wide receivers. In 2019, he moved on to Detroit, where, from 2019-2021, he served as offensive quality control/tight ends coach. In 2022, Campbell named Johnson as his offensive coordinator, replacing Johnny Lynn.

The offense under Johnson has greatly improved. After finishing 2021 at 22nd in yards and 25th in points, the to-date 2022 Lions are 6th in yards and 9th in points, averaging 371.2 yards/game and 24.3 points/game. Detroit is 11th in rushing, averaging 129.8 Y/G. They are 17th in rushing attempts (245), tied for 9th in yards/carry at 4.8, and are 5th in rushing touchdowns with 11. The Lions have the 9th best passing offense at 241.4 yards/game. Quarterback Jared Goff, who has taken all 591 offensive snaps, ranks 19th in completion percentage (63.9%). Goff has 15 touchdown passes (tied 9) and 7 interceptions (tied 12). The Lions have allowed 15 sacks for minus 110 yards, ranking respectively 4th and 8th best in the league. Goff's quarterback rating of 93.7 is 8th best. The Lions show a balanced run/pass ratio of 43.6%. They are 28th in the NFL in time of possession (28:45) and are 14th in first downs (191). The Lions are 19th in third own conversion rate (40.0 %) and 20th in 4th down conversion rate (43.5%). The Lions offense is 14th in both penalties (53) and penalty yardage (436).

The Lions run an efficient West Coast style offense. They almost never have more than one back on the field, averaging 1.00 RB/play. The Lions do favor the tight end position: they average 1.31 tight ends/play, an average that has not changed since the trade of TJ Hockenson. 12 personnel are utilized on about 31% of the snaps; 11 personnel on 67% of the snaps, and 22 personnel only about 2% of the snaps. Jamaal Williams is the work horse ball carrier, with 58% of the carries. In the pass game, running backs are targeted at 18%, tight ends at 19.7%, and wide receivers 61.9%. The completion rate to running backs is 75% at 8.7 yards/completion, tight ends at 66.7% at 13.5 yards/completion, and wide receivers 64.2% at 12.4 yards/completion. (I know, these last completion averages don't exactly add up; blame Pro Football Reference.) At minus 2, the Lions are middle of the road in turnover ratio: 10 takeaways (4 fumbles/6 interceptions) vs 12 giveaways (5 fumbles/7 takeaways).

Offensive Line

Former Giants General Manager George Young once famously stated, show me a team that is struggling, and I'll show you a bad offensive line. If that statement is true, then the 2022 Detroit Lions are the exception to the rule. The Lions, with all starters intact, have an excellent offensive line. Left tackle Taylor Decker, a 2016 first-round (#16 overall) pick from Ohio State, has started all 591 offensive snaps. A very solid player, Decker shows PFF scores of 69.0 run blocking/64.1 pass blocking/66.7 overall, ranking 39 out of 80 qualifying tackles. Second-year right tackle Penei Sewell, a 2021 first-round (#7 overall) pick from Oregon, has been nothing short of terrific. Sewell, who has also played all 591 snaps, grades 83.1(run)/74.5(pass pro)/79.2(overall), ranking 9th out of 80. Left guard Jonah Jackson missed Weeks 2-4 with a finger injury but has otherwise played 100% (378) of the offensive snaps. Jackson, a 2020 third-round pick from Ohio State, has played very well. He grades 75.7(run)/63.0(pass pro)/73.7(overall), ranking #10 out of 81 qualifying guards. Right guard Evan Brown had some early season ankle issues that cost him all or parts of Weeks 1, 4, and 5, but he has otherwise played 487 offensive snaps. A 2019 Giants' UDFA signing from SMU, Brown, a Lions reclamation project, has played very well. He scores 71.2(run)/56.6(pass pro)/69.6(overall), ranking #21 of 81 guards. Originally a center, Brown filled in at that position in the Week 2 victory over the Washington Football Team. Starting center Frank Ragnow missed that game with a groin injury but has otherwise played 100% of the offensive snaps. Ragnow's play has been outstanding. The Lions 2018 first-round (#20 overall) pick from Arkansas, Ragnow grades 80.0(run)/64.7(pass pro)/76.8(overall), ranking #4 out of 38 qualifying centers. Ragnow, who has been in a walking boot since last Sunday's game against the Bears, has not practiced this week and is questionable/doubtful for Sunday.

2017 UDFA Dan Skipper is the Lions' primary backup tackle/guard. With Jonah Jackson out in Weeks 2-4, Skipper started and played all 213 snaps at left guard. He has since played sparingly, taking just 22 snaps as a "tackle eligible." As a guard, Skipper grades 51.5(run)/31.4(pass pro)/45.7(overall), ranking #71 out of 81. Logan Sternberg started at right guard in Weeks 1 & 2, then was demoted to backup prior to Week 3. He has since taken just 29 offensive snaps, all of which were in the Week 5 blowout loss to New England. In 158 snaps, the 2020 fourth-round pick from Kentucky grades 61.3(run)/00.7(pass pro)/34.6(overall), ranking #80 out of 81. Guard Matt Nelson took a total of 40 snaps over Weeks 1-4, suffering a calf injury against the Patriots. He has not played since. He was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice and might be available for the Giants. On the year, Nelson grades 45.1(run)/55.8(pass pro)/45.6(overall). Guard Kavode Awosika has taken just 7 total snaps. The 2019 UDFA from Buffalo grades 55.2 overall.

Running Backs

The Lions have a fine set of running backs. Jamaal Williams, a 2017 fourth-round pick BYU, is the primary starter. A rugged runner, the 6'0"/224 lb. Williams has taken 248 (42%) of the offensive snaps. Year-to-date, he has 142 carries for 604 yards, 4.3 Y/C, 9 rushing touchdowns, with 2 fumbles. Williams has also caught 9 passes on 12 targets for 57 yards (6.3 Y/C). He earns PFF grades of 76.4(run)/36.9(receiving)/71.6(overall), ranking #23 out of 62 qualifying backs. The #2/change-of-pace back is D'Andre Swift, a 2021 second-round pick from Georgia. To date, Swift has 40 carries for 253 yards, 6.3 Y/C, and two rushing touchdowns, and 17 catches on 24 targets for 150 yards, 8.8 Y/C, and two receiving touchdowns. Swift grades #31 out of 62 backs. Last Friday, Craig Reynolds, the #3 back, was placed on the IR with a rib injury. Reynolds, a 2019 UDFA signing from Kutztown State, had been playing well. In 103 snaps, Reynolds had 23 carries for 102 yards, 4.4 Y/C, and 9 catches on 10 targets for 116 yards, an average of 12.9 Y/C. Reynolds graded 71.1/70.1/68.5. Moving into Reynolds' #3 slot is 2018 seventh-round pick Justin Jackson. Year-to-date, in 66 snaps, Jackson has 16 carries for 60 yards, 4.4 Y/C, and 4 catches on 6 targets for 18 yards, 4.5 Y/C, and one touchdown. He grades 70.0/47.2/60.4. The Lions activated fullback Jason Cabinda for last Sunday's Bears' game. Cabinda had zero carries and zero targets in 13 snaps.

Tight Ends

The trade deadline deal that sent TJ Hockenson to Minnesota was, to me, a head-scratching WTF. Hockenson, from the University of Iowa, had developed into everything the Lions might have expected when they drafted him in 2019 with the #8 overall pick. Prior to the trade, through 7 games, Hockenson had 26 catches on 43 targets for 395 yards, 15.2 Y/C, and 3 touchdowns, earning an overall PFF Grade of 71.5, #13 of 69 qualifying tight ends. For some reason, the Lions, concerned with signing Hockenson to a big contract, IN 2024, felt the need to move him now. As such, in a trade with Minnesota, A DIVISIONAL RIVAL, they traded Hockenson, plus 2023 and 2024 fourth-round picks, to the Vikings for a 2023 second rounder and a 2024 third rounder. CBS Sports graded the trade an A for the Vikings and a D+ for Detroit; I grade it an A+ for the Vkings and an F minus for Detroit.

Without Hockenson, The Lions' tight end unit is underwhelming, garnering a season-long total of just 12 catches on 14 targets for 117 yards, 9.8 Y/C, and three touchdowns. The new starter, Brock Wright, is a 2021 UDFA signing from Notre Dame. In 277 snaps, he has 7 catches on 8 targets for 90 yards, 12.9 Y/C, and 1 touchdown. Wright earns PFF grades of 64.1(receiving)/43.4(run blocking)/53.5(overall), ranking 42nd out of 69. James Mitchell, a fifth-round rookie from Virginia Tech, has played 49 snaps. To date, Mitchell has 4 catches on 4 targets for 26 yards, 6.5 Y/C, and 1 touchdown. He grades 79.0/43.1/68.6. Shane Zylstra, a second-year UDFA from Minnesota, is primarily a blocking TE. In 48 snaps, he has 1 catch on 2 targets for a one-yard touchdown catch. He grades 50.2/47.9/48.0.

Wide Receivers

Across the board, the Lions are solid at wide receiver. Amon-Ra St. Brown, a second-year former fourth-round pick from USC, has blossomed into a terrific player. As a rookie, the 6'1"/195 lb. St. Brown had 90 catches for 912 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. This season, in 368 snaps (62%), he has 49 catches on 70 targets for 518 yards, 10.6 Y/C, and 3 touchdowns. St. Brown is also a threat on the reverse. In 2021, he had 7 carries for 61 yards, long of 26, and one touchdown; this season, he has three carries for 70 yards, including a long of 58 yards. St. Brown grades 82.8(receiving)/65.6(running)/83.2(overall), ranking 8 out of 117 qualifying wide receivers. Veteran Kalif Raymond, the slot receiver, is a former 2016 UDFA signing of the Broncos. In 338 snaps, Raymond has 23 catches on 31 targets for 302 yards (13.1 Y/C) and has three carries for 23 yards. He has one fumble. Raymond grades 66.1/63.1/64.8, ranking 60 of 117. Z receiver Josh Reynolds has missed the past two games with a back injury. He has not practiced this week and is questionable for Sunday. On the year, the former Texas A & M standout, a 2017 fourth-round pick, has 26 catches on 42 targets for 357 yards, 13.7 Y/C, and 2 touchdowns. He earns a 68.0 PFF grade, ranking 48 out of 117.

DJ Chark, a season-opening starter, suffered an ankle injury in Week 3 and has since been on the IR. This week, Chark has been designated for return and is back at practice. At this point, his return for Sunday's game against the Giants is unknown. Prior to his injury, Chark, in 158 snaps, had 7 catches on 18 targets for 98 yards, 14.0 Y/C, and one touchdown. The 2018 second-round pick from LSU holds an overall PFF grade of 61.1. Tom Kennedy, a 2019 UDFA signing from Bryant University, was promoted to the active roster for Game 4 and has since played 204 snaps. Kennedy has 7 catches on 14 targets for 128 yards, 18.3 Y/C, with a long of 44 yards. Quintez Cephus, a 2020 fifth-round pick from Wisconsin, took 51 snaps through Week 4 before a foot injury forced him to the IR. Prior to the injury, Cephus caught 2 passes on 3 targets for 15 yards, earning an overall PFF grade of 68.0. Maurice Alexander, a rookie UDFA from Florida International, was promoted to the active roster for Game 4 and has 8 total offensive snaps that are scattered over 4 games. He has 1 catch for 7 yards and has zero snaps the past two games. Stanley Berryhill was promoted to the active roster for last week's Bears game. He had 3 offensive snaps but did not make the stat sheet.

Quarterback

Jared Goff, the 2016 #1 overall pick, is having a solid season, perhaps his best season since 2018, when he led the Rams to a Super Bowl LIII loss to New England. Goff, who has played all 591 offensive snaps, has completed 192 of 301 passes for 2277 yards, a 63.8 completion percentage, 11.9 yards/completion, 7.6 yards/attempt, with 15 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions. Goff has been sacked 15 times for -110 yards, ranked 4th and 8th best in the league. Never much of a run threat, Goff has 17 carries for 43 yards, 2.5 Y/C, with five fumbles. He even has a single five-yard pass reception, thrown by punter Jack Fox of all people.  He holds a 93.7 quarterback rating and a 54.5 QBR. He receives PFF grades of 62.2(pass)/54.5(run)/62.8(overall), ranking 29th of 39 qualifying quarterbacks.
#24
Houston Texans Defense

Lovie Smith is a proponent of the Tampa 2 defense, a defense he helped develop in the late '90s under Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffen. The Tampa 2 was designed to counteract the West Coast Offense, a system designed by the Bill Walsh for the 1980s Forty Niners which by the 1990s had spread throughout the NFL. Given that most (if not all) modern offenses are variations of the West Coast, the Tampa 2 remains pertinent in today's NFL. In its base, the Tampa 2 is a 4-3 read-run-first zone concept tweaked from the historical 4-3. It plays a four-man "under" front consisting of a 1/2i tech nose tackle, a 3-tech defensive tackle, and two five-tech defensive ends. The middle linebacker sets up about five yards deep, aligned with the A gap opposite the nose tackle (usually the strong side). The outside linebackers sit 1-2 yards closer to the line of scrimmage, aligned with the B gaps shaded to the strong side. The OLBs have run responsibilities for the B and C gaps. The corners play tight to the wideouts, usually shaded to the outside shoulder of the receiver in an "outside technique." The corners' run game responsibility is to turn any wide run back inside towards the middle of the field, preventing the runner from a "clean get" to the sideline. Safeties are responsible to clean up run plays all along the front, but with a specific responsibility for the D gap area between the tackle/tight end and the wideout.

As stated, the Tampa 2 is a "read-run-first" zone-style defense. Pre-snap, eleven sets of eyes look are looking into the offensive backfield. If the defense reads run, the players execute their run assignments as described above. If it reads pass, the four defensive linemen rush the passer in a predetermined pattern while the back seven drop off into a Cover 3 zone. The corners look to chuck the receivers towards the middle of the field, then drop back into a middle outside zone. The outside linebackers move outside and are expected to cover the under zones from tackle to the sidelines. The middle linebacker sprints backwards 15 yards deep, setting up in a middle zone. The safeties, already fifteen yards deep, split wider towards the outside. Together, the safeties and MLB create a Cover 3 shell. It should be noted that, given its basic simplicity, the Tampa 2 requires constant twerking in order to confuse offensive adjustments. Wrinkles in the zone coverage, particularly by the middle linebacker, are a necessity and blitz packages from every angle are a must.

With partial adjustments, Lovie Smith adheres faithfully to the principles of the Tampa 2. He averages almost exactly four (3.96) true defensive linemen/snap, divided almost equally between defensive tackles (1.85/snap) and defensive ends (2.11/snap). His defense has a middle linebacker every play and a WILL on most every down. Given the modern defensive needs to play sub packages, the SAM backer spot is filled less than 40% of the snaps. The Texans average 2.64 defensive backs/snap; the extra back is almost exclusively a slot corner. Depending on the offensive formation, this 3rd DB will often align in the WILL position, with the true WILL moving to over to the strong side. The Texans rarely play more than two safeties/snap, averaging just 2.01 safeties per play. Lovie does like to blitz: on 267 pass plays, the Texans have sent an extra player 74 times, an average of 27.7% blitzes/pass play. These blitzes come from every angle. Cornerbacks have blitzed 12 times (4.5%), with Desmond King leading with 10; safeties 7 times (2.6%), all by Jalen Pitre; inside linebackers 33 times (12.4%), almost exclusively by Christian Kirksey (31); and OLBs 22 times, led by Blake Cashman with 13. And the Texans blitzes are true blitzes of five or more players: defensive linemen have dropped back into coverage only seven times total.

An overall lack of talent has cost the Texan defense all year. To date, they rank 30th in yardage (398.1 Y/G) and 19th in points (22.9 PPG). The Texans run defense has been brutal: they have allowed 180.6 rushing yards/game, dead last in the NFL. They have the 5th most carries against (265) while allowing 5.5 yards/carry, 30th overall. The Texans allow 217.5 passing yards/game, 19th overall. This middling rank likely has less to do with good pass defense than it does with the opponents' preference to run on the Texans' porous run defense. To date, the opposition has completed just 154 passes on 248 attempts, both third least in the NFL. The completion percentage against, 62.1%, is 10th best overall. The Texans have given up 7 touchdown passes and have 7 interceptions. The Texans have 19 sacks (T17) for minus 102 yards (T24). Overall, the Texans' defense has allowed 179 first downs (23rd), with a third down conversion rate of 41.2% (19) and a fourth down conversion rate 55% (23). The Texans' have committed 53 defensive penalties (17) for 440 penalty yards (T22).

Defensive Line

Former Cowboys third-round pick Maliek Collins is, at least depth chart-wise, the Texans' starting nose tackle. The 27-year-old Collins suffered a chest injury in the Week 7 loss to the Raiders and has not played since. On the year, in 229 snaps, Collins has 12 tackles (6 solo), 1 pass defended, and 3 QB hits. His PFF grades are 52.3 against the run and 75.4 in pass rush, yielding an overall score of 62.3 , ranking him 46 out of 116 qualifying defensive tackles. Collins has been listed as "limited" in practice this week and is questionable for Sunday. Following Collins injury, the Texans signed NT Jaleel Johnson off the Falcons' practice squad. In two games/69 snaps, Johnson has 4 tackles (3 solo), 1.0 sacks, 1 QB hit, and one fumble recovery. He grades an awful 28.5 in run defense, 62.9 for pass rush, and 30.2 overall. DT Roy Lopez, a second year former sixth round pick from Arizona, has played 267 snaps. To-date he has 13 tackles (7 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, and 3 QB hits. His PFF grades are 59.0 (run)/54.3 (pass rush)/60.0 (coverage)/56.5 (overall), ranking #69 out of 116. DT Kurt Hinish is a rookie UDFA from Notre Dame. In 218 snaps, he has 10 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, and 1 QB hit. Hinish ranks #88/116. Backup nose tackle Thomas Booker is a fifth-round rookie from Stanford. In 127 snaps, Booker has 9 tackles (6 solo), 0.5 sacks, and 1 QB hit. He grades 35.1 (run)/53.0 (pass rush)/64.2 (coverage)/37.0 (overall). Second-year DT Michael Dwumfour, a 2021 UDFA from Rutgers, was placed on the IR back in October for reasons undisclosed. In four games/112 snaps, Dwumfour had 2 solo tackles and 1 QB hit. His PFF scores were a terrible 28.5 run defense, 55.6 pass rush, and 31.0 overall.

Veteran defensive end Jerry Hughs remains a terrific player. Now 34-years-of-age, the 2010 first-round pick from TCU has played 337 out of a possible 551 defensive snaps. To date he has 19 tackles (13 solo), 7 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 1 PD, 1 interception, 7 QB hits, and 1 forced fumble. He grades 63.9 in run defense, 70.2 for pass rush, 68.2 coverage, and 76.3 overall, ranking him #27 out of 110 qualifying defensive ends. Rasheem Green, a 2018 third-round pick from USC, starts opposite Hughs. With 277 snaps, Green has 22 tackles (16 solo), 4 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 PDs, and 6 QB hits. His PFF grades are 56.2 (run)/59.1 (pass rush)/60.0 (coverage)/59.5 (overall), ranking him 78/110. The #1 backup DE, Ogbonna Okoronkwo, is an all-around solid player. A 2018 fifth-round pick from Oklahoma, Okoronkwo, in 190 defensive snaps, has 12 tackles (8 solo) and 3 QB hits. He grades a very good 73.6 in run defense, 65.4 in pass rush, 60.0 coverage, and 72.7 overall, ranking 36/110. Backup DE Jonathan Greenard was placed on the IR back on October 22 due to a calf injury. Prior to that, Greenard, who was also hobbled by an ankle injury, had played in four games with 178 snaps. Greenard's season totals are 9 tackles (6 solo), 5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and 3 QB hits. He graded 64.9 (run)/57.7 (pass rush)/60.0 (coverage)/60.9 (overall), ranking 70/110. 35-year-old DE Mario Addison, who began the season on the IR, was cleared and reinstated to the active roster on October 08. In 119 snaps, he has three tackles (2 solo), posting PFF grades of 53.1/53.9/64.1/55.8. Backup DE Demone Harris, a 2018 UDFA from the U of Buffalo, was recently released, then re-signed to the practice squad. In 62 snaps over three games, Harris has 4 solo tackles, 1 PD, and 1 QB hit, grading 52.0/56.4/60.0/49.5.

Linebackers

30-year-old Christian Kirksey is Texans' middle linebacker. A 2014 third-round pick of the Browns, the undersized Kirksey, never better than average, has lost a step the past few years. In fact, on three separate occasions this season, Lovie Smith has pulled Kirksey for a series or two in favor of a younger player. That said, Kirksey is an experienced and savvy veteran who knows how to quarterback the defense. Kirksey has played a total of 521 out of a possible 551 snaps. Kirskey blitzes quite a bit; to date, he has 31 pass rushes. Look for him to come on several A gap blitzes against the Giants. To date, he has 57 tackles (36 solo), 3 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 2 PDs, 1 interception, 3 QB hits, and 1 fumble recovery. Kirksey's PFF grades are 54.7 (run)/58.8 (coverage)/65.3 (pass rush)/57.8 (overall), ranking 52/80.

Neither of the Week 1 starting outside linebackers remain on the active roster. Former Patriot Kamu Grugier-Hill started the first six games at WILL. Over 363 snaps, Grugier-Hill recorded 40 tackles (30 solo), with 1 TFL and 1 PD. Overall, Grugier-Hill's play was terrible, receiving PFF grades of 28.2 in run defense, 42.1 coverage, 61.6 pass rush, and 30.0 overall, grading #79 out of 80 qualifying outside linebackers. Following the Week 7 loss to the Raiders, the Texans, having witnessed enough, released Grugier-Hill. He has since been signed by Arizona. Lovie replaced Grugier-Hill as starter with Christian Harris, a rookie third-round pick from Alabama. If anything, Harris has been worse. In 153 defensive snaps, Harris has 13 tackles (11 solo), with 1 TFL and 1 PD. He grades 26.2 in run defense, 30.1 in coverage, 54.2 in pass rush, and 26.2 overall. Kevin Pierre-Louis was the opening day SAM backer. Pierre-Louis was injured in the Week 2 loss to Denver and was subsequently placed on the IR. In 42 snaps, Pierre Lewis had 4 tackles (1 solo) and 1 PD, grading 29.5 (run)/68.5 (coverage)/68.0 (pass rush)/45.8 (overall). His replacement as starter is second-year player Garret Wallow, a 2021 fifth-round pick from TCU. In 118 snaps, Wallow has 13 tackles (6 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PD. He grades 31.8 (run)/64.1 (coverage)/56.4 (pass rush)/43.2 (overall).

Several other players have had defensive snaps at linebacker. Blake Cashman, a 2019 fifth-round pick from Minnesota, is a bit of a third-down specialist. Although he has played in seven games, Cashman has taken only 51 total snaps. To date, he has 8 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFL, 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. Cashman grades 56.8 (run)/75.9 (coverage)/60.8 (pass rush)/68.0 (overall). Cashman leads all outside linebackers with 13 blitz rushes. 2015 UDFA Neville Hewitt has 22 total snaps, all of which were subbing at MAC for Christian Kirksey. Hewitt, who has 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 QB hit, has a a run-stuffing grade of 78.5 and an overall of 67,2. He is listed as OUT for Sunday with a hamstring injury. Jaylen Reeves-Maybin, a 2017 fourth-round pick from Tennessee, has 36 snaps. Normally an outside linebacker, Reeves-Maybin did sub in at MAC last week against the Eagles. In fact, Lovie pulled both Christian Kirksey and Christian Harris for eight plays in favor of Reeves-Maybin and Jake Hansen. On the year, Reeves Maybin has 6 tackles (2 solo) and 1 fumble recovery. He grades 36.1/57.1/56.5/42.3. Hansen, a rookie UDFA from Illinois, has played only 11 defensive snaps. He has three solo tackles and an overall grade of 48.8.

Cornerbacks

29-year-old left corner Steve Nelson is having a fine season. The 2015 third-round pick from Oregon State has played 547 out of 551 possible snaps. To date, Nelson has 36 tackles (28 solo), 1 TFL, 5 PD, 1 interception, 1 QB hit, and 1 forced fumble. Nelson grades 79.4 in coverage, 29.8 in run support, 91.1 in limited pass rush, and 70.1 overall, ranking #32 out of 114 qualifying corners. Rookie right corner Derek Stingley has been, to date, a disappointment. Much was expected of Stingley, the LSU alum who was the #3 overall pick in the 2022 draft. Critics have complained that Lovie Smith's "dated" Tampa 2 defense does not take full advantage of Stingley's attributes. No matter, Stingley should be playing better. Stingley, who had injury concerns going back to his college days, has been very durable, playing 538 out a possible 551 defensive snaps. He currently has 41 tackles (33 solo), 1.0 sacks, 5 PD, and 1 interception. His grades are not good: 49.1 coverage, 46.1 run defense, 63.6 pass rush, and 49.0 overall, ranking him 99th out of 114 corners. As much as Stingley has been underwhelming, slot corner Desmond King has been excellent. The 2017 fifth-round pick from Iowa has played 355 snaps (64%). King has 37 tackles (30 solo), 5 TFL, 7 PD, 1 interception, and 1 QB hit. He grades 75.4 coverage, 73.8 run support, 73.1 pass rush, 77.6 overall, ranking 13th of 114. Isaac Yiadom, the former Giant, is the only other corner to get any playing time, with just 2 total defensive snaps.

Safeties

Strong safety Jonathan Owens is a solid, durable, if middling, talent. The 27-year-old Owens, a 2018 UDFA from West Missouri State, has played 496 out a possible 551 defensive snaps. To date, Owens has 68 tackles (48 solo) and has 2 PD. Owens grades 58.7 coverage, 57.9 run support, and 59.0 overall, ranking 61 out of 84 qualifying safeties. Rookie safety Jalen Pitre, a second-round pick from Baylor, has played 524 defensive snaps. Thrown directly into the fire at free safety, he has shown flashes, but overall his play has been a struggle. To date, he has 57 tackles (36 solo), 5 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 2 PD, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Pitre grades 43.9 in coverage, 40.0 in run support, 71.2 in pass rush, and 39.9 overall, ranking him 82nd out of a possible 84 safeties. Two other players have taken snaps at safety. Strong Safety MJ Stewart, a 2018 second-round pick from North Carolina, has played 33 snaps. He has 16 tackles (10 solo) and 1 forced fumble. He grades 55.7 coverage, 76.0 run support, and 69.8 overall. Free Safety Eric Murray, a 2016 fourth-round pick from Minnesota, has played 53 snaps. Murray has 14 tackles (10 solo), with PFF grades of 65.0 coverage, 61.8 run support, 65.9 pass rush, and 67.3 overall.

Specialty Teams

The kickoff return man is Tremon Smith. A special teams ace, the 2018 sixth-round pick from Central Arkansas has 9 kickoff returns for 187 yards, 20.8 yards/return, with a long of 25 yards. Starting slot corner Desmond King serves duty as the punt returner. Year-to-date, he has returned 9 punts for 73 yards, 7.3 yards/return, with a long of 31 yards, and 11 fair catches. 28-year-old Ka'imi Fairburn is in his sixth year as the Texans' place kicker. To date, he has made 14/16 field goals, including 3/3 on kicks of 50+ yards, and 13/13 extra points. 30-year-old Cameron Johnson is the punter. Year-to-date he has 39 punts, with a gross average of 49.1 yards, a net average of 42.7, with 19 punts inside the 20, 10 fair catches, and an average return of 8.9 yards.
#25
Houston Texans Offense

Texans Head Coach Lovie Smith is a long-time NFL coach with a record of success. Highly respected in his profession, Smith's coaching pedigree is on the defensive side of the ball. The 64-year-old Smith began his coaching career in 1980, serving as either linebacker or defensive back coach at several major college programs. In 1996, he joined the NFL ranks as the Tampa Bay Bucs' linebacker coach. Under the tutelage of Head Coach Tony Dungy, Smith was an integral part in the development of the Tampa 2 4-3 defense. In 2001, he became the defensive coordinator in St. Louis, turning what had been a mediocre Rams' defense into a league powerhouse. In 2004, Smith was hired as the Bears head coach. Over nine seasons, Smith's Bears posted an 81-63 regular season record. His Bears won three NFC North titles and included a 2006 trip to Super Bowl XLI, a 29-17 loss to the Colts. Following the 2012 season, despite a 10-6 record, Smith was fired by the Bears. After sitting out a year, Smith was hired in 2014 as Tampa Bay's head coach. Smith lasted just two seasons with Tampa, being fired in 2015 after posting a 2-14 record. Smith moved on to coach at the University of Illinois, leading the Fighting Illini through five lackluster campaigns before getting fired in 2020. In 2021, the Texans  hired Smith as their defensive coordinator. In 2022, Smith was hired as the Texans' head coach, replacing David Culley, who was fired following a tumultuous and unsuccessful 2021 season.

48-year-old Pep Hamilton is the Texans' offensive coordinator. Hamilton played his college ball at Howard University, 1993-1996. A quarterback, Hamilton won the school's scholar athlete award in both 1995 and 1996. In his senior year, Hamilton led the Bison, coached by Steve Wilson, to the Black College National Championship. Following graduation, Hamilton was hired by Howard as an offensive assistant. He served two years as quarterbacks coach, then two years as offensive coordinator. In 2003, Hamilton moved on to the NFL, spending 2003-2006 as an offensive QC/quarterbacks coach with both the Jets and the Forty Niners. From 2007-2009, Hamilton was quarterbacks coach in Chicago, serving under Head Coach Lovie Smith. Following the Bears' firing of Smith, Hamilton left Chicago to become the head coach of the Stanford Cardinal. After three seasons at Stanford, he returned to the NFL as the offensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts. Hamilton spent 2013-2015 in Indy. He then spent 2016 as an offensive assistant in Cleveland. After a single season, Hamilton left the Browns for Michigan, where he served 2017 & 2018 as passing game coordinator. In 2020 he returned to the NFL as the Chargers quarterbacks coach. In 2021 he was hired by Houston as QB Coach/Passing Game Coordinator. In 2022, new head coach Lovis Smith named Hamilton as his offensive coordinator.

Both Hamilton and Smith, who serves as his own defensive coordinator, have their work cut out for them. Years of lousy drafts, bad trades, the Deshawn Watson debacle, and poor cap management have resulted in a roster that is sprinkled with a handful of good players but which is otherwise bereft of talent. Going into the season, the Houston front office decided to make 2022 a sacrificial year in which the team would eat almost $75 million in dead cap. The real rebuild will come in 2023, when the Texans will have less than one million in dead cap. At present, positional units mix 1-2 decent players with groupings of veteran castoffs and street free agents. This is not to say that the Texans don't play hard; they do. Much like the Giants, they have been able to play tough against stronger opponents; unlike the Giants, they have lacked the extra punch required to win competitive games. The present Brandin Cooks drama notwithstanding, the team seems to be buying into the direction of Smith and his staff. That said, the return to playoff contention remains off into the future.

Pep Hamilton, a quarterback guru by trade, runs a balanced, if somewhat conservative, offense. The Texans average 1.00 running backs/snap and 1.41 tight ends/snap. They utilize a true fullback on 22% of the snaps. Their average of 2.33 wide receivers/snap is somewhat low by today's standards. Given these numbers, 12, 21, and 22/23 personnel packages are common. The Texans have a balanced run/pass ratio of 40.3%. On run plays, a single back, Damien Pierce, accounts for 79% of the carries. On pass plays, running backs account for 27.2% of targets (5.5 yards/catch), tight ends 23.3% (11.2 Y/C), and wide outs only 49.4% 13.4 (Y/C). The Texans are not big on trick plays. To date they show zero reverse carries by tight ends or wide receivers. Halfback Rex Burkhead has tried one option pass (it was incomplete). To date they have used a sixth offensive lineman a total of 18 times.

Statistically, the Houston offense sits 29th in total yardage (290.5 Y/G) and 28th in points (16.6 PPG). They average 101.9 rush yards/game (25th) on 188 rushing attempts (tied 27th) for an average of 4.3 yards/carry (tied for 20th). They average 188.6 passing yards/game (27th) and are 23rd in each of attempts (259), completions (162), and completion percentage (62.5%). Quarterback Davis Mills has 10 touchdown passes (T18) and 8 interceptions (T 23). He has been sacked 19 times (T15) for minus 147 yards (22). The Texans have just 134 first downs (30th) with a TOP of 28:16 (28th). They have an abysmally low third down conversion average of 31.1% (30th). Indicative of a well-coached team, Houston is one of the least penalized teams in the league, with just 43 total penalties (tied for 5th best) for 338 yards (7th best). They are +3 in turnover ratio (T5), with 10 takeaways (3 fumbles/7 interceptions) vs 7 giveaways (1 fumble/6 interceptions).

Offensive Line

The Houston offensive line is anchored by two fine tackles. Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil was a 2016 first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins. He came to Houston following a blockbuster trade that occurred just prior to the start of the 2019 season. Tunsil has since made two Pro Bowls and has developed in one of the best left tackles in the NFL. Season-to-date, he has earned PFF grades of 78.3 (run)/90.9 (pass pro)/86.4 (overall), ranking him #4 among 79 qualifying tackles. Tunsil has played all 486 offensive snaps. Right tackle Tytus Howard was Houston's 2019 first-round pick (#23 overall) from Alabama State. Howard, who has played all but four offensive snaps, grades 66.3 (run)/71.5 (pass pro)/69.9 (overall), ranking #30 out of 79. Rookie left guard Kenyon Green, a first-round pick from Texas A & M, is hobbled by a shoulder injury suffered in the Week 7 loss to the Raiders. Green, who has taken 438 snaps (90%), has struggled to date. He earns PFF grades of 56.6 for run blocking, a very poor 27.6 in pass protection, with an overall grade of 45.0 (#70 out of 79 qualifying guards). Veteran right guard AJ Cann is a solid performer. He missed the Week 8 game against Tennessee with an illness, but has otherwise played 100% of the offensive snaps. The 31-year-old Cann grades 65.2 (run)/60.8 (pass pro)/66.6 (overall), ranking #26 out of 79. At center, the Texans had expected Justin Britt to be their 2022 starter, but Britt, for undisclosed reasons, landed on the non-football injury reserve list after playing in the Texans' opening week tie with the Colts. Britt's replacement, veteran Scott Quessenberry, has struggled mightily. Quessenberry, a 2018 fifth-round pick from UCLA, grades 50.9 in run blocking, a terrible 29.9 in pass protection, with an overall grade 45.4, ranking 35 out of 37 qualifying centers. Since taking over for Britt, Quessenberry has missed just one offensive snap.

Justin McCray is the primary backup guard, having taken 83 total snaps while filling in for Kenyon Green and AJ Cann. A 2014 UDFA from UCF, the 30-year-old McCray posts PFF grades of 55.2 (run)/29.4 (pass pro)/42.2 (overall). 2020 fourth-round pick Charlie Heck (North Carolina) is the primary backup tackle. He is also often used as a "tackle eligible." In 22 total snaps, Heck grades 47.5/78.2/48.8. KC McDermott, a 2018 UDFA from U of Miami, backs up at both tackle and guard. In 19 snaps, he grades 79.1 (run)/a Blutarski-like 0.0 in pass pro/and an overall grade of 21.6. Backup center Jimmy Morrissey has taken a single offensive snap.

Running Backs

Rookie Damien Pierce, a fourth-round pick from Florida, is developing into a terrific young player. In 302 offensive snaps, he has 148 carries for 678 yards (6th in the NFL), an average of 4.6 yards/carry, 3 touchdowns, and two fumbles. He has also caught 20 passes on 24 targets for 98 yards, 4.9 yards/catch, and 1 touchdown. His PFF grades of 90.4 (run)/59.5 (receiving)/89.0 (overall) ranks him #6 of 59 qualifying backs. Backup Rex Burkhead is more of a "change-of-pace" third-down specialist. In 173 total snaps, the 32-year-old Burkhead has 23 carries for 81 yards (3.5 Y/C) and has caught 25 passes on 33 targets for 131 yards, 5.2 yards/catch, and one touchdown. Burkhead does have one pass attempt (incomplete). His grades of 59.5 (run)/60.6 (pass)/60.4 (overall) rank him #50 out of 59. The #3 back, 28-year-old veteran Dare Ogunbowale, rarely gets on the field, but when he does, he makes the most of it. In just 13 snaps, he has 1 carry for 8 yards plus 6 catches on 8 targets for 54 yards (9.0 Y/C). Rookie fullback Troy Hairston has played 105 snaps (22%). Hairston has yet to carry the ball but does have 3 catches on 3 targets for 12 yards.

Tight Ends

Tight ends are a big part of the Houston offense. In fact, the Texans average 1.41 tight ends per snap and have targeted the tight ends with 23.3% of their pass attempts. As such, each tight end is expected to both run block and serve as an effective receiver. Unfortunately, the TE run blocking has been at best mediocre while the targeted completion rate is only 60%. The nominal starter is a second-year player Brevin Jordan, a 2021 fifth-round pick from Miami. In 163 offensive snaps, Jordan has just 6 completions on 17 targets for 32 yards, an average of 5.3 yards/completion and 1.9 yards/target. Jordan grades 53.1 receiving, 47.8 in run blocking, with an overall grade of 51.2, ranking him #62 of 69 qualifying tight ends. OJ Howard, a 2017 first-round pick from Alabama, has played 219 snaps. Howard has 8 catches on 15 targets for 110 yards, 13.8 Y/C, and 2 touchdowns. He grades 64.3 receiving, 50.8 run blocking, and 59.5 overall, ranking #40 out of 59. Pharoah Brown, who started the season #3 on the depth chart, was released in early October and is now on the Browns. In three games, Brown had 7 catches on 10 targets for 72 yards (10.3 Y/C). Jordan Akins, a 2018 third-round pick from UCF, is the Texans best receiving tight end. To date, in 103 offensive snaps, he has 11 catches on 15 targets for 159 yards, 14.5 Y/C, and one touchdown. Akins grades a very good 72.6 as a receiver, a poor 42.9 as a run blocker, with an overall score of 69.6. Mason Schreck, a 2017 seventh-round pick, has played 43 snaps. To date he has 2 catches on 2 targets for 6 yards, earning an overall grade of 53.0. Prior to last week's Eagles' game, the Texans promoted rookie fifth-round pick Teagan Quatoriano to the active roster. In 18 snaps, Quatoriano caught one pass, a two-yard touchdown reception.

Wide Receivers

No strangers to in-house drama, the Texans found their latest iteration in the person of #1 wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Despite signing a two-year/$36-million-dollar contract last spring, Cooks has been unhappy with the Texans of late and strongly pushed for a trade prior to the November 1st deadline. Likely due to his huge cap hit, no suitable trade partner could be found and Cooks stayed put. Cooks subsequently pouted and left the team facility, resulting in Lovie Smith leaving him off the active roster for last Thursday's Eagles game. Cooks returned to the team facility on Friday and did show up for today's (Wednesday's) practice, although reports state that he did not participate in team activities and was in fact an all-around ass. His status for the Giants is questionable. Year-to-date, Cooks has played 303 offensive snaps. He presently has 32 catches on 53 targets for 354 yards, 11.1 Y/C, and one touchdown. He earns an overall grade of 65.5, ranking him 57th out of 110 qualifying wide outs.

#2 wide receiver Nico Collins has missed the past two games due to a groin injury suffered in the Week 7 loss to the Raiders. As of the writing of this report, his status for Sunday is questionable. Prior to the injury, Collins, a 2021 third-round pick from Michigan, was having a solid season. In six games/250 snaps, he has 18 catches on 30 targets for 305 yards, an average of 16.9 Y/C. His overall PFF grade is 73.4, ranking him #27 out of 110. The #3 wide receiver, Chris Moore, is a former 2016 fourth-round pick from Cincinnati. With 252 snaps, Moore has 14 catches on 21 targets for 171 yards, 12.2 Y/C, and 2 touchdowns. He grades #91 of 110. The #4 receiver is 29-year-old Phil Dorsett. A 2015 first-round pick of the Colts from the U of Miami, Dorsett has never really developed into anything more than an average receiver. Year to date, with 165 offensive snaps, he has 7 catches on 17 targets for 135 yards, an impressive 19.3 Y/C, and one touchdown, with an overall PFF grade of 62.3. Otherwise, wide receivers Chris Conley, Tyron Johnson, and Tyler Johnson have all had 29-30 offensive snaps. None has caught a pass. Tyron Johnson is now on the practice squad while Tyler Johnson and Conley have been released.

Quarterback

Second-year quarterback Davis Mills was a 2021 third-round pick from Stanford. As a rookie, he was thrown directly into the fire, playing in 13 games and starting 11. Under the circumstances, he played moderately well, throwing for 2664 yards, 14 touchdowns, and ten interceptions while earning a quarterback rating of 88.8 and a QBR of 35.5. This season Mills has looked pretty much the same. He has started all eight games and has played 481 out of a possible 486 offensive snaps. He has completed 162 of 258 passes for 1656 yards, a 62.8% completion rate, 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. To date he earns an 81.2 quarterback rating and a 32.8 QBR. Mills has an average arm and at times will throw soft "I hope it gets there without being intercepted" style passes.  Mills is fairly protective when holding the ball: over 21 games, he has 9 total fumbles. Opponents have sacked Mills 19 times for minus 147 yards, both stats of which are middle of the pack. Mills is not particularly mobile and will not beat you with his legs. In 2021, he had 18 total carries for 44 yards; this season, 12 carries for 28 yards. His current PFF grades are 66.6 passing, 54.4 running, and 66.5 overall, ranking him 22nd out of 39 qualifying quarterbacks.

Jeff Driskel is the Texans' backup quarterback. He had 5 total snaps between Weeks 1 & 2, running twice for 15 yards. If the Texans' intent was to utilize Driskel as a Taysom Hill type change of pace quarterback, that plan has been junked as Driskel has yet to take another snap.
#26
Seattle Seahawks Defense

Clint Hurtt is in his first season as defensive coordinator. He replaced long time Seahawks DC Ken Norton Jr. Norton, a close friend of Pete Carroll, was let go due to three straight years of subpar defense. In 2019-2021, the Seahawks' D finished, respectively, 26th, 22nd, and 28th in total yardage. In 2021, the Seahawks yielded 379.1 yards/game and had only 32 sacks (tied for 23). They also had only 18 takeaways, the team's lowest yearly total in the Pete Carroll era. The 43-year-old Hurtt, who had served the previous four years as the Seahawks defensive line/assistant head coach, was charged with installing a 3-4 defense designed to lower the yards/game average while increasing the sack and turnover numbers.

The transition did not go smoothly. Norton had run a traditional 4-3 defense with a Cover 3 shell, a defense that Seattle had used since Pete Carroll's arrival in 2010. As such, the Seattle defensive personnel were neither used to playing nor best suited to a 3-4. To complicate matters, Hurtt installed a traditional two-gap 3-4 system that was foreign to the one-gap assignments to which the players were accustomed. Leaks sprung big and often, culminating in Weeks 4 and 5 debacles against Detroit and New Orleans where the defense gave up a combined 84 points and 958 yards. Through five games, the Seattle defense, particularly the run defense, was in a shambles. Hurtt, with the help of a closed-door players meeting, made wide-scale adjustments. He dumped most of the two-gap "read-and-react" assignments in favor of the more familiar one gap responsibilities. On run downs, he re-installed the "Bear" defensive front, setting the nose tackle and defensive ends in a "3-0-3" alignment with the edge/OLBs as five or seven techs. He replaced starting weakside edge/OLB Darrell Taylor, who was getting destroyed on run downs and also couldn't cover anybody, with the sturdier and more reliable Boye Mafe. Hurtt relegated Taylor to his better suited role as a situational pass rusher. Hurtt also replaced starting strong safety Josh Jones with Ryan Neal. Jones, who had assumed the starting role after All-World SS Jamaal Adams suffered a Week 1 season-ending knee injury, simply hadn't been up to the task, playing poorly in both run and pass defense. Neal, on the other hand, has played very well in both capacities. Overall, the defense has responded to these changes. In the past two weeks, they have yielded a total of 30 points with an average of 322 yards/game, with 9 sacks for minus 68 yards and four turnovers.

This doesn't mean the Seahawks have junked the 3-4; they have not. Positionally, they average 2.4 defensive lineman/play (0.68 nose tackles, 1.72 DT/DEs), 1.97 edge/OLBs, 1.77 ILBs, 2.70 corners, and 2.17 safeties. They are now playing a more aggressive five-man front on run downs, with the two inside linebackers covering inside gaps, usually assisted by the strong safety and/or slot corner. Pressure is usually generated by a four-man rush. ILB and DB pressures total 73 snaps, while edge drop backs total 81. D linemen do not drop in to coverage (only once all year). The back blitzes mostly come from the inside linebackers (46 total, with Brooks with 28 and Barton 16), while the safeties have blitzed 16 times (Neal 10) and the corners 11 (Bryant 8). Coverage-wise, I see the corners mostly off the line in zone coverage with not much m2m, safeties in a Cover 1 mixed with Cover 3, but also with some Cover 2, particularly on passing downs. Overall, I see a roll up zone with either a five-man under shell and a Cover 2 deep or a four-man under shell with a Cover 3 deep shell.

Defensive Line

The Seahawks rotate two nose tackles who split playing time 50/50. The listed starter is 35-year-old Al Woods, a 2010 fourth-round pick from LSU. In 165 snaps, Woods has 20 tackles (14 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one pass defended, and three QB hits. He earns PFF grades of 64.0 (run)/63.4 (pass rush)/64.3 (overall), ranking him 46 out of 117 qualifying defensive tackles. Woods rotates Bryan Mone, a 2019 UDFA from Michigan. In 168 snaps, Mone has 16 tackles (9 solo), 1 TFL, and one QB hit. He scores 55.7 (run)/65.0 (pass rush)/57.7 (overall), for a ranking of 63/117. Poona Ford, a 2018 UDFA from Texas, rotates along the line in zero, three, and four tech alignments. Bowling ball-shaped at 5'11"/310, Ford is nonetheless a useful and versatile player in both run and pass situations. Year-to-date, he has 16 tackles (12 solo), 3 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 2 PDs, and 2 QB hits. He shows PFF grades of 54.1/61.8/56.5.

The Seahawks rotate three players at three tech DT/five tech DE. 31-year-old Shelby Harris came to Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson trade. Originally a 2014 seventh-round pick of the Raiders, Harris played five seasons in Denver, recording 6 sacks in 2021. Year-to-date, in 214 snaps, Harris has 16 tackles (8 solo), 3 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 2 PDs, and 2 QB hits. His PFF grades are 67.0 (run)/66.6 (pass rush)/71.5 (overall), ranking 26 out of 117. Quinton Jefferson, who played his first four seasons for the Seahawks, returned this season to Seattle after a two-year hiatus split between Buffalo and Las Vegas. In 270 snaps, Jefferson has 16 tackles (9 solo), 3 TFL, 3.0 sacks, and 6 QB hits. He grades poorly against the run (40.9), middling as a pass rusher (59.2), with an overall grade of 50.5 (88/117). Myles Adams, a 2020 UDFA from Rice, has played 85 snaps, including 30 snaps last week against the Chargers. He has 4 tackle assists and one QB hit, with PFF grades of 55.8/71/5/66.7.

Edge/Outside Linebackers

Seattle began the year with Darrell Taylor, a 2020 second-round pick from Tennessee, starting at weakside edge/OLB. Taylor proved to be awful in both run defense and in pass coverage.  His poor play in these areas caused him to lose the starting job to rookie Boye Mafe. Taylor is now utilized as a situational pass rusher, a position in which he has played well. Year-to-date, Taylor, in 291 snaps, has 13 tackles (all solo), with 3 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 4 QB hits, 3 forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Taylor grades 36.6 (run), 70.2 (pass rush) 33.7 (coverage), with an overall grade of 48.1.  Mafe, a second-round pick from Minnesota, plays predominantly, but not exclusively, on run downs. In 192 snaps, Mafe has 23 tackles (17 solo), 1 TFL, 1.0 sacks, and 2 QB hits. He grades 69.9 (run)/54.1 (pass rush)/51.6 (coverage)/61.7 (overall). Strong side edge/OLB Uchenna Nwosu has been solid in all phases. With 392 snaps, he has 29 tackles (16 solo), with 4 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 3 PDs, 10 QB hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He grades 73.3 (run)/69.0 (pass rush)/61.5 (coverage)/69.5 (overall).

Lower on the depth chart is 31-year-old veteran Christian Jones. Active for the past two games, he has registered 2 tackles on 20 defensive snaps. Backup edge Darryl Johnson suffered a Week 4 ankle injury that landed him on the IR. Prior to the injury, in 52 snaps, Johnson had 4 tackles (2 solo), one TFL, and one QB hit, with an overall PFF grade of 57.5. To replace Johnson, the Seahawks signed 35-year-old veteran Bruce Irvin. An integral member of the Seahawks early 2010s' "Legion of Doom," Irvin is in his third go-around with Seattle. Elevated to the active roster for last week's Chargers game, Irvin played 24 snaps, registering 2 tackles. If nothing else, Irvin brings experience and direction to what is clearly a young and evolving defense.

Inside Linebackers

Left inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks, a 2020 first-round pick from Texas Tech, is a solid all-around backer. Brooks almost never comes off the field, having played 490 out of a possible 492 defensive snaps. A tackling machine, he has to-date 73 tacklers (48 solo), 1 pass defended, 2 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His PFF grades are 69.3 in run defense, 64.0 for pass rush, 50.8 in coverage, and 59.8 overall, ranking him 42nd of 78 qualifying ILBs. Starting at right inside linebacker is Cody Barton, a 2019 third-round pick from Utah. Barton has played 370 (75%) of the defensive snaps. He currently has 53 tackles (32 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, and one QB hit. Barton, whose play was not good early in the season, is playing better of late. He grades 55.1 in run defense, 62.4 in pass rush, 47.5 in coverage, and 59.8 overall (ranked 66 of 78). Nick Bellore is the top back up. Primarily a specialty teams ace (144 snaps on STs), he has 9 defensive snaps, earning an obviously bloated overall grade of 80.8. Bellore is on concussion protocol and has been ruled out for Sunday.

Cornerbacks

Starting left cornerback is fourth-year player Michael Jackson. A 2019 fifth-round pick by Dallas, the U of Miami alum bounced around for three seasons on the practice squads of Detroit, New England and Seattle, playing in only four games total. Jackson, who came close to not making this season's 53-man cutdown, has, mostly by default, emerged as a starting edge corner. He has started all seven games, playing 432 defensive snaps. Jackson has 27 tackles (26 solo), 2 TFL, 4 PDs, and one fumble recovery. He grades 55.0 in coverage, a fine 78.4 against the run, 57.7 pass rush (only 2 pass rushes to date), and an overall grade of 59.7. He ranks 64 out of 105 qualifying corners. Starting opposite Jackson is rookie Tariq Woolen, a fifth-round pick from UT-San Antonio. Woolen, who has played 473 out of a possible 492 snaps, has been a very pleasant surprise. To date, Woolen, a big corner at 6'4"/205, has 24 tackles (20 solo), 2 TFL, 6 passes defended, 3 QB hits, and 4 interceptions, including one 40-yard interception return for a touchdown. He grades 72.3 in coverage/63.3 run defense/72.0 overall, ranking 23rd of 105. Starting at slot corner is the electric rookie Coby Bryant, a fourth-round pick from Cincinnati. A dynamic if improving playmaker, Bryant, who plays all over the defensive front, has played 306 total defensive snaps. He has 28 tackles (19 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, 2 QB hits, and 4 forced fumbles. He grades 60.9 coverage/48.6 run support/57.5 pass rush/ and 57.0 overall, ranking 70 out of 105.

Seattle has several backup corners who have seen playing time. Artie Burns, a 2016 first-round pick of the Steelers, was likely the original plan as starter until he suffered a groin injury during camp. That injury has limited him to a season total of just 16 snaps, all in Week 5 against New Orleans. Burns, whose health has improved each week, did have a full practice Thursday and may see action against the Giants. Justin Coleman, a 2015 UDFA from Tennessee, played 51 snaps in Week 1 against Denver. He has since played in only 2 games, all on special teams. Against the Broncos, he earned a 54.3 cover grade/57.2 overall. To date, he has six total tackles (3 solo). Former Eagle Sidney Jones, a 2017 second-round pick from Washington, has, career-wise, been a disappointment. This season, he has played 45 defensive snaps over three games, recording 5 tackles (four solo), with an overall grade of 58.3.

Safeties

Seattle's defense took a huge hit when All Pro strong safety Jamaal Adams suffered a season-ending knee/quad injury just 15 plays into the Week 1 win over Denver. Josh Jones, a 2017 second-round pick from North Carolina State, took Adams spot at SS. Jones started Weeks 1-5, recording stats of 22 tackles (18 solo), 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. Jones' overall play was poor. To date, over 298 snaps, he posts PFF grades of 49.5 for coverage, 51.4 in run defense, and 64.9 in pass rush. His overall grade of 48.8 ranks him 75 out of 85 qualifying safeties. After the Week 5 debacle against New Orleans, DC Clint Hurtt decided to bench Jones in favor of Ryan Neal. The change has been dramatic. Now with 261 snaps, Neal has 23 tackles (16 solo), 1 TFL, 6 PDs, 1 interception, and 1 QB hit. His PFF scores of 78.6 (coverage), 57.0 (run defense), and 58.6 (pass rush) yields an overall grade of 75.5, ranking 16th out of 85 qualifying safeties. Free safety Quandre Diggs, a 2015 sixth-round pick from Texas, has played all 492 defensive snaps. Diggs' play has been solid, scoring grades of 60.6 (coverage)/65.5 (run support) and 61.7 (overall). To date he has 33 tackles (22 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 forced fumble. He ranks 53 out of 85 qualifying safeties.

Special Teams

T.J. Lockett was once an All-Pro kick returner, but in recent years his role in that capacity has diminished. Lockett, who has three career touchdown returns, now splits punt return duties with Xavier Crawford. Lockett has a single return for 7 yards; Crawford one return for zero yards. Dee Jay Dallas is the primary kickoff returner. He has 9 returns for 196 yards, a 21.8 average, with a long of 30 yards. D'wayne Eskridge has 2 kickoff returns for 45 yards, a 22.5 average, with a long of 25 yards. 31-year-old veteran Jason Myers is the kicker. To date, Myers has hit 15/16 field goals (3/3 on kicks of 50+) and has made 18/19 extra points. 26-year-old punter Michael Dickson has 21 punts. He has a gross average 48.8 and a net average of 44.4. He has had 7 punts inside the 20, 1 touchback, and 6 fair catches, with a return average of 7.2 Y/R.
#27
Seattle Seahawks Offense

71-year-old Pete Carroll began his coaching career in 1973 as a grad assistant at Pacific University. After spending a decade coaching in the lower ranks, in 1984 he signed as a defensive backfield coach with the Bills. After one season, he moved to Minnesota, where he spent five years as a secondary coach, studying under the legendary Bud Grant. In 1990, Jets' head coach Bruce Coslett hired Carroll as his defensive coordinator. Carroll remained in that capacity through 1993. In 1994, the Jets "kicked" Carroll "upstairs" to be their head coach. After a single lackluster 6-10 season, the Jets let him go. Carroll then coached as DC in San Francisco for two seasons before a 1997 hire as New England's head coach. He remained with the Patriots for three seasons, making the playoffs twice. Carroll was fired after the 1999 season and spent a year out of coaching. In 2001, he was hired as head coach of the USC Trojans. He remained at USC for nine seasons, earning National Championships in 2003 and 2004. In 2010, under the cloud of an NCAA investigation, he left USC to become head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Now in his 13th season in Seattle, he holds a 123-76-1 regular season record and a 10-8 playoff record. His Seahawks have twice been to the Super Bowl: a 2013 Superbowl XLVIII 43-8 victory over Denver, and a 2014 Super Bowl XLIX 28-24 loss to the Patriots. His Seahawks have made the playoffs in all but two seasons: 2017 and 2021.

Shane Waldron is the Seahawks offensive coordinator. The 43-year-old Waldron began his coaching career in 2005 as a Notre Dame grad assistant. In 2008, Bill Belichick hired Waldron as an offensive quality control/tight ends coach. After two seasons, he moved back into the college ranks, coaching tight ends and offensive line at UMass from 2012-2015. He then spent the 2016 season with the Washington Football Team as an offensive quality control coach. He joined the Rams in 2017 as their tight ends/passing game coordinator. He remained with the Rams for four seasons. In 2021, the Seahawks hired Waldron to be their offensive coordinator.

Seattle entered 2022 without quarterback Russell Wilson, who had been the team's starting quarterback since 2012. During the 2021/2022 offseason, the Seahawks had traded the disgruntled Wilson, plus a 4th round pick, to Denver in exchange for two first-round picks, two second- round picks, a fifth-round pick, the talented young tight end Noah Fant, starting defensive end Shelby Harris, and backup QB Drew Luck. A preseason QB battle between Luck and holdover backup Geno Smith resulted in a hands-down win for the 32-year-old Smith. Once the QB situation was settled, Waldron opted to utilize Smith in the same manner as he had used Wilson in 2021. To the surprise of most, myself included, Smith has been terrific. To date, his 107.7 quarterback rating ranks 3rd in the NFL; Pro Football Focus ranks him at #4 with an overall PFF grade of 83.6. In addition to Smith, the Seahawks feature a solid run game. In fact, Seattle maintains a balanced attack, with a 45.3% run/pass ratio. Personnel-wise, they average 1.06 running backs/snap, 1.60 tight ends/snap, and 2.32 wide receivers/snap. 12 and 13 personnel are predominant; 11 personnel packages are less common than most teams, and two back sets are rare. Year-to-date, running backs have been targeted with 11.4% of the pass attempts, tight ends 26.7%, and wideouts 61.9%. Waldron likes to use his backs and tight ends on high percentage shorter pass routes. To date, the running backs have caught 21 passes on 24 targets, an 88% completion rate, for 105 yards, a modest average of 5.0 yards/catch. The talented trio of Seahawk tight ends has been more productive: 48 catches on 56 targets, an 86% completion rate, for 505 yards (10.5 yards/catch). Wide receivers have 89 catches on 130 targets, a 68.4% completion rate, for 1102 yards (12.4 yards/catch). On a smaller note, Seattle is averaging exactly 5.0 offensive linemen/snap, indicating that they have not utilized a short-yardage "tackle eligible" all year.

Statistically, Seattle ranks 12 in total yardage (355 yards/game) and 5th in points (26.1 PPG). They average 137.1 rushing yards/game (10th), have 174 rushing attempts (17th), and average a league-best 5.5 yards/carry. They have 7 rushing touchdowns (T9). The Seahawks have fumbled 11 times, second-most in the league, but, oddly, have lost only one to the opposition. In the pass game (all Geno Smith), they are 16th in yards (225.7 Y/G), 20th in pass attempts (216), and 14th in completions (158). Geno Smith's completion rate of 73.1% ranks #1 in the NFL. He has 11 touchdowns (T9) and 4 interceptions (T6). Of his 11 touchdown passes, 6 have been to wide receivers, 5 to tight ends, and zero to running backs. Smith has been sacked 16 times (tied for 11th most) for minus 131 sack yardage (7th worst).

Offensive Line

Much like the Giants, the 2021 Seattle offensive line was an absolute train wreck. Offseason, the Seahawk front office spent much effort and capital to address the issue. They drafted two tackles, both of whom are starters, signed a free agent center, and pieced together a trio of guards from the 2021 roster that are showing at least a competent level of play. Rookie left tackle Charles Cross, the #7 overall pick from Mississippi State, has played 100% of the offensive snaps. A textbook "pure left tackle," Cross has been solid, if not spectacular. To date, his Pro Football Focus scores are 55.2 run blocking/66.1 pass blocking. His overall score of 60.0 ranks him 58 of 77 qualifying tackles. Right tackle Abraham Lucas, a rookie from Washington State, was a third-round pick (#72 overall). Like Cross, Lucas has started and played all 436 snaps. His PFF grades are 64.3 (run)/71.7 (pass pro)/65.9 (overall), ranking him #44 of 77 qualifying tackles. The Seahawks signed former Ram starting center Austin Blythe to a one-year, $4 million dollar contract. Blythe too has played all 436 snaps. His play has been subpar, grading 52.6 (run)/62.6 (pass pro)/50.8 (overall), a ranking of 33 out of 37. Third year left guard Damien Lewis, who made the 2020 All-Rookie Team, missed Week 1 with a nagging ankle issue, then missed part of Week 2 with a quad injury. He has since played 100% of the snaps. The LSU alum grades 58.0 (run)/69.9 (pass pro)/63.4 (overall), ranking #31 out of 77. The starting right guard is veteran Gabe Jackson, a 2014 third-round pick from Mississippi State. Jackson, who played 100% of the snaps in Weeks 1-4, suffered a hip flexor injury in the Week 5 loss to New Orleans and has not played since. Prior to the injury, he graded 56.9/49.9/56.5, ranking 52 out of 77. He was listed as "limited" with hip/knee issues in the Wednesday Seahawks injury report. Phil Haynes, who filled in for Damien Lewis at LG early in the season, subbed in at right guard for Jackson in Weeks 5-7. In 221 total snaps, Haynes, a 2019 fourth-round pick from Wake Forest, has PFF grades of 60.8/57.5/55.5. Haynes left last week's win over the Chargers with a concussion. He was listed as "did not participate" on Wednesday's injury report due to concussion protocol. If neither Jackson nor Haynes is a go on Sunday, Jake Curhan, who took the final 24 snaps against the Chargers, will likely start. Over those 24 plays, Curhan earned PFF grades of 50.1 in run blocking, a Blutarski-like perfect 0.0 score in pass blocking, with an overall of 30.1. A 2021 UDFA from Cal, Curhan started five games last year at right tackle, scoring a PFF grade of 50.1.  Another possible option is Kyle Fuller, a fifth-year player who started nine game last year at center. 

Running Backs and Tight Ends

Rashaad Penny, Seattle's #1 running back, is on IR due to a fibula fracture + ankle injury suffered in the Week 5 loss to New Orleans. Prior to the injury, Penny, a 2018 first-round pick, had rushed for 346 yards on 57 carries (6.1 Y/C) and two touchdowns, with a PFF overall of 70.2 (20th of 61). Kenneth Walker III, who was already getting significant playing time as the #2 back, is now starting in Penny's place. Walker, a rookie second-round pick from Michigan State, has 67 carries for 411 rushing yards (6.1 Y/C) and four touchdowns. Walker hasn't been much of a force in the pass game, catching 8 passes on 10 targets for 27 yards (3.4 Y/C). Despite a weak pass catching score of 52.6, his A+ PFF run grade of 86.2 boosts his overall score to 77.5, ranking him 11th out of 61 qualifying backs. Moving into the #2 RB slot is 2020 fourth-round pick Dee Jay Dallas. The U of Miami alum, with 75 snaps from scrimmage, has 12 carries for 61 yards (5.1 Y/C) and has caught 5 passes on 5 targets for 29 yards (5.8 Y/C). He is also they only Seahawk other than Geno Smith to attempt a forward pass (it was incomplete). Third in the hole is 2019 sixth-round pick Travis Homer. Also from Miami, Homer, in 43 snaps, has 4 carries for 18 yards (4.5 Y/C) and has 4 catches on 4 targets for 33 yards (8.3 Y/C).

The Seahawks have a terrific trio of tight ends. #1 is Will Dissley, a 2018 fourth-round pick from the Washington Huskies. To date, in 285 snaps, he has 19 catches on 20 targets for 194 yards (10.2 Y/C) and three touchdowns. He scores grades of 73.6 in receiving/65.6 in run blocking/74.6 overall, ranking him 6th among qualifying tight ends. #2 tight end, Noah Fant, was a 2019 first-round pick of Denver. He came to Seattle this offseason in the Russell Wilson trade. In 263 snaps, Fant has 20 catches on 26 targets for 157 yards (7.9 Y/C) and one touchdown. He scores 67.7 (receiving)/58.7 (run blocking)/65.8 (overall), ranking 16th of 72. Colby Parkinson, a 2020 fourth-round pick from Stanford, is another good TE option. A downfield threat, Parkinson, in 151 snaps, has 9 catches on 10 targets for 154 yards (17.1 Y/C). He grades 71.8/57.7/68.5, ranking 12th of 72.

Wide Receivers

No question that D.K. Metcalf is one of the NFL's top big-man wide receivers. Now in his fourth season, the 2019 second-round pick from Ole Miss has had 900+ reception yards in each of his first three seasons. In his best season, 2020, Metcalf caught 83 passes for 1303 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl. Year-to-date, on 334 snaps, Metcalf has 31 catches on 52 targets for 418 yards (13.5 Y/C) and two touchdowns, with a PFF receiving grade of 73.0. Metcalf suffered a knee injury last week against the Chargers and had to be carted off the field. He has not practiced all week and is doubtful for Sunday against the Giants. #2 wide receiver Tyler Lockett was limited in practice Wednesday. He has been hampered in recent weeks by a hamstring injury but has been able to play on Sundays. Last week, against the Chargers, he played 46 snaps (65%) and caught 7 passes on 8 targets for 45 yards. Year-to-date, Lockett, with 353 snaps, has 41 catches on 53 targets for 468 yards (11.4 Y/C) and 2 touchdowns, with a PFF grade of 77.2 (16th of 110). The #3/slot receiver is 31-year-old Marquise Goodwin. A 2013 third-round pick from Texas, Goodwin has played 182 snaps, catching 10 passes on 15 targets for 146 yards (14.6 Y/C) and two touchdowns, with a PFF grade of 60.5.

Seattle has three additional receivers who have taken offensive snaps. 2021 second-round pick Dwayne Eskridge (W. Michigan) has been gaining more playing time of late. In 110 snaps (30 last week against the Chargers), Eskridge has 6 catches on 9 targets for 55 yards (9.2 Y/C). He also has two carries on reverses for ten yards. Eskridge scores a 57.9 overall grade. Elsewise, 2019 UDFA Penny Hart has played 10 offensive snaps. He has one catch for 15 yards. Dareke Young, a rookie seventh-round pick from Lenoir-Rhyne, has played 24 snaps, including 17 last week against the Chargers. He has zero catches on zero targets.

Quarterback

Geno Smith has surprised and thrived in the 2022 Seattle offense. Although it seems that the 32-year-old Smith has been around forever, he is actually a year younger than Russell Wilson. Now in his ninth season, Geno is playing like the Jets hoped he would when they picked him in the second-round of the 2013 draft. Always mobile, Smith has smoothly transitioned into the Russell Wilson role in the Shane Waldron Seattle offense. To date, Smith has completed a league-leading 73.5% of his passes (158/215) for 1712 yards and 11 touchdowns. He does have 4 interceptions (T6) and has been sacked 16 times (T11) for minus 131 yards (7th worst). Unleashed in the run game for the first time since his second season with the Jets, he has responded: 26 carries, 125 yards, 4.8 yards/carry, and one touchdown. He shows PFF grades of 79.9 passing and 82.0 running. As mentioned above, his 83.6 overall grade ranks him 4th of 36 qualifying quarterbacks, while his quarterback rating of 107.7 ranks 3rd.

Next: The Seattle Seahawks Defense and Specialty Teams
#28
Our final up-close look at the Giants 2022 draft. In this Part 2 of the post-draft analysis, we look at the Day 3 selections as well as several UDFAs. 29:00 run time. I hope all enjoy it!


https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/post-draft-2-session-mixdown-1
#29
Ceri and I examine the Giants picks on Days 1 & 2. Podcast covering Day 3 + UDFAs will be out a little later this week. Run time is 28:12.

Enjoy!

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/ceri-post-draft-1-mixdown-1
#30
Ceri returns to discuss the defensive prospects.

Edge: Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan), Travon Walker (Georgia), Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon), Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State), Boye Mafe (Minnesota), George Karlaftis (Purdue), Arnold Ebikettie (Penn State), Nick Bonitto (Oklahoma), Seangelo Malone (W Kentucky), Dominic Robinson (Miami Ohio), Myjai Sanders (Cincinnati), Kingsley Enagbare (S Carolina), Drake Jackson (USC), Josh Paschal (Kentucky), Cam Thomas (San Diego State)

Corner: Sauce Gardner (Cincinnati), Derek Stingley (LSU), Trent McDuffy (Washington), Tyler Gordon (Washington) Andrew Booth (Clemson) Kaiir Elam (Florida), Roger McCreary (Auburn), Cam Taylor Britt (Nebraska), Joshua Williams (Fayetteville State), Alontae Taylor (Tennessee)

Safety: Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), Saxton Hill (Michigan), Jalen Pitre (Baylor), Lewis Cine (Georgia), Marquis Bell (Florida A & M), Smoke Monday (Arkansas), Bryan Cook (Cincinnati), Nick Cross (Maryland)

Defensive Line: Logan Hall (Houston) Jordan Davis (Georgia), Devonte Wyatt (Georgia), Phidarian Mattis (Alabama), Neil Farrell (LSU), Zack Carter (Florida), Matthew Butler (Tennessee), Eyioma Uwazurike (Iowa State), John Ridgeway (Arkansas), Travis Jones (UConn), Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma), Demarvin Leal (Texas A & M)

Inside Linebacker: Devin Lloyd (Utah), Nakobe Dean (Georgia), Quay Walker (Georgia), Leo Chanel (Wisconsin), Chad Muma (Wyoming), Channing Tindall (Georgia), Brian Asamoah (Oklahoma), Christian Harris (Alabama), Troy Anderson (Montana State), Damone Clark (LSU), Brandon Smith (Penn State), Darian Beavers (Cincinnati), Joe Joe Dolman (Nebraska), Sterling Weatherford (Miami Ohio)

Run time is 43:31, broken into three blocks, A Block: Edge, B Block: Corners/Safeties, C Block: Dline/Inside Linebacker/Draft Prognosis

Enjoy!

https://soundcloud.com/user-826565332/ceri-2022-nfl-draft-2-defense-mixdown-1