Football Film Room Weekly Newsletter

Week of August 28

This week at Football Film Room…

Will the Lions finally win the NFC North?

The Lions defense was one of the worst in the NFL in 2022, finishing 28th in points allowed and dead last in total yards. The pass rush, led by rookie Aidan Hutchinson, was the strongest area of the defense, finishing 9th in the league in pressure percentage. It says something about the rest of the defense that they struggled so badly to defend the pass despite a decent rush.

As a result, the priority of Detroit’s offseason was to improve the back end of the defense… [Click here to read the rest]

The Influence Wham Run

Defenses are always looking for clues about an offense’s tendencies in the run game. Is the scheme predominantly zone or gap? Are linemen changing their stances based on the type of play? Does the back’s first step normally signal the direction of the run? Will the guards always take the defense to the play?

Stopping the run obviously becomes easier when these tendencies are deciphered. So the key for any offense is to add wrinkles that keep the defense guessing. Creating confusion and hesitation can allow the run game to function consistently for 60 minutes. But mixing things up and playing off of tendencies can also lead to some big game-changing plays.

One concept that is great for keeping defenders doubting their keys is the Influence Wham, which comes from the trap family of runs… [Click here to read the rest]

Get ready for the Rodgers-to-Wilson connection

As Nick wrote last month, Rodgers is aggressive in attacking 1-on-1’s on the outside when he gets a matchup he likes. There is always a throw to beat the coverage in a 1-on-1 situation, and because of Rodgers’ pinpoint accuracy, he can hit those routes at will. This is one way he’s able to calm things down when the defense is throwing lots of disguises or movement at him in the middle of the field… [Click here to read the rest]

The Falcons have a chance in a wide-open NFC South

It took just one play this preseason to see what Bijan Robinson will add to the Falcons’ run game:

The vision and quickness in confined spaces is immediately apparent. There are not that many backs who can turn nothing into something like that… [Click here to read the rest]

Don’t forget to check out Gameplan Central - the section of Football Film Room dedicated to breaking down the many ways NFL coaches design plays and attack their opponents.

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