NFL 2019: Divisional Weekend!!

garion333 wrote:

Fwiw, I don't think this game will be as simple. I expect the Ravens to win by quite a bit, but am less certain than with the Vikings-Niners.

I'm super interested to see the Titans D's response to Roman's offense.

The Ravens read zone play is an attack on the 1-gap defenses en vogue in the modern NFL. The idea is to take the read defender out of the play, and then force the remaining 6 man defensive front to try and defend 7 gap responsibilities.

A possible response to this is to play some 2-gapping defense. That kind of gap control defense is much less popular now than attacking and penetrating gaps in a 1-gap attack.

But those '00s Patriots teams Vrabel played on played 2-gap on the defensive line heavily. That was what guys like Richard Seymour did so well.

These Titans have Jurrell Casey and 1st round pick Jeffery Simmons, and I'm really interested to see if they use those big 3-4 DEs to do the kind of 2-gap fronts the old Patriots used to.

If you told me 20 years ago they'd be advertising Star Trek during a football game, I would've said you were crazy.

*Legion* wrote:
garion333 wrote:

Fwiw, I don't think this game will be as simple. I expect the Ravens to win by quite a bit, but am less certain than with the Vikings-Niners.

I'm super interested to see the Titans D's response to Roman's offense.

The Ravens read zone play is an attack on the 1-gap defenses en vogue in the modern NFL. The idea is to take the read defender out of the play, and then force the remaining 6 man defensive front to try and defend 7 gap responsibilities.

A possible response to this is to play some 2-gapping defense. That kind of gap control defense is much less popular now than attacking and penetrating gaps in a 1-gap attack.

But those '00s Patriots teams Vrabel played on played 2-gap on the defensive line heavily. That was what guys like Richard Seymour did so well.

These Titans have Jurrell Casey and 1st round pick Jeffery Simmons, and I'm really interested to see if they use those big 3-4 DEs to do the kind of 2-gap fronts the old Patriots used to.

I'm not sure what they're doing but the Titans look to be slowing the Ravens on plays that normally get twice as many yards on the ground. The runner is shooting through the hole but then being dragged down.

Edit: This game needs Romo or Collinsworth.

Oh my god...

Well, this is fun. Lol

Can't believe this!

Also Tom Sawyer! Unexpected from CBS!

garion333 wrote:

I'm not sure what they're doing but the Titans look to be slowing the Ravens on plays that normally get twice as many yards on the ground.

Watch the defensive line. Are they trying to penetrate into the backfield, or are they trying to stand up the lineman in front of them, and fill the gap after the runner declares?

That 2-gap style isn't going to get the tackles for loss, but is trying to smother runs for short gains.

The downside of that approach, of course, is that the defense is giving up some aggressiveness if they do this. It means less pressure on passes (without bringing linebacker pressure). And there are not enough D-linemen out there that can both 2-gap and also bring pressure in the pass rush.

I have little doubt that Ravens will take control of this game but this is fun to watch. Vrabel going all out.

EvilDead wrote:

I have little doubt that Ravens will take control of this game but this is fun to watch. Vrabel going all out.

And it's working so far.

Is the largest deficit for the Ravens this year? They’ve been front runners (pun intended) all year. Now what?

They were talking on the Niners broadcast about Deebo Samuel being a grown man.

AJ Brown is a grown man too.

That right there is what I'm talking about. Defensive line controlling multiple gaps, allowing the second level to fill the rest of them. Lamar looking for lanes that don't open up.

Their 3rd down defense of rushing only 3 and taking away Lamar runs, but not providing any pressure. Lamar found some big throws this drive against that, though it came up short the final time.

The defense is daring Lamar to win with his arm only.

This game would be so much better without the Bad Boys commercials.

Nice run by Henry and a serious series of stiffarms.

*Legion* wrote:

That right there is what I'm talking about. Defensive line controlling multiple gaps, allowing the second level to fill the rest of them. Lamar looking for lanes that don't open up.

Their 3rd down defense of rushing only 3 and taking away Lamar runs, but not providing any pressure. Lamar found some big throws this drive against that, though it came up short the final time.

The defense is daring Lamar to win with his arm only.

Yup, that's exactly what I'm seeing. Ravens likely to adjust to throwing to WRs more. I expect more Hollywood.

Wtf is up with the dumbass penalties on ST? Jeez.

garion333 wrote:

Yup, that's exactly what I'm seeing. Ravens likely to adjust to throwing to WRs more. I expect more Hollywood.

Yeah, they have to exploit the lack of pass rush. There's plenty of time to throw against these looks. Lamar has to be on target and the receivers need to catch.

Ravens beating themselves

*Legion* wrote:
garion333 wrote:

Yup, that's exactly what I'm seeing. Ravens likely to adjust to throwing to WRs more. I expect more Hollywood.

Yeah, they have to exploit the lack of pass rush. There's plenty of time to throw against these looks. Lamar has to be on target and the receivers need to catch.

With Andrews gimpy, I'm surprised they aren't using Boykin as the main target. He's huge.

Snead is fine underneath, but Boykin can give you the middle of the field target that Andrews can't be atm.

Ravens def missing Matt Skura at center right now.

Missed opportunity having to settle for a field goal. Baltimore was about to really get back in the game.

They get the ball second half, so that's good, but now they'll have to go down for a TD to tie.

*sigh* Really wish I could go to bed now instead of stay up to watch this sh*t. Lol

garion333 wrote:

They get the ball second half, so that's good, but now they'll have to go down for a TD to tie.

*sigh* Really wish I could go to bed now instead of stay up to watch this sh*t. Lol

Move to the west coast. Sports end at reasonable hours! Just costs your soul in mortgage payments, that's all.

*Legion* wrote:

They were talking on the Niners broadcast about Deebo Samuel being a grown man.

AJ Brown is a grown man too.

Speaking of grown men.

Henry is taking over this game.

Oh my!

My wife: "Dookie! Dookie's playing!"

I think you can go to bed now, garion.

So does bombing in the playoffs affect your chances of being named MVP? Asking for a friend.

Huh. Uh.... huh. Well!