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Sports Illustrated

Sport

Matt Verderame

Three Week 12 Plays to Watch Again, Including the Bills’ Biggest Mistake

DaRon Bland Bills Steelers Buffalo (Organization) Jalen Hurts Matt Canada NFLPlus George Pickens Kenny Pickett Jahan Dotson

With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time for the contenders to show themselves, and pretenders to recede into darkness.

Last weekend we saw plenty of both. On Thursday afternoon, the Cowboys essentially finished off the Commanders, and in the process the NFL saw corner DaRon Bland make history with his fifth pick-six of the season.

Then, on Sunday afternoon, we got our first look at this edition of the Steelers without offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The result was their first 400-yard regular-season game since Week 2 of the 2020 season, with Kenny Pickett making a few beautiful, downfield throws.

Finally, the late-window gave us the Bills visiting the Eagles, and it didn’t disappoint. The two fought deep into overtime, with the deciding play coming on a predictable play-call and a puzzling defensive choice.

Let’s dive into all three in our Week 12 film study.

Bills give up game-ending score

Buffalo needed to beat Philadelphia. The Bills led with mere seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but then allowed a game-tying, 59-yard field goal after playing soft coverage throughout the drive.

In overtime, Buffalo took a 34–31 lead. Needing a stop, the Bills allowed a game-winning touchdown jaunt, once again playing soft zone coverage. Well, except for one play.

On the game’s final snap, the Eagles had a first-and-10 at Buffalo’s 12-yard line. Before we go further, look at the picture below.

As the Eagles lined up, the Bills showed a two-high safety look. However, when Jalen Hurts sent running back D’Andre Swift (No. 0) in motion to the field side of the formation, the picture changes—just before the snap.

Right then, the game was over. Look at the Bills. Buffalo has safety Micah Hyde (No. 23), slot corner Taron Johnson (No. 7) and linebacker Terrel Bernard (No. 43) all headed toward the right side. Hurts knows pressure is coming, with linebacker Tyrel Dodson (No. 25) creeping down to the line.

At this point, Buffalo has only one defender on the left side of the field who isn’t rushing Hurts. The Eagles—who call quarterback draws frequently, including on a touchdown the week before in Kansas City—had one lined up here.

Look at the lane for Hurts. It’s comical. Buffalo coach Sean McDermott played soft zone repeatedly and then, in the red zone with the threat of a running quarterback, called an all-out blitz.

The result is one of the easiest touchdowns Hurts will ever score, with some help from corner Rasul Douglas (No. 31) providing one of the more feeble tackling attempts you’ll see.

Is Jalen Hurts the front-runner for the MVP?? pic.twitter.com/wvWFTObxqL
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) November 27, 2023

Steelers open up passing game

For years, fans in Pittsburgh have been begging for Mike Tomlin to make a change. Please, anything but another game from Matt Canada in the booth.

Last Sunday, the Steelers faithful finally got their wish. Pittsburgh fired Canada and replaced him with Eddie Faulkner, and the result was terrific. The Steelers rolled up more than 400 yards against the Bengals, the first time that has happened in 59 regular-season games.

To exemplify some of the differences, we’re looking at a third-and-8 from Pittsburgh’s 37-yard line, with 10 minutes remaining and the Steelers leading 10–7. Instead of playing it safe, Faulkner dialed up a deep ball for receiver George Pickens (No. 14).

The presnap alignment had Pittsburgh in a spread look, while Cincinnati showed a single-high safety. On the snap, the Bengals brought a five-man pressure, blitzing with linebacker Logan Wilson (No. 55). This left the Steelers with man-to-man across the board, including Pickens up against star slot corner Mike Hilton (No. 21).

As Pickett hit his back step, Pickens was still working toward the boundary on his fly route. But Pittsburgh held up in protection, giving its quarterback time to survey and fire. With the short routes covered, Pickett saw deep safety Nick Scott (No. 33) staying true to the middle. At that point, he made the decision to fire for Pickens.

Ultimately, Pickett made a phenomenal 43-yard throw (Scott was not able to get over in time), setting up a Chris Boswell field goal minutes later.

If Pittsburgh can continue to get this version of Pickett, the Steelers have more to look forward to as they try to reach the playoffs for the second time in three years.

George Pickens is back in the game and grabs a 43-yard pass from Pickett!pic.twitter.com/4LQIGCeydc https://t.co/FYzXG5Nd54
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 26, 2023

DaRon Bland makes history in Dallas

Turkey with a side of history. That was the menu for the Cowboys during their 45–10 trouncing of the Commanders on Thursday.

In the fourth quarter, leading 38–10, there was little drama for Dallas remaining. Yet on Washington’s penultimate drive, Bland decided to give the crowd one more thrill.

Looking for a fifth and record-breaking pick-six in a single season, Bland was lined up as a Cover 3 corner to the field side of the play.

Commanders receiver Jahan Dotson (No. 1) was lined up on the perimeter and ran a quick out.

Bland (No. 26) was supposed to take any route up the boundary, which is why Sam Howell expected him to play the corner route from Curtis Samuel (No. 4). Finally, Howell likely anticipated corner Jourdan Lewis (No. 2) to play underneath zone, leaving the out route open.

However, Bland read Howell’s eyes all the way, as the quarterback never took his gaze off Dotson. Instead of falling off into a typical Cover 3 posture, Bland drove the shorter route, while Lewis saw the development and drifted back.

As can be seen, Bland read the play before Dotson could break, with the cornerback’s impressive anticipation making for a relatively easy interception.