This was a great week to study the film.
In this space, we’re going to explore how the Lions’ offense is a destroyer of worlds, with quarterback Jared Goff being the main reason Detroit has regained its roar.
Then there’s the Chiefs’ defense, which suddenly is a top-10 unit in almost every meaningful metric. While defensive tackle Chris Jones and corner Trent McDuffie get ample ink, it was a pair of linebackers who made a play emblematic of Kansas City’s success.
And, finally, a clip showing why the Patriots must move on sooner rather than later from Mac Jones.
Let’s break them all down, using the NFL’s all-22 film.
Lions fool the Buccaneers, and then Jared Goff lights them up
Jared Goff is playing at an elite level. This year, the quarterback ranks fifth in passing yardage (1,618) and touchdowns (11), fourth in QBR (73.3) and third in yards per attempt (8.0).
Some of it has been Goff playing phenomenally on his own. Some has been the genius of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Both were on display in the play below.
Leading 10–6 early in the third quarter against the Buccaneers, Detroit faced third-and-10 on Tampa Bay’s 45-yard line. The Lions went trips right with rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (No. 87) to the left. The Buccaneers were in a Cover 3, single-high look.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Just as center Frank Ragnow grabbed the ball, he quick-snapped. The Lions did a great job disguising, with none of the offensive linemen putting their hands down.
Tampa Bay wasn’t ready. Check out the safeties. They’re going to rotate with Antoine Winfield Jr. (No. 31) coming down and Ryan Neal (No. 23) taking the deep third. The pass rush was also caught off guard, giving Goff a great pocket.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
You’ll notice Lions receiver Jameson Williams (No. 9) ahead of his teammates, running a go route. Neal should have had help from corner Carlton Davis III (No. 24) down the right sideline, but Johnson had an answer for that as well.
Detroit sent receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on a deep out, which forced Davis to drive on his route. This made Neal run with Williams after getting a late start. Goff saw it and loaded up for the deep ball.
From there, Goff needed to lead Williams to the corner—and he did so beautifully. The result was a 45-yard touchdown and a 17–6 lead, which the Lions never relinquished.
Sometimes, it's all in the details. The Lions went quick-snap on the Buccaneers and caught them in a late rotation.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 17, 2023
Jared Goff, who is playing fantastic football, lays out a well-placed pass for Jameson Williams.
Ben Johnson. Jared Goff. Jameson Williams. TD. pic.twitter.com/A9Qmg6Qn4B
Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill show strength of Chiefs’ defense
After years of the Chiefs’ offense being the big name on the marquee, Kansas City’s defense is making a run for top billing.
On Thursday night against Russell Wilson and the Broncos, the Chiefs showed why they rank second in points against, sixth in both total (284.0) and passing yardage (183.8) allowed, and are tied for fifth in yards per play allowed (4.7).
With five minutes remaining in the first quarter, Denver trailed 3–0 with a first-and-10 on its own 45-yard line. The Broncos came out in 12-personnel (RB, two TEs, two WRs) with Kansas City playing nickel.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
On the snap, the Broncos ran a two-man route to the left with receivers Jerry Jeudy (No. 10) and Marvin Mims Jr. (No. 19). Jeudy ran a deep curl, sitting down in the zone’s void, while Mims ran a mirroring comeback.
The Chiefs brought star corner McDuffie (No. 22) on a blitz off the right side while playing Cover 3 behind it. Linebackers Drue Tranquill (No. 23) and Nick Bolton (No. 32) were both in underneath coverage, charged with getting depth while being able to drive on an outlet pass.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
As Wilson hit the back of his drop, running back Javonte Williams (No. 33) leaked out to provide an outlet. Tranquill, who initially dropped in coverage under Jeudy, runs full speed at Williams.
Wilson saw Tranquill vacate the zone and began to cock his arm. However, Bolton understood the situation. He knew no routes were run to his right, and so Bolton replaced Tranquill to take away some of the occupied side.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
The result was an interception, the first of two on the night for Wilson in Kansas City’s 19–8 victory.
The Chiefs defense is playing lights out. This play by Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton shows some of why.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 14, 2023
Wilson has Jeudy sitting down against zone. Tranquill gets great depth but sees Javonte Williams leak out and drives. Bolton quickly replaces and Wilson never sees him. INT. pic.twitter.com/0CrBEdP8F6
Mac Jones’s season can be summed up in one mistake
The Patriots are 1–5, and the refrain across New England is a universal begging to make over the offense. And that should start with Jones.
Jones has been hideous through six weeks, throwing five touchdowns with seven interceptions. His pick Sunday against the Raiders might be his worst.
New England was trailing 10–3 with 3:48 remaining in the second quarter, facing second-and-5 at the Raiders’ 30-yard line. Las Vegas was in soft zone coverage with three underneath defenders and a single-high safety. New England was in an empty formation, with three on the left and two on the right.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
On the snap, Jones has a few options. He can fire a quick pass to receiver DeVante Parker (No. 1) atop the screen. But Raiders corner Marcus Peters (No. 24) is there, always aggressive and prepared to drive. The throw could have earned New England a first down, but it would have required perfect timing.
However, Jones also had running back Ezekiel Elliott (No. 15) in the left slot, who hooks up underneath. If he sees the throw, it’s easy. But Jones didn’t unleash right away and then was faced with the problem of Las Vegas defensive end Maxx Crosby (No. 98), who destroyed right tackle Vederian Lowe (No. 59) and forced Jones to drift right.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
As Jones rolled right, he found tons of grass and no pressure. He had time and the benefit of tight end Hunter Henry (No. 85) doing a nice job on the scramble drill to run with him, becoming wide open inside the red zone.
Luckily for the Patriots, Jones sees Henry. Unluckily for the Patriots, Jones throws the ball.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Look at Henry. He’s at the 16-yard line. Look at Jones. Look at the massive corridor for this ball to zip right through.
Now, look at the 4-yard line. There’s Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig (No. 25). He’s about to intercept this pass. Not on a tip. Clean. Thrown right to him.
Every quarterback makes mistakes. But this will rank as one of the worst interceptions we see all year, and maybe the worst without the benefit of pressure or desperation as a factor.
No notes. This is one of the worst INTs I've seen in years.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 17, 2023
I have no idea how Mac Jones missed his target this badly. pic.twitter.com/hw6cZPjIJC
