Every week, we break down the all-22 film. And every week, there’s both good and bad.
This time around, we’re looking at three plays made or missed by quarterbacks.
In Philadelphia, Dak Prescott was mostly great, but one mistake cost him and the Cowboys dearly. Then we’ll go to the Steelers and Kenny Pickett, who missed another layup on what should have been a big catch-and-carry for George Pickens. Down in Houston, we’ll look at why C.J. Stroud is coming of age in his rookie season with the Texans, leading an improbable comeback against the Buccaneers.
Let’s grind the tape and break down three key plays from Week 9.
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Dallas is undone by a key play
If the Cowboys were going to win the NFC East, they needed to beat the Eagles in Week 9. Doing so would have closed the gap to a half game, with a December rematch looming at AT&T Stadium. However, a loss secured a 2.5-game advantage for Philadelphia, all but dooming Dallas to a wild-card berth.
Trailing 28–17 with 10:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys faced fourth-and-goal at the Eagles’ 1-yard line. Instead of a chip-shot field goal to make the game a one-score affair, coach Mike McCarthy went for it.
On the play, Dallas was in 12-personnel (RB, TE, two WRs), which got man coverage from Philadelphia across the field. On the right side, Dallas has its two best receivers, CeeDee Lamb (No. 88) and Brandin Cooks (No. 3), without any safety help plaguing them.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
McCarthy had the perfect call on. The Cowboys ran rub routes on both sides. However, for reasons unclear, Prescott didn’t read the right side of the field first, despite his two star wideouts being there. He looked left instead, toward tight ends Luke Schoonmaker (No. 86) and Jake Ferguson (No. 87).
With the Eagles bringing six rushers and getting quick pressure on, Prescott didn’t have a chance to scan back to the other side. Once he looked left, he had to throw that way. Schoonmaker ran a quick out off the legal pick, but he made a critical error by not getting into the end zone. Instead, he ran the route even with the line of scrimmage.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
As Prescott throws, you can see Schoonmaker flattening his route too early. You can also see Cooks on the right side, coming free for an easy touchdown as Lamb occupied both defenders. Unfortunately, with linebacker Nicholas Morrow (No. 41) coming in unblocked, Prescott unloaded.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
The end result was the most agonizing completion imaginable, with Schoonmaker inches shy of a score … and Cooks standing wide open in the end zone.
This was a crushing miss for the Cowboys.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 7, 2023
If Luke Schoonmaker ran the route a yard deeper, he's in the end zone and scores.
Meanwhile, Brandin Cooks and CeeDee Lamb are both facing man coverage on the right side with no help. Dak throws left instead. Cooks was wide open. pic.twitter.com/COmRQ09TfU
C.J. Stroud shows up on a critical play
Everyone in the NFL world is buzzing about Stroud after Week 9, and they should be. The rookie has the Texans at 4–4 this season after the franchise won a total of 10 games over the previous three years.
On Sunday against the Buccaneers, Stroud proved he’s already a star and could end up being among the very best in short order. And late in the game, one play put everything on display.
Trailing 37–33 with 46 seconds left, Houston had 75 yards to traverse. After three completions, two timeouts and a spike, Stroud faced second-and-10 from Tampa Bay’s 41-yard line, with 16 seconds and no timeouts remaining. Houston came out in 11-personnel, all inside the numbers. The Bucs were in quarters coverage, with four deep and three underneath.
Based on the condensed alignment and lack of timeouts, the defense had to know the ball was going either into the end zone or to the boundary. None of this stopped Stroud.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
On the snap, watch the left side. Houston had tight end Dalton Schultz (No. 86) run a shallow out to the flat, holding second-year corner Zyon McCollum (No. 27) just enough to keep him from getting better depth on his drop.
Meanwhile, rookie receiver Tank Dell (No. 3) sped by McCollum on his deep corner route. Corner Dee Delaney (No. 30), playing deep safety here, is responsible for staying on top of Dell. With good protection, Stroud set himself for a defining throw.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
As Stroud uncorks, look at McCollum. He’s flattened, when he should have allowed the underneath completion to Schultz. This mistake provides just enough space for Stroud to fire into a small area over McCollum’s head. However, the throw had to be low enough so Dell can beat Delaney to the ball while staying in bounds.
In short, Stroud needs to throw the ball 35 yards on a proverbial rope, over one defender and in front of another, while also making sure Dell both has a play and can get out of bounds.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
No problem. 26 yards, a first down and one play later, Stroud found Dell in the end zone, sealing a dramatic comeback win.
C.J. Stroud is ridiculous.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 7, 2023
Just 16 seconds remaining, game on the line, and Stroud fires this frozen rope to Tank Dell. Perfectly between two defenders and right on the sideline.
Incredible throw with touch, velocity and accuracy. Alien stuff. pic.twitter.com/xddPs54BIj
Kenny Pickett’s problems on full display
Last week we broke down Pickett’s missing an easy throw to Diontae Johnson at the goal line. Four days later the quarterback had another ugly miss, this time to Pickens. This isn’t an attempt to keep going after Pickett, but rather to show that while Steelers fans are furious with coordinator Matt Canada, he’s also getting no help from his quarterback.
This play was third-and-8 from Pittsburgh’s 27-yard line. The Steelers were in 11-personnel (TE, RB, three WRs), while the Titans were showing an all-out blitz with six defenders on the line of scrimmage. For Pickett, the picture is clear: Tennessee was playing a Cover 1 look against Pittsburgh, with man coverage everywhere.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Canada called a perfect man-beater, with Pickens (No. 14) in the left slot coming across the formation on a shallow cross. Johnson (No. 18) cleared the area out with a post route. Tight end Connor Heyward (No. 83) drove upfield and ran a stick route, occupying his defender. All of that cleared a huge lane for Pickens, who beat rookie corner Eric Garror (No. 33) across his face.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
As Pickett throws, Pickens is separating. Meanwhile, the Steelers held up in protection, using a back to even the numbers. Pickett has a perfect pocket and an open window. With a good throw, Pickens not only would’ve had the first down, but if he could’ve beat one defender, the wide receiver might be home free.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Instead, the throw sails above Pickens’s head, and the punt unit has to come onto the field. While Canada deserves criticism at times, he needs his quarterback to make the easy plays. This was an uncomplicated look, and Pickett’s miss cost Pittsburgh a chance at a huge gain.
Going through Week 9 film for my Wednesday All-22 piece, and this throw was one of the biggest misses of the week.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 7, 2023
Steelers fans crush Matt Canada and oftentimes, rightfully so, but Kenny Pickett ... you've gotta make this throw. A potentially big play given no chance. pic.twitter.com/5416SNgy4f
