s came out of the San Francisco 49ers 30-27 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 2. Those from Richard Sherman resonated with me more than the others. “A win’s a win Jason Verrett Jersey , but it feels like a loss to me,” Sherman said. He went on to add, “I think it’s a good lesson for a young team that we needed. It’s a humbling lesson. Thank goodness we got the win out of it, but there’s a lot of good tape, a lot of good learning from this.” Thank goodness we got the win. There’s several reasons why. The first being the obvious momentum we need this season. It’s been a weird start to this season. After we lost to Minnesota, the overall sentiment was positive, it was a loss that felt like a win. However this week after we won, it felt like a loss, as Sherman said above. Second, there’s a stat that’s thrown around ever year after week two that indicates teams who start 0-2 have about a 12 percent chance of making the playoffs. We did not want to be under the statistical eight ball this early in the year. What I saw on Sunday was a team in flux. Jimmy Garoppolo went from gunslinger in Week 1, to a timid quarterback in Week 2. He held the ball for an extensive amount of time, and despite great offensive line play, the Detroit Lions still managed six sacks. Kyle Shanahan, to me, seemed all over the place with his play calling this week as well. At times, he mailed it in, simply calling a play just to call it. I saw him reacting to offensive failures versus challenging the Lions defense which was often reeling during the contest. At other times, he pushed the envelope with over the top formations and calls, when all we really needed was a solid play the team could execute effectively. In the clips below, I’m hoping to emulate film study on Monday with the team. I intend to point out some misses both from the quarterback position and from a coordinator perspective that could be worked on this week. It’s easy for us to look at these clips and say Kyle should’ve called this, or Jimmy should’ve thrown that. Especially with the slow motion option on the coaches film. I want this to be more of a running story line for this year, because this year has just begun and the team we see now should be a lot better and more consistent in the future. Let’s see if any of the things I noticed are improved upon next week. In our first clip, it’s the 3rd quarter with about five minutes left. It’s a key 3rd down and 6. We have Trent Taylor running an out at the bottom of the screen. The area is cleared out by Dante Pettis running a deep route. From the top of the field we have Pierre Gar莽on and George Kittle in a bunch, which creates a natural pick. In looking at the tape, I feel like Gar莽on was open more, however the pass to Taylor still could have been completed. It was unsuccessful because of ball placement. The out route should’ve been thrown to the far outside, instead it was too far inside allowing the defender to break up the pass. When I saw this play in the game I immediately said if that was a better corner, it would’ve been a pick six. Jimmy never seemed to scan the rest of his options on this play. This play also foreshadows a bigger play that we will look at later.After this play, we were forced to punt, and Detroit drove down the field and brought the game to within three points. If we converted there, we flip field position, and with a few more successful plays, possibly get into field goal range and extend the lead. Instead we ended up in a dog fight.In our next clips we get the ball back and this is where most teams get into their four minute drill. We have the ball and the lead, we want to basically run as much clock as possible. Here’s were I want to challenge Kyle to push the envelope. First thing, we lined up in a big body bunch set with one wide receiver, an obvious run formation. Second, Alfred Morris entered the game, while he’s a great downhill runner, Matt Breida at this point had over 100 yards rushing and didn’t get enough carries in the 4th quarter, especially when it mattered down the stretch. In fact, We ran the exact same running play two times in a row, in the same formation same direction. Despite those obvious keys, we gained four yards on first down Tevin Coleman Jersey , and four yards again on second down. Those clips are below.However on third down, we bring in Matt Breida and run him on a pass route. Why? Even the announcer Thom Brennaman was heard saying why are we passing when we’ve been running the ball down their throats for most of the game. And so, on 3rd and 2 to gain, this happens.There’s so many things to analyze with the play above. We went from super basic line ‘em up and smash ‘em football to putting our best running back in the slot to run a route. I felt like Kyle overthought this third down. I’m not the offensive mind he is, I have zero accolades, but he comes across sometimes as arrogant with his play calls. Simply calling a dive, or a stretch run with our running back wouldn’t show off his expertise enough. He wants everyone to know how great he is. Just my opinion. Also remember the clip above, Jimmy threw the out route too far inside, and stared down his receiver. This play is no different, he stares down Breida and fails to throw the ball to the outside, except this time it ends up an interception that almost cost us the game. Shanahan did have this to say about the play after the game:Thankfully, for lack of a better term, we kept the ball on the penalty, and we go back to the same formation and plays as before with Alfred Morris. By now however Detroit knows for sure that we’re here to run, because of all the previous tells. It almost seemed like Kyle got gun shy as well. Out of all of his vast offensive expertise, he goes back to the same exact plays? Are there no other running plays in the playbook? It was just overall confusing to watch for me. We run the same play once to the left once to the right with limited gain. Putting us in 3rd and a long 8. I combined those plays into one clips below.Our last clip is another situation I have questions on. I could say Kyle is using the first few games to see what works what doesn’t, maybe seeing who excels in certain formations and who does not. So it’s now 3rd and a long 8, we need to convert, we also need to run some clock to prevent Matthew Stafford from dicing up our defense again to win the game. The formation is creative, but the personnel I don’t get. Kittle is by far our best receiver, and the Lions knew this, he was often doubled limiting him to two catches on the day. He did draw several penalties which kept drives going, including the pivotal defensive holding call that saved the game.In this formation though he stay in the backfield to pass block versus being a weapon on the play. In theory I can grasp the concept, as he actually occupies three defenders. The one he’s blocking, and the two defenders that would’ve covered him if he ran a route. Here’s the problem, he gets manhandled by the defensive end and pushed into the Jimmy’s lap, and then one of the defenders guarding him smartly realizes he’s blocking and blitzes. All was not lost however, as highlighted in the video, Jimmy hit his plant foot with no pressure, Pettis was open on the drag route, and would have at least had a chance to run for the line to gain, but Jimmy doesn’t throw it. Instead he gets sacked, and we are forced to punt. As Sherman was quoted above, there’s a lot of good tape from this game. There’s several teachable moments all throughout on both sides of the ball. I’m pretty sure some of the things we saw today, the team also saw on Monday and they plan to improve upon those things in Week 3. Kansas City’s defense isn’t as tough as Detroit’s so I would hope to see a similar offensive performance. In most instances if your offense puts up 30 points, you should win.I do want to see Kyle get less “cute” in the red zone (no more sprint reverses to Pettis) and instead keep feeding the running game. The Lions were lost because the play action worked to perfection with Breida tearing up the field. I want to see Jimmy continue to settle down and get comfortable in the offense. This weeks match up will be tough, but if we can slow down the Chiefs offense (easier said than done) we could pull this one out as well. Go Niners! There is no way anyone outside of Tampa or Chicago would have predicted the Bucs and Bears would both be first-place teams when they square off in Week 4.Sure, it’s still plenty early in the schedule. Yet there’s no denying both teams are ahead of schedule.Although the Buccaneers (2-1) come off a 30-27 home loss to Pittsburgh last Monday night, their offense behind backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been dynamic. Fitzpatrick started the three games that starter Jameis Winston was suspended and made a strong argument for keeping the job. Fitz leads the NFL with 1,230 yards passing and is second with 11 TD passes. He’s the only player in league history to throw for 400-plus yards in three consecutive games.Winston certainly has been impressed and promises not to make any waves.“It’s about the team’s success. I’m not a selfish player, it’s about our team,” Winston said. “We’re out here doing big things, and we’ve got to continue doing that.”Chicago (2-1) is doing big things on defense. The trade with Oakland for Khalil Mack has made a huge impact in the Windy City Nick Mullens Jersey , making up for a mediocre offense.Mack is tied for the league lead with four sacks, with at least one in each game, and leads the NFL with three forced fumbles.“What he has done is completely elevated everybody else on defense,” coach Matt Nagy said. “When that happens, that’s rare, to have one guy affect a team like that.”Week 4 began with Jared Goff throwing for 465 yards and five touchdowns and getting a perfect quarterback rating in a 38-31 victory over Minnesota. The Rams are 4-0, while the Vikings are 1-2-1 and haven’t won since opening day.On byes are Carolina and Washington.Baltimore (2-1) at Pittsburgh (1-1-1)Classic NFL matchup, Part I.The Steelers have won nine straight games on Sunday nights, twice over the Ravens. But Baltimore has a rekindled offense, with Joe Flacco off to a sizzling start, helped by a trio of new receivers. Newcomer Michael Crabtree leads the Ravens with 15 catches and needs six to reach 600 for his career.Pittsburgh likely gets back top blocker David DeCastro for Ben Roethlisberger, whos is 21-3 in regular-season prime-time games at home, throwing for 55 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Roethlisberger has thrown a TD pass in 45 straight home games, the third-longest streak in NFL history.If this comes down to kicking, Baltimore has a huge edge. The Ravens’ Justin Tucker has hit eight straight field goals from 50-plus yards and owns the best FG percentage (90.0) in NFL history. Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell has hit just one of four field goals; the three misses match his entire 2017 total.Kansas City (3-0) at Denver (2-1), Monday nightClassic NFL matchup, Part II.Another prime-time showcase worth watching, this is a series of streaks. The Chiefs have taken five straight following seven straight losses. The offense is a buzzsaw: Kansas City is the third NFL team to score 38 or more points in its first three games (2007 Patriots, who were 16-0; 1967 Colts, who went 11-1-2).Patrick Mahomes has established an NFL record with 13 TDs through three games and zero interceptions to lead the league with a 137.4 passer rating. The second-year QB credits the depth of talent around him.“Guys everywhere,” Mahomes said. “Knowing that I have those weapons, whenever someone has to get a break — we say if you’re tired, get a break, because I know I can trust the next guy coming in.”The Chiefs can be scored on, though, and Denver had the NFL’s third-ranked rushing game with rookies Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay, the first undrafted player to eclipse 100 scrimmage yards in his first two NFL games.Plus, linebacker Von Miller , tied for the league lead with four sacks, is a Chiefs nemesis: Miller has eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss against Kansas City.Miami (3-0) at New England (1-2)Classic NFL matchup, Part III.Yes, the Patriots have so dominated the AFC East that we forget there are other teams in the division. This is the one team Tom Brady has fallen to the most, 10 times. Of course, he has beaten the Dolphins 21 times.Indeed, the last time the Dolphins won at New England was 2008, when Brady was sidelined by a knee injury.Miami already has seven interceptions; it had nine all of last season.Meanwhile, the Patriots have struggled to find any consistency. They ranks 25th on offense — other than Rob Gronkowski, Brady has little comfort with any receivers — and 28th on defense. Bill Belichick was outcoached by his former defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia, last Sunday night.But the Patriots have started slowly before and then become unstoppable.Philadelphia (2-1) at Tennessee (2-1)Philly likes playing AFC South squads: The Eagles have won seven straight games against them, the team’s longest active winning streak against any division.This could come down to the running game, particularly if Titans QB Marcus Mariota still is struggling with a right elbow injury that has affected his grip. The Eagles rank first in run defense after finishing first last season and also lead the NFL in time of possession (36:03).Cleveland (1-1-1) at Oakland (0-3)There are good vibes by Lake Erie and bad ones in the Bay Area.The Browns got their first win in 18 games by beating the Jets Alfred Morris Jersey , and top overall draft choice Baker Mayfield led the way to take over as starting quarterback. Their defense has been relatively stout, led by the No. pick in the 2017 draft, Myles Garrett.Oakland’s decision to trade its best player, Mack, and then the 0-3 start has worn thin any luster on Jon Gruden’s return. The Raiders are last in the NFL with three sacks, and tied for last with one takeaway. They have been outscored 37-3 in fourth quarters and are the second team in the last 20 years to start 0-3 when leading all three at halftime.Detroit (1-2) at Dallas (1-2)The Lions got off the schneid with that surprisingly dominant win against New England. They have the top-rated passing offense, but they also are a sieve against the run on defense.With Dallas struggling so much throwing the ball, look for RB Ezekiel Elliott to be very busy in this one. Elliott is tied with the 49ers‘ Matt Breida for the NFL rushing lead with 274 yards.San Francisco (1-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-2)Injuries probably have ruined the 49ers’ season. After giving Jimmy Garoppolo his big payday, they will be without him for the remainder of this year after he tore his ACL against KC. C.J. Beathard, who was in over his head last year in going 1-5, steps in.The Chargers have won the past four meetings and have a dangerous offense behind QB Philip Rivers and a ramped-up running game. Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler form the only pair of running backs on the same team with 250 or more scrimmage yards this season.Cincinnati (2-1) at Atlanta (1-2)Injuries are beginning to ruin the Falcons‘ season, too. They lost free safety Ricardo Allen with a torn Achilles tendon and he joins starters Keanu Neal (knee), a strong safety, and linebacker Deion Jones on the sidelines. Jones underwent foot surgery and is out until at least Nov. 18.Plus, defensive ends Takkarist McKinley and Derrick Shelby are nursing groin injuries.This is Cincinnati’s third road game already, and Atlanta’s third successive home game. The Bengals come in without starting RB Joe Mixon (knee), but are stunningly successful in the red zone. They have points on their last 29 times inside the 20-yard line (21 TDs, 8 FGs), the longest active streak in the NFL.Buffalo (1-2) at Green Bay (1-1-1)On a high after their stunning win at Minnesota as 16 ½-point underdogs, the Bills get another NFC North trip. Hey, it’s always good to do those in September.Buffalo’s rookie quarterback Josh Allen wasn’t intimidated by Minnesota’s staunch and physical defense. Green Bay’s doesn’t come close to resembling that group, and standout runner LeSean McCoy (ribs) vows he will be back.Aaron Rodgers figures to throw a bunch this week, with Davante Adams now his top target.New York Jets (1-2) at Jacksonville (2-1)Coming off a loss that easily could linger, and with safety Jamal Adams saying the Jets weren’t prepared for Mayfield when he replaced Tyrod Taylor in Cleveland’s victory, New York takes on ticked-off Jacksonville.The Jets have won four straight in this series, but those games were mostly against weak Jaguars teams. After the Jags struggled so much vs. Tennessee, they could take it out on rookie Sam Darnold with a sack-happy defense. And Darnold displayed happy feet against the Browns.New Orleans (2-1) at New York Giants (1-2)If Eli Manning gets protection, the Giants are competitive. That happened in last week’s win at Houston, and the Saints have been disappointing defending the pass.The excitement level ramps up in the running game as Giants rookie Saquon Barkley and the Saints’ Alvin Kamara, last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, face off. Also intriguing: Saints WR Michael Thomas leads the league with 38 catches and 398 yards receiving. His catch total is an NFL best in a team’s first three games. New York’s Odell Beckham Jr. has a respectable 24 receptions, even if that pales compared to Thomas.Seattle (1-2) at Arizona (0-3)Two teams with messed-up offenses, although the Seahawks look like an indomitable force compared to Arizona.The Cardinals rank dead last in all offensive categories and have scored a total of 20 points. Now, rookie Josh Rosen will start, and while Seattle’s defense no longer has legion-like boom, it can be tricky and ranks eighth against the pass.A win will tie Pete Carroll with Mike Holmgren for the most coaching victories in Seattle history (90).Houston (0-3) at Indianapolis (1-2)Houston probably is the most disappointing team in the NFL, having gotten back J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Deshaun Watson for injury, yet not winning at all. Indeed, the Texans‘ last victory came in November 2017.They rarely fare well with Indy, which has a 25-7 edge in the series. The Colts’ next win will be No. 300 since moving from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984.Adam Vinatieri needs one field goal to break Morten Andersen’s NFL record (565). Vinatieri also needs three field-goal attempts to pass Gary Anderson (672) for second all-time, and one game played to pass George Blanda (340) for No. 4.Can’t kick about that.___
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