Matt Bowen's Week 4 NFL Film Study

Every Thursday, former NFL defensive back Matt Bowen brings you his film study: a breakdown of the league from multiple angles.

1st-and-10

Here are 10 thoughts from a scheme and matchup perspective as we look ahead to the Week 4 schedule in the NFL.

1. Packers Offensive Game Plan

Based on the Week 3 tape, the Green Bay passing game lacked creativity versus the Lions 2-Man defense (two deep, man-under) out of standard 2x2 and 3x1 formations with Posse/11 personnel (3WR-1TE-1RB) on the field.

This is the All-Curl concept (tight end check-release) versus 2-Man with the Lions deep-half safeties playing over the top.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Look at the man-trail technique underneath (low and to the inside hip) with the safeties playing with enough depth to drive downhill on the throw. This results is a coverage sack, as there is nowhere for Aaron Rodgers to go with this ball.

The Packers can expect more two-deep (Cover 2) from the Bears this Sunday (along with some Cover 3) versus Mel Tucker’s defense.

The Packers and Mike McCarthy can get the most out of their personnel (Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb) based on formation alignment (stack, bunch, pre-snap movement) to create opportunities in the passing game for the NFL’s top quarterback.

2. Game-Week Prep for Rookies Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles

The rookie quarterbacks will make their first starts this Sunday after coming into the game cold off the bench in Week 3.

Plus, with some tape to study (self scout), both Bridgewater and Bortles can make some corrections (scheme, technique, etc.) before taking the field while getting the necessary reps in practice to establish an entire week of true game prep.

I thought the rookies showed plenty of positives in their brief time on the field in Week 3 with their reads and ability to find the primary targets within the route scheme.

Here’s a look at Bridgewater reading high-to-low on the swap boot versus the Saints with Cordarrelle Patterson running the comeback/out.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Remember, both of these first-year quarterbacks are going to make mistakes and play cautiously at times this Sunday.

However, the reps are the key here. This allows Bridgewater and Bortles to develop versus live game action—and there is nothing better for a young player in the NFL.

3. Le’Veon Bell vs. Buccaneers Defense

I don’t see the Bucs defense limiting Bell out of a seven-man front (Cover 2), so look for the single-high safety schemes in Lovie Smith’s playbook (Cover 1, Cover 3, Under 10) as Tampa walks a safety down into the box.

Bell impressed me again on the tape in Week 3 because of his patience, vision and speed (through the hole) as he put up big numbers (21 carries, 147 yards) versus a very talented Panthers defense.

Check out the patience here from Bell as he makes a smooth cut on the edge to account for the unblocked safety filling downhill. That’s sweet footwork.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

If the Bucs want to contain Bell on Sunday, they need their safeties (Mark Barron, Dashon Goldson) to fill with the proper angles (and tackle) while the front seven plays with much better gap discipline than they showed in Week 3 versus the Falcons.

4. Cowboys Defense vs. Drew Brees, Saints Running Game

The Cowboys won’t slow down Brees and the Saints run game if they sit in Cover 2. But can Rod Marinelli’s unit generate some impact plays by dialing up pressure in early down-and-distance situations?

This is a cornerback cat (blitz) the Cowboys ran versus the Rams last week that produced Bruce Carter’s interception return for a touchdown.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

With the ball on the near hash—and a tight split from the X receiver—the cornerback can get home while the free safety tops the vertical release. This forces the ball to come out with Carter playing as an underneath receiver.

The cornerback cat is just one example, however; the Cowboys can also lean on their three-deep, three-under zone blitz schemes (rush five, drop six) in Sunday night’s game plan to show the Saints multiple looks.

5. Matt Forte’s Production vs. Packers

The Bears are a pass-first team under Marc Trestman in the West Coast system. But after three weeks, the Chicago offense is ranked at the bottom of the league with only 64 yards a game on the ground.

The Bears' most productive scheme is the Crack Toss out of Posse/11 (3WR-1TE-1RB) or Ace/12 (2WR-2TE-1RB) personnel with a down block on the edge (stack alignment) and the left tackle pulling to kick out the corner or safety support.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

That creates an outside running lane for Forte to push the ball up the field when the secondary support widens the edge (instead of squeezing the block), while giving up one-for-one versus the tackle pull.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s matchup versus the Packers, I believe Trestman’s offense has to supplement the passing game with Forte. That means more production in critical down and distances (3rd-and-2-6) plus specific game situations (red zone, four-minute).

From my perspective, it starts with the zone-based schemes (inside zone, stretch) that allow Forte to press the edge of the formation or look for cutback lanes versus Dom Caper’s defense.

6. Colin Kaepernick, Stevie Johnson vs. Eagles Secondary

After watching the Eagles defense give up 400-plus yards passing in Week 3 to Kirk Cousins, should we expect the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh to show more Posse/11 personnel to utilize the speed of Johnson?

This is a basic slant-flat combination (versus man coverage) out of an empty alignment that allowed Kaepernick to target Johnson on a three-step read to the flat for an explosive gain.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

With Johnson in the game, the 49ers can get the ball out quickly and create opportunities for the wide receiver to win in the middle of the field or off pick/rub concepts.

Game plans always adjust based on your opponent. And while I want to see the 49ers run the football with Frank Gore or Carlos Hyde, this is a secondary Kaepernick can attack with Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree and the speed of Johnson as they look to avoid a 1-3 start.

7. Kirk Cousins, Redskins' Explosive Play Capability

With the deep-ball speed of DeSean Jackson and the ability of Pierre Garcon to produce after the catch, the Redskins have some big-play capability in Jay Gruden’s offense.

Against the Eagles, Cousins hit Jackson on the deep "Yankee" route (Dino Post-Deep Over combo) versus a single high safety.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Jackson creates separation in the route (stem to corner, break back to post) with the safety sitting on the deep over route (deep crossing route). This allows Cousins to target the deep post because of the speed from Jackson.

How will the Redskins game-plan versus the Giants on Thursday night, and when will they take their shots down the field?

There will be opportunities to use max-protection, play pass, etc. This route tree in Washington gives Cousins some throwing windows to work with underneath, as well as down the field.

8. Patriots Offensive Execution vs. Chiefs

Looking at the Monday night matchup, can the Patriots execute their core schemes in both the run and pass game versus the Chiefs?

This offense doesn’t have a consistent deep-ball threat, and Rob Gronkowski has been somewhat limited to the short-to-intermediate route tree as he works back from a knee injury.

However, the scheme works. And that’s why I’m talking about the lack of execution on the tape.

Here’s a quick example of what you want to see from Tom Brady and the offense versus the Raiders Cover 3.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

With a levels concept to the closed side of the formation, the Patriots send tight end Tim Wright in motion to the open side to run the smash-seam combination. Brady gets to the top of his drop, identifies the coverage and gets the ball out to expose a throwing window versus three-deep.

Remember, the personnel isn’t going to change in New England. But with better play up front along the offensive line, this offense can start to execute the core schemes that allow the Patriots to run the football more effectively while creating opportunities in the intermediate passing game.

9. Bills Run Game vs. Texans Dime Sub-Package

If the Texans continue to play their dime sub-package (six defensive backs) versus Posse/11 personnel, the Bills should test the front early with C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson in the run game.

In Week 3, this defense gave up 193 yards rushing, with the Giants utilizing the zone and one-back power schemes to block down on the dime back aligned in the front.

Here is the one-back power scheme from the Giants with the tight end blocking down on the dime back (strong safety) and the open-side guard pulling to kick out the edge defender.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

This created an inside running lane for Rashad Jennings (176 yards rushing) to push this ball to the second level while forcing the safeties to tackle.

The nickel/dime running game is about numbers and matchups within the box. Let’s see if the Texans make any adjustments to their sub-package fronts versus the Bills.

10. Eagles Seam Route in the Red Zone

Nick Foles' ability to throw the inside seam route when the Eagles align in a Slot Open formation (Trips to weak side of the formation) creates issues for opposing defenses in the red zone.

In Week 3, Foles lit up the Redskins secondary by targeting the No. 3 receiver (count outside-in from the sideline) versus both Cover 2 and Cover 3 for touchdowns in the Eagles win.

This is how the Eagles occupied both safeties versus Cover 2 (seam and 7 route) to create a one-on-one matchup for rookie receiver Jordan Matthews against the Mike ‘backer.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

With both safeties now "topping" the vertical threats in the deep half, Matthews can stem this route up the field—with Foles delivering a great ball to beat the coverage.

I don’t know if the 49ers will play more Quarters versus the Eagles inside of the red zone or single-high looks, but the ability to limit this route (which has been on tape since the preseason) is key to winning inside of the 20-yard line.

Five Quick Takeaways From My Week 3 Film Study

1. If you want to see "transition speed" at the cornerback position, then check out Janoris Jenkins’ pick-six versus Tony Romo and the Cowboys. That’s how you challenge the three-step game from an off-man position.

2. Cardinals rookie John Brown is legit. The wide receiver took the top off the 49ers defense—twice. Brown is a key addition to Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald at the wide receiver position in Arizona.

3. I was wrong about the Jaguars defense heading into this season. Andrew Luck tore up this unit on basic Cover 2 and Cover 3 beaters. There is a lot of work to do in Jacksonville.

4. I don’t see the Seahawks defense giving up the post-wheel combination against its Cover 3 defense again this season. Pete Carroll’s unit will get that corrected after Peyton Manning sent the game to overtime.

5. Bears rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller knows how to finish plays. I haven’t seen a rookie with ball skills like this since I played with safety Sean Taylor during the 2004 season in Washington.

Week 4 Chalk Talk

Every week, we will break down a specific scheme up on the whiteboard to give you a look at personnel, execution and technique at the NFL level. 

Packers Red-Zone "Nod" Route vs. Bears Cover 2

Saints "Big Nickel" Zone Pressure vs. Cowboys

Five Players to Watch in Week 4

1. DeAndre Levy, LB, Lions

The Lions were able to sit back in coverage versus the Packers because of the play from Levy and the defensive front. The linebacker was quick to fit up the run, scrape over the top and pursue to the football versus the Packers.

Check out this play he made to produce a safety against the zone scheme when he beat the "fold" block to put the initial hit on Eddie Lacy.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Against the Jets, I would expect the Lions to lean on coverage again (similar to the Bears game plan from Monday night) with a seven-man front to attack Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson.

2. Steve Smith, WR, Ravens

Anytime a player lines up against his former squad, he will play with more emotion (and energy) for obvious reasons. Guys in this league have a lot of pride in what they do.

Plus, Smith is already playing at a high level for the Ravens—especially in one-on-one situations.

Go back to the fade route he ran versus the Browns' Joe Haden to set up the game-winning field goal. Smith forced Haden to open the gate and settle his feet on the release. That allowed the receiver to create separation down the field and finish.

There should be some talk on the field between Smith and the Panthers. And why not? Let’s watch these guys compete.

3. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons

After watching Falcons tape earlier in the week for a post I wrote on Devin Hester, I’m starting to think that we don’t discuss Jones enough considering the numbers he is putting up in Atlanta.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Just look at the strength he has to beat press coverage, the size at the point of attack or the ability to finish in the vertical route tree versus both man and zone coverages.

If the Vikings play Cover 2, Jones can push the deep-half safeties down the field. And if they lean on man coverage, look for deep, inside-breaking cuts.

4. Geno Smith, QB, Jets

Consistent play. That’s what the Jets and Rex Ryan need to see out of their quarterback versus Detroit on Sunday.  

In the Monday night loss, Smith made a big-time throw to beat the Bears Cover 2 on the inside seam route for a score, but there were situations when the quarterback made questionable decisions with the ball.

To beat the Lions, the Jets must establish the run game versus a talented front seven. But Smith still has to make the throws when this offense has a chance to put points on the board.

5. Jared Allen, DE, Bears

Allen has yet to record a sack in a Bears uniform, but the veteran did apply some pressure Monday night in the win over the Jets.

This is the play that should have closed it out for the Bears in the fourth quarter (dropped interception), with Allen winning on the edge and putting a clean shot on Smith.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

The Bears are getting production from defensive end Willie Young in their sub-package personnel. However, without Allen winning on the edge versus the Packers, the middle of the field will be an easy target for Rodgers against a two-high shell.

Seven-year NFL veteran Matt Bowen is an NFL National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report.

Follow @MattBowen41