Matt Bowen's Week 5 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 5 schedule in the NFL.

1. Patriots' Offensive Limitations 

How can the Patriots offense manufacture production on Sunday night versus the Bengals given their struggles along the offensive line and the inability to separate (consistently) outside of the numbers?

Here’s a quick example from Monday night in a 3rd-and-short situation with the Patriots running a basic shallow drive route (or shallow crossing route) versus a four-man rush.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

As you can see, the offensive line fails to win at the point of attack. That makes quarterback Tom Brady step up, reset his feet and now force the ball to a receiver who can’t separate on a route working away from the defender’s leverage.

Brady looks tentative at times on the tape, tight end Rob Gronkowski isn’t playing at his top speed, the offensive line has struggled to win one-on-one matchups and there isn’t enough production at the wide receiver position versus man coverage.

Because of that, I would use more Hi-Lo concepts (rub/pick), bunch/stack looks and play action (with counter protection) to create throwing windows in the middle of the field while moving Gronkowski (flex) to gain matchup advantages versus Cincinnati.

The idea here is to produce some explosive plays—and that includes both the zone and power running game out of Regular/21 (2WR-1TE-2RB) and Ace/12 (2WR-2TE-1RB) personnel.

The Patriots have always been “multiple” with their personnel and alignments. But they have to get even more creative, in my opinion, based on the talent they are working with, to score points against Marvin Lewis’ team.

2. Peyton Manning vs. Cardinals' Defensive Pressure 

It's a good matchup on Sunday in Denver given the Cardinals' ability to bring interior A-/B-gap pressure, along with the talent in the secondary at the cornerback position (Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie), to challenge routes.

If the Broncos lean on their Posse/11 personnel, look for Todd Bowles’ defense to bring pressure out of its dime sub-package with unique looks at the line of scrimmage. This allows the Cardinals to send interior rushers while utilizing inside vertical hook-droppers (match to inside seam, hot read).

This is a look at the Cardinals sending double A-gap pressure (plus the nickel) to create a five-man rush scheme before dropping two linebackers underneath into the throwing lanes.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

There will be opportunities for this defense to apply pressure to Manning while taking away the inside throwing lanes (Wes Welker, Julius Thomas) in the Denver playbook.

Keep an eye on how the Cardinals disguise their pressure looks this Sunday when they have their sub-package personnel in the game. That’s the key to limiting Manning and the Broncos' short-to-intermediate route tree.

3. Vikings Defensive Game Plan vs. Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Back in Week 4, Rodgers gashed the Bears by targeting the middle of the field and attacking open throwing windows in the zone coverages (Cover 2, Cover 3).

However, if the Vikings can play some “trail-man” and bring pressure to supplement their two-deep shell, they can limit the middle-of-the-field concepts while putting a tent on the top of the secondary.

Check out how the Vikings generated a 2-Man look versus Julio Jones and the Falcons this past Sunday as Smith walks down to the open side of the formation.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

The Vikings are showing man pressure, but they roll the coverage at the snap with Smith using a “thumbs” technique. This allows Smith to run to the inside hip of the No. 1 receiver (“trail”) with the corner sinking over the top.

There is no question the Vikings have to get production out of their front four when they play coverage (move Rodgers off the spot), and I expect to see much more pressure from head coach Mike Zimmer than the Bears showed in Week 4.

The Vikings have to create some confusion on Thursday night from a defensive perspective versus Rodgers. And that starts with the game plan.

4. Kyle Orton’s Impact on Bills Offense

With Orton replacing EJ Manuel as the Bills No. 1 quarterback, I’m looking for ball placement and timing within the route stem from the veteran this Sunday versus the Lions.

Manuel struggled with accuracy/decision-making on the tape in Week 4, and the Bills left plays on the field during the loss to the Texans.

This is the deep over route to Robert Woods with Sammy Watkins clearing out the top of the secondary.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

The Texans are playing a “cloud” technique to the open side of the formation. And with Watkins on the 9 route, the cornerback sinks to protect his safety over the top. This opens up a throwing lane to target Woods—but the result is a poor ball from Manuel.

I don’t doubt the Bills' speed and playmaking ability at the offensive skill positions. However, it has to start at the quarterback position. Let’s see if Orton can get the ball to his top targets in route schemes that are designed to create open throwing windows.

5. Reggie Wayne vs. Ravens 2-Man

The veteran receiver impressed on the tape versus the Titans because of his route-running ability. Wayne ran through his cuts and showed no wasted movement as he created separation at the top of the stem on the deep dig, outside breaking stems, etc.

Looking ahead to the matchup with the Ravens this Sunday, quarterback Andrew Luck will see some 2-Man from Baltimore’s three-safety nickel package. This will allow the Colts to run their three-level concepts with Wayne aligned inside as the No. 2 versus safety Matt Elam.

Check out the OVS route concept (Outside Vertical Stretch) I drew up versus the Ravens 2-Man coverage in the chalk-talk video below.

Wayne saw 13 targets from Luck (nine receptions) in the win over the Titans, and there will be more opportunities to get the ball to the receiver this Sunday.

If you have time, go watch the Colts tape from last week and study Wayne within the route stem. The veteran looks smooth getting out of his breaks.

6. Andy Reid’s Call Sheet vs. 49ers

Reid’s game plan was excellent on Monday night as the Chiefs created matchups to get the ball to Jamaal Charles while utilizing the tight end position with Ace/12 personnel on the field.

Kansas City can throw the West Coast concepts outside of the numbers (inside breaking routes to Dwayne Bowe), but its playmakers are inside with Charles and the talent it has at tight end.

Here’s an example with Charles working versus a linebacker on a quick flat route in the red zone.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

With the Chiefs aligning the No. 1 receiver in a reduced split (tight to the core of the formation), they can create a pick/rub situation. This allows Charles to press up the field, work off the pick and burst to the flat to give quarterback Alex Smith a quick read underneath for six points.

Let’s see how Reid shapes his game plan this Sunday versus the 49ers defense to get the ball to Charles while utilizing the skill set of second-year tight end Travis Kelce. Along with the running game, the Chiefs can use formations and pre-snap movement to get the exact matchup they want in the passing game.

7. DeMarco Murray’s Production

The Cowboys offense is tough to prep for because of the balance they have in the call sheet, along with the multiple ways they can attack opposing defenses in the run game.

With one-back schemes, the Cowboys can create running lanes for Murray using zone technique or pulling blockers at the point of attack to fit up on second-level defenders in both Ace/12 and Posse/11 personnel.

This is the one-back Counter OF the Cowboys executed on Sunday night in the win over the Saints.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

As you can see, the Cowboys pull both the guard and Jason Witten (aligned off the ball) to account for the two inside ‘backers. That allows Murray to square his pads and get through the second level to the secondary.

Given that the Texans have struggled to limit the run game in both their base and sub-package personnel, I would look for the Cowboys to carry a similar game plan with Murray this Sunday. That means more one-back schemes behind an offensive line that is moving people up front.

8. Larry Donnell’s Route Tree vs. Falcons 

Donnell caught three touchdown passes from Eli Manning this past Thursday night in the win over the Redskins, as the Giants isolated the tight end versus man and zone coverage to draw specific matchups (seam, post, fade).

Here’s Donnell running the inside seam route versus the Mike ‘backer in Cover 2 (linebacker carries the seam).

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

With Donnell’s athletic ability at the point of attack, Manning can put this ball up high to give his tight end the opportunity to climb the ladder and finish on a ball thrown away from the linebacker’s leverage.

Working against a Falcons defense this Sunday that failed to close the middle of the field versus Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings in Week 4, Manning can attack the inside seam and target Donnell on routes that expose three-deep coverage.

Look for the Giants to run the ball early and force the second-level defenders of the Falcons to attack the line of scrimmage. That will open up throwing lanes for Manning to find his tight end.

9. Panthers Defensive Front Seven vs. Bears

The Panthers defensive front has been pushed around during the team's two-game losing streak (Steelers, Ravens), and that creates issues versus a Bears offense that can take advantage of matchups outside of the numbers if Carolina can’t stop the run with seven in the box.

Check out the Ravens running the inside zone scheme with the Panthers in Under 10 (Under front with free safety walked down to open side of the formation).

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

The Ravens turn out both the Sam ‘backer and defensive end with guard Marshal Yanda chipping on the nose tackle before working up to Mike ‘backer Luke Kuechly. This creates a clean running lane for Justin Forsett to get up the field and break and tackle at the goal line for a touchdown.

The Bears rushed for over 200 yards in Week 4 with Matt Forte producing on the zone scheme, inside trap, lead draw, etc.

I would expect Marc Trestman’s team to run the ball early and try to force the Panthers to get out of their two-deep shell to open up opportunities outside of the numbers for Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

10. Kirk Cousins vs. Seahawks Secondary on Monday Night

After throwing for 400-plus yards in Week 3, Cousins came back and turned the ball over repeatedly in the Week 4 loss to the Giants.

Cousins’ footwork was an issue at the top of the drop, and he failed to make quality decisions with the ball versus the Giants' coverage looks.

This is an interception Cousins threw versus a single-high safety defense on the outside 9 route.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Check out the depth and the shoulders of safety Quintin Demps in the deep middle of the field.

Cousins fails to move Demps out of the middle of the field (open hips) and brings him right to this ball. The Giants safety can keep his shoulders square and break on the throw with enough depth to overlap the 9 route and finish.

The Redskins will see plenty of single-high safety defenses from Seattle (Cover 1, Cover 3) this Monday night. It’s on Cousins to show better footwork and deliver an accurate ball against a secondary that challenges routes and makes plays in the middle of the field at the safety position.

Five Quick Takeaways from the Week 4 Film

1. If Nick Foles sets his feet and steps into the throw on the deep ball to Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles would have produced an 85-yard touchdown versus the 49ers' zero-pressure (blitz-man technique). Maclin won to the inside on the release and had the cornerback beat—with no help over the top. Too many missed opportunities for Chip Kelly’s team out in San Francisco.

2. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is going to be a star in the NFL if he stays healthy. The second-year pro has size plus the catch-and-run ability to make defenders miss in the open field. How many teams throw the bubble screen to the tight end in packaged plays? I will break down some tape on Kelce Friday. He can play.

3. Go back and watch the technique (plus the transition speed) of Packers cornerback Tramon Williams on the pass breakup that led to a Clay Matthews interception. Williams adjusted his leverage (inside shade based on the wide receiver split), played with a flat-foot read (no backpedal) and came downhill with speed to break on the slant route. That’s high-level, veteran stuff from Williams.

4. The Redskins defense needs to get out of Cover 2 in the red zone. They have allowed three touchdowns in the last two weeks with opposing teams occupying the deep half safeties to create inside matchups on the seam route versus the Mike ‘backer. And it’s not going to stop until they show something different in the secondary.

5. Wide receiver “ghost” motion/action (motion into the backfield behind the running back) is showing up in productive situations across the league versus man-coverage defenses as it forces cornerbacks to “travel” (match to coverage). Check out Alshon Jeffery’s touchdown catch or Knile Davis’ explosive run. Both are a direct result of the ghost motion/action at the wide receiver position.

Five Players to Watch in Week 5

1. Antoine Bethea, SS, 49ers

Based on my tape study, Bethea has been the top player at the safety position in the NFL through the first four weeks of the season.

Bethea has the hips to play the deep middle of the field, the coverage skill set to walk down over the slot/tight end and the physicality to drop down as a run defender in the box.

Check out this play versus the Eagles with Bethea running the alley to keep LeSean McCoy out of the end zone in a crucial situation with the 49ers protecting a five-point lead late in the game.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

The 49ers safety understands angles to the ball and keeps his shoulders square to play through cutback lanes while tracking the back to finish with solid tackling technique.

San Francisco will need that same level of production from Bethea when it plays the Chiefs in order to limit Charles in the run game. Look for the 49ers to drop Bethea down late to create an eight-man box with the safety filling downhill to attack the line of scrimmage.

2. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos

We talked about the Cardinals' pressure packages above, but let’s not forget about the big-play ability of Sanders when the Broncos run their combination routes and set up the deep post.

I don’t view the Broncos as a deep-ball offense, but when they can set some bait underneath to create a one-on-one matchup for Sanders, there are opportunities to throw the vertical game.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

In the “pin” route (post-in combo), the Broncos will run an inside dig route to occupy the safety. This allows Sanders to work away from the cornerback’s leverage with no immediate help inside/over the top.

Sanders is an upgrade for this Broncos offense because of the speed he brings to the stadium, and he has the production through three games to back it up. Let’s see if the Broncos can set up the Cardinals and take a couple of shots down the field on Sunday.

3. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Panthers

The Bears should lean on their core zone coverages (Cover 2, Cover 3) again this week with a matchup versus Cam Newton, as it allows the back seven to get to their landmark drops with eyes on the quarterback.

However, that creates some opportunities for Newton to target the rookie wide receiver on deep, inside breaking routes to expose the holes in the zone defense.

Take a look at this play from Week 4 with Rodgers throwing the double-post versus Cover 2 out of Ace/12 personnel versus the Bears. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

With the tight end occupying the Mike ‘backer on the inside post—and the flat route widening the Sam ‘backer in his seam-hook drop—Rodgers finds a clear throwing window (in front of the deep half safety) to hit Nelson on the outside post.

Benjamin has the size at the point of attack to run the deep dig, curl and seam when the Bears sit back in their two-deep and three-deep shells.

4. Jairus Byrd, FS, Saints

Byrd hasn’t produced an interception through the first four weeks of the season, but I’m more concerned with the poor tackling technique he is putting on the tape.

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

In the loss to the Cowboys, Byrd was exposed in the open field as he consistently failed to break down, take the proper angle and eliminate the distance to the ball-carrier. This forced Byrd to lunge at the point of attack (or play out of control) instead of setting his base and squaring up on the tackle.

Rob Ryan’s defense needs much more production at the safety position from both Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro, but it has to start with tackling. When a run breaks through the second level in the NFL, it’s on the safeties to get the guy on the ground.

The key free-agent addition has to play better football this Sunday versus the Bucs.

5. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers

If Rivers continues to manage the pocket like we have seen on the tape, he will have plenty of opportunities to attack positive matchups versus the Jets secondary.

When Rivers identifies pressure, he shows the ability to step up or slide to find room to throw the football. Here’s an example of that from the Chargers' Week 4 win over the Jaguars.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Rivers feels the edge pressure and finds a hole to step up. This gives the Chargers quarterback time for the wheel route to develop outside before targeting Eddie Royal down the field for six points.

We know Rex is going to bring pressure. But if the Jets don’t get home or show discipline in their rush lanes, Rivers can carve up this New York secondary with the talent the Chargers have at the offensive skill positions.

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

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