Yes getting big wins stats don’t matter. But it would be nice to have a couple 300 yard rushing games. 500 is it in passing, but love me ground Chuck TOP games. Plus, we all love seeing Lynch/Earl Campbell or Barry/Warner type rushing TDs.
Just a quick comment on our defensive rankings: they include 28 4th down attempts which means we’ve got opponents in acts of desperation, they’re getting more plays in, and we still rank very highly. Seems like a pretty good measure of a defense…or of a total team effort…
Back in 2023 I remember Uchenna going down mid-season and I felt like he was our best defender. My how times have changed with our talent level & depth...
One thing I really liked in this game (amazing defense and ST aside), is seeing Sam look at options other than JSN. Barner and Kupp had a few targets in previous games but the difference this time is Shaheed got 4 and there were a couple of QB runs which I don't remember seeing much of this season. Having that as an option will help down the stretch and should free up JSN hopefully.
Kallerup might see his snap count increase even more. Arroyo hurt his knee and I haven’t heard if he’s going to miss some games. Saurbert is still on IR and might not come back this season if they bring back D Young, Sundell and Horton.
Reference your statement, “Maybe Kubiak’s aggressive passing plan was a sort of motivation to build more confidence in Darnold.” I have no doubt this was the plan. Darnold needed to get right and get his mojo back for week 16. The 2nd half was a good start. He needs another 250 yard performance against the Colts. Kubiak’s “ghostbusters” plan will make sure no ghosts are anywhere near Lumen for week 16. Keep slinging it Sam! (But don’t be afraid to take a couple of sacks if nothing is there)
I don’t think Saubert is back next year. They role with Arroyo, Barner Kallerup and Russell. Kallerup is 6’6” and 270. A beast! I see 22 personnel with Barner and Kallerup as TEs, and Ouzts and K9 as RBs. JSN the only WR, but taking out a CB and Safety from the mix. I have two plays designed to be run out of this personnel. Kallerup goes in motion right to left and they run wide zone to the left with Kallerup and Ouzts leading K9. Barner is also lined up as a TE on the left. Ounce that play hits for a couple of big runs, you have the varient. Same scheme, motion by Kallerup to the left, fake the handoff the K9 as Danrold hides the ball and rolls right. JSN goes deep hoping the safety bites on the run to the left. Hit JSN for is big play deep, and if the CB is not beat or the safety stays with JSN, Barner goes to block the ILB like he would on the run play, slips past him and runs a crosser from left to right as the second option.Everyone in the box should bite on the run play, if not maybe Sam keeps it and runs for a few, or he’s outside the tackle box and just tosses it away to avoid the sack.
Yes getting big wins stats don’t matter. But it would be nice to have a couple 300 yard rushing games. 500 is it in passing, but love me ground Chuck TOP games. Plus, we all love seeing Lynch/Earl Campbell or Barry/Warner type rushing TDs.
Just a quick comment on our defensive rankings: they include 28 4th down attempts which means we’ve got opponents in acts of desperation, they’re getting more plays in, and we still rank very highly. Seems like a pretty good measure of a defense…or of a total team effort…
Zez yes I caught that too. And been in RZ and we’ve come up with big stops. That’s more than 2 a game. Love great defenses.
Back in 2023 I remember Uchenna going down mid-season and I felt like he was our best defender. My how times have changed with our talent level & depth...
One thing I really liked in this game (amazing defense and ST aside), is seeing Sam look at options other than JSN. Barner and Kupp had a few targets in previous games but the difference this time is Shaheed got 4 and there were a couple of QB runs which I don't remember seeing much of this season. Having that as an option will help down the stretch and should free up JSN hopefully.
Other teams having to prepare for Shaheed's speed on tape will only open things up more for our other receivers/TE's and run game.
And don’t forget the JSN triple that let Coop walk in. That little crossing pattern, Sam rollout was a thing of beauty.
Kallerup might see his snap count increase even more. Arroyo hurt his knee and I haven’t heard if he’s going to miss some games. Saurbert is still on IR and might not come back this season if they bring back D Young, Sundell and Horton.
Reference your statement, “Maybe Kubiak’s aggressive passing plan was a sort of motivation to build more confidence in Darnold.” I have no doubt this was the plan. Darnold needed to get right and get his mojo back for week 16. The 2nd half was a good start. He needs another 250 yard performance against the Colts. Kubiak’s “ghostbusters” plan will make sure no ghosts are anywhere near Lumen for week 16. Keep slinging it Sam! (But don’t be afraid to take a couple of sacks if nothing is there)
Kallerup had the best PFF grade this week on offense. Wonder if he'll "Wally Pipp" Saubert?
I don’t think Saubert is back next year. They role with Arroyo, Barner Kallerup and Russell. Kallerup is 6’6” and 270. A beast! I see 22 personnel with Barner and Kallerup as TEs, and Ouzts and K9 as RBs. JSN the only WR, but taking out a CB and Safety from the mix. I have two plays designed to be run out of this personnel. Kallerup goes in motion right to left and they run wide zone to the left with Kallerup and Ouzts leading K9. Barner is also lined up as a TE on the left. Ounce that play hits for a couple of big runs, you have the varient. Same scheme, motion by Kallerup to the left, fake the handoff the K9 as Danrold hides the ball and rolls right. JSN goes deep hoping the safety bites on the run to the left. Hit JSN for is big play deep, and if the CB is not beat or the safety stays with JSN, Barner goes to block the ILB like he would on the run play, slips past him and runs a crosser from left to right as the second option.Everyone in the box should bite on the run play, if not maybe Sam keeps it and runs for a few, or he’s outside the tackle box and just tosses it away to avoid the sack.
Who could go to the Pro-Bowl?
JSN - lock
Darnold - Top 3 in the NFC? maybe? Let's see how he finishes.
Zabel - perhaps
Barner - perhaps, if some of the more familiar names don't get defaulted in
Williams - lock
Murphy - should be
D-Law - should get consideration
Chenna - should get consideration
EJ - not a lock, but the next best thing
Emmanwori - yes, but at what position?
Spoon - should get consideration
Coby Bryant - should get consideration
Jason Myers - probably not. Only 1 from each conference go, and one of the bigger legs (Aubrey?) will go likely.
I'm probably missing some worthy folks. Might have some Special Teams candidates.
Not that I give a hoot about the Pro Bowl. We'll hopefully be playing in the 'other' bowl, and nobody will be able to attend anyway.
If I read the box score correctly, the Falcons never punted yesterday. Not once. Can that be right?
2 punts
I remember Shaheed fair catching at least 2 punts.
Ah. I bet we had zero punt returns, and I don't know how to read.