Passing Recap: Bengals

[soxfan121]

This Week in Passing: Bengals Recap
By Mark Schofield
 

After a tumultuous seven days in Foxboro, Tom Brady stormed the field on Sunday night. Before most spectators had even settled into their seats, Brady had staked the Patriots to a 7-0 lead they would not relinquish. By night’s end the veteran quarterback completed 23 of 35 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns, establishing a quarterback rating of 110.7 for the game. Brady’s performance was his best of the young season and we evaluated the film to uncover what New England got right in Week 5.

Play-Action
While the Patriots established their running attack, New England also turned to the play-action passing game throughout the night with tremendous success. The offense began both the game and their first drive of the second half using this concept, gaining a first down on both plays.
New England opened the game on their own 20-yard line following a touchback, and Brady came out under center with 21 personnel on the field. In the clip below, Cincinnati aligns in their base 4-3 defense with Cover 2 showing in the secondary. Following motion from Julian Edelman across the formation, Brady fakes an off-tackle run to Stevan Ridley and looks downfield:
 

 

 

[Super Nomario]

On the last play, would you call that Cover 3? The linebackers clearly appear to be in zone, but it looks like the corners might be in man on the outside. I think it might be a Seahawks-esque Cover 3.

 

[mascho]

On the last play, would you call that Cover 3? The linebackers clearly appear to be in zone, but it looks like the corners might be in man on the outside. I think it might be a Seahawks-esque Cover 3.

Yeah, that is entirely possible. They are definitely man on the outside which led me to read it as Cover 1, with Iloka's middle alignment. Wouldn't change the analysis.

 

[mascho]

For the record, Matt Bowen read that play as Cover 3 as well.
 
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2225264-matt-bowens-week-6-nfl-film-study