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Author: John Shirley

  • SIS NFL Preview Week 4

    At Sports Info Solutions, our Video Scouts chart FBS and NFL football games 40 hours a week. They chart every play of every game in extraordinary detail, becoming experts in team’s tendencies and concepts. So, who better to ask about what to watch for in this weeks upcoming NFL games? This season we will be providing weekly NFL previews of key matchups with insight straight from our Video Scouts and stats from the SIS DataHub Pro.

    New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills – 9/29 1:00 ET

    Kendall Mirsky, SIS Football Video Scout:

    Throughout the early portion of the season the Patriots have done their fair share of mixing and matching up front in the trenches. The Bills pass rush will need to continue their success this week against a team that has very few deficiencies, if any at all. Specifically key in on Marshall Newhouse’s performance this week, as he now he finds himself starting at LT for the Patriots. If the Bills want to have success this week look for them to exploit Newhouse with the pass rushing skills of Shaq Lawson, Jerry Hughes, and Lorenzo Alexander.

    Bills Top Pass Rushers (Weeks 1-3)

    PlayerPass RushesPressure%
    Jerry Hughes8313.3%
    Lorenzo Alexander4710.6%
    Shaq Lawson3810.5%

     

    Carolina Panthers @ Houston Texans – 9/29 1:00 ET

    Britton Mann, SIS Football Video Scout:

    The most important task for the Panthers offense this weekend is to establish the run game. Christian McCaffrey had a team high 153 rushing yards last weekend which helped open up the passing game for Allen. So far this year the Texans have given up an average of 108 rushing yards per game, which lands them as the 15th best run defense this year. With the Panthers starting their backup quarterback, they’ll need to lean on McCaffrey and his explosive running style in order to beat the Texans on Sunday.

    Christian McCaffrey vs. the Texans Run Defense

     AttYds/AttBroken Tackle%Points Earned (Rushing Plays)
    Christian McCaffrey (Week 3)246.417%2.4
    RBs vs. Texans Defense485.225%4.9

     

    Tennessee Titans @ Atlanta Falcons – 9/29 1:00 ET

    Sales Pinckney, SIS Football Video Scout:

    Early on, Matt Ryan ranks among the top 5 QB’s in Completions, Completion Percentage, Yards, and Passing TD’s. He also ranks first in interceptions out of all QBs. Several potential scoring drives have ended due to an interception, which has often led to points on the other end. This has served as a hindrance to the early season efforts of Julio Jones, who has caught 4 TD passes through the first three weeks. Avoiding turnovers will be key this week as the Falcons take on the Titans, who rank second in turnover margin, and third in interceptions, after three weeks.

    Matt Ryan’s Red Zone Performance by Year

     AttemptsINT%Points Earned (Passing Plays)
    2016961.0%17.3
    2017752.7%2.5
    2018771.3%8.3
    20191414.3%-2.9

     

    Oakland Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts – 9/29 1:00 ET

    Cyril Zachary Penn, SIS Football Video Scout:

    Gareon Conley needs to get back on track for the Raiders to find a semblance of defensive success. Conley looked great last season, giving up 21 catches on 42 targets, while surrendering a league-low 59% deserved catch rate among defenders targeted over 20 times. This year, he’s given up 11 catches on 13 targets and is allowing the second-most yards per target of any corner that has seen at least 10 targets . With limited pass rushers and an injury-riddled linebacker unit, the Raiders will continue giving up points in bunches if Conley doesn’t find his 2018 form.

    Gareon Conley’s Performance 2018 vs. 2019

     TargetsDeserved Catch%Yds/TargetPoints Saved (Passing Plays)
    20174256%9.59
    20181385%14.3-10.4

     

    Washington Redskins @ New York Giants – 9/29 1:00 ET

    Andrew McKeon, SIS Football Video Scout:

    Even though Saquon Barkley is gone for the foreseeable future, do not expect the playbook to shrink this week. Expect the opposite, actually. Daniel Jones’ debut should have created a lot of confidence for Pat Shurmur to really air it out in Barkley’s absence, especially against a typically stout Redskins front seven. Additionally, Josh Norman and the rest of the Redskins secondary has generally struggled to cover receivers so far this season, so depending on game flow, expect Shurmur to cut Jones loose this week.

    Daniel Jones (Week 3) vs Redskins Top 2 Cornerbacks (Weeks 1-3)

     AttCatchable%IQRPoints Earned (Passing Plays)
    Daniel Jones3681%112.87.4
         
     TargetsDeserved Catch%QBR AgainstPoints Saved (Passing Plays)
    Josh Norman1987%119.9-4.5
    Quinton Dunbar11100%89.90.7

     

    Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints – 9/29 8:20 ET

    Cole Ratliff, SIS Operations Associate:

    As the Cowboys face a tough test vs the Saints this week, the key will be the defense stopping Alvin Kamara.  A key to help stop Kamara will be gap control across the line of scrimmage to prevent cutback lanes so Kamara has no opening to run through.

    Alvin Kamara vs. the Cowboys Run Defense

     AttYds/AttBroken Tkl%Points Earned (Rushing Plays)
    Alvin Kamara425.031%4.5
    RB’s vs. Cowboys Defense (Weeks 1-3)415.017%1.7

    The Cowboys offense has been an equal balance through three games in both the run and pass game, including both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard each rushing for over 100 yards vs Miami.  A key to the Cowboys offensive success has been Dak Prescott and his improvement in getting the ball out of his hands quickly and distributing the ball to his playmakers.

    Will Osgood, SIS Football Video Scout:

    Playing a team with a mobile quarterback for the third time in four weeks means Marcus Davenport gets to show one more time how athletic and versatile he is. He’ll again be the key to keeping the quarterback (this time Dak Prescott) from making plays outside the pocket. And with the Cowboys being a heavy play action team he will have to be smart with when he aggressively pursues the quarterback and when he chooses to maintain his gap against the run.

    Marcus Davenport (Weeks 1-3)

    PlayerPass RushesPressure%Points Saved (Passing Plays)Points Saved (Rushing Plays)
    Marcus Davenport6512%2.51.4

     

  • SIS NFL Preview Week 4: Eagles vs. Packers

    At Sports Info Solutions, our Video Scouts chart FBS and NFL football games 40 hours a week. They chart every play of every game in extraordinary detail, becoming experts in team’s tendencies and concepts. So, who better to ask about what to watch for in this weeks upcoming NFL games? This season we will be providing weekly NFL previews of key matchups with insight straight from our Video Scouts and stats from the SIS Datahub Pro.

    Noah Gatsik, SIS Operations Associate, on the Eagles:

    The Eagles don’t have an active player on their defensive line with a sack going into week 4 against the Packers. They only have two total for the season. One was by Timmy Jernigan who is out with an injury, and the other was Andrew Sendejo their 3rd Safety on the depth chart. Packers DE Preston Smith has 4.5 sacks himself for the 2019 season going into week 4 against the Eagles

    Tonight’s Starting Eagles Defensive Line Pressure%

    PlayerPass RushesPressure%
    Brandon Graham9513.7%
    Fletcher Cox8510.6%
    Hassan Ridgeway458.9%
    Derek Barnett908.9%

    Packers Offensive Line Pass Blocking Performance

    PlayerPositionPass Blocking SnapsPass Blocking Points Earned
    David BakhtiariLT1711.5
    Elgton JenkinsLG351.7
    Corey LinsleyC1714.3
    Billy TurnerRG1712.2
    Bryan BulagaRT1712

     

    Bruce Schroeder, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Packers:

    After a short turnaround from week 3 and an offense who still hasn’t found any consistency, look for the defense to hold most of the weight against the Eagles a fourth week in a row. This should be no problem for the Packers because of their health compared to the Eagles. With the return of Alshon Jeffery back in the lineup, look for Jaire Alexander to man him up and limit his production and add to his All-Pro campaign.

    The Matchup of Alshon Jeffery vs. Jaire Alexander

    –TargetsReceptionsYds/TgtPoints Earned
    Alshon Jeffery658.22.8
         
     TargetsReceptions AllowedYds/Tgt AllowedPoints Saved
    Jaire Alexander2163.53.6

     

  • SIS NFL Preview: Week 3 Teams to Watch

    At Sports Info Solutions, our Video Scouts chart FBS and NFL football games 40 hours a week. They chart every play of every game in extraordinary detail, becoming experts in team’s tendencies and concepts. So, who better to ask about what to watch for in this weeks upcoming NFL games? This season we will be providing weekly NFL previews of key matchups with insight straight from our Video Scouts and stats from the SIS Datahub Pro.

    Kendall Mirsky, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Bills:

    The Bills have already faced two franchises that are going through some rough rebuilds, and for a third week in a row, the same will ring true against the Bengals. Offensively the Bills will look to establish continuity in the backfield and in the trenches. It will be interesting to see how many snaps rookie RB Devin Singletary will get a week after injuring his hamstring and getting his first career touchdown. As for the offensive line, the Bengals have shown an efficient pass rush led by Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap. Will the almost entirely revamped offensive line continue to execute sufficiently this week?

    Sales Pinckney, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Browns:

    In order for the Browns to win this week, they will need to control the flow of the game and keep the Rams’ dangerous offense off the field. Third-down efficiency will be key as the Browns look to extend drives, an area that Cleveland has struggled with through the first two weeks. The running game will also be key in the effort to control the clock, so look for a more balanced attack from the Browns offense. RB Nick Chubb is averaging 3.9 yards per rush through two weeks, but 5.5 yards when those rushes come off-tackle.

    Noah Gatsik, SIS Operations Associate, on the Eagles:

    Since his return from ACL and LCL surgery (Week 3 last season versus the Colts), the Carson Wentz-led Eagles are one of the worst in the NFL in first quarter offense. With Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, and Dallas Goedert all unlikely to play, expect this trend to continue against an underrated Lions defense.

    Andrew McKeon, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Giants:

    Rookie QB Daniel Jones gets the Week 3 start, much sooner than most anticipated. Due to the lack of viable pass-catchers around him, expect to see a similar game script to the preseason; quick, one read throws and now, a healthy dose of Saquon Barkley. Jones exceeded expectations in the preseason, specifically through his accuracy and poise, which he’ll look to carry into this week.

    Bruce Shroeder, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Packers:

    After another strong showing from the Packers defense, we are starting to see a complete team around Aaron Rodgers. With that said, as fast as the Packers offense started last week, they have played only two consistent quarters this season. The Packers currently are ranked as the 27th best offense on 3rd downs, which can’t continue if their sights are set on postseason play. If the Packers defense continues to impress and Matt LaFleur and his quarterback find themselves on more of the same page schematically, this hot start should continue against a struggling Broncos team.

    Stephen Marciello, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Patriots:

    While the Patriots offense has been great so far this season, especially after the addition of WR Antonio Brown, the story so far this year has been the Patriots defense. Most will be drawn to bigger names such as Stephon Gilmore or Dont’a Hightower, but it’s the depth of the Patriots defensively that has led to their success. DT Adam Butler (2 sacks), rookie DE Chase Winovich (1.5 sacks), DE John Simon (1 sack), and rejuvenated LB Jamie Collins (0.5 sack, 2 INT, 1 TD) all had huge games against Miami and are just a few of the players that rotate through the lineup.

    Britton Mann, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Panthers:

    Newton’s performance hasn’t been stellar and definitely needs to improve if the Panthers want to contend for a playoff spot. His 56% completion percentage ranks him No. 30 out of the 32 eligible quarterbacks with at least 20 attempts this season. Injuries have played a part in his underwhelming performance so far this year, as he’s struggled to stay healthy, and may be replaced by Kyle Allen due to a foot injury. In order for this team to contend, they’ll need Newton to get healthy and elevate his game.

    Will Osgood, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Saints:

    All eyes will be on Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday in Seattle, as he replaces Drew Brees for the next few weeks. When he took over for the injured Brees on Sunday, he looked erratic and slow to process at times. But his receivers did him no favors, dropping a handful of passes. Look for Sean Payton to come up with some interesting wrinkles to complement Bridgewater’s strengths, including more deep shots.

  • SIS NFL Preview: Week 3 Matchups

    At Sports Info Solutions, our Video Scouts chart FBS and NFL football games 40 hours a week. They chart every play of every game in extraordinary detail, becoming experts in team’s tendencies and concepts. So, who better to ask about what to watch for in this weeks upcoming NFL games? This season we will be providing weekly NFL previews of key matchups with insight straight from our Video Scouts and stats from the SIS DataHub Pro.

    Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs – 9/22 1:00 ET

    Cyril Zackary Penn, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Ravens:

    Look for the Ravens to get especially run-heavy, trying to milk the clock and keep the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ hands as much as possible. Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo loves to stack the box with defenders close to the line of scrimmage and will do his darnedest to shut things down between the tackles.That could work in Baltimore’s favor, however, if they can scheme up some quick-hitting, intermediate play-action passes. Also, RB Mark Ingram has averaged 6.6 yards per carry on off-tackle runs through 19 attempts this season. The Ravens’ recipe for a win in front of a hostile Arrowhead crowd? Dominate time of possession and nail a few play-action backbreakers.

    Lamar Jackson on Play-Action Attempts This Season

    CompAttYds / AttTD-INT IQR
    15227.43-0142

    Zack Marseglia, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Chiefs:

    After switching to a 4-3 defense this year, the Chiefs still need time to learn the system. They looked better last week, but the Ravens pose some serious problems for the Chiefs D. Their ability to mix up the play calls, and with rookie WR Marquise Brown showing out, the play-action game could be lethal against the Chiefs secondary. Watch for the Chiefs to play conservative to prevent the big plays, but be liable against the run. Really watch for Frank Clark in this game, if he can be disruptive off the edge I think that swings the tide in the Chiefs favor.

    Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Chargers – 9/22 4:25 ET

    Zac Stempler, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Texans:

    Even with the acquisition of LT Laremy Tunsil, the Texans have allowed a ton of pressure on QB Deshaun Watson. Watson has been sacked a league high 10 times through two games. This has been a recurring problem and there needs to be an improvement across the entire offensive line if they want to be a serious contender in the AFC.

    Pressure % Allowed by Offense

    TeamPressure% AllowedNFL Rank
    2018 Texans47%32nd

    2019 Texans

    (Weeks 1-2)

    		52%32nd

    Zac Stempler, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Chargers:

    One thing to look for from the Chargers this week is the health of their offensive weapons. We already know they are without Hunter Henry who fractured his tibia plateau.  Additionally, both of their starting receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen have knee-injury concerns of their own. Besides these three players, Austin Ekeler is the only other player with more than two receptions on the season.

    Chargers Weapons Not Named Henry, Williams, Allen, or Ekeler This Season

    TargetsReceptionsYds / TgtExpected Points Added
    1893.9-4.4

    Miami Dolphins @ Dallas Cowboys – 9/22 1:00 ET

    Nelson Sanchez, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Dolphins:

    The Miami Dolphins are 0-2 and are off to a historically bad start. The Dolphins have been outscored 102-10 through two games after being beaten by Baltimore 59-10 and New England 43-0. The Dolphins defense ranks dead last in EPA Allowed per 60 Plays (23) and EPA Allowed per 60 Dropbacks (49). It also ranks 25th in EPA Allowed per 60 Designed Runs (4). Could these stats improve, or continue to get worse, in Dallas against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys?

    Cole Ratliff, SIS Operations Associate, on the Cowboys:

    The biggest question this week is how effective their defense will be. The pass rush has gotten pressure, but has been nonexistent in results, recording only two sacks and two tackles for loss through two games. DE Demarcus Lawrence has been facing a lot of double teams, but with the suspended Robert Quinn returning, it might be the spark the defensive line needs. Offensively, QB Dak Prescott will be without leading receiver Michael Gallup and will look to Devin Smith to step up again this week and make a big contribution. Also, look for the offense to feed RB Ezekiel Elliot early again to slow down the pass rush, after getting him going last week with 111 yards on the ground.

    Lowest Sack Percentage 
      Pressure Percentage
    28. Chargers3.2%29% 
    29. Redskins2.7%27% 
    30. Eagles2.2%44% 
    31. Cowboys2.2%39% 
    32. Broncos0.0%22% 
    >> Cowboys rank 7th in pressure percentage

    For more previewing Week 3, check out this week’s Off The Charts Football Podcast with special guest Evan Silva.

  • SIS NFL Preview: Other Teams to Watch

    At Sports Info Solutions, our Video Scouts chart FBS and NFL football games 40 hours a week. They chart every play of every game in extraordinary detail, becoming experts in team’s tendencies and concepts. So, who better to ask about what to watch for in this weeks upcoming NFL games? This season we will be providing weekly NFL previews of key matchups with insight straight from our Video Scouts and stats from the SIS Datahub Pro. 

    Andrew McKeon, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Giants:

    It’s no secret the Giants offense revolves around Saquon Barkley, which makes one question the lack of carries for him against the Cowboys (Only 11 carries, but for 120 yards and 4 broken tackles). This week, I’d expect an increased workload on the ground and through the air for Barkley. The game should be close, so there should be no “flow of the game” excuse this time.

    Saquon Barkley Week 1 Performance Compared to Bills Run Defense Week 1

    PlayerCarriesYds/CarryBroken TacklesPoints Earned
    Saquon Barkley1110.944.6
    Bills Rush Defense Allowed Week 1212.78-1.8

     

    Noah Gatsik, SIS Operations Associate, on the Eagles:

    The player to watch is Timmy Jernigan, who is taking over starting duties with Malik Jackson out for the season. With Fletcher Cox nearly always drawing a double team, Jernigan has a chance to be one-on-one for most of the game against a second-string guard (due to guard Chris Linstrom’s injury).

    Timmy Jernigan’s Performance (2018-2019)

    Pass RushesSacksTotal PressuresPressure%
    45148.9%

    The Eagles will likely keep the corners on one side of the field, so look for the Falcons to lineup Julio Jones all around to get better matchups to attack, like the undersized Avonte Maddox in the slot.

    Avonte Maddox vs. WR’s in the Slot (2018-2019)

    Catchable TargetsCompletionsYardsTD’sINT’sDropped INT’s
    11789122

     

    Stephen Marciello, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Patriots:

    With only one catch for three yards from TE Ryan Izzo, Tom Brady will continue to rely on his running backs and receiving core. Phillip Dorsett and the rejuvenated Josh Gordon had huge games, along with the reliable Julian Edelman and the possible addition of Antonio Brown should give Tom Brady plenty of options. On defense, the Patriots will look to build on an outstanding performance against the Steelers, having given up only 3 points. Bill Belichick will most likely continue utilizing his deep and productive secondary by having five, six, or even seven defensive backs on the field at the same time.

    Patriots Receiving Weapons Week 1 Performance

     TargetsReceptionsYardsYACPoints Earned
    Julian Edelman11983393.8
    Phillip Dorsett4495233.7
    Josh Gordan4373262.6
    James White7656511.3

     

    Tim Nase, SIS Football Video Scout, on the 49ers:

    Newly acquired Dee Ford and first round draft pick Nick Bosa bolstered the pass rush. Against a weak Bengals offensive line, the 49ers should see now drop in production this week. One thing that is worrisome is the success the Bengals had against the Seahawks Cover 3 defense, which the 49ers have adopted.

    New 49er Pass Rushers Week 1 Performance

    PlayerPass RushesSacksTotal PressuresPressure%
    Nick Bosa251624.0%
    Dee Ford241312.5%

     

    Kendall Mirsky, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Bills:

    It was evident in week one that the Bills found their replacement for RB LeSean McCoy, in rookie Devin Singletary. Singletary only had four touches on the ground but managed to accumulate 70 yards on those touches. This efficiency should continue through week two as Singletary’s strength is his vision and elusiveness which plays well with the weaknesses of the Giants front seven as they are stout on the interior but weaker on the exteriors.

    Giants Run Defense vs. Runs Off-Tackle or to the Outside in Week 1

    (All 4 of Singletary’s Carries were Off-Tackle or Outside)

    Carries FacedYards AllowedBroken TacklesPoints Saved
    21753-2.3

  • SIS NFL preview: Vikings vs Packers

    At Sports Info Solutions, our Video Scouts chart FBS and NFL football games 40 hours a week. They chart every play of every game in extraordinary detail, becoming experts in team’s tendencies and concepts. So, who better to ask about what to watch for in this weeks upcoming NFL games? This season we will be providing weekly NFL previews of key matchups with insight straight from our Video Scouts and stats from the SIS Datahub Pro. 

    Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers – 9/15 1:00 ET

    Bruce Schroeder, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Packers:

    Offensively, look for the Packers to find their run-pass balance that Coach Matt LaFleur has talked about often. Last week the Packers ran a designed pass 61% of the time (includes scrambles) , which is not what LaFleur wants. In a big divisional matchup against the Vikings, look for Aaron Jones to get more attempts, especially on outside zone runs (13 total attempts week 1, 7 of which were outside zones); the crux of LaFleur’s offense. 

    A huge factor that has negatively affected the Packers on both sides of the ball, but especially defensively, has been injuries. Injuries always seemed to add up quick for Packer’s defenses in years past, but heading into Week 2 the only major injury has been to linebacker Oren Burks.

    Look for an up and coming defense to live up to the early hype if it can continue to stay healthy, specifically DB Kevin King. King can be a lock-down corner in this league if he can stay healthy, so keep an eye on him going forward.

    Kevin King’s Performance by Season

    SeasonTargetsComp% AllowedYds/Target AllowedPoints Saved
    20174279%7.6-5.9
    20182250%6.66.3
    2019250%4.51.9

    Bruce Schroeder, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Vikings:

    Kirk Cousins threw the ball only 10 times in Week 1. Look for the Vikings to emphasize their running game again in week 2, highlighting their premier back, Dalvin Cook . Even with two stars at WR in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, the Vikings clearly don’t want Cousins responsible for winning the game, which seems problematic in today’s NFL.

    The Vikings have a stacked defense and are facing a familiar foe in the Packers, but not a familiar offense. Look to see how the Vikings respond to an offense they haven’t seen with a QB at the helm like Rodgers. The Vikings should key on stopping the run game in order to make Rodgers win the game, but if they can’t, they could find themselves in a world of trouble with new looks from the Packers and LaFleur’s offense. 

    Vikings Offensive Stars’ Week 1 Performance

    PlayerAttemptsYardsYards After ContactBroken TacklesPoints Earned
    Dalvin Cook211116854.3
     TargetsReceptionsYardsYards After CatchPoints Earned
    Adam Thielen3343182.2
    Stefon Diggs223781.2

     

  • SIS NFL preview: Browns at Jets

    At Sports Info Solutions, our Video Scouts chart FBS and NFL football games 40 hours a week. They chart every play of every game in extraordinary detail, becoming experts in team’s tendencies and concepts. So, who better to ask about what to watch for in this weeks upcoming NFL games? This season we will be providing weekly NFL previews of key matchups with insight straight from our Video Scouts and stats from the SIS Datahub Pro. 

    Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets – 9/16 8:15 ET

    Zac Stempler, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Jets:

    There are numerous question marks for the Jets going into this game.  The offensive line looked like Swiss cheese in week 1, letting up four sacks. Ryan Kalil will hopefully be another week along in his progress learning the offense and prove to be the anchor of the line. However, the offensive line will have its hands full, especially tackles Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell having to face Myles Garrett.  How much can we expect from newly acquired Demaryius Thomas who should be taking over the second outside receiver position with Quincy Enunwa being deemed out for the season?

    On defense, Quinnen Williams and C.J. Mosley both got dinged up in the opener.  As of now Mosley is expected to play, but Williams is more up in the air. Both players will benefit from an extra rest day, as the Jets play on Monday night. The Jets corners will have to step up this week after a poor performance against one of the worst receiver rooms in the league.

    Jets Cornerback’s Performance in Week 1

    PlayerCoverage SnapsCatchable TargetsCompletionsYardsTD’s
    Darryl Roberts3866851
    Trumaine Johnson3844560
    Brian Poole1821200

     

    Sales Pinckney, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Browns:

    First and foremost the Browns need to limit penalties that derailed offensive drives and kept drives alive for the Titans in week 1.

    Offensively the Browns line needs to do a better job of protecting Baker Mayfield, who never seemed to get completely comfortable in the pocket. Mayfield also needs to do a better job this week of not forcing passes and creating unnecessary turnovers.  Efficiency on third down should also be improved. Look for Nick Chubb to get more touches in the run game and expect big games from the Browns receivers against a questionable Jets secondary.

    The Browns pass rush did a good job of pressuring the QB, and overall outside of two big plays for touchdowns the Titans passing game was held relatively in check. Limiting big plays was the main problem for the Brown defense in week 1. 

    When they managed to force a third Down, the Browns were very efficient at getting off the field. Expect the Browns defensive line to have another successful week of QB pressures, and the secondary to buckle down with Sam Darnold sidelined due to mono.  Keep an eye on Le’Veon Bell as the Browns try to bounce back from giving up a big day to Derrick Henry.

    Browns Defensive Line Performance Week 1

    PlayerPass RushesSacksTotal PressuresPressure%
    Olivier Vernon270518.5%
    Myles Garrett262311.5%
    Larry Ogunjobi27127.4%
    Sheldon Richardson25000.0%

     

  • SIS NFL preview: Saints at Rams

    At Sports Info Solutions, our Video Scouts chart FBS and NFL football games 40 hours a week. They chart every play of every game in extraordinary detail, becoming experts in team’s tendencies and concepts. So, who better to ask about what to watch for in this weeks upcoming NFL games? This season we will be providing weekly NFL previews of key matchups with insight straight from our Video Scouts and stats from the SIS Datahub Pro. 

    New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams – 9/15 4:25 ET

    Justin Stine, SIS Operations Associate, on the Rams:

    The Rams offense put up 30 points in Week 1 despite Todd Gurley carrying the ball only 14 times and Jared Goff completing just 23 of his 39 pass attempts. Gurley had only three more carries than backup Malcolm Brown, so it will be interesting to see how the Rams use their star RB this week.

    The offense played a majority of its snaps in 11 personnel (76%) against the Panthers, and the Saints defense was vulnerable against passing plays out of 11 last season, ranking 30th in the league in net yards per pass attempt allowed. On the defensive side of the ball, Aaron Donald had an uncharacteristically quiet Week 1, registering just one tackle despite playing 55 of the 66 defensive snaps. The Rams will need him to be much more noticeable this week against Drew Brees. The team is relatively healthy as well, although three impact defensive players are listed on the early injury report in Eric Weddle (concussion), Clay Matthews (back) and Michael Brockers (shoulder). All three are expected to play this week, but losing any one of these players would be a blow against a potent Saints offense.

    Rams Expected Points Added (EPA) Per Play from 11 Personnel (2018 – 2019)

    Play TypeEPA Per PlayRank
    Designed Pass0.166th
    Designed Run0.151st

     

    Will Osgood, SIS Football Video Scout, on the Saints:

    To get to 2-0 for the first time since 2013, New Orleans needs to maintain a clean pocket against Aaron Donald and the Rams. The entire offensive line was outstanding against Houston, holding future Hall of Famer JJ Watt to a no-tackle, no-sack game, as Drew Brees was rarely pressured, and running lanes were aplenty.

    The defensive line however needs to up its game after allowing 7.8 yards per carry on the ground against the Texans. Getting starting defensive tackle David Onyemata back from a one-game suspension should help. And the improved depth ought to aid the Saints’ third down defense which gave up 53 percent of its’ attempts versus Houston. Lastly, the Saints produced a couple big plays on Monday night out of the Pistol formation (4 plays for 52 yards and a touchdown). We’ll see if they increase their usage of that formation.

    Pressure % vs Saints  Last Two Games (NFL Average = 35%)

    GameDropbacksPressure% Allowed
    2019 NFC Championship vs. Rams4326%
    2019 Week 1 vs. Texans4219%

     

  • NFL Rookies to Watch on Thursday Night

    NFL Rookies to Watch on Thursday Night

    By John Shirley

    Football season officially kicked off last Thursday with the Hall of Fame Game, but tomorrow night is the first night with multiple games to watch and analyze.

    And nothing is more fun to analyze in the Preseason than all the new rookies. Some of these rookies are expected to take the league by storm right out of the gate, some will be trying to quiet critics that have already deemed them a bust, some will be trying to make a solid impact on their new team, and others will just be trying to prove they belong in the NFL.

    Here are 8 rookies to watch for tomorrow that range in draft status and expectations, along with stats and an excerpt from their scouting reports in the Sports Info Solutions (SIS) Football Rookie Handbook (click the link to purchase):

    Trying to live up to expectations:

    Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray – The Cardinals offense will be interesting to watch all season, and this will be the first look at their new franchise QB. In his lone season as a starter at Oklahoma, Murray could not have been better. Among QBs in the Handbook, he ranked first in Yards / Attempts (11.6), On-Tgt% (79%), Independent QB Rating (143.2), Expected Points Added (EPA)/ Dropback (.47), and Rushing EPA (61.4). He also compares well to last season’s No. 1 overall pick, Baker Mayfield.

    Detroit Lions TE T.J. Hockenson –  During the lead up to the Draft there was debate about whether Hockenson or fellow Iowa TE Noah Fant was the top player at the position. The Lions ended up making Hockenson the highest drafted TE since Vernon Davis (6th pick in 2006). If last season is any indication, Hockenson should have no trouble living up to those lofty expectations. He led all Handbook tight ends in Receiving EPA (47.4) and ranked 5th in both Target Share% (17%) and Yards per Route Run (2.3 yards). And he did all of this while sharing the field with another first round talent at TE.

    Trying to quiet the critics:

    New York Giants QB Daniel Jones – This will be the first in-game look at the Giants top pick and heir apparent to Eli Manning. The Giants have taken criticism for what some saw as reaching for Jones with the sixth pick, but he can quiet the critics with a strong preseason. That said, he will need to show an understanding of the offense and improve upon his 75% On-Target Throw Percentage (On-Tgt%) as a junior, which ranked ranked 8th out of 13 qualified Rookie Handbook QBs (Murray was best at 79%).

    Denver Broncos QB Drew Lock – Lock is another QB that was drafted as an heir apparent, though he has faced less criticism as a second round pick. Similar to Jones, Lock will need to improve his accuracy moving forward as he had an even worse On-Tgt% of 73% his senior season. One of the bright spots for Lock in college was his deep passing ability. He thrived on these throws and had an IQR of 135.4 on deep throws last season (IQR is scaled the same as QB Rating, but doesn’t penalize a QB for dropped passes or reward him for dropped potential interceptions)

    Trying to make an impact:

    Buffalo Bills RB Devin Singletary – Singletary will be trying to stand out in a crowded Bills backfield that includes veterans LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, and T.J. Yeldon. To do that he will need to show the same ability to break tackles and excel on off-tackle runs that he showed in college. Last season he broke tackles at a rate of 41 per 100 touches, which led all Handbook running backs. Over the last three seasons he averaged 7.2 yards per carry on off-tackle runs.

    Green Bay Packers LB Rashan Gary – The Packers spent big on free agent pass rushing help this off-season and then also drafted Gary with the 12th overall pick. During training camp, Gary has impressed with the physical traits that made him such a high pick, as he tries to become a big part of the Packers edge rotation. When he does get on the field he should make an impact in the passing game (13% Pressure Percentage last season) and in the running game (opponents averaged only -0.38 EPA per rush attempt when running towards him). Another interesting aspect to watch in the preseason is how Gary performs when asked to stand up as an OLB. Last season at Michigan, he had his hand on the ground 99% of the time and rarely dropped into coverage. 

    Trying to make a name for himself:

    New England Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham – Unlike Jones and Lock who were higher picks, Stidham will need to audition for the role of heir apparent. Stidham is also coming from a college offense that is very different than what he will be running in the NFL. These points mean that the preseason will be vitally important for him to showcase his ability. Although his completion percentage declined by six percentage points from his junior to senior seasons, his Catchable Throw% actually increased from 80% to 81% and he had a higher On-Tgt% (77%) than Jones or Lock. He also showed an ability to read zone coverage in college by posting an IQR of 124.1 versus zone last season.

    Miami Dolphins CB Nik Needham – Needham was a favorite among all the SIS Video Scouts who studied his tape. He is an under-the-radar undrafted prospect from UTEP, but has already spent some time practicing with the Dolphins first team defense in camp. During the next four games he will attempt to showcase the coverage skills that led our scouts to rank him the fourth best CB in the Draft. Over the last three seasons Needham allowed a Completion% of only 44% on 126 targets and an EPA / Target of only -0.14.

    For more football content, check out the new episode of the Off the Charts podcast. Click here for the link

  • NFL Draft: Best of the Rest

    By John Shirley

    The SIS Football Rookie Handbook provides an in depth analytical and scouting view on the top 254 players in this week’s upcoming NFL Draft. Here we take a look at some intriguing prospects that didn’t quite make the cut.

    The following are a few players that have intriguing analytical profiles and showed traits that suggest they have NFL potential, but had flaws that kept them from being included in the Football Rookie Handbook (FRH).

    Marcus McMaryion, QB, Fresno State:

    Analytical Profile: McMaryion was highly efficient last year, albeit in a non-Power 5 conference and in an offense that didn’t ask him to drive the ball down field often. Though he would have ranked first in On-Target % in our book, he would have ranked next to last in Average Depth of Target (only Gardner Minshew had a lower ADoT).

    StatNumberRank Among SIS FRH QB’s
    (13 Qualified)
    On-Target % 79.5%1st
    ADoT7.612th
    EPA/Dropback0.155th
    IQR112.36th
    IQR under pressure107.92nd

    Scouts Take: He possesses a strong arm with the mobility to work in and out of the pocket. He struggles with overall consistent accuracy and his ability to read defenses as his team ran a lot of RPO/1-read plays.

    Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State:

    Analytical Profile: McLaurin was a big-play deep threat that had a high ADOT and EPA/ Target, but would have had by far the lowest Target Share among Handbook WR’s. He also excelled in creating separation.

    To get an estimate of separation we looked at the amount of yards between when a receiver first caught the ball, and when he was first contacted by a defender, where pass breakups and interceptions count as 0 Yards After Catch Before Contact (YACBC). He ranked third in Total Average YACBC and first in YACBC against man coverage with an average of 7.4 yards.

    StatNumberRank Among Handbook WRs
    (33 Qualified)
    On-Target Catch %84.2%6th
    Target Share8.8%Last
    ADoT15.14th
    EPA/Tgt1.081st
    Avg YACBC4.3 yds3rd

    Scouts Take: He is a solid special teams player that can contribute on offense with his toughness and separation ability. He isn’t an incredibly precise route runner and doesn’t have a ton of short area quickness.

    Wyatt Ray, Edge, Boston College:

    Analytical Profile: Ray was solid against the run, ranking in the middle of the pack in Average Depth of Tackle and Caused Bounce % on Runs to his gap. While his pressure and sack numbers are towards the bottom of Edge Rushers in our Handbook, they are still respectable and it should be noted he was competing against teammate (and our 8th ranked DT/5-Tech) Zach Allen for pressures.

    StatNumberRank Among Handbook Edge’s
    (23 Qualified)
    Pressure %10.9%22nd
    Sack %2.2%18th
    Avg Depth of Tackle2.48th
    Tackle Share5.3%18th
    Caused Bounce %32.4%14th

    Scouts Take: He’s explosive and quick off the edge and shows the bend to get to the quarterback. He doesn’t always rush with a plan and doesn’t use any counter moves to try and get into the backfield.

    E.J. Ejiya, LB, North Texas:

    Analytical Profile: Ejiya has one of the strongest all-around analytical profiles among players not in the Handbook. He ranks highly in almost every category, albeit against non-Power 5 competition. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that he ranked seventh in the country in Pressure % among players with at least 150 pass rushes. This is higher than Edge Rushers such as Montez Sweat, Brian Burns, and Clelin Ferrell.

    StatNumberRank Among Handbook LBs
    (25 Qualified)
    Avg Depth of Tackle3.02nd
    Tackle Share15.0%4th
    Broken Tackle %3.4%2nd
    Comp % Allowed0.0%N/A (Only 4 Targets)
    Pressure %18.3%(7th in the Country Among All
    Players w/ 150+ Pass Rushes)

    Scouts Take: He’s a rangy athlete that has solid speed from sideline to sideline. He struggles to shed blockers and navigate through the trash on a consistent basis.

    Mark Fields, CB, Clemson:

    Analytical Profile: Fields compares extremely well against the CBs in the Handbook, as he would have ranked first in many coverage metrics. However, he would have been the least targeted CB in the book, as he was never a true starter at Clemson. It would have been interesting to see if his strong numbers continued with a larger sample size.

    StatNumberRank Among Handbook CBs
    (25 Qualified)
    Deserved Catch % Allowed50.0%1st
    EPA/ Tgt-0.531st
    Positive % Allowed17.4%1st
    Avg YACBC Allowed0.21st
    Broken Tackle %41.7%26th

    Scouts Take: He is a good cover corner that has the speed to be a solid slot player. He struggles against larger receivers and doesn’t possesses great play strength to knock them off of their routes.