12-25-2023, 07:06 AM
I have been looking at the game and trying to figure out if there was a different gameplan/approach that would have yielded more success. It is unlikely but not impossible that we could play the Steelers again. If we somehow make the playoffs, and they do, and we both win until we face each other. Like I said unlikely. Really, just over the border from impossible. But it is interesting to think about nonetheless.
And you are right, we did move the ball effectively at times. Then again, Jake was evading pressure a lot of the time. I noticed he held the ball for a long time as well. This can be a good thing if the plays are developing but it makes me wonder if he is processing the field well. Also it makes me wonder if our WRs are getting open like they should.
Of course you can scheme guys open, or if not "open" at least throwing to a place/time where only your guy can catch it. You can take advantage of mismatches as well. Throwing to Tee is one way to do this but another is throwing to your TEs. We only targeted TEs six times. We should have been throwing to them more. That is my first conclusion.
The end of a football game is different than the beginning. You can sling the ball around at the end of game and if the defense is tired it will work a higher percentage of the time. It seemed like Jake went to that too early (IMO) in this game. Maybe he was still feeling confident from the end of the Vikings game but you need to be patient in the early going (like we did in that game).
If I were the coach for a day, I might try mixing in a drive of direct snaps to an RB. I would also have a QB in as protection (and you could possibly hand it off to them to throw) on some of those plays but I would use AJ McCarron to this end on such a drive. He is bigger than Jake and you don't want to hurt your starting QB having them block for 5-8 plays in a row.
Why do this? You can lineup an additional lineman AND two TEs to block. Have one WR split out to keep 'em honest. Wear down the defense and make TJ Watt less of a factor.
On the defensive side of the ball I would work in some 3-4 formations (especially after DJ Reader went down). I know we disguise looks and have players move all over, but at least in terms of personnel you could add a linebacker or have a DE play off the line. The run game is killing us inside and outside. And we do have LBs who can cover when needed.
Those are my thoughts that have been kicking around in my head.
And you are right, we did move the ball effectively at times. Then again, Jake was evading pressure a lot of the time. I noticed he held the ball for a long time as well. This can be a good thing if the plays are developing but it makes me wonder if he is processing the field well. Also it makes me wonder if our WRs are getting open like they should.
Of course you can scheme guys open, or if not "open" at least throwing to a place/time where only your guy can catch it. You can take advantage of mismatches as well. Throwing to Tee is one way to do this but another is throwing to your TEs. We only targeted TEs six times. We should have been throwing to them more. That is my first conclusion.
The end of a football game is different than the beginning. You can sling the ball around at the end of game and if the defense is tired it will work a higher percentage of the time. It seemed like Jake went to that too early (IMO) in this game. Maybe he was still feeling confident from the end of the Vikings game but you need to be patient in the early going (like we did in that game).
If I were the coach for a day, I might try mixing in a drive of direct snaps to an RB. I would also have a QB in as protection (and you could possibly hand it off to them to throw) on some of those plays but I would use AJ McCarron to this end on such a drive. He is bigger than Jake and you don't want to hurt your starting QB having them block for 5-8 plays in a row.
Why do this? You can lineup an additional lineman AND two TEs to block. Have one WR split out to keep 'em honest. Wear down the defense and make TJ Watt less of a factor.
On the defensive side of the ball I would work in some 3-4 formations (especially after DJ Reader went down). I know we disguise looks and have players move all over, but at least in terms of personnel you could add a linebacker or have a DE play off the line. The run game is killing us inside and outside. And we do have LBs who can cover when needed.
Those are my thoughts that have been kicking around in my head.
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
