NFL: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
Below is a look at the league’s most extreme run funnel and pass funnel defenses through Week 12 — teams being consistently attacked on the ground or through the air regardless of game script.
Having an understanding of which defenses are being bludgeoned via the rush or pass should help us identify matchups that may be better than we think in Week 13.
Run Funnel Defenses
Arizona Cardinals
The red birds, as faithful readers of this space surely know, were highlighted in Week 12 as one of the NFL’s most reliable run funnel defenses. Sean McVay clearly read the column and proceeded to run roughshod over Arizona with Kyren Williams racking up over 200 yards. Surprisingly, the Rams were 1 percent over their expected drop back rate.
Pro Football Focus’ lowest graded rush defense, the Cardinals have been generous to opposing rushers all season. They allow the fourth highest yards before contact per rush through Week 12. No team is a more extreme run funnel since Week 9. The Cardinals practically invite teams to establish it against them.
What it means for Week 13: I don’t see any way Mike Tomlin and the Steelers fight the temptation to run all over Arizona this week. Sure, the Steelers passing offense appeared functional for the first time in years last week in their first game without Matt Canada calling plays, and yes, Kenny Pickett should be a lot better in this iteration of the Pittsburgh offense.
But don’t lose sight of the Steelers being 8 percent below their expected drop back rate against the Bengals last week. On the season, they’re 6 percent below said rate. Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are in what the zoomers are calling “giga smash spots” against the Cards. Harris has a 27-22 edge in rushes over the past two weeks while Warren has a 6-1 edge in receptions. The Steelers should be able to steamroll Arizona with Warren and Harris in Week 13.
New York Jets
A stingy secondary has turned the Jets into a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/funnel-defense-report-week-13-142537702.html
Author : NBC Sports
Publish date : 2023-12-01 14:25:37
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