Week 10 provided some of the best film yet to illustrate what’s going on around the NFL.
For starters, a couple of California teams showed exactly who they are. In Los Angeles, it was the Chargers allowing 533 yards and 41 points to the visiting Lions. The 49ers, on the other hand, went to Jacksonville off their bye week and pummeled the Jaguars, putting forth arguably their most complete effort of the campaign.
Then, we take a look at the Commanders and second-year quarterback Sam Howell. Howell has his flaws, but the potential is obvious. Against the Seahawks on Sunday, Howell showed why whoever is coaching in the nation’s capital next season might have his quarterback waiting for him.
Let’s get to the all-22.
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Chargers are disastrous on defense
If one play encapsulates everything wrong with the Chargers, this is it.
In a 41–38 loss to the Lions on Sunday, it wasn’t hard to find breakdowns among Los Angeles. Virtually every play offered a glimpse into the issues, but David Montgomery’s 75-yard touchdown run showcased multiple flaws that keep popping up on the Chargers’ tape.
On this play, Detroit was lined up in a condensed formation. The Lions were in 11-personnel (RB, TE, 3 WRs), while the Chargers matched with nickel.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
On the snap, Montgomery took the handoff from Jared Goff and pressed the right side of the line. The play calls for a cutback, as Detroit’s offensive line was hoping to wash Los Angeles’s front down the line of scrimmage.
Tight end Sam LaPorta and right tackle Penei Sewell got a double team on edge rusher Khalil Mack (No. 52), while right guard Colby Sorsdal and center Frank Ragnow doubled up on defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia (No. 93). However, the key blocks were by left guard Jonah Jackson and left tackle Taylor Decker, with Jackson performing a tough reach block on Austin Johnson (No. 98), and Decker climbing to the second level to occupy linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (No. 9).
Now, two things are true at once. The Lions did a great job getting their blocks. The Chargers also made it incredibly easy. Nobody up front was able to hold their point of attack, or get off a block. In Murray’s case, he overran his lane, giving up an enormous alley for Montgomery to cut back into. Finally, linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (No. 45) was slow squeezing down the line.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
With Montgomery through the line and into open space, Los Angeles now needs to pursue and tackle. This was largely left to the secondary, which has a superstar safety in Derwin James Jr. (No. 3).
When Montgomery got 15 yards downfield, he was surrounded by three Chargers, including James, fellow safety Alohi Gilman (No. 32) and corner Deane Leonard. All three had a clean shot at Montgomery. All three hit into one another, while Montgomery slipped out toward the left boundary.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
The result is a ridiculous 75-yard touchdown made possible by bad angles, poor technique up front and horrific tackling.
Want to know what's wrong with the Chargers' defense? Watch this 75-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery and count the mistakes. pic.twitter.com/HNbHiOMlLT
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 14, 2023
Brock Purdy shows his best
After losing three straight before their bye week, the 49ers needed a strong performance. And they got exactly that in Jacksonville on Sunday.
In a 34–3 bashing of the Jaguars, San Francisco showed all its might. The Niners caused three turnovers, sacked Trevor Lawrence five times and threw for more than 11 yards per attempt on offense.
But for San Francisco, perhaps the best sign moving forward was the play of Brock Purdy. Purdy, who had five interceptions in his previous three games, was flawless in Jacksonville. His best throw? A beautiful 66-yard rainbow to George Kittle on the second play of the third quarter, putting the 49ers up 20–3.
Before the snap, you can see San Francisco come out in a condensed formation for second-and-1. The Niners are in 22-personnel (2 RBs, 2 TE, WR), making this look like a run all the way. Jacksonville predictably matches with its base defense.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Notice Kittle, who went into motion and then lined up tight to the right side. The tight end came off the line and ran an out-and-up on linebacker Devin Lloyd, a 2022 first-round pick. To Lloyd’s credit, he ran perfectly alongside Kittle.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars blitzed with five and played a single-high safety look with what largely became man coverage underneath.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
At the top of Purdy’s drop, he had a clean pocket but nowhere to go. However, the QB saw Kittle matched up one-on-one with a linebacker, getting no safety help. The throw should go to Kittle here, and specifically to his outside shoulder.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Yet by the time Purdy released the ball, the Jacksonville rush had gotten home. The Niners accounted for all five linemen, but the pocket collapsed thanks to a strong rush by second-year linebacker Travon Walker.
Even with Walker’s pressure, Purdy delivered a perfect ball to Kittle, despite not being able to follow through. At this point, the tight end was 25 yards downfield and had gained a step on Lloyd—hauling in the pass and going the distance.
If Purdy can continue making tough throws like this, San Francisco is back in business.
Say whatever you will about the 49ers' Brock Purdy, but this is a ridiculous throw.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 14, 2023
Under pressure, can't step into the throw properly, and still an absolute DIME to George Kittle. pic.twitter.com/qbWVUWqOf1
Sam Howell throws a missile
Trailing 26–19 with 3:40 remaining in regulation, the Commanders needed to drive 71 yards in one of the league’s most hostile environments.
With 52 seconds left, Howell had driven Washington to Seattle’s 35-yard line, and was faced with third-and-10. On the play, coordinator Eric Bieniemy went with 11-personnel, while the Seahawks matched with nickel. As you can see, Seattle was wisely playing a two-deep look.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
When Howell reached the top of his drop, all four potential receivers were still getting downfield. However, Washington did an excellent job holding up in four-man protection, giving its quarterback time to let the play develop.
Instead of panicking and taking off or forcing a short throw, Howell stayed in the pocket, looked downfield and waited for Dyami Brown (No. 2) to find a void in Seattle’s defense. Brown, who lined up wide left at the start, ran a deep in-cut, getting behind the shallow zone defenders but cutting in front of the safeties.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Look at the picture below as Howell starts to throw. There’s no easy window, but he is going to attempt one of the toughest passes in football. He’s going to get the ball over star rookie corner Devon Witherspoon (No. 21) without sailing the pass.
Essentially, the ball has to be low enough for Brown to leap for, but high enough it doesn’t get tipped by the underneath defender, either forcing an incompletion or an interception.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
The result was perfect, with Howell hitting Brown in stride. The receiver made a terrific run after the catch, and the Commanders found their touchdown.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Sam Howell can be a rollercoaster, but this is a ridiculous throw.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 14, 2023
Very few quarterbacks can make this throw, nevermind in such a critical spot to tie the game with less than a minute remaining. pic.twitter.com/O4AzXpIXrv
