This was a good week for one AFC star quarterback. Not so much for another.
And in the NFC East, we watched the Giants more than double their season-long sacks total, largely because the Commanders showed up for a seventh straight week without a functioning offensive line.
Below, we’ll look at why the Ravens are rolling with Lamar Jackson, the Bills are struggling in part because of Josh Allen, and how Washington might give up 100 sacks this season.
Roll the NFL all-22 tape …
Josh Allen’s bad read leads to an early interception
With injuries galore to key starters on defense, the Bills need Allen to be his best on a weekly basis. He didn’t measure up Sunday against the Patriots.
Trailing 3–0, Allen threw an interception on Buffalo’s first offensive snap of the game. On first-and-10 from the Bills’ 24-yard line, Buffalo was in 12-personnel (RB, 2 TEs, 2 WRs). New England matched with its nickel package in a single-high safety look.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
On the snap, the Patriots blitzed. New England sent five, while Buffalo had four in the pass pattern, with three to the right. The Bills were running a flood concept with rookie Dalton Kincaid going to the flat, tight end Dawson Knox on a corner route and receiver Gabe Davis running deep.
New England was in Cover 3 all the way, with three men in underneath cover.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Notably, Allen is looking at Knox already, expecting to zip the corner route over safety Jabrill Peppers (No. 5). However, Peppers is staring at the quarterback and can see his eyes. Instead of driving on Kincaid, Peppers begins to drift back, squeezing the avenue for Allen’s attempt.
By the time Allen hitched up and began to throw, Peppers read the play and dropped into the alley.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
The result is an easy interception that the Patriots turned into seven points and a 10–0 lead.
Two things can be true at once.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 24, 2023
Jabrill Peppers made a heck of a play below, falling off coverage of Dalton Kincaid to nab an INT.
However, Josh Allen has to be better here. Can't throw into this tight of a window and expect good results, even with his cannon of an arm. pic.twitter.com/uPjjMKsMNM
Lamar Jackson finds Zay Flowers for a critical conversion
Many story lines and highlights emerged from the Ravens’ 38–6 win over the Lions in Charm City.
Is Baltimore a Super Bowl contender? Can Jackson get into the MVP race? Has the offense begun to click with first-year coordinator Todd Monken?
And while Jackson’s fantastic day of 357 passing yards and three touchdowns is the headline, his burgeoning relationship with rookie wideout Zay Flowers should be atop the story.
We got a great look at it with 16 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Baltimore was facing third-and-11 at its own 27-yard line, already leading 14–0.
On the play, the Ravens were in 12-personnel (2 WRs, RB, 2 TEs) with tight end Isaiah Likely and Flowers to the boundary side. Detroit was in quarters coverage with three zone defenders underneath.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Likely chips edge rusher Julian Okwara (No. 99) before running into the flat. The Lions rushed only four, and Baltimore gave help to both tackles. Jackson had ample time as a result.
Meanwhile, Flowers dashed straight at corner Will Harris (No. 25), gearing up to run a deep comeback route. Although the Lions were in zone coverage, the route essentially put Harris in man-to-man against Flowers, once linebacker Alex Anzalone (No. 34) committed to Likely.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Here, two things happened at once. Flowers made his break at full speed, leaving Harris well off in coverage. Jackson also started his motion, unloading to a spot along the sideline.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
The end result is a 22-yard completion. While Baltimore’s pass protection needs recognition, this play happened because Monken made a great call against Cover 4; Flowers drove Harris off with his speed and a firm stem at the top of his route; and Jackson anticipated perfectly.
Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers are becoming a scary duo.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 24, 2023
Already leading 14-0, the Ravens were trying to put away the Lions early. 3rd and 11? No problem.
Easy money on a nice, deep throw from Jackson and a great route from Flowers. pic.twitter.com/hOzGwAnpbr
Commanders continue to get Sam Howell crushed
In seven games, Washington has allowed 40 sacks. Quick math puts the Commanders on pace for a staggering 97 this season.
Against the Giants in a 14–7 loss at MetLife Stadium, the Commanders watched Howell once again get snowed under, surrendering six sacks to a New York team that had only five all year long.
Of the six, the second spoke volumes about the issues. The play came with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter of a scoreless game. The Commanders were facing third-and-4 at the Giants’ 38-yard line.
The Giants are a heavy blitz team under DC Wink Martindale, but it was clear they were bringing only four on this down.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
Still, Washington decided to chip on both sides of the line, helping tackles Charles Leno Jr. and Andrew Wylie with receiver Dyami Brown (No. 2) and running back Antonio Gibson (No. 24).
The Giants rushed edge men Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 5) and Jihad Ward (No. 55) straight up the field, while defensive tackles Leonard Williams (No. 99) and Dexter Lawrence (No. 97) ran a stunt inside, with Williams looping over the top.
The result is preposterous.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
All three interior offensive linemen got stuck on Lawrence, who crashed hard to the Commanders’ right side. Williams should have been picked up by left guard Saahdiq Charles (No. 77), but Charles didn’t peel off.
Instead, Charles continued to drive Lawrence in the direction he was going anyway, where two other blockers were. This set Howell—who saw this happening at the top of his drop—up for pain.
Screenshot from NFL+ all-22
The obvious result is a drive-killing sack, taking Washington from just beyond field goal range to a guaranteed punting situation.
You have to appreciate the Commanders' offensive line. Already having allowed 40 sacks, this one is just outrageous.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 24, 2023
The Giants are rushing four. Washington is blocking with seven.
Yet Leonard Williams comes in untouched because three guys blocked Dexter Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/6QfUZWuMql
