A Different Kind Of Blitz
October 3rd, 2019
Awaiting Saints blitz.
Some cool numbers and perhaps a warning sign.
So using NextGen stats, the NFL has put together who the best quarterbacks are against the blitz. Little human error in monkeying with these numbers. They come straight from the players’ equipment and technology, which eliminates bias otherwise known as Winston Derangement Syndrome.
It seems no quarterback in the NFL is better than America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Yes, this is coming from the NFL’s NextGen stat database. Kevin Patra of NFL.com has the latest.
Jameis Winston has been the most effective QB in the NFL against the blitz through four weeks, per Next Gen Stats. đ§ pic.twitter.com/R4sz1UTqzH
â Kevin Patra (@kpatra) October 3, 2019
So it seems like we will have the real matchup come Sunday in the Big Easy. The Saints and their top-shelf blitzing (when they do blitz) and Jameis who has been lethal against the blitz.
Which one shakes out? Tune in at high noon in New Orleans. That is, after you’ve had your cafĂ© au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde and a couple of bloody marys on your walk up Poydras Street to the Superdome.
(If there is a better place in the NFL to party before and after a game than New Orleans, Joe is unaware. Joe can smell the jambalaya from the Gumbo Shop now.)
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:09 am
@Joe
NextGen did the first four weeks of THIS year…and that’s great.
But is my old memory corrupt or hasn’t JW been at or near the top of this stat for at least last year and perhaps his entire career? IE Hasn’t that always been one of JW’s strengths…his play against the blitz?
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:14 am
@St Pete you are correct Jameis has always been good against the blitz / on scramble plays.
@Joe – you are also correct, New Orleans may be my favorite city in this country. Amazing music, incredible food, and generally awesome people. Just hate their NFL team…
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:21 am
stpete, yes, against the blitz and out of the pocket are two of his strengths since he’s been in the league.
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:27 am
The blitz is great if you get to the QB with pressure or sack. If you don’t you leave the back end exposed. We are seeing that with our own secondary. So if The Bucs pick up the blitz Winston should be able to make some hay against the Saints secondary.
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:28 am
just keep playing like you’ve been playing JW!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:30 am
Just Win!
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:32 am
Jamies has the potential to be elite in the league for a long time. It’s early, but so far the current coaching staff looks vastly superior to the previous regime and I think that is having a major impact on how Jamies is playing..
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:39 am
Seem to recall that as well.
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:48 am
The anticipation for this upcoming Saints game is through the roof, like sky high. Even without Brees it is a formidable opponent from every angle and the winning prize is colossal.
October 3rd, 2019 at 11:51 am
I think this game will be won with our rb’s. If we can control the tempo, and run down their throats, we can take less risk with the db’s, although I know ME13 can torch Lattimore, and Godwin can find any holes in their zone. I’d like to beat them at their own game, and chew clock.
October 3rd, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Need to get going early on both sides of the ball with TDs instead of FGs on offense and three-and-outs + TOs on defense to keep one of the loudest stadiums in the league silent.
October 3rd, 2019 at 12:28 pm
@813bucboi … “just keep playing like youâve been playing JW!!!!!!!!!” You’re exactly right bucboi in terms of playing hard-nosed, smash-mouth football like we did against the Rams. But if we do the SAME THINGS against the Saints, we’ll lose. They play that type of game (short passing game?) even better than the Rams do IMO, largely because Sean Payton won’t abandon the run early-on.
The Saints game will be a dogfight, but they’re susceptible in several areas. Their defense is ranked #16 but they’ve improved considerably game-after-game. They won Game 1 against the Texans 30-28 despite giving up OVER 500 yds. Their rushing defense has been improving steadily, and against the Cowboys they were exceptional (only allowed 45 rushing yds). Their weakness is their passing defense IMO (Seahawks torched them for over 400 passing yds). They’ve excelled in Turnovers though (6 FRs & 2 INTs in 4 games).
It’s the Saints offense that’s struggling. How many teams in the league are sporting a 3-1 record when their offense has scored FEWER points than their defense has allowed (offense has scored 84 pts in 4 games, while their defense has allowed 92 pts). Their rushing has been OK (410 yds & 2 TDs), but their passing game has been meh (875 yds & 4 TDs). They CAN BE BEATEN. And WILL BE.
October 3rd, 2019 at 12:40 pm
I am flying out Saturday. Can’t wait. Going to check out the WWII museum while in Nola also. Heard it is really good.
October 3rd, 2019 at 12:56 pm
What a difference a week can make!
Before the Rams win, I’m willing to bet that 90% of you thought the Bucs would be 1-3 after this past Sunday. Many wanted Jameis to be cut (idiots) and others thought BA was a senile old man (bigger idiots).
Hey, I’m thrilled that most of you are now fired up and setting more lofty goals for this franchise. We are loving the offensive production and the defense, despite giving up yards like a pornstar gives up integrity, has been able to make enough big plays to get us a couple of wins.
The big difference for me, however, is that BA has this team believing they can beat anybody. And I think that’s half the battle in the NFL.
Let us all hope that this newly instilled confidence remains at the forefront throughout the rest of the season. If so, the future will be so bright that we’ll all need shades …
October 3rd, 2019 at 1:03 pm
New Orleans = my best away game in the NFL so far but Iâm not a fan of the SuperDome itself. I canceled my trip to London after the Giants debacle so weâll see how my first trip to Seattle goes on November 3rd. If you havenât been to NOLA do yourself a favor and GO!!
October 3rd, 2019 at 2:10 pm
Coaching is making all the difference in the world.
October 3rd, 2019 at 3:16 pm
DR
great post….
regarding JW, i want him to continue making good reads and throwing accurately along with playing the way you mentioned…..
i think the saints will keep 2 safeties deep and try to stop the run….limit our big plays, play tight man coverage and put pressure on winston….
this game will come down to turnovers and QB play imo….
JW has to outplay TB….and he will….
GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 3rd, 2019 at 4:59 pm
From my memory he was best at passing outside of the pocket his entire career.
October 3rd, 2019 at 6:02 pm
Saints just beat Cowboys and Seahawks
Donât underestimate Bridgewater
October 3rd, 2019 at 8:38 pm
Alan
Couldn’t agree more. The Saints are one of the top teams in the league right now. The NFL just moved them up from 10th to 3rd. Bridgewater is an underrated QB and the NOLA defense is highly respected.
The thing that encourages me is BA. I do not foresee a BA team entering N.O. and having a letdown. That was probably Koetter’s major weakness. He had too many games where his team was clearly mentally somewhere else beside the NFL. I do not see that happening with a BA team.