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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
  • Bio Page
  • Harmon's Fantasy Football Tiered Rankings
  • The Backyard Banter Quarterback Typology
  • Analyzing the Landing Spots for the First Round Wide Recievers
  • Reception Perception
    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
    • Rebuilding a broken house: losing weight, changing my lifestyle and never looking back
    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
    • The #FreeAustinTice Campaign
    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
    • The Redskins Better Not Blow This Thing Up
    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
    • The Fall of Aaron Hernandez and the Patriot Way
    • Washington Redskins Injury Concerns
    • Carolina Panther's Draft Bungles
    • Stubbornness the Silent Coaching Killer
  • The Fantasy Gameplan Podcast
  • Draft Class Jersey Number Grades
  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
  • 2014 Free Agent Profiles
    • Josh McCown Free Agent Profile
    • Jason Hatcher Free Agent Profile
    • Jarius Byrd Free Agent Profile
    • T.J. Ward Free Agent Profile
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    • DeMarcus Ware Free Agent Profile
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    • Red Bryant Free Agent Profile
    • John Carlson Free Agent Profile
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  • BYOB Forums (Bring Your Own Banter)
  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
    • 2014 Quarterback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Running Back Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Fullback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Wide Receiver Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Tight End Free Agent Rankings
    • 2014 Offensive Tackle Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Guard Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Center Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Interior Defensive Lineman Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Edge Player Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Linebacker Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Cornerback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Safety Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Specialist Free Agent Breakdown
  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 75)
    • 2014 Tiered Colored Position Board
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 32)
    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Draft Running Back Top 10 Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Post Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Pre Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Top 10 Ranking
  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 13th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 6th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • March 30th Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Seventeen 2013 Power Rankings
    • Week Sixteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • Week Four 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
  • 2013 Weekly NFL Previews
    • Super Bowl Preview
    • Playoffs- Conference Championship Round NFL Preview
    • Playoffs- Divisional Round NFL Preview
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round NFL Preview
    • Week Sixteen NFL Preview
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  • Week in Review 2013
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round in Review
    • Week Seventeen in Review
    • Week Sixteen in Review
    • Week Fifteen in Review
    • Week Fourteen in Review
    • Week Thirteen in Review
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  • 2013 Team Record Predictions
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  • Rapid Reactions
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Eleven
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  • The 2013 All-Surprise Teams
    • AFC 2013 All-Surprise Team
    • NFC 2013 All-Surprise Team
  • NFL Player Rankings (2013)
    • Top 10 NFL Quarterback Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Running Back Rankings
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  • 2013 Season Archives
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Playoffs-Wildcard Round NFL Preview

The Five Major Story Lines
  1. Teams with great defensive lines like the Rams, Panthers, and Jets have whipped the Saints offensive line this season; that has been the root of their road issues. The Eagles front seven is loaded with talent, and has really come on strong lately. Can they follow the blueprint to slow down Drew Brees and company?
  2. The Chiefs certainly trump the Colts in all-around talent. They have a well-rounded group of starters on both sides of the ball. However, it all comes back to the quarterback, where the Colts have a sizable advantage. The quarterback is king in today’s NFL; will it provide the Colts with a trump card?
  3. The 49ers have the Packers’ number. Both of their most recent meetings seem to validate that theory. When perusing the rosters of both teams, the 49ers clearly have the advantage on the defensive side of the ball. Aaron Rodgers lifts this entire team, but will he do enough to mask their many deficiencies? 
  4. The Chargers fell ass-backwards into the playoffs. It was destiny that the sixth seed in the AFC would be obtained by a mediocre squad; it was San Diego who earned that “distinction”. The question now is can San Diego get hot, go on the road and defeat a Bengals team that has been unbeatable at home?
  5. It feels like most all of the recent Super Bowl champions were amongst the participants in each year’s Wildcard round. Momentum has seemingly played a big factor in the Ravens, Giants, and Packers run to the Lombardi trophy in the past few seasons. So, will we be watching the 2013 season’s Super Bowl champion this Wildcard Weekend?

The Best Matchups to Watch in Each Game
1)    Griff Whalen vs. the Chiefs cornerbacks
  • The Colts offense toiled for months after Reggie Wayne’s season ending injury. However, that side of the ball, and the entire team really, has raised its level of play to close out the season on a pretty high note. One of the keys to the offense’s recent revival has been the emergence of a few young receivers. Da’Rick Rodgers and LaVon Brazil have made some big plays, but their contributions have not been the biggest asset; that honor belongs to Griff Whalen. A former college teammate of Andrew Luck, Whalen’s presence in the slot has made life much easier on the second year quarterback. When the Chiefs and the Colts met in week sixteen, Griff Whalen was not shown nearly the respect he should have been by the Chiefs defensive assignments:
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  • This play from the fourth quarter perfectly demonstrates Whalen’s value to the Colts, and how the Chiefs misjudged that. The Chiefs outside cornerbacks are in press man-coverage with their receivers, but you will notice that the nickel corner, Dunta Robinson is playing off Whalen in the slot. Robinson gives away his coverage by keeping his eyes squarely keyed on the quarterback. Once the ball is snapped, he drops into zone coverage, providing Griff Whalen with a ridiculous cushion for his flat route:
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  • Whalen runs the type of option route here that makes slot receivers so crucial to offenses. When he comes inside, Whalen correctly reads how much open space he has outside. He responds by breaking the route to the sideline. Dunta Robinson (highlighted in red) was the defender nearest to Whalen at the snap, but is now way out of position to make a stop. In tandem with a linebacker, Robinson must work upfield to try to rectify the situation:
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  • Whalen once again shows his value to the Colts and Andrew Luck once the defenders arrive. He is able to break away from the tackle attempts by Robinson and Derrick Johnson, and take the pass for a first down. His emergence in this offense has truly been a godsend for Indianapolis. 
  • Now that the Chiefs have experienced first hand how Griff Whalen is used in this offense perhaps they will be better prepared to defend him. Whalen has taken up the role of the reliable “move the sticks” receiver in the Colts passing game. In order for the Chiefs to take away Luck’s new reliable safety blanket, look for them their corners to jam Whalen at the line, or defend him man-to-man. 
2)    Evan Mathis vs. Cameron Jordan
  • Offensive line play is not the sexiest aspect of football. Thus, the public tends to overlook players without the first-round pedigree or big names. Evan Mathis is one of the most criminally underrated players in football, despite the fact he is far and away the best player at his position. His own team, the Eagles, know how dominant he is. Chip Kelly has made great use of Mathis’ talents this season and his run blocking is a huge catalyst for their ground game:
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  • Evan Mathis is a master at getting to the second level of the defense. On this play against the Cowboys it is his block that springs LeSean McCoy into the secondary. Mathis flies off the line at the snap and immediately locks up with the linebacker, Bruce Carter. With Mathis already gone, the center Jason Kelce is able to clear out the defensive tackle. The result is a massive running lane for McCoy to bounce in to:
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  • McCoy is a deadly runner in the open field, and running behind Mathis, he more often than not is granted with such situations. Mathis and Kelce’s blocks create a hole you could drive a truck through. A Cowboys safety is forced to meet McCoy one-on-one in the middle of the field; a matchup the running back seldom loses. Mathis’ quick second level block permits the Eagles star running back to gash the Cowboys defense for a 20-yard gain. 
  • The Saints have seen their defense achieve a pretty nice turnaround in 2013. Cameron Jordan’s stellar play from the 3-4 end position is a big reason why. When Rob Ryan examines the tape of the Eagles offense, he will surely take note of the excellent play of Evan Mathis. Ryan would be wise to assign his best player, Jordan, to line up over Mathis and see which star burns brighter. 
3)    Andy Dalton vs. the Chargers defense
  • It is no secret Andy Dalton is the football world’s pariah with the Bengals. Throughout his career, but more so than ever this season, Dalton has clearly been the weakest link on a very strong team. Most are quick to criticize the young quarterback’s lack of arm strength, and while a concern, it is far from his biggest issue. Dalton’s miscues are more a result of less-than-stellar fundamentals. His third interception in Cincinnati’s win over Baltimore provide a few examples:
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  • This play is classic “bad Andy Dalton”. As he goes through his entire drop, Dalton persistently stares down his first read. Dalton’s eyes never leave A.J. Green and it is painfully obvious where he wants to go with the football. Green is a star player, but his quarterback’s constant staring him down has caused problems for this offense for years now. Dalton’s inability, or unwillingness, to get off his first read gets him into trouble here. In the time Dalton wasted locked on to Green, Baltimore’s pass rush has been able to get into the pocket, exposing another Dalton flaw. Under pressure, he struggles to throw from an awkward platform, and the ball consequently sails on him:
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  • He really has no business throwing this pass, and Andy Dalton pays the price. The football sails over A.J. Green’s head and a Ravens defender is able to snare it for an interception. When you watch the tape of the Bengals offense, you frequently see that Dalton’s propensity to stare down his primary read causes him to miss the open man. On this play, he would have been wise to dump the ball off to the crossing receiver (highlighted circle) for a safe completion. 
  • The Bengals were very lucky to comfortably beat the Ravens in week seventeen, despite Andy Dalton’s three interceptions. The team should hope it does not need to be so fortunate when they face the Chargers this weekend. The Bengals escaped week seventeen, because Joe Flacco seemed intent on outdueling Dalton in a contest of futility. The Chargers quarterback, Phillip Rivers, has been incredibly efficient this season. He will not grant the Bengals a reprieve for any poor play from their own signal caller.
4)    Packers front seven vs. the 49ers rushing attack
  • The Packers have already seen this horror story play out before their eyes. In last year’s playoffs, the Packers were gashed by the 49ers, and took most of the blows off the read option formation. What should frighten coordinator Dom Capers and his coaching staff to death is that this year’s defense has actually been much worse than its 2012 counterpart. The Packers lack of gap integrity and discipline was on full display last week against Matt Forte:
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  • Marc Trestman and the Bears dial up a little bit of deception in order to get their running back into the open field. Alshon Jeffery (yellow arrow, off screen) has been running end-arounds all season for the Bears, and the Packers clearly know that. Mike Neal (#96) crashes down hard on the fake end-around to Jeffery. He is completely taken out of this play. Jay Cutler actually hands the ball off to Matt Forte who runs the counter to the left side of the field. The Packers defenders over pursue and completely bite on the misdirection in the backfield. There are no defenders in the gap between the right tackle and right guard, which allows the offensive line to seal the edge with ease:
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  • With Daniel frozen by the fake to Jeffery, and the rest of the front seven sealed off to the weak side, Matt Forte makes a cut to the right side of his line. The alley presented to Forte is enormous; you just do not see holes this big in the NFL very often. Forte runs about twenty yards down the field before even being touched by a Packers defender.
  • When the Packers face off against the 49ers, they should be prepared to see more of this brand of play calling. The 49ers have been a much more simplistic running game than they were last season, but the temptation to gash the Packers again should be too much to resist for Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman. The misdirection and deception the 49ers can throw at the Packers with Colin Kaepernick at the helm is much greater than what the Bears provided. The Packers must stay at home and be disciplined in their gaps or the Niners could run away with this game, regardless of what Aaron Rodgers brings to the table.  

My meaningless picks that you don’t care about:
  • Chiefs
  • Eagles
  • Bengals
  • 49ers
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