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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
    • Lamarr Houston Free Agent Profile
    • Darrelle Revis Free Agent Profile
    • Eric Decker Free Agent Profile
    • Jared Veldheer Free Agent Profile
    • DeMarcus Ware Free Agent Profile
    • Tyson Jackson Free Agent Profile
    • Jon Asamoah Free Agent Profile
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    • Louis Delmas Free Agent Profile
    • Red Bryant Free Agent Profile
    • John Carlson Free Agent Profile
    • D'Qwell Jackson Free Agent Profile
  • 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
    • Week Fifteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Fourteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • Week Twelve 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • Week Five 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Four 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • Week Two 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • 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 Twelve Picks
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  • Week in Review 2013
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round in Review
    • Week Seventeen in Review
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    • Week Fifteen in Review
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    • Week Twelve 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
    • Top 10 NFL Wide Receiver Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Tight End Rankings
    • Top 10 Offensive Linemen Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Defensive Lineman Rankings
  • 2013 Season Archives
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  • 2012 Season Archives
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Week Fourteen NFL Preview

Thursday Night Game:

The Major Storylines
  1. Are the Texans ever going to win a game? If they plan on doing so, tonight is the night. The talent discrepancy between these two rosters is real. Theoretically, the Texans should have several advantages. However, some of their best players like J.J. Watt had great outings last time these two teams met and it did not matter. This will be yet another indicator of whether the Texans have packed it in or not. Case Keenum also must continue to show he has value to this franchise beyond this year. His worst outing of 2013 was the game against these Jaguars in Week Twelve.
  2. The race for the number one overall draft pick. This was billed as the “Teddy Bridgewater Bowl” a few weeks ago, but Jacksonville does not seem to want any part of that. After going the first few months of the season without any wins, Jacksonville has suddenly won three out of their last four, and is playing with great pride. Gus Bradley’s bunch certainly is not concerned with draft positioning; in the moment winning is more important for players. However, Jacksonville still desperately needs a franchise quarterback no mater what. Will they be in a better position to get one after this game is over? As dreadful as this game would seem, sometimes these games have a way of altering the entire landscape of the NFL for reveal years. Do not click that remote just yet. 

The Biggest Matchup to Watch
Alan Ball vs. Andre Johnson
  • This matchup features a guy playing at a really high level, but is flying way under the radar. Alan Ball is widely remembered for his poor run with the Dallas Cowboys several years ago, and he has really just bounced around the NFL since then. However, he has found a home in Jacksonville and in his sixth year in the league, is having his best season as a pro. He fits the mold of the big physical corners that Gus Bradley coveted as the defensive boss under Pete Carroll in Seattle. Ball did some of his best work of the season against Andre Johnson two weeks ago:
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  • Johnson and Ball are at the top of the image. As he frequently does, Ball is lined up in press-man coverage, and only has one deep safety over the top. This is the type of look Houston loves to throw against off of play action, and that is exactly what the play call will be. Keenum fakes the ball to Ben Tate (red arrow) who goes out for a pass route into the flat himself. Andre Johnson runs a deep curl route, but finds things will not come too easy against Alan Ball:
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  • As soon as Keenum completes his play fake and gets into his drop, he is looking for Johnson. During his time as the starter Keenum has shown an affinity for fearlessly trying to hit his star receiver for big plays. However, as you can see, Ball has Johnson blanketed in tight coverage. Keenum continues to wait for Johnson to break free, but that moment never comes. In the time he spends waiting, the Jaguars defensive line begins to break free from the Texans blocking. The interior pressure is able to break this play up: 
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  • The defensive tackle is able to move Keenum off his spot, redirecting him to his right. He dumps the ball off to Ben Tate, and the play goes for a modest four yards. Sometimes pressure makes a coverage unit look better, but in this instance Alan Ball’s excellent coverage on Johnson allowed the defensive line the time they needed to break this play up. 
  • While this may not seem too significant, the play above was exactly the type Keenum and Johnson were using to torch teams in the weeks prior to that game. When the duo let the Jaguars into their house, there were no such opportunities. All thanks to Alan Ball’s outstanding play. Ball has just been getting better and better, and it will be interesting to see if he can replicate his Week Twelve performance against Johnson tonight. Expect to see Ball lined up in tight man coverage against the super star receiver yet again. If Andre Johnson cannot put up better numbers than the two catches for 36 yards he registered previously against Ball, the Texans will be hard pressed to snap their losing streak. 

My meaningless pick that does not matter to you
  • Texans over Jaguars



Sunday and Monday Games:
The Major Story Lines
  1. Can the Panthers dethrone the Saints for the NFC South crown?
  2. Will the Seahawks suffer a letdown in San Francisco after throttling the Saints last Monday Night?
  3. Will the Eagles keep pace with the Cowboys in the NFC East?
  4. When their teams face off, which rookie quarterback will look better, E.J. Manuel or Mike Glennon?
  5. Can the Chiefs defense rebound against a slumping Washington offense?

The Five Best Matchups to Watch
1) Luke Keuchly vs. Jimmy Graham
  • • A matchup of two players at the very top of their respective positions. Jimmy Graham is the centerpiece of the Saints passing offense, as much Keuchly is the brains behind the elite Carolina defense. On passing downs, Keuchly often takes the responsibility of patrolling the middle of the field as the middle linebacker in a cover two defense. He can often be seen flying downfield to defend tight ends in single coverage. However, the team knows better than to leave him alone with an elite, athletic freak at the position. We have a blueprint for how they will try to defend Graham based off how they played Keuchly and a safety on Rob Gronkowski two weeks ago:
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  • The Panthers bring rookie safety Robert Lester into the box, and assign him to Gronk in man coverage. Wherever Gronk goes on this play Lester will follow. Keuchly is also responsible of covering the middle of the field, where Gronkowski will head to on a post route:
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  • When the ball is snapped Robert Lester is asked to get physical with Gronkowski. Not that Lester can possibly be expected to jam Gronk with great effectiveness, but the slight hesitation the press causes provides opportunity for Keuchly. The linebacker reads Tom Brady’s eyes and sees he is looking downfield to where Gronkowski will be. Thus, Keuchly continues to drop into his zone in the deep middle of the field. Gronk is effectively double teamed by these two players now:
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  • Since he is a great player, Brady tries to fit the ball in to his star tight end anyways. However, he cannot try to hit Gronk directly or that is an easy interception for Keuchly, and with Lester effectively covering him as well, there is no easy place to throw to. Brady does not manage to get the ball in Gronkowski’s hands and the result of the play is an incompletion. While Luke Keuchly is a very athletic defender, when going against an elite player like Jimmy Graham on Sunday night, expect the Panthers to give him some help. A similar strategy helped them a few times against another great player a few weeks ago. The Saints may make things a bit trickier for the Panthers because they split Graham out a bit more often than the Patriots do with their superstar tight end. 

2) Josh Gordon vs. Aqib Talib and Devin McCourty
  • • Josh Gordon is on an unbelievable tear. With over 200 receiving yards in two straight games headed into Sunday’s matchup with the Patriots there is no doubt he has peaked the interest of Bill Belichick. The Patriots head coach is a master at limiting what opposing offenses do best, and no doubt he will have a plan ready for the emerging wideout. Belichick has used his two best men in the secondary, Talib and McCourty, to limit other star receivers, but recently Andre Johnson effectively broke through such bracket coverage:
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  • The Patriots will often have Talib in man coverage with the opposition’s best receivers, but he is very infrequently left alone. Devin McCourty, the converted cornerback, is almost always covering that receiver deep. Unseen by most, it is McCourty’s role in these coverage schemes that keep number one receivers from going deep on the Patriots. With Talib jamming Johnson off the line, and McCourty roaming overhead, the Patriots probably feel pretty good about this play. Johnson beats this coverage with ease and manages to get open for his quarterback:
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  • When Talib comes to press Johnson, the veteran receiver makes a series of misdirection moves to keep him off balance. He then uses his significant strength to just push Talib off of him and wins the matchup with Talib. He never once allows Talib to lock down on him with his hands. Johnson is unexpectedly free to the inside:
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  • With McCourty following Keenum’s eyes and coming over top of Johnson he cannot go deep. However, Johnson is a master of cutting on his routes, and snaps back to face the quarterback with urgency. Johnson gets himself plenty open and receives a pass from Keenum. Now, Josh Gordon is not Andre Johnson yet, but he needs to play with this kind of technical savvy if he plans to win this matchup on Sunday. The Patriots are simply not going to allow him to get deep on them like the Steelers and Jaguars did over the last two weeks. He will need to be physical and make precise cuts to get open; much like Andre Johnson did to the tune of eight catches for 120 plus yards last week. 

3) Broncos receivers vs. Titans cornerbacks
  • The Broncos wide receivers are rightfully a highly touted group, but still no one seems to mention the Titans cornerbacks as an elite unit. Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner are as good of a set of corners we have in the NFL today, and Cody Sensabaugh has been a nice surprise as the nickel corner. It will be interesting to watch these two team strengths go head to head. Especially considering how good the Titans corners are in man coverage. Here they are against the Colts:
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  • The Colts have all their wide receivers lined up on one side of the field, and the Titans respond by shadowing with all their corners. The Titans only have one deep safety back who will be responsible for tracking the ball. The Colts receivers all run vertical routes, but do not find much space free once the ball is snapped:
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  • The receivers are all locked up and Andrew Luck has no one to throw to on this play. On a third and long, Luck is trying to move the sticks and forces the ball to T.Y. Hilton (top receiver). With no space for the ball to go to, the safety is able to come over to the ball and snare an interception. The tight man coverage from the Titans corners left the Colts without much passing production and forced poor decisions from their quarterback. Of course, the Broncos receivers are eons better than the ones the Colts field, and Peyton Manning is not likely to make such poor decisions. However, if the Titans can play this well in man coverage, it may mean the Broncos have to feature a hobbled Julius Thomas. Look for Peyton Manning to get the ball out on screens and get Wes Welker reestablished in the short passing game. Receivers are just not getting open deep often against these cornerbacks. 

4) Andre Holmes vs. Antonio Cromartie
  • To see why this young receiver could continue to break out, check out my column at Roto Rants 

5) Jared Cook vs. Cardinals linebackers and safeties
  • For a look at why Jared Cook could have another big day, check out this week’s "Eye in the Sky" 

My meaningless picks that you don’t care about:
  • Ravens over Vikings
  • Bengals over Colts
  • Packers over Falcons
  • Patriots over Browns
  • Raiders over Jets
  • Lions over Eagles

  • Steelers over Dolphins
  • Chiefs over Redskins
  • Broncos over Titans
  • Chargers over Giants
  • 49ers over Seahawks
  • Panthers over Saints
  • Cowboys over Bears 
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