About this video

• Video Title: NFL Week 8's MOST INTRIGUING Games: TRIPLE Slop Watch & Hail Mary’s!
• Channel: Yahoo! Sports
• Speakers: Nate Ty, Charles McDonald
• Duration: 01:10:58

Overview

This video provides a preview of NFL Week 8, featuring "deep dives" into intriguing matchups and an "extended slop watch" for games with lower expectations. The hosts discuss various games, offer predictions, and analyze team performances and player matchups.

Key takeaways

• Week 8 Preview: The hosts are covering the NFL Week 8 slate, highlighting that it contains a significant amount of "slop" but will still be fun to analyze.
• NBA News Interruption: The NFL discussion is briefly interrupted by significant news in the NBA, including issues with players and potential legal troubles.
• Packers vs. Steelers Analysis: A deep dive into the Packers vs. Steelers game focuses on the Steelers' defense, its inconsistencies, and how the Packers might exploit matchups, particularly against players other than Joey Porter Jr. Third-down efficiency and specific player matchups like Tucker Kraft are also discussed.
• Cowboys vs. Broncos "House Fight": This game is presented as a "house fight" due to the strong offense of the Cowboys versus a strong defense of the Broncos. The discussion touches on the Broncos' defensive strengths, particularly against the run, and potential weaknesses against the Cowboys' passing game, with a focus on CD Lamb's matchup.
• Triple Slop Watch: Three games (Browns vs. Patriots, Ravens vs. Bears, Bills vs. Panthers) are categorized as "slop watch" games due to large spreads and low over/under totals, but are still considered worth watching for their potential storylines or specific matchups.
• Hail Mary Predictions: The hosts offer "Hail Mary" predictions for Week 8, involving an upset win for the Saints and a high-scoring game for the Chiefs.

Green Bay Packers

• Offense:
  • Converting 51.2% of third and fourth down dropbacks (1st in NFL).
  • 22.8% explosive pass rate on third and fourth downs.
  • Average third down distance: 6.2 yards (3rd in NFL).
  • Run game is described as "jabs" and by design.
  • Weakness against zone runs.
  • Potential for success targeting players other than Joey Porter Jr.
  • Potential for Matthew Stafford to have a big game.
  • Romeo Doubs described as a "good receiver."
  • Expected to use a lot of motion and jet sweep action.
  • Good at third and short/medium situations. -Tucker Kraft is a potential target against Steelers' tight end yak weakness.
• Defense:
  • Mentioned as playing well in zone coverage.
  • Good tackling.
  • Second lowest yards allowed due to missed tackles.
  • Fourth highest group opportunities to tackle.
  • Second shortest tackling depth on first opportunities.
  • Weakness in interior defensive line (Devante Wyatt limited).
  • Michael Parsons is playing "insane."

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Offense:
  • Described as more "sturdy" this year with EPA numbers around the 8-10 range.
  • Ranks 28th in percent of drives without a first down.
  • Averaging 3.95 points per drive on drives where they get a first down (2nd in the league).
  • 72% red zone touchdown rate (5th in the league).
  • Can have success if they get going and get first downs.
  • Limitations exist.
  • Strengths: creating YAK, getting DK Metcalf going on slants, throwing to tight ends and backs.
  • 29.7% of throws are behind the sticks (2nd highest rate in the league).
  • 70.3% of throws are short of the sticks.
  • Tries to "ugly it up in the run game."
  • Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris mentioned.
  • Arthur Smith is the offensive coordinator.
• Defense:
  • Inconsistent, not the same as in previous years.
  • 30th in success rate on a down-to-down basis.
  • Below average EPA numbers.
  • Good red zone defense.
  • High turnover rate.
  • Fairly good in third and long situations.
  • Team speed can be an issue.
  • Linebackers may be a step slow or go in the wrong direction.
  • Joey Porter Jr. is a good corner.
  • Other defensive backs are seen as "gettable."
  • Allowed 243 yards to Jaylen Ramsey as nearest defender.
  • Jaylen Ramsey allowed 4 touchdowns and 5 PBUs.
  • Allowed 117 passer rating on targets to Jaylen Ramsey.
  • Allowed 26 yards to Darius Slay.
  • Darius Slay allowed 1 touchdown, 1 PBU.
  • Allowed 109 passer rating on targets to Darius Slay.
  • Allowed 72% completion percentage by Darius Slay as closest defender.
  • 10th in yards allowed on third down (7.53 yards).
  • Fourth interception rate on third and fourth down.
  • Weak against tight end YAC.

Dallas Cowboys

• Offense:
  • Averaging over 30 points per game.
  • Third in rushing DVOA.
  • Third in rushing success rate.
  • Third in explosive run rate.
  • Cooper Beebe (center) may be returning.
  • Dak Prescott is having an MVP-caliber season.
  • Seventh in third down efficiency.
  • Ninth in red zone efficiency.
  • Allowing the second fewest sacks.
  • Potential to get rolling and play "hero ball."
  • CD Lamb is a key receiver, potentially matching up against Jaquan McMillan.
  • Jake Ferguson and Brandin Cooks are other pass-catching options.
  • Turpin is a consideration for big plays.
  • Jalen Tolbert mentioned as a potential target.
• Defense:
  • Described as "crap."
  • Above average only in fourth down conversions and pressure rates occasionally.
  • Fourth down conversion rate is a positive.

Denver Broncos

• Offense:
  • Ranked 14th in EPA per play.
  • Ranked 27th in success rate on offense.
  • Inconsistent, "boomer bust."
  • Run game has improved as the game goes along due to adjustments.
  • Well-blocked and well-schemed run game, but not consistently explosive.
  • Javonte Williams is the primary back.
  • Royce Freeman also used in the run game.
  • Rely on "short shot plays" and "swing routes" on second down.
  • Bo Nix has a negative air yards to sticks on second and long (-6.5 yards).
  • Limited passing game, leans on short throws.
  • Shawn Payton is the head coach and play-caller.
  • Has capability to create explosive plays.
  • Sean Payton's playbook is vast, but plays are limited, suggesting a lack of trust in Bo Nix.
• Defense:
  • Described as "very good."
  • First in success rate allowed.
  • First in red zone efficiency.
  • First in third down efficiency.
  • Challenging in man coverage.
  • PS2 (Patrick Surtain II) and Riley Moss are key defensive backs.
  • Jaquan McMillan is the slot player and is considered a weakness.
  • Allowed 0.15 EPA per target to slot defenders (9th worst among qualified players).
  • Allowed 3.1 target separation to slot defenders.
  • 36.7% open percentage allowed by McMillan when targeted.
  • Strong pass rush with D.J. Jones and Jonathon Harris.
  • Jordan McCloud is mentioned as a pass rusher.
  • Jonas Elliss is returning.
  • No significant weaknesses identified.
  • Vance Joseph is the defensive coordinator, known for adjustments.

Cleveland Browns

• Offense:
  • Described as "crap."
  • Scored 31 points last week, but this is attributed to Quinton Jefferson being a "stud" and the opponent (Titans) missing Jeffrey Simmons.
  • Quarterback situation is poor.
  • 31st in rushing DVOA.
  • 29th in rushing success rate.
  • Lack of consistency.
  • 25th in passing DVOA.
  • 30th in success rate allowed to receiver targets.
  • Jim Schwartz is the defensive coordinator.
  • May have success attacking with out routes.
• Defense:
  • May have the best rushing defense in the NFL.
  • First in rushing DVOA allowed.
  • First in rushing success rate allowed (30.7%).
  • Third highest run stuff rate (31%).
  • Miles Garrett and Myjai Sanders are key players.
  • Moe Collins and Maurice Hurst are also mentioned.
  • 25th in passing DVOA allowed.

New England Patriots

• Offense:
  • Fourth in passing DVOA.
  • First in passing success rate.
  • Drake May is the quarterback, described as capable.
  • Poor rushing offense.
  • Potential to struggle against the Browns' pass rush.
• Defense:
  • Described as a "quality" defense.
  • May be able to get pressure on the Browns' offense.

Baltimore Ravens

• Offense:
  • Lamar Jackson is returning.
  • Struggled with consistency and three-and-outs even when healthy.
  • Relied heavily on explosive plays.
  • Run game took a drop-off before Lamar's injury.
  • Derrick Henry is expected to have more opportunities with Lamar's return.
  • May be overly reliant on Lamar Jackson.
  • 63% success rate on offensive drop backs in the last month.
  • Averaging over 3 points per drive in the last month.
  • Potentially nuclear offense with Lamar Jackson.
  • 73% scramble success rate allowed by opponents.
• Defense:
  • Described as "god awful" and the "worst I've ever seen."
  • One win, five losses.
  • Haven't hit the quarterback much (8 sacks total).
  • 30th in knockdown percentage.
  • 32nd in pressure rate allowed.
  • 27th in passing success rate allowed.
  • 21st in rushing success rate allowed.
  • 29th in EPA per rush.
  • 27th in DVOA.
  • Allowed 44 points to the Texans offense.
  • Allowed a 66% success rate to Texans offense on dropbacks (historically bad).
  • Sixth highest success rate allowed to zone runs.
  • 23rd in run stuff rate.
  • 32nd in explosive run rate allowed (14.7%).
  • Linebackers are not big.
  • Safeties are "outright bad," not tackling well, taking bad angles.
  • Too many negatives.

Chicago Bears

• Offense:
  • Described as "pretty good right now."
  • Above average offense.
  • Run game is churning.
  • Ninth in yards per carry on zone runs.
  • Seventh in success rate on zone runs.
  • Improved offensive line with Braxton Jones at left tackle.
  • DJ Moore is a key receiver.
  • Cole Kmet and D'Onta Foreman are mentioned.
  • Justin Fields is the quarterback, but the offense is focused on short throws.
  • 29.7% of throws are behind the sticks (2nd highest rate).
• Defense:
  • Has improved since the bye week, but not great.
  • 73% scramble success rate allowed to quarterbacks.

Buffalo Bills

• Offense:
  • Josh Allen is the quarterback.
  • Coming off a bye week.
  • Expected to score a lot of points.
  • Has had moments even against aggressive defensive schemes.
  • Capable of throwing even after a bye week.
• Defense:
  • "Bad" against the run.
  • 23rd in run stuff rate.
  • 32nd in explosive run rate allowed (14.7%).
  • Linebackers are not big.
  • Safeties are bad, not tackling well, taking bad angles.
  • Allowed 8.4 yards per carry against Duo runs.
  • Allowed 54% success rate against Duo runs (2nd highest).
  • Not very threatening as a pass rush.

Carolina Panthers

• Offense:
  • Showed signs of growth against Miami and Dallas.
  • Improved offensive supporting cast due to cap space.
  • Fifth in success rate on offense.
  • Seventh in rushing DVOA.
  • Tenth in explosive runs.
  • Wants to run the ball.
  • Run game is good, particularly Duo runs.
  • Bryce Young is the quarterback, but there are concerns about his ability to finish games. Andy Dalton is also an option due to Young's ankle injury.
  • Run game should be able to "pound it at will."
  • Can "keep it close" and "ugly this game up."
• Defense:
  • Underlying numbers are good.
  • Not the worst defense in the league.
  • 23rd against the pass (bottom 10).
  • Derrick Brown is a good player.
  • Performance against strong offenses needs further evaluation.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Offense:
  • Have had a streak of 40-point games (last one September 2023).
  • Averaging over three points per drive.
  • Averaging almost three first downs per drive.
  • Rashid Rice is back and a factor.
  • Described as "cruising" and one of the top offenses in the league.
  • 63% success rate on offensive dropbacks in the past two weeks.
  • Top five in most offensive categories.
• Defense:
  • Commanders' defense is described as "very very gettable" and not schematically sound.
  • Commanders' defense is described as slow and predictable.

Washington Commanders

• Offense:
  • Sam Howell is out with an injury.
  • Described as "eh" by one of the hosts.
• Defense:
  • Described as "crap" and "very gettable."
  • Commanders' defense is not schematically sound.
  • Cowboys scored 44 points against them.
  • Slow in some regards.
  • Predictable.
  • Biggest weakness.
  • Allowed 44 points to the Cowboys.

New Orleans Saints

• Offense:
  • Not considered "good" or "average."
  • Shown a good protection plan against the blitz.
  • Spencer Rattler has "cojones" and is willing to try things.
  • Rattler's film against the Bears was better than expected.
  • Run game is hit or miss.
  • Alvin Kamara can be used in protection.
  • Picked up one exceptional blitz against the Bears.
  • Spencer Rattler has good arm talent, can score in the red zone, perform on third down, and handle pressure.
  • Low sack rate for Rattler.
  • Receivers are not performing well.
  • Need another receiver.
• Defense:
  • Not an awful defense.
  • Kool-Aid McKinstry is being "dunked on every week."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Offense:
  • Have injuries and players are "banged up."
  • Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are mentioned as potentially playing.
  • Bucky Irving is likely still out.
  • Run game is not good.
  • Baker Mayfield is capable of creating explosive plays.
  • May have a "letdown" game after playing on Monday night and then on the road again.
  • Below average run game.
  • Play calling is limited.
• Defense:
  • Not mentioned in detail, but implied to be a factor against the Saints' offense.