sven233

The only thing that will prevent Bernard from playing the run well is if a lineman can get his hands on him clean and can wash him out. His size is a liability when that happens. However, Bernard, through 3 games this season has been very good at not letting this happen. He is a great athlete and has been able to move around block attempts instead of letting lineman get to him. Also, a big part of this is how well the line is playing in front of him. Oliver and Jones often are eating up double teams and anchoring so well that they are able to keep Bernard clean and let him run downhill. It's cliche, but everyone is really doing their 1/11 and it is making for some awesome team defense!

It wasn't a fluke. It wasn't luck. This guy just gets it. For a 2nd year guy that didn't play much at all coming into this season, what he is doing on the field is incredible right now. He isn't the most physically imposing player, but he's super smart, plays with great situational awareness and instincts, and communicates so well on the field. This breakdown done by Cover 1 really shows off what he does extremely well and matches what I saw on the All-22 I've watched so far. What's encouraging, is everything he put on film here is something that he will be able to repeat game after game because he just gets it. I don't want to compare him to Edmunds. It's not fair to either player because they offer different traits. But, that said, Bernard is so much more instinctive and doesn't hesitate in fear of making a mistake. I thought too many times Edmunds would get himself in position to make a play, but didn't trust himself enough, and that half second of indecision would have him slow to react and the opportunity to make a big play would pass him by. But, it's totally different with Bernard to this point. He trusts himself and what he is seeing, fires his gun, and that is leading to making the splash plays we've been waiting for out of this position. Now, will he be right every time? Of course not. There will be times he makes the wrong read and it will take him out of the play. But you can live with it because it seems, more often than not, he's going to be right. While the film breakdown in this video is primarily about Bernard, I want you to take a look at the rest of the defense and how they played together as a unit. Yes, Howell held onto the ball too long yesterday and took more sacks than he should have. But there was a reason for it. The back end was totally in sync and played with great communication and gave the guys up front that extra second to affect the QB. It really is fun to watch. There's another thread on here asking how to stop the Dolphins offense. And sure, there will have to be some adjustments and a different game plan to combat their speed. But, Washington did try to utilize a lot of crossers and some similar concepts that the Dolphins use and our defense was smart and sound against them. Can we use the same game plan we did against Washington against Miami? Of course not. But there were concepts in this game on defense that you will absolutely see next week at times vs the Dolphins. Anyway, enjoy this breakdown. It's a real fun watch.

If you look hard enough at any game, there will always be things to pick at. Today, it was Dorsey deciding to go sideways multiple times when straight forward for even short gains would have been the better play. Dorsey constantly calling for run plays on second and long and also still having no idea how to use Harty is frustrating. There are other things for sure, but those are the ones that cost you possessions and points. Sometimes I think he just makes things harder than they need to be. But, regardless, in the end, you score 30, you should win. Overall, the offense was pretty good. Solid B. But that is all you needed in this game. Obviously, the defense balled out. I'm not going to get on their case at all. Were they perfect? Of course not. But that is about as good as it gets in today's NFL. Next week, though, it gets real, very quickly. It's one thing to find a way to shut down Washington, but it's a completely different animal next week. The motion the Dolphins use. The speed they have at every position.....it's going to be a huge challenge for this wise, but older, slower secondary. As good as we are up front, the Dolphins offense is designed to get the ball out extremely fast. Tua will not be holding the ball like we saw today. Our best bet might be to send a delayed rush (maybe a lot of 3 man rushes as well), flood the zones to try and take away the crossers and use the height and length of our defense to get arms up quickly and try to force some high throws. Maybe, just maybe, it's the game where Elam gets a jersey. He did a nice job on Hill last year at times and he's, by far, our fastest corner. Maybe it's time to suit him up and just tell him to run with Hill every play while playing a safety over the top. Whatever the plan might be, McDermott will have his hands full next week for sure. But, that's for next week. Time to celebrate this one. Ps. Off topic, but maybe the only thing more annoying than the Chiefs and Kelce are the Chiefs and Kelce with Taylor Swift. That is growing old and tired already.

Wimpy coaching there.....

These last two games have been a lot of fun on defense. Next week, though, is going to be a different animal. This wise, but slower secondary are going to have to prove they are up to the task. Miami's offense is absolutely humming. Going to have our work cut out for us.

Holy crap.... what a play by Epenesa.

Dorsey going to get bailed out by the defense.

Dorsey has been a liability today. Just awful situational play calling.

Why not just sneak it there? You need 2 feet!

GRAB THE TUSH AND PUSH!!!!

It would really be nice to see the offense put together a scoring drive here. Been a little out of sync. Need some more Kincaid.

This defensive line is already good...... Pssssst...... We have Von freaking Miller coming back in a few weeks to add to it.

Pick is fine there. 3rd and 20. Chuck it deep and hope for a great play or a PI. Those are the ones I can live with because they are just like a punt. But Gabe dropping that easy one killed that drive.

TRE DAY!!!

Refs making this forward progress crap a crutch for their own stupidity.

Not real happy with the time management and play calls on this drive. That was awful. Take the 3 in the game because of the way it's going, but I want to go for that more often than not. Leaving points on the field.

We have had some good success on slants today. Might want to use them a bit more.

Brutal play call on 3rd down. At worst, you can't take a loss there, but ideally you at least get a few yards to make the kick easier. Instead you throw one sideways and maybe take you out of FG range, especially with the weather today. Garbage play call.

Weak call

Got hit with a couple haymakers on that drive, but found a way to stand up.

There's been bad holding on the last 2 plays.....no calls.

BOOM

Bernard..... man......

This running on 2nd and long is killing me.....

Hear me out..... I think Bernard is pretty good..... Sure, he's going to get washed out at times because he isn't the biggest guy, but the kid is a baller and plays with good instincts.