I’m convinced that the collective inability to tackle, pass or run block has to do with the current collective bargaining agreement and the evolution of spread offenses. The amount of full contact practices that an NFL team can have is so few, you can’t even practice the art of tackling. And the college game does nothing to prepare linemen proper technique in terms of run and pass blocking. Instead, everything is a zone concept, based on quick passes and simply getting in the defender’s way instead of engaging and finishing blocks. Sorry to bore you with methodology and analysis regarding technique. It gets difficult to watch at times. But I can’t look away. Here’s the Week 3 installment of “The Film Says.”

Redskins at Giants

• Eli Manning owns Washington; 15-6 heading into last Thursday night’s game. 23/32, 279 yards, 2 TDs later Eli is now 16-6 all-time when facing the division rival.
• Despite a non-existent pass rush from the Giants and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s injury Kirk Cousins managed to be as unimpressive as ever (30/49, 316 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 69.8 rating).
• Can’t explain why Jay Gruden gave up on the run as a team Washington averaged 4.4 yards on 20 carries…. No let’s have Cousins throw it 49 times…FOH.
• A Rueben Randle sighting. (7/116/1)
• By normal standards (7/79/1) a very good stat line. For Odell Beckham Jr., meh…
• Chris Thompson (8/57/1)?

Falcons at Cowboys

• Matt Ryan  (24/36, 285 yards, 2 TDs) to Julio Jones (12/164/2 on 20 targets) is a beautiful thing.
• 12 of Brandon Weeden’s 22 completions went to running backs. Zero went to Dallas’ de facto #1 wide receiver Terrence Williams.
• Tackling is a lost art but Devonta Freeman (30/141/3) made the most of his opportunity.
• I don’t understand why Joseph Randle (14/87/3) only had 14 carries and why Dallas only ran the ball 5 times in the 2nd half. Doesn’t matter that 8 were in the box.
• Sean Lee (10 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 QB Hits) looked like the only Dallas defender that belonged.
• Vic Beasley struggled against the run but had a pivotal sack on third down beating All-Pro offensive tackle Tyron Smith. He’s going to be a good one.

Colts at Titans

• Colts should have lost this one, Andrew Luck (18/30, 260 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) needs to tighten up and the Colts need to run the football more.
• Generally when a young quarterback scrambles it’s a bad thing. Watching this game there were 2 or 3 occasions Marcus Mariota should have taken off (27/44, 367 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, sacked 3 times, no rushing attempts). The coaching staff and Mariota are going to have to find some middle ground. If he can be selective and protect himself he will avoid the negative play.
• More Frank Gore (14/86/2) please.
• Kendall Wright (7/94/1) and Dorial Green-Beckham (2/22/1) sounds like a good combo to me. The latter needs more playing time.

Raiders at Browns

• The Derek Carr (20/32, 312 yards, 2 TDs), Latavius Murray (26/139/1) and Amari Cooper (8/134) trio could be special.
• I thought the Browns wanted to run the football. (49 pass attempts/14 rushing attempts)
• Gary Barnidge (6/105/1). Who? Raiders give up the booty to the tight end position.
• Return of (Khalil) “The Mack” (4 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 QB Hits).

Bengals at Ravens

• Red Rifle (20/32, 383 yards, 4 total TDs, 1 INT)
• Jeremy Hill (12/21) and Justin Forsett (10/13) bad….
• A.J. Green (10/227/2) and Steve Smith Sr. (13/186/2) FANTASTIC!
• Jimmy Smith got torched despite his interception.
• Let Marvin Jones (5/94/1) get some of that!

Jaguars at Patriots

• Brady (33/42, 358 yards, 2 TDs) still thumbin’ his nose at the commissioner. Frankly, these numbers could have been much more gaudy.
• Gronk! (4/101)
• Pass the duchie Dion Lewis (8/37/1) let LeGarrette Blount (18/78/3!!!) hit it.
• Not hard to figure out why Paul Posluszny (18 tackles 14 solo) leads the NFL in tackles. Jacksonville’s defense is on the field all the time. (15 1st downs for JAX; 35 1st downs for NE)

Saints at Panthers

• Cam Newton (20/31, 315 yards 3 total TDs) out here masquerading as a quarterback but I know better. He’s been exposed to Gamma Radiation.
• Luke McCown got his chance (31/38, 310 yards, 1 INT). Why am I not impressed?
• Sean Payton has a problem. Drew Brees is hurt and your team only trailed by 4 points entering the fourth quarter. Yet a balanced Saints offense remains an ethereal creature (38 passes, 24 rushes), a figment of our imaginations.
• Jimmy who? Greg Olsen (8/134/2) is fantasy’s 2nd best tight end.

Eagles at Jets

• Ryan Mathews (24/108/1 TD rec.) was 10 times more productive than Demarco Murray in 1 game than Murray was in 2.
• Speaking of Murray that hamstring sure did heal up quick (probable for Week 4), gotta get on the field unless you want to lose your job. I get it.
• Tip of the cap to the Eagles defense and special teams. (4 takeaways; 1 punt return TD)
• An active Chris Ivory got zero carries. Fantasy owners….Hurt.
• Brandon Marshall (10/109/1) had a great day in terms of fantasy but costly drops and an inexplicable lateral that led to a lost fumble completely torpedoed Marshall’s “actual” performance grade.

Buccaneeers at Texans

• Alfred Blue went for (31/139/1). That’s 45/187/1 on the season. Yeah, he’s not good, but the Bucs are even worse.
• Told ya that Nuk (8/101/1) would bounce back (DFS).
• J.J. Watt did not record a sack. Yes, that IS noteworthy.

Chargers at Vikings

• That Vikings D made Phillip Rivers (21/34, 246 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 fumble lost) look average at best.
• Melvin Gordon (14/51) has yet to have a signature performance but he is 2nd in the NFL in yards after contact. The breakout is on the way. Just not sure when with 3 starting offensive linemen hurt.
• It’s ok to throw the ball down the field Teddy. (13/24, 121 yards, 1 INT)
• AP (20/126/2) show Melvin how it’s done.
• Keenan Allen (12/133/2 TD on 18 targets) is a target whore.
• Everson Griffen (6 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 6 QB hits) man possessed.

Steelers at Rams

• The return of Le’Veon (26 touches, 132 total yards, 1 TD).
• It was an uneventful debut for Todd Gurley (6/9) but it was good to see him back on the field.
• Week 3 Antonio Brown (11/108) was still a well-aged Porterhouse.
• I knew there was DFS value in Kenny Britt (7/102), the Steelers’ secondary is sooooooo bad. Now fade off in to “Bolivian” (Tyson after Lennox Lewis fight).
• Big Ben suffered a knee injury and will miss 4-6 weeks. Enter Michael Vick. Good luck with that.

49ers at Cardinals

• Chris Johnson (22/110/2) was on his CJ2K. Speed, vision, pad level, elusiveness and he demonstrated the ability to break tackles.
• Colin Kaepernick (9/19, 67 yards, 4 INTs 2 returned for touchdowns). If you are a Niners fan you are simply looking for steady improvement from this point forward.
• I guess Larry Fitzgerald (9/134/2) didn’t get the memo that he is getting long in the tooth.
• Got him! Tyrann Mathieu (5 tackles, 2 passes defended, 2 INTs, 1 pick six).

Bills at Dolphins

• I knew Tyrod Taylor (21/29, 277 yards, 3 TDs) would beat out E.J. Manuel and Matt Cassel but I had no idea he would perform this well.
• I guess the Dolphins are trying to justify investing in Ryan Tannehill (26/49, 297 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs). They need to invest in running the football (20/102, that more than 5 yards per carry).
• I get it Shady (11/16) you don’t want to miss time. Not when Karlos Williams (12/110/1, scored in first 3 games) is proving the organization right every week.
• Welcome back Charles Clay! (5/82/1)
• Rishard Matthews (6/113/2) kudos to those of you who started him in DFS. Meanwhile Jarivs Landry (8/67) was in my lineup. Hurt.
• Suh (4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss) appeared to be doing his job in this game. That includes being triple-teamed. Dolphins had zero sacks. Someone else has to make a play.

Bears at Seahawks

• The only thing you need to know is that Thomas Rawls is Beast Mode’s (16/104) handcuff.

Broncos at Lions

• Shotgun Peyton (31/42, 324 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) looked decent by normal standards.
• Matthew Stafford (31/45, 282 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, sacked 4 times) looked below average by normal standards.
• Neither team can run the football (Denver 19/41/1; Detroit 19/28/1) and both teams have O-line issues.
• That Demariyus Thomas (9/92/1) isn’t being peppered with targets like Julio Jones and A.J. Green but he is a Superstar (Molly Shannon).
• The Lions’ shaky offensive line and play-calling has turned Megatron (8/77) into a possession receiver. Blasphemy.

Chiefs at Packers

• Aaron Rodgers (24/35, 333 yards, 5 TDs) is starting to draw Michael Jordan type comparisons. He’s the best but his ring total leaves something to be desired.
• I don’t blame you Alex Smith (24/40, 290 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, sacked 7 times). I blame those that think you’re any good.
• If only the Chiefs defense could have kept it reasonable. Jamaal Charles (11/49/3!!!) may have broken a single game record in TDs.
• That James Jones (7/139/1) and Davante Adams (0 catches on 2 targets prior to leaving early due to injury) relationship continues to be strained.
• Apparently the refs don’t know what a pick play is. Randall Cobb (7/91/3!!!).
• Look at that, a receiver caught a TD for the Chiefs. Jeremy Maclin (8/141/1). The drought is over.

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