React and Attack: A Football Blog

        School and work kept me pretty busy this week, but a few nights ago I was finally able to get around to evaluating the All-22 of the Bengals vs. Packers game. As I watched, one of the most striking aspects of the game was how much pressure Green Bay was able to apply to Joe Burrow. They were able to get to Burrow using blitzes, stunts, simulated pressures, and by simply winning one-on-ones. It wasn't just the starters who were able to succeed, either. As Joe Barry rotated in his backups at EDGE and along the defensive line, those players were able to continue making Burrow uncomfortable. Obviously, they did not play to the level of Preston Smith, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, or the other studs on the Packers defense, but they were able to do well enough to gum up the operation of the Bengals offense. Although I usually review a single blitz or pressure call for my weekly article, I've decided to make an exception this time around. There were multiple plays ...

          Hey everyone! My "Ride the Lightning" blitz-analysis series is back after a few weeks' hiatus. In the first article  in the series, I took a look at a blitz the Packers ran in their exhibition match against the Buffalo Bills. Since then, the Packers have had a bit of an up-and-down start to the regular season. After getting curb-stomped by the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, they were able to bounce back with a win against the Lions in Week 2. Green Bay extended their nascent winning streak in Week 3 with a thrilling last-second victory against the San Francisco 49ers.          An important key to the Packers' victory was their ability to get pressure on defense. The first few weeks were lackluster in this department, but against the 49ers Green Bay was finally able to get to the quarterback on a fairly regular basis, racking up 4 sacks and 11 QB hits . Although an excellent game from Kenny Clark, Preston Smith, and Ras...