Week 14 fifth quarter: Stafford, Allen & Darnold sling it, while Bears look putrid
Football 301
Deep Dive
Why did the Bills lose to the Rams despite Josh Allen's stellar performance?
The Bills faced a hot Matthew Stafford who had an EPA per dropback of 0.84, almost one point per dropback. Stafford's efficiency and the Rams' offensive scheme, including frequent use of empty formations, caught the Bills off guard.
What was unique about Matthew Stafford's performance against the Bills?
Stafford had an EPA per dropback of 0.84, the highest of his season, and the Rams used empty formations 23% of the time, a significant increase from their usual 3.7% usage. This strategic shift contributed to his success.
How did the Seahawks' run game perform against the Cardinals?
The Seahawks had their best rushing performance of the season, gaining 121 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per rush. Their offensive line was dominant, moving defenders consistently.
Why did the Falcons lose to the Vikings despite a strong offensive performance?
The Falcons had a high success rate and generated positive EPA on 58% of their plays but suffered from turnovers, including two interceptions by Kirk Cousins. Turnovers are particularly costly for the Falcons' style of offense.
What was the key issue for the Eagles in their game against the Panthers?
Jalen Hurts had an inaccurate and uncomfortable performance, leading to 83 net passing yards on 28 dropbacks. His inability to execute effectively through the air capped the Eagles' scoring potential, despite a strong run game.
How did the Bears' offense perform against the 49ers?
The Bears had a historically poor offensive performance, gaining only five total yards in the first half, averaging 0.1 yards per play. This was one of the lowest first-half performances by any team since 2012.
Who were the game balls awarded to for Week 14?
Matthew Stafford received a game ball for his nearly perfect performance against the Bills, and Sam Darnold was awarded for his five-touchdown game against the Falcons.
- Rams win 44-42
- Zero sacks and turnovers
- Stafford's exceptional performance against both zone and man coverage
- Josh Allen's record-breaking six touchdowns
- Effective use of empty formations by the Rams
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