NEP measures the value of each play on the field based on how an average team would be expected to score in each scenario using historical data.
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After he had a chance to digest the tape, Del Rio was clearly blown away with what the second-year player did in Oakland’s 15-12 upset win at Denver.
After Sunday’s performance, the defensive end now has 14 sacks on the season leading the entire NFL. But on Sunday – unlike the last time Denver played at home when he watched from the locker room – he was actually on the sideline, listening to play calls and advising Osweiler.
The Heinz Field crowd is a big reason why the Steelers opened as a 6.5 point favorite against the Broncos this week. He suggested it had more to do with the quarterback. “I have not met with these guys yet”, said Gary Kubiak, Denver Broncos head coach.
Hard to say which of his sacks was the most impressive. He appeared in four games in three years with the Patriots before being traded to the Texans in August 2014 for a draft pick.
In a defensive struggle where field position was crucial, King placed five of his 10 punts inside the 14-yard line.
While he provided constant pressure and was stout against the run as a rookie, the lack of sacks bothered Mack and changing that was a major focus for this season. With the Broncos defense yet again doing all the heavy lifting, Osweiler failed to get anything going on the offensive side of the ball.
Osweiler, in his first turn as a starting quarterback, hasn’t gotten there yet. “He’s really just figuring out he can do that pretty much at his will. That’s bad for opposing offensive lines”.
On plays when Manning has been sacked, the Broncos have lost 28.23 NEP and on plays when Osweiler has been sacked the Broncos have lost 23.90 NEP. Klis reports that Osweiler is expected to start again and that could put Manning on track for a potential return in Week 16. It is his fourth season with 10 or more sacks. He threw three touchdown passes and four interceptions. He was 35 of 51 for 308 yards, but was sacked five times (all of them by Khalil Mack) and fumbled the ball in the end zone for a safety. Generally, only seven O-linemen dress for games, and if one or two go down, there’s often a huge drop-off to the backups.
“To have an extra set of eyes – especially his eyes – out there and helping me and coaching me through the whole situation is something that I appreciated”, Osweiler said.
A 39 year old who hasn’t practiced in a month isn’t going to play quarterback in a couple days against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
That’s caused him to hold the ball longer and, as Mack pointed out, made him more vulnerable to hits. After Philip Rivers was called for delay of game at the Chiefs 1 with 5 seconds left, he threw high and out of the end zone. Pittsburgh ranks 8th in defensive sack rate, and Cincinnati ranks 12th.
There have been frustrating moments for the Broncos’ defense throughout the season.
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The thing about a healthy Manning – a Manning at full strength – is that he was able to overcome some of those coaching errors because he was in charge of the offense.
