Tag: Brian Baldinger

NFL analyst breaks down Pittsburgh Steelers elite Week 14 pass rush

Brian Baldinger, best known for his ‘Baldy’s Breakdowns’, highlighted how intense the Steelers pass rush was against the Browns in Week 14.

Fans of the old-school style of great Pittsburgh Steelers defenses have surely enjoyed the 2024 season so far. The team boasts one of the most elite defensive lines in the NFL, featuring several of the league’s top defenders, including T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Cam Heyward, to name a few.

Brian Baldinger, an NFL analyst, highlighted a play that showcased what all four of these players are capable of when on the field together.

Baldinger’s description of the four Steelers defenders perfectly captures their impact, as these elite players consistently hunt down opposing quarterbacks come game time.

While there was much debate about how the Pittsburgh Steelers should utilize OLBs Highsmith, Watt, and Herbig together, Week 14 proved that the defense is at its best when all three are available.

The Black and Gold will need these defenders at their peak when they head to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in Week 15, on December 15 at 4:25 PM EST.

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Brian Baldinger breaks down Broncos’ best players vs. Browns

Brian Baldinger broke down film of the Broncos’ top performers against the Browns on Monday.

The Denver Broncos defeated the Cleveland Browns 41-32 in a complete team effort on Monday Night Football earlier this week.

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger recently took to Twitter/X to review the film of some of the team’s biggest contributors in Monday’s win. Up first is Baldinger’s review of quarterback Bo Nix’s 93-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Mims:

Up next is Baldinger reacting to Nix going right back to Courtland Sutton after the receiver dropped a pass:

Baldinger then reviewed Jaleel McLaughlin’s impressive performance:

Up next is praise for guard Quinn Meinerz, tackle Mike McGlinchey and tight end Adam Trautman on Javonte Williams’ touchdown run:

Baldinger also praised cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, who has been one of his favorite players all season:

And last but certainly not least, Baldinger broke down Nik Bonitto’s big game:

Denver now has a bye this week before hosting the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

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Watch: Brian Baldinger breaks down Jared Verse’s dominant game vs. Saints

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger continues to be blown away by Jared Verse and he says the Rams rookie is “just getting started”

Jared Verse is having such a great season that simply classifying him as one of the best rookie defenders in the NFL is an understatement. Through 12 games, he’s proved to be one of the best defensive players anywhere in the league.

He just happens to be a rookie.

His 55 total pressures are the third-most among all edge rushers and his 14 QB hits are tied for the most at his position, too. His Pro Football Focus grade of 84.9 ranks 10th among edge rushers, just to put into perspective how dominant he’s been.

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger continues to be impressed by Verse’s play week in and week out, once again featuring the Rams rookie in his “Baldy’s Breakdowns” series on X. He broke down Verse’s dominant game against the Saints, highlighting No. 8’s power and relentless motor.

“Just watch him abuse players – physically abuse players,” Baldinger said. “Like, it’s just one play after another where he just dominates the play. He takes the tackle right here and he’s got him on one leg. Physically, almost every play, he just dominates the action.”

One of Verse’s best and most critical plays in the win came in the fourth quarter when he beat tight end Foster Moreau one-on-one and hit Derek Carr to cause an incompletion on fourth down, sealing the win for Los Angeles.

“Anytime someone wants to put a tight end on him like they do here, it’s just abuse. It’s literally abuse,” Baldinger said. “Like, nobody can block him. No tight end can block him. This is a chance to go win the game and Verse wins the game.”

Baldinger featured Verse in another one of his videos, focusing on his matchup with Saints left tackle Taliese Fuaga. Each player performed well and Baldinger gave Fuaga plenty of credit, but Verse had his share of wins, too.

The Rams sure look like they hit a home run with Verse in the first round and if he continues on his current path, he’s going to be a Pro Bowler in no time.

NFL Network analyst breaks down Nick Herbig’s Week 12 performance

Nick Herbig’s play against the Browns earned praise from NFL analyst Brian Baldinger after Pittsburgh’s tough Week 12 loss.

While it may be hard for Steeler fans to see the silver lining after Pittsburgh’s rough Week 12 loss to the Browns, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, known for his breakdowns of great playmaking abilities in the league, highlighted Nick Herbig’s elite performance versus the Browns.

Baldinger first touched on Herbig’s incredible play recognition in stopping Browns RBs Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford dead in their tracks.

Another big-time play for Herbig that Baldinger highlighted was his excellent block-shedding against Browns TE David Njoku, seemingly treating the 6’4″ Cleveland player like a child.

Lastly, Baldinger pointed out Herbig’s biggest play of the game: his strip sack on Browns QB Jameis Winston. This play almost singlehandedly won Pittsburgh the game, and Herbig deserves commendation.

With starting edge rusher Alex Highsmith dealing with an ankle injury, Nick Herbig has stepped up in a major way. The backup edge rusher should get plenty of pass-rushing opportunities when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 on December 1, at 1:00 PM EST.

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How good was Tyrice Knight vs the 49ers? Brian Baldinger breaks down his play

How good was Tyrice Knight vs the 49ers? Brian Baldinger breaks down his play

The Seattle Seahawks underwent massive midseason overall at their linebacker position. They began the year with Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker starting. Now, neither men are still on the team. Replacing them are Ernest Jones IV, and rookie Tyrice Knight out of UTEP.

Jones and Knight have been a revelation, presenting clear upgrades. Against the 49ers, the two combined for 23 total tackles, which easily led the team. But we should look at Knight’s performance in particular, which is what film guru Brian Baldinger did in one of his beloved “Baldy’s Breakdowns.”

It would appear the Seahawks have found something special with their fourth round pick from last spring.

Knight had 10 of those 23 total tackles between him and Jones.

The Seahawks will have another critical test this weekend against Kyler Murray and the explosive Arizona Cardinals offense. Seattle’s defense seems to have turned a corner, but it is just two games. If they can find a way to slow down Arizona, this unit might just truly be on its way to being fixed.

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Brian Baldinger breaks down film of key Broncos players vs. Falcons

Brian Baldinger breaks down key plays involving Bo Nix, Garett Bolles, Pat Surtain and Ja’Quan McMillian from Sunday’s big win.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ big win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger took to Twitter/X to break down some of the key performances from the 38-6 victory.

First up is Baldinger reacting to quarterback Bo Nix leading a pair of scoring drives in the third quarter.

“This throw right here to Devaughn Vele is just a dime … the throw is perfect,” Baldinger said of Nix’s strike.

Baldinger also broke down left tackle Garett Bolles’ impressive blocking.

“Bolles was 10-for-10 on his assignments on this opening drive,” Baldinger said.

The defense wasn’t overlooked.

“Pound-for-pound, this Ja’Quan McMillian is as good as any football player in this league,” Baldinger exclaimed.

Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain also received love from the NFL Network pundit:

Former cornerback Chris Harris chimed in on Twitter/X to say Surtain and McMillian both deserve All-Pro nods in 2024.

Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12.

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NFL Network analyst breaks down Patrick Queen’s performance in Week 10

Patrick Queen’s dominant Week 10 performance, highlighted by Brian Baldinger, showcased his elite skills and playmaking ability.

The Patrick Queen redemption tour seemingly started to take shape in the Steelers’ Week 10 contest against the Washington Commanders.

While the Steelers’ initial acquisition of Queen this past offseason was met with excitement from fans and players alike, his performance through the first eight weeks of the season had been inconsistent, to say the least.

However, Queen’s elite Week 10 performance caught the attention of fans and analysts alike, as NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, host of Baldy’s Breakdowns, highlighted what made Queen so special against Washington on Sunday.

Wherever the ball went, more often than not, Queen was following. His speed and spectacular tackling ability were evident on several key tackles on Washington’s QB Jayden Daniels, WR Terry McLaurin, and RB Austin Ekeler.

Queen’s play recognition will surely be of great use in the team’s Week 11 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, where the Steelers will need every physical and mental ability sharply tuned to stop his former teammate, QB Lamar Jackson, from taking over the game.

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Baldy’s breakdown: Jets’ pass rush beat up Texans despite double teams (video)

Baldy’s breakdown: Jets’ pass rush beat up Texans despite double teams (video)

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger made sure the New York Jets’ pass rush got their credit for their efforts against the Houston Texans.

Baldinger broke down one play in particular from the Jets’ 21-13 win over the Texans in Week 9.

On it, he pointed out despite multiple players on New York’s defensive front being double-teamed, they still got after Texans quarterback CJ Stroud.

Baldinger’s full breakdown can be found in the clip below:

Brian Baldinger breaks down film of Bo Nix and Ja’Quan McMillian

Brian Baldinger was impressed by what he saw from Broncos QB Bo Nix and CB Ja’Quan McMillian against the Panthers on Sunday.

Following another Denver Broncos win, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger has returned with more film breakdowns.

In the first of his three Broncos videos posted on Twitter/X this week, Baldinger broke down rookie Bo Nix’s quarterback sneak.

“I remember a guy that used to do it just like that,” Baldinger said of Nix jumping over the line with the ball. “In fact, Sean Payton coached him for something like 16 years. It’s what Drew Brees used to do all the time.”

In his second video, Baldinger notes Nix’s steady improvement over the last eight weeks.

“Some nice throws from Bo Nix,” Baldinger says. “Nice mechanics, [he’s] getting better. [I] like the improvement.”

In his final video from the Carolina Panthers game, Baldinger broke down slot cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian’s impressive interception.

“This Ja’Quan McMillian interception of Bryce Young is one of the most amazing catches,” Baldinger says.

Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Baltimore Ravens.

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Brian Baldinger: Rams are ‘ready for a 2nd-half surge’ with Puka Nacua back

NFL analyst Brian Baldinger thinks the Rams are a dangerous team now that they’re getting healthy

Thursday night was the first time Puka Nacua played a full game since the Rams’ playoff loss to the Lions in January, missing the last five-plus games with a knee injury suffered in Week 1. His presence on the field completely changed the look of the Rams’ offense, both in the passing game and the run game because of how talented he is as a receiver and blocker.

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger focused on Nacua and the Rams for his “Baldy’s Breakdowns” series on Friday morning and he believes Los Angeles could be a dangerous team in the NFC now that they’re getting healthy. He highlighted Nacua’s best plays from the Rams’ 30-20 win over the Vikings, sharing what makes him such a good receiver in Sean McVay’s offense.

“Boy, it was good for the Rams to get Puka back,” he said. “Combined with that man Kyren Willams, all of a sudden – and Cooper Kupp – this offense looks awfully dangerous. Ready for a second-half surge, I believe, from the Rams.”

In another video, Baldinger gave the Rams’ offensive line plenty of credit for blanking the Vikings in the sack department after Minnesota racked up 24 sacks in its first six games.

He singled out Justin Dedich and Beaux Limmer, two rookies who are starting up front, for their play on the interior, too.

“Ryan Wendell, the offensive line coach, is doing a great job. Here it is, game-winning drive, hat on a hat, come off the ball together. Here comes Ivan Pace with the blitz. Pick em all up. This is good,” he said.

At 3-4, the Rams are nowhere near one of the best teams in the league record-wise, but they’ve won two games in five days and could have a chance at tying the division lead if the Seahawks lose this weekend and the Rams can beat them in Week 9.

They’re far from done in the NFC West and now that they’re getting healthy, the offense looks explosive again.