NFL analyst rips Steelers’ passing attack: ‘Shouldn’t be this hard’

Analyst Brian Baldinger, known for his NFL breakdown videos, touches on the overall frustrations behind Pittsburgh’s awful passing attack.

NFL analyst Brian Baldinger, creator of the popular Baldy’s Breakdowns videos, where he analyzes key plays from some of the best players in the league, told social media the painstakingly obvious on Monday afternoon: the Steelers’ offense is terrible. Typically highlighting what great players do right, Baldinger chose specific plays to illustrate where the Pittsburgh passing attack went wrong. 

On one key play, Justin Fields eyed a wide-open George Pickens running horizontally across the field, but the QB’s poor decision-making allowed the defensive back to make up the lost ground before he even attempted to throw the football. 

While much of the offense is under scrutiny, Baldinger highlighted that perhaps the best play of the night for the Steelers’ offense was made by none other than backup QB Kyle Allen, who hit TE Pat Freiermuth for 18 yards. 

Analysts and fans cannot make the tough decisions for Mike Tomlin and the rest of the Steelers organization. With Russell Wilson beginning to practice in full, Tomlin needs to consider the idea of starting the veteran QB in hopes of giving life to this awful offense. 

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Baldy Breakdown: The tale of two Titans quarterbacks

Brian Baldinger breaks down the distinct difference between Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph.

Following the Tennessee Titans’ first victory of the season, NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger broke down a couple of plays that demonstrated a major difference between quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph.

Rudolph came in for the injured Levis and took control of the offense. While it wasn’t a prolific performance, he did what was needed for the Titans to pull out a much-needed win.

Head coach Brian Callahan has already stated that he is going back to Levis when healthy. When he gets back in there, it’s plays like these that Baldy has outlined that can make a huge difference to the success of the offense.

While Levis has had some shaky offensive line play during the first three weeks, that is not the case in this example and it shows that he is not decisive in the pocket. In this instance, his indecision led him to an injury instead of a turnover.

These plays outline the difference between a young quarterback and a veteran who understands defenses and where to go with the ball.

Rudolph was calm and stood in the pocket, while Levis seemed to bail on the pocket and not trust his protection. He is young and lacks the experience of Rudolph, but this simple concept is a staple of every offense across the league and it’s plays like this and that can be the difference between a win and a loss.

The Titans are on their bye week and have a chance to regroup. During the process, Levis must work on the small things. As they found out on Monday night, the small details and basic throws led to victory.

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Brian Baldinger breaks down film of Broncos’ defense from Week 4

Brian Baldinger breaks down the Broncos’ impressive defensive performance against the Jets on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos‘ defense dominated the New York Jets on Sunday, sacking quarterback Aaron Rodgers five times while adding an interception and a forced and recovered fumble in a 10-9 win.

Following that impressive performance, NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger took to Twitter/X to break down some of the team’s standout defenders.

“One great play after another,” Baldinger said in his video of defensive lineman Zach Allen dominating the line of scrimmage. “Zach Allen and this front … across the board, they were locked down all day.”

Baldinger also reviewed footage of cornerback Pat Surtain lining up against Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

“[Surtain said], ‘Not on my watch,'” Baldinger said of one of the cornerback’s breakups. “‘Not on my day. This is the Broncos’ day.’ And that defense was outstanding all day.”

Baldinger also broke down the defense’s goal-line stand against New York:

And the offense wasn’t overlooked — Baldinger reviewed how the run game got back on track against the Jets:

After improving to 2-2 on Sunday, the Broncos are now back in Denver preparing to host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5.

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Former NFL offensive lineman on Bills’ Spencer Brown: ‘He’s never played better’

Former NFL offensive lineman on Bills’ Spencer Brown: ‘He’s never played better’

Buffalo Bills’ fourth-year right tackle Spencer Brown is fresh off of signing a four-year contract extension in the offseason and is now playing the best football of his life through three weeks of the 2024 NFL season.

According to Next Gen Stats, Brown is the only offensive lineman in the NFL with at least 25 pass-blocking snaps and zero pressures allowed.

He is playing a major part of a Bills offensive line that has allowed the fewest sacks through three weeks of a Bills season since 2012.

Former NFL offensive lineman and current NFL Network and Fox Sports analyst Brian Baldinger took to social media this week to voice his praise for the former third-rounder out of Northern Iowa. While analyzing the film of Brown’s performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, Baldinger had this to say:

“Spencer Brown is playing great football. You look at right tackles in this business… they see great pass rushers every week at that position. He’s gotten better… good coaching by Aaron Kromer. This Bills offensive line is a strength of this team.”

Watch the full video breakdown from Baldinger here:

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Brian Baldinger breaks down film of Bo Nix, more Broncos players

Brian Baldinger was impressed rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s performance against the Bucs in Week 3.

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger is back with more film breakdowns of Denver Broncos players following the team’s 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.

Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix and the offense came out hot with a back shoulder fade thrown to wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

“It’s perfect, just the way you draw it up,” Baldinger said of the play. After that, Nix threw another deep pass to receiver Josh Reynolds.

Baldinger showed that play and several other Nix throws in this video:

Baldinger also showed examples of Nix’s ability, including his touchdown run and the QB’s viral run after he avoided a sack:

“He’s a good runner,” Baldinger said of Nix. “He was at Oregon, he was throughout his college career, and it really benefited Denver with those first-down runs extending drives.”

Baldinger also reacted to Dondrea Tillman’s impressive NFL debut:

To wrap up, here is Baldinger’s breakdown of safety Brandon Jones’ interception against Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield:

These “Baldy Breakdowns” are always a highlight of the week following Broncos games. Fans in Denver will hope there’s exciting film to review next week following the team’s road game against the New York Jets in Week 4.

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NFL Network analyst breaks down Broderick Jones’ performance in Week 3

NFL analyst Brian Baldinger breaks down one key play from Broderick Jones’ bounceback performance in Week 3.

Broderick Jones has had an up-and-down start to the year, to say the least.  The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ right tackle struggled with pass protection in Week 1, allowing a pair of sacks against Atlanta’s defense.  His lack of discipline with penalties was on full display early into the Week 2 contest, resulting in his subsequent benching.  Just as fans were starting to lose hope in the 2023 first-round draft selection, he bounced back in a major way with a solid Week 3 performance.

Troy Fautanu suffered a severe knee injury during a Week 2 practice, which led to Jones re-entering the starting lineup.  It was his shot to silence the naysayers, and that’s exactly what he did.

Brian Baldinger, an NFL analyst known for his in-depth player breakdowns, highlighted Jones’ first play of the game against four-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa:

Recording a pancake on one of the NFL’s best edge rushers is guaranteed to get eyes on a player.  Jones looked impressive in his return to starting duties and can continue to rebuild the trust of his team moving forward.

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Baldy Breakdown: Giants’ Dexter Lawrence, Malik Nabers ‘special’

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger calls New York Giants NT Dexter Lawrence and rookie WR Malik Nabers “difference makers.”

New York Giants fans have been waiting patiently for years now to have some players they can take some pride in.

They may finally have a few in defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and wide receiver Malik Nabers.

Former NFL offensive lineman and current NFL Network analyst, Brian Baldinger, took a quick sample from each player’s performance in the Giants’ 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday to illustrate how both players are making a difference for Big Blue.

First, Baldinger takes us through Lawrence’s pursuit of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson which led to an intentional grounding, costing Cleveland 13 yards.

https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1838235904663490671

“It’s just like a sack,” Baldinger said.

Lawrence had two sacks and three QB hits in the game.

Next, Nabers, who had eight catches for 78 yards and two scores in the game, uses his legs on an end around on fourth-and-1 near midfield to extend a Giants drive. He outran the entire Cleveland defense to the first down marker.

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The Giants won the game and should have won last week in Washington. They are playing better football. “Complimentary football” as head coach Brian Daboll describes it.

Hopefully, for the Giants, they can continue to do so and have a successful season behind the efforts of these two difference makers.

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Baldy’s breakdowns: Jets’ Leonard Taylor III gets shouted out for Patriots sack

Baldy’s breakdowns: Jets’ Leonard Taylor III gets shouted out for Patriots sack:

A surprising New York Jets defender got a shoutout following the team’s 24-3 throttling of the New England Patriots.

The Jets (2-1) defense had a huge effort. Seven total sacks, doubling their season total in one game.

While Will McDonald IV took headlines for the second-straight game with another multi-sack outing, it was not him who got a shout out from NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger.

During his social media “Baldy’s breakdowns,” it was Leonard Taylor III who did. Taylor had a takedown late against Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye when the game was essentially over.

“There’s something there,” Baldinger said about Taylor.

The full breakdown can be found below:

Brian Baldinger breaks down film from Broncos’ game

The trick play was exciting!

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger has returned with more commentary on Denver Broncos film.

This week, Baldinger broke down a few plays from Denver’s 13-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, including a 49-yard trick play in the third quarter.

“The Broncos were losing 10-nothing halfway through the third quarter and they said, ‘You know what? Let’s go to the deseptives here. Let’s put Javonte [Williams] in a Wildcat look,'” Baldinger says his latest video on X.

“You’ve got Nate Adkins over there at fullback. Here comes Courtland Sutton — a little pitch to Courtland Sutton right here. And right now, he flips it to Bo Nix. And Bo Nix right here is going to take a shot down the field to Josh Reynolds. And he gets behind the defense and just like that — Bo Nix shows off his arm — 49 yards later, Minkah Fitzpatrick keeps them out of the end zone. That’s the biggest play of the season so far, they had first and goal at the six with a chance to get right back in the game.”

Unfortunately, Nix threw an interception in the end zone two plays later. Baldinger also reviewed that play:

And Baldinger took a look at T.J. Watt’s sack that went viral:

After dropping to 0-2 on Sunday, the Broncos will attempt to bounce back on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.

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NFL Network analyst breaks down Zach Frazier’s elite performance in Week 2

Rookie Zach Fraizer has been a huge upgrade at center this seaosn.

There were plenty of both positive and negative takeaways from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 2 victory over the Denver Broncos.  The offense seemed to be off to a hot start in the first half, only to sputter out and be almost nonexistent in the second half of football.  Brian Baldinger, an NFL Network analyst known for his breakdown of player performance, shed light on what he believes was best performance on the Steelers’ offense.

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Baldinger frequently referenced Zach Frazier’s ability to put defenders on the ground, highlighting one key play in which Najee Harris broke free for 9 yards thanks to an elite block by Frazier.

Zach Frazier, a 2024 second-round pick out of West Virginia, is outperforming expectations thus far into the Steelers’ 2024 campaign.  The outstanding rookie center will look to keep his great performances coming as the Steelers prepare for their home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday, September 22nd, at 1 PM EST.

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