Tag: turnover

Broncos QB Drew Lock says he shouldn’t have kept ball on read option

“I’m a professional thrower, not necessarily a professional runner,” Drew Lock said. “I should have handed that thing off to Javonte looking back at it.”

Facing second-and-goal from the nine-yard line in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Denver Broncos called a read option play that gave quarterback Drew Lock the choice to hand the ball to running back Javonte Williams for an inside run or take it himself to the outside.

Lock opted to keep the ball and he quickly found himself face to face with Bengals defensive lineman Khalid Kareem, who forced a fumble that Cincinnati recovered.

That play started with 10:44 remaining in the game when Denver was trailing 15-10. Had Denver scored a touchdown on that drive, the team would have taken a 16-15 lead at worst or an 18-15 lead at best with a successful two-point attempt.

Instead, the Broncos went on to lose 15-10, and fans and pundits are now left to argue over if Lock is to blame for the fumble or if offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is to blame for the play call. Perhaps both are at fault.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio didn’t have a problem with the play call.

“That’s a play that Drew has been good at since he’s been here,” Fangio said after the game. “That’s one of the reasons we ran it.”

Hanging onto the football has been a problem for Lock throughout his career. The third-year quarterback has 13 fumbles in 21 career games (18 starts).

“He decided to keep it and didn’t get it tucked away, and the guy took it from him which is a good play on that guy’s part,” Fangio said. “We have to get it tucked away.”

Lock admitted after the game that he should have given the ball to Williams instead of attempting to run himself.

“You know, [QBs coach Mike] Shula says it a couple times in the meeting rooms, when in doubt, give it to the professionals. I’m a professional thrower, not necessarily a professional runner,” Lock said. “I should have handed that thing off to Javonte looking back at it.”

In addition to his 13 fumbles, Lock has thrown 20 interceptions in his career. The turnover-prone QB could potentially be set to start in the place of an injured Teddy Bridgewater this week, and he knows taking care of the football needs to become a priority.

“My No. 1 thing is just taking care of the football,” Lock said. “I think I put the ball on the ground twice, and it’s way too many for me personally. I just got to play a little better. I got to hold onto the ball.”

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WATCH: Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. comes down with crucial first quarter interception

#Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. came down with his second interception in two weeks against the #Giants | from @TheJohnDillon

Things are off to a decent start for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Though the opening offensive drive ended in an interception, Kansas City wouldn’t be without the ball for long. Daniel Jones was intercepted on his first pass attempt against the maligned Chiefs defense, giving Patrick Mahomes the opportunity to put the first points of the game on the board in the opening quarter.

Willie Gay Jr. managed to read Jones perfectly to notch an interception on a stick play in the middle of the field. Watch the highlight-reel jump on the ball against the Giants that helped put Kansas City ahead on “Monday Night Football” down below:

This is Gay’s second interception of the season, and came just after his first last week against Tennessee. Plays like these are helping to cement his role as a viable cover-linebacker in the middle of Kansas City’s defense. Even former All-Pro Chiefs great Derrick Johnson thought it was a great effort on the play, tweeting out his admiration for the athletic grab shortly after it took place.

Kansas City desperately needed the momentum shift Gay gave them with the interception. The field position enabled Mahomes to play for a touchdown from his first snap back after his own turnover, and resulted in six points on a signature improvisation throw to Tyreek Hill in the back of the end zone.

Kansas City has had a problem with slow starts this season, so an early turnover and points on the board in the first quarter could prove to be crucial to the outcome of this game. Both sides of the ball have been looking for any positive progress to be found in recent weeks, and seem to have found a groove against the Giants through one quarter.

A single play will only ever mean so much over the course of a whole game, but Gay’s early pick was just what the doctor ordered for the Chiefs’ defense this week.

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4 most costly offensive turnovers from Cowboys 2020 season

The Cowboys had a rough of it in 2020, due in no small to their own offensive efforts time. Revisit Dallas’ five-worst turnovers from 2020.

The 2020 season was a wild ride for the Dallas Cowboys, featuring plenty of ups and downs to keep a bizarre and lost year at least somewhat interesting. One of the most frustrating things about last season’s team was how frequently their offensive feats were overshadowed by costly mistakes and memorable implosions. Dallas frequently found themselves trailing in games, putting themselves in tough positions, desperately needing to rally. Most of the time, they came up short, showing only glimpses of the team they could be in the process.

After looking back at the Cowboys’ five best offensive plays by EPA from last year, next is their five worst turnovers by EPA. These are the moments where the Dallas offense stumbled the most, turning the ball over at crucial times and doing their opponents big favors. These moments are painful, and may feel like new to those who might’ve blocked them out since the season ended.

EPA data via nflindex.com.

Bills Wire’s Week 4 Player of the Game: CB Josh Norman

The Bills moved to 4-0 on the season, and due in part to some significant momentum-changing plays from Josh Norman.

Josh Norman played his first game with his team on Sunday, as the Buffalo Bills defeated the Las Vegas Raiders, 30-23. The Bills moved to 4-0 on the season, and due in part to some significant momentum-changing plays from Josh Norman.

The veteran cornerback arrived in Buffalo this offseason, in a low-risk, high-reward move from general manager Brandon Beane. Norman was activated off of the injured reserve list this week after dealing with a hamstring injury, and he proved to be worth the wait. While Buffalo played decent throughout the game, it was a turnover by Josh Norman that helped the Bills maintain their lead and slow the Raiders’ comeback attempt.

Las Vegas quarterback Derek Carr and the Raiders were starting to heat up, and on a pass to tight end Darren Waller, Norman made the pivotal tackle, created the fumble with a punch, and recovered it. It leaves much optimism for Norman’s future with the Bills this season, as the turnover seemed to be the spark that the Buffalo defense needed to come alive.

Congrats to Norman on his first win of the illustrious Bills Wire Player of the Week award.

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WATCH: Texas recovers fumble after Reggie Bush lateral

Reggie Bush tried the unthinkable after a screen pass and tried to lateral the ball to USC WR Brad Walker. You can watch the play here.

Up 7-0 in the opening minute of the second quarter, USC was on the verge of Texas territory looking to add to their lead. Quarterback Matt Leinart and the Trojan set up a beautiful play-action screen to Heisman winning running back Reggie Bush and he darts downfield.

Just as Texas players start to surround him to bring him down, Bush did the unthinkable and tried to lateral the ball to wide receiver Brad Walker. Throwing the ball behind Walker, the Longhorns jumped on the opportunity and recorded their first takeaway of the night.

You can watch the play here:

Texas now takes over with great field position after failing to secure any points on their first two drives. USC is currently up 7-0 early in the second quarter, but it will be hard to contain Vince Young and this Longhorn offense for much longer.

You can watch the rest of the 2006 Rose Bowl on ESPN.

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Pressuring Andy Dalton among keys to Jets defense vs. Bengals

The Jets’ pass rush needs to continue playing well to keep the Bengals at bay.

Gregg Williams’ defense continues to impress and now they’ll have another chance to show off against the 0-11 Bengals and one of the worst scoring offenses in the league. Cincinnati ranks 31st in points with 14.3 and the Jets should feast on a team that also ranks top-five in giveaways (22) and sacks allowed (40). 

However, the Jets can’t overlook the lowly Bengals. Remember the last time the Jets faced a winless football team? They gave up 26 points and lost an embarrassing game against the Dolphins. The Bengals are objectively worse offensively than the Dolphins, but they’re starting a well-rested veteran quarterback in Andy Dalton and feature a dual-threat running back in Joe Mixon.

Here are four keys to the Jets defense against the Bengals.

(Tim Ireland-AP)

Pressure Andy Dalton

The Bengals offense might see a slight rejuvenation with Andy Dalton back under center, so the Jets should pressure him early in order to take away the passing threat. Despite the Bengals’ winless record, Dalton actually ranks seventh in the NFL with 281.5 passing yards per game and the Bengals have scored 17 or more points in six of his eight starts this season. The Bengals’ line is still a sieve, and the Jets should have no trouble getting to Dalton – especially with the pass rush playing as well as it has the past few weeks.

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WATCH: D’Shawn Jamison intercepts Brock Purdy

Texas has struggled early but was able to force an interception off of Brock Purdy. Texas is still losing to Iowa State in the 2nd quarter.

Early in the game, Texas has had a tough time moving the ball with the offense, but the defense has played well since letting up an early Iowa State touchdown.

On 1st and 10 from the Iowa State 31, D’Shawn Jamison was able to intercept Cyclone quarterback Brock Purdy to force the first turnover of the game.

Here is the highlight below:

Texas is still down to Iowa State, 7-0, in the middle of the second quarter.

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