NFL: Third and Long: The London Games are at the crossroads

After a disappointing London duel between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints, questions arise as to what the general direction of the series will bring in the future.Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson surprises all critics and the Giants and the New England Patriots are faced with major problems.In the weekly column, SPOX editor Adrian Franke looks back on the past few days in the NFL.

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Of course, there was a lot of frustration when Ravens coach John Harbaugh said two weeks ago, in view of the 7:44 defeat against Jacksonville in London,”I don’t intend to play here again in the near future.He went on to say:” There are some things you simply have no control over: in which hotel we are (the Ravens were in a hotel 45 minutes out of town, Red.), how long the bus journeys take, how long it takes to get to the stadium.

Nevertheless, it made me think about something I had already thought about here in London last year.The way London matches are played is not only not ideal for the teams – I think the NFL will have to make a decision soon.

Perhaps most obvious was Jarvis Landry after the training on Friday – even without talking about the problem – when he was asked about his trip to Europe.What did it feel like to be on the training ground right after arrival?”It’s like it is.” Renewed demand:”It’s like it is.It’s what it is.”

The team had arrived only a few hours before, after a short check-in at the hotel we went to the training.Most players seemed tired and unmotivated.On a journalist’s commentary that Landry’s reaction was that the receiver did not feel particularly fit after the trip and then directly on the training ground, a last one came:”It’s as it is”.

Landry said all this with a slightly ironic grin on his face, but the message came across clearly.When I had the opportunity to ask coach Adam Gase in a face-to-face interview, the same phrase was used:”The situation is like this, you can’t do anything about it.”

The difference in time is undoubtedly one component, for the players’ inner clock, the London games begin sometime in the (early) morning, the long journey – almost seven hours from New York alone – another.In addition, there will also be sponsoring appointments and appearances at the fan mile on Friday evening and Saturday.

A great thing for the fans in London and in Europe in general, and also the players like this unusual “away game”from a private point of view.I had the impression in this one as well as last year, and not only with Jay Ajayi, who was in great demand in his hometown.

On the other hand, however, it is a difficult trip for the teams in terms of preparation for the game.It’s about “getting things right from the head,”Gases told me in conclusion, and that’s a good way of putting it in a nutshell: London is a big challenge for most of the teams, Jacksonville as their annual guest (3-0 in London since 2015,10-25 in total over this period).

Because no matter what the responsible people on the spot do regularly, as it is currently being played, it is not a normal away game.And so I think the London series is at a crossroads.Not in terms of the general organisation, but rather in terms of the handling of the games.Should every game be a huge event?Will the games become more “normal” and even better integrated into the NFL calendar with increasing regularity?Should the teams be given more time before a London match, for example by adding Thursday Night Games?

There is certainly no patent solution and I would not want to presume to propose such a solution.It is clear, however, that in the current format the quality of the games in London usually falls sharply and in Saints Dolphins, at least for the first time I have heard clear boo-boosting cries due to the many individual mistakes and penalties.

The League has done a lot to bring fans in Europe closer to the game and arouse their enthusiasm for football.The next step must now be to bring the quality of the game on the other side of the Atlantic structurally closer to what the many fans in Europe are accustomed to from television.

Finding the tape analysis for this week was not difficult, Deshaun Watson is certainly one of the most exciting players in the NFL at the moment.His starting debut against Cincinnati was even more than bumpy, and his performance was rightly criticized – despite his victory.But what we’ve seen since then speaks for the Texans’ rookie quarterback.And it also speaks for head coach Bill O’ Brien.

In the first three quarters of the game against Tennessee, I counted at least 14 play-action moves and run-pass options.It is the dominant element of this Texans offense, and that’s exactly what the tape against New England has already shown.In addition, there are some zone reads to exert even more stress on the defense.

The consequences are clear.Watson can use his athletics, while these plays conspicuously often give him plenty of time and space in his pocket.This already has a fascinating effect.Watson is much more consistent and patient through his reads, the comparison to the Bengal game is here like day and night.The first two touchdown passes came via play action, plus a QB option run and a direct QB run.

Houston complements this with misdirection within the play action to let Plays seem to develop in one direction, while a player usually runs out of the backfield with a delay in the other direction.Several receivers were completely open to Watson.At the same time, the Texans also play a remarkably large number of empty formations, from which Watson usually throws fast passes.Here he shows increasing accuracy, against the Titans he also had several spectacular deep balls.

However, despite all the praise, it must also be clear that the offense must develop further in the coming weeks and months.O’ Brien has already achieved significant successes, first and foremost Watson’s will to go through leads.

It’s right to incorporate Watson’s athletics into the scheme, but so far the offense has been almost exclusively from the shotgun.The next step would certainly be more under-center formations and an even stronger pocket passing game.For the time being, however, it is important to note that Watson’s progress is undoubtedly impressive.And that’s mainly because of the offense O’ Brien designed for him.

Page 1: The London problem, Watson and the Texans’ Offense and figures

Page 2: Trades, No-Huddle, Surprises, Pats and Co. – your questions