Next Gen Stats captures real-time location data, speed and acceleration for every player, every play on every inch of the field. Sensors throughout the stadium tracks tags placed on players' shoulder pads, charting individual movements within inches.
Seahawks' secondary dominates vs. Stafford, Lions
Seahawks CB Richard Sherman lined up as the left cornerback (defensive perspective) on all but one play against Detroit.
In coverage, Sherman was only targeted once by Lions QB Matthew Stafford, and that target came on the Lions' final play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter (an incomplete pass intended for Marvin Jones).
While Stafford was staying away from Sherman, he went after the Seahawks' cornerback on the other side of the field, DeShawn Shead. Shead was targeted 10 times by Stafford, but allowed just one reception for 19 yards.
DeShawn Shead in coverage (2016 Wild Card game)
Pass plays: 32
Targets: 10
Receptions allowed: 1
Yards allowed: 19
TD-INT: 0-0
Passer rating allowed: 39.6
No Thomas, no problem
Even with the absence of Earl Thomas, Stafford only attempted one deep pass (pass of 20+ air yards), which fell incomplete. That lone deep pass was intended for T.J. Jones, with Shead playing in coverage.
Some notes on Seattle's offense
-All but one of Doug Baldwin's 11 catches against the Lions came from the slot. During the regular season, Baldwin had 63 receptions from the slot receiver position (2nd-most in NFL).
-Only four of Russell Wilson's 30 pass attempts against Detroit came from outside the pocket (one of those pass attempts went for a TD).
-Wilson completed 7 of his 8 pass attempts when the Lions blitzed him on Saturday, for 81 pass yards, a TD and an overall passer rating of 148.4.
-Thomas Rawls excelled with downhill running on Saturday. He averaged 3.0 yards traveled per every rush yard gained, which was the best of any running back who played on Saturday (minimum five carries). The league average for RB efficiency is 4.1 yards traveled for every rush yards gained.
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