Each week, our crack team in NFL Research breaks out more than 140 pages of research notes for our entire media group. Now they have generously decided to share some of their best nuggets with the players and coaches around the NFL. Here are 12 notes we'd send around the league:
- Note to Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg: Geno Smith has a passer rating of 41.0 on first down, the lowest in the NFL among QBs with at least 20 pass attempts on first down.
- Note to Mario Williams and Marcell Dareus: The Vikings have allowed 22 QB sacks this season, second most in the NFL (Jacksonville, 27).
- Note to Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle: The Bears are only team in NFL with four players with 300-plus receiving yards: Alshon Jeffrey, 495; Matt Forte, 376; Martellus Bennett, 364; and Brandon Marshall, 301.
- Note to Sean Payton: The Lions have the best defense in the NFL (270.7 YPG). Detroit has held their last four opponents to 17 or fewer points, which is their first time since doing so in the final four games of the 1995 season. The Lions have not held opponents under 17 in five straight games within the same season since 1974 (five).
- Note to Charlie Whitehurst, who has one career game with 200-plus passing yards in his six starts: The Redskins have held their last two opponents to 250 or fewer passing yards.
- Note to Philip Rivers: Per Pro Football Focus, opposing QBs have a passer rating of 140.2 when targeting the Chiefs' Marcus Cooper, the highest rating in the NFL among CBs with at least 20 targets this season.
- Note to Scott Linehan, whose Cowboys lead the NFL with 160.3 rush YPG this season: The Giants allowed 203 rushing yards last week at Philadelphia (most in NFL).
- Note to Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie: According to Pro Football Focus, the Raiders have a passer rating of 138.4 when targeting James Jones, the fourth-highest rating in the NFL among all wide receivers (minimum 20 targets).
- Note to Derek Carr: Patrick Peterson has given up an opposing passer rating of 132.4 when targeted this season (12th highest among all cornerbacks), including four touchdowns in coverage (tied for third most); Antonio Cromartie has given up an opposing passer rating of 103.2 when targeted this season.
- Note to Peyton Manning: The 49ers are allowing an opposing passer rating of 73.7 this season and have not allowed a 300-yard passer this season.
- Note to Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau: No team has run the ball on a higher percentage of their plays this season (51.7) than the Texans.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews every Week 7 game and recaps the Patriots' win over the Jets. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
