Seven things Solak thinks: Jags are top AFC team,...

Seven things Solak thinks: Jags are top AFC team, Burrow is wrong, and Rams need more play-action

Jacksonville’s Statement Win: The Jacksonville Jaguars secured a dominant 27-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills, a performance that firmly positions them as an AFC powerhouse. Their road execution demonstrated a new level of maturity and strategic depth.
Bengals’ Offensive Woes Continue: Cincinnati suffered a 24-10 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens. Following the game, Joe Burrow’s comments regarding pass protection as the primary issue sparked debate, with Solak suggesting a broader offensive scheme problem.
Rams’ Stagnant Attack: The Los Angeles Rams’ offense struggled significantly in a 19-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The predictable play-calling and lack of offensive variety failed to ignite their talented skill position players.

Offensive Efficiency: Jacksonville recorded a season-high 7.2 yards per play against the Bills, a notable increase from their 5.9 season average. This efficiency was key to sustaining drives.
Red Zone Success: The Jaguars converted 3 of 4 red zone opportunities into touchdowns (75%), significantly outperforming their 55% league average. This clinical finishing was crucial.
Defensive Pressure: Jacksonville’s defense generated 4 sacks and 10 QB hurries, holding Josh Allen and the Bills to just 298 total yards. Their relentless pressure disrupted Buffalo’s rhythm.
Turnover Margin: A +2 turnover differential (1 INT, 1 Fumble Recovery, 0 Giveaways) further highlighted their disciplined play, extending their league-leading +8 season differential.

Burrow Under Pressure: Joe Burrow completed only 48% of his passes (12 of 25) when pressured, averaging a mere 4.5 yards per attempt. This stark drop-off points to issues beyond just the offensive line.
Run Game Neglect: Cincinnati ran the ball just 17 times for 58 yards, compared to 45 pass attempts, resulting in a 28% run-pass ratio. Solak argues this imbalance makes the offense too predictable.
Third Down Struggles: The Bengals converted only 2 of 11 third downs (18%), well below the league average of 39%. This inability to extend drives is a consistent problem.
Play-Action Usage: Play-action was used on less than 15% of pass attempts, despite Burrow’s 70% completion rate on such plays this season. This underutilization limits offensive deception.

Low Play-Action Rate: The Rams employed play-action on a mere 12% of their pass plays against the Cardinals, ranking among the lowest in the league for the week. This predictability allowed defenses to key in.
Stafford’s Split: Matthew Stafford’s QBR on non-play-action throws against Arizona was 42.1, a significant drop from his season QBR of 89.5 when using play-action. The data suggests a clear benefit to more play-action.
Run Game Ineffectiveness: Los Angeles rushed for only 65 yards on 20 carries (3.25 YPC), struggling to establish any ground threat. The lack of play-action further hindered run blocking.
Offensive DVOA: The Rams ranked 28th in offensive DVOA for the week, indicating an overall lack of efficiency and explosiveness across the board.

Trevor Lawrence (QB): Lawrence completed 25 of 34 passes (73.5%) for 298 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs, achieving a 118.9 passer rating. His poised and efficient play validates Solak’s “top AFC team” assessment.
Standings Impact: The Jaguars now lead the AFC South at 6-2, holding crucial tie-breakers over conference rivals. Their consistent performance positions them as a strong contender for a first-round playoff bye.

Burrow’s Performance: Burrow finished with 205 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs against Baltimore. His season completion percentage under pressure is down to 52%, a notable regression from 65% last year, suggesting systemic issues beyond just protection.
Standings Impact: The Bengals drop to 3-5, placing them last in the AFC North. A significant overhaul in offensive strategy, incorporating more diverse play-calling, is necessary for any realistic playoff push, reinforcing Solak’s critique.

Matthew Stafford (QB): Stafford posted 230 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT, with a 78.5 passer rating. His efficiency suffers when forced into predictable passing situations without the aid of misdirection.
Puka Nacua (WR): Despite the loss, Nacua continued his breakout season with 7 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. His consistent production highlights the need for a more creative offensive scheme to maximize his talent.
Standings Impact: The Rams fall to 3-6, significantly damaging their NFC West and Wild Card aspirations. Solak firmly believes that a substantial increase in play-action usage could unlock their offense and provide a much-needed boost to their struggling season.