Jimmy Garoppolo vs Buffalo - 10/17, 90 yards

Play 4
Situation: 2nd and 5 at BUF 39
Description: Q3 - (10:13) J.Garoppolo sacked at BUF 40 for -1 yards (M.Williams).

The Patriots are in Singleback formation with a “12” personnel. Garoppolo takes the snap from under center and finds his first read WR80 Amendola running a dig route across the field. FS25 Searcy is the free rusher once TE86 Maneri escapes to the right flat. Garoppolo avoids Searcy by stepping up and tries to escape through the B-gap between the right guard and the right tackle, but gets dragged down from behind by DE94 Williams. With instant pressure in his face, I don’t blame Garoppolo for this sack, but instead give full credit to the Bills defense for shutting down this play.

Play 8
Situation: 3rd and 10 at BUF 22
Description: Q3 - (6:35) (Shotgun) J.Garoppolo pass short middle to B.LaFell to BUF 13 for 9 yards (N.Robey).

The Patriots are running the levels concept in this play with a drag- and dig-route combination. This play attempts to isolate an inside linebacker in zone coverage over the middle of the field, but the Bills are in man-to-man coverage across the middle, so Garoppolo finds WR19 Lafell open for a quick 9 yard gain.

Play 10
Situation: 1st and 10 at BUF 44
Description: Q3 - (2:55) J.Garoppolo pass deep middle to B.LaFell to BUF 24 for 20 yards (R.Brooks).

One thing I noticed with Garoppolo is that he tends to throw behind his wide receivers and not fully lead them. He needs to get better at this to maximize the yards-after-catch opportunities.

Here is another example in Play 12:

Play 12
Situation: 2nd and 10 at BUF 24
Description: Q3 - (1:30) J.Garoppolo pass incomplete deep middle to M.Hoomanawanui (A.Williams).

Garoppolo is in Singleback Ace formation where he doesn’t lead TE47 Hoomanawanui on a seam route up the middle of the field which would have been a touchdown if placed properly. This is a missed opportunity. I do need to point out that Hoomanawanui got away with a decent push off on SS23 Williams to get open, but due to the poorly placed ball Williams was still able to recover well enough for a pass breakup.

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