The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL Why are these four offenses stuck in the mud?
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Sep 25, 2025 Ted Nguyen, an NFL writer and analyst focusing on offensive schemes, joins Robert Mays to delve into the struggles of four NFL offenses. They dissect the Texans' issues with protection and play-calling, the Broncos' lack of intermediate passing and low motion rates, and the Raiders' offensive line failures and scheme problems. The discussion also tackles the Falcons’ stagnation due to play-action underuse and quarterback challenges. Solutions are suggested, including line upgrades and more dynamic play-calling to help these teams find their rhythm.
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Texans' Line Forces Counterproductive Schemes
- The Texans' biggest issue is their offensive line, which has worsened and forces schematic overcompensation.
- Overloading protection and poorly-timed perimeter screens compound the offense's inefficiency.
Get The Ball Out Quickly With Cleaner Concepts
- Play more quick drift routes and get the ball out fast instead of relying on seven- or eight-man play-action looks.
- Tighten screen design and perimeter blocking before using screens as a protection escape.
Broncos Are Either Deep Or Short, Not In-Between
- The Broncos lack an intermediate passing game and are overly boom-or-bust between deep shots and checkdowns.
- Bo Nix struggles under pressure and rarely resets or finds throws from inside the pocket.