The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL What happened to the NFL's elite?
39 snips
Dec 4, 2025 
Diante Lee, a football writer and analyst at The Ringer, dives into the inconsistencies plaguing teams like the Lions, Eagles, and Ravens, pointing to issues like coordinator turnover and injury troubles. Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz offers a technical breakdown of his team's offensive struggles, emphasizing their disjointed identity and personnel gaps. The discussion revolves around whether these former powerhouses can regain their elite status and what strategic changes are necessary for their turnaround.
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Eagles' Detail Loss Undercuts Rhythm
- The Eagles traded some aggressiveness for risk aversion and personnel variation, losing the repeatable passing-game timing they had under Kellen Moore.
- Attrition on the offensive line and less detailed preparation reduced easy outside-the-numbers throws and explosive runs.
Ravens' Run Game Regressed Without Clear Cause
- Baltimore's run game inexplicably regressed despite similar personnel, showing different mistakes on nearly every play.
- The loss of Lamar Jackson's running threat and pocket effectiveness compounded under-center and shotgun run issues.
Layered Offenses Beat Defensive Adjustments
- A through-line between these teams is losing the layers that made offenses 'quarterback-proof'.
- Modern defenses are faster and smarter, so offenses must create multiple layers that don't rely on a single QB savior.