The hottest Football Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Auburn Observer 294 implied HN points 29 Sep 23
  1. The concept of 'Year Zero' in college football refers to a significant rebuild season where short-term results may not matter much.
  2. Auburn's 2023 season is seen as a 'Year Zero' under Hugh Freeze, focusing on rebuilding the team for the future.
  3. The win-loss record in 2023 matters less in the context of a traditional Year Zero due to the focus on future development.
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Scott Bell's newsletter 157 implied HN points 25 Jan 24
  1. Jim Harbaugh is leaving the University of Michigan to return to the NFL in pursuit of a Super Bowl ring.
  2. Despite Jim Harbaugh's departure, the success he brought to Michigan can continue.
  3. Jim Harbaugh's legacy is marked by his unique coaching style and impactful achievements.
MatchQuarters 255 implied HN points 04 Sep 23
  1. The Chiefs' success formula in the modern game includes having a great QB, elite offense, and a middle-of-the-road defense that produces timely turnovers.
  2. The Chiefs have drafted strategically, with over half of their starters and eight of their 11 defensive starters drafted within the past three years.
  3. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been successful in creating a defense that leverages talent and uses MOFO coverages to play a bend-don't-break style.
Go Long with Tyler Dunne 255 implied HN points 06 Mar 23
  1. GM Brian Gutekunst and the Packers are prepared to move on from Aaron Rodgers and start with Jordan Love.
  2. The Packers' handling of Rodgers' contract has given him a lot of leverage in the situation.
  3. There are predictions the situation with Rodgers could drag on through the NFL Draft, with potential trade options beyond the New York Jets.
Honest Sport 119 implied HN points 13 Feb 24
  1. Doping is a serious issue in football, but many cases are seen as unintentional mistakes. Players often claim they accidentally took banned substances.
  2. High-profile players and managers, like Gary Neville and Jurgen Klopp, have shared their thoughts on doping, showing that it's a topic many in football are starting to discuss openly.
  3. The current testing and regulations in football are quite limited compared to other sports, which raises concerns about the prevalence of doping at all levels of the game.
The Better Letter 117 implied HN points 09 Feb 24
  1. Avoiding errors is often more important than making good decisions.
  2. Drafting quarterbacks in the NFL is crucial but challenging, with a high likelihood of error.
  3. The index mindset favors risk mitigation over ambition, but taking risks can lead to great outcomes.
Honest Sport 99 implied HN points 28 Feb 24
  1. Spanish football has had a total of 13 doping positives since 2017, but only two players have faced bans. This suggests there might be issues in how doping cases are handled in the sport.
  2. La Liga players have been subjected to almost no blood testing for several years, which is concerning. Effective testing for substances like Human Growth Hormone only happens through blood tests, and the lack of these could mean many doping cases go undetected.
  3. The treatment of doping violations seems unequal, with Spanish footballers facing fewer sanctions compared to other athletes in Spain. This raises questions about fairness in how doping rules are enforced.
The Draft Scout 117 implied HN points 05 Feb 24
  1. The offensive line stood out at the Senior Bowl, with several players increasing their draft stock.
  2. Players like Taliese Fuaga, Jordan Morgan, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Tyler Guyton are potential first-round picks.
  3. Christian Jones and Patrick Paul made a strong impression as potential Day 2 picks.
Go Long with Tyler Dunne 235 implied HN points 05 Sep 23
  1. Bob McGinn is returning to Go Long with insightful NFL content including podcasts and draft series.
  2. Subscribers can expect discussions on players like Jordan Love and the 2023 Packers, as well as insights on the Detroit Lions.
  3. McGinn's in-depth NFL Draft series provides unique perspectives based on raw conversations with scouts.
MatchQuarters 117 implied HN points 26 Jan 24
  1. The NFL Championship preview highlights the matchup between the Chiefs and Ravens featuring strong defenses.
  2. The Lions face the 49ers with the offense being a key focus in the game.
  3. Evaluation caution is advised, reflecting on players like Isaiah Simmons and Kyle Hamilton in the draft season.
House of Strauss 22 implied HN points 12 Dec 25
  1. Interceptions get blown up by social media and highlight culture, so mistakes feel much bigger now and push players and teams toward avoiding visible errors.
  2. Modern efficiency stats (like passer ratings and QBR) overweight completions and punish interceptions, which incentivizes safer, shorter throws and can reduce overall offensive production.
  3. Offenses should balance efficiency with productivity by accepting some risk—more air yards, deeper targets, and occasional interceptions can lead to more yards and points than a purely conservative approach.
The Draft Scout 98 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. The Senior Bowl is a great event for NFL Draft and college football fans.
  2. Top prospects like Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. are showcasing their skills at the Senior Bowl.
  3. One-on-one drills like OL vs DL and WR vs CB offer exciting football matchups.
The Draft Scout 98 implied HN points 26 Jan 24
  1. The 2024 Senior Bowl features over 100 players and top decision-makers in football.
  2. Bo Nix from Oregon is highlighted as a top quarterback prospect at the Senior Bowl.
  3. Nix is praised for his arm, mobility, football IQ, and leadership potential.
Go Long with Tyler Dunne 78 implied HN points 10 Feb 24
  1. Super Bowl LVIII predictions are divided between the Chiefs and the 49ers, with differing views on the outcome.
  2. Analysts focus on key players like Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy in their predictions.
  3. Factors determining the game's result include defense, turnovers, and player performances.
MatchQuarters 157 implied HN points 13 Mar 23
  1. Cover 3 is common in NFL but use of Quarters coverage is increasing due to offensive adjustments.
  2. More NFL teams are utilizing Quarters coverage to counter running QBs and Spread/RPO schemes.
  3. Robert Saleh has significantly increased Quarters coverage usage with the New York Jets.
MatchQuarters 157 implied HN points 03 Apr 23
  1. Illinois football team improved from a tough season in 2020 to being 3rd in defensive FEI in 2022
  2. They utilized a unique defensive system featuring a five-man front and excessive use of Cover 1
  3. Their defense finished 4th overall in EPA/play, excelling against both the pass and the run
MatchQuarters 157 implied HN points 14 Sep 23
  1. The Detroit Lions used a popular Trips coverage called Stubbie to surprise the Chiefs in Week 1.
  2. Stubbie, while having Cover 2 elements, is more related to Quarters than Cover 2 due to the locked CB on #1 WR.
  3. The Lions' decision to switch to Quarters as their base coverage in Week 1 paid off, with the use of Stubbie helping them effectively defend against the Chiefs.
MatchQuarters 157 implied HN points 31 Aug 23
  1. MatchQuarters analyzes Bill Belichick's favorite pressure
  2. Combining pressure with a base look can amplify its effectiveness
  3. Read pressure utilizes the offense's protection scheme against them
Huddle Up 17 implied HN points 05 Dec 25
  1. The University of Colorado’s athletic department is facing a record deficit — $27 million projected this fiscal year, or about $41.1 million when institutional support and student fees are included.
  2. Big spending on Deion Sanders (a $54 million extension and roughly $10 million a year) hasn’t translated into success or revenue: the team went 3–9, recruiting fell to 75th, star players left for the NFL, and fan interest and attendance dropped sharply.
  3. While the coach’s salary is being highlighted, the shortfall reflects multiple problems — falling attendance, lost media coverage, and weaker recruiting — not just a single contract.
MatchQuarters 78 implied HN points 02 Feb 24
  1. Player evaluations in football are more than just highlight reels; consider how players affect the play of others
  2. When projecting talent, look at players' adaptability and multiple ways of solving problems
  3. In football, consider how players fit into the scheme they will play rather than just their athleticism
House of Strauss 18 implied HN points 25 Nov 25
  1. Turf toe is a tricky injury that can linger, causing ongoing pain even long after it seems healed. It's easy to re-injure it in everyday activities.
  2. Quarterbacks rely on their big toe for mobility and stability, which makes turf toe particularly problematic for their performance. It affects their throwing ability even if they don't feel pain.
  3. The injury can create a false sense of confidence, making athletes believe they can perform at full capacity when they actually can't. It can surprise them with sudden weakness during physical activity.