Let's Talk Ball!

Cody Alexander & Felix Johnson
  • 4.7 (43)
  • Football
  • Updated Weekly

High-level football discussion for coaches and serious fans. Join Cody Alexander of MatchQuarters and Felix Johnson as they break down defensive schemes, offensive trends, and interview the best minds in the game — the home for real X's and O's talk. www.matchquarters.com

  1. 11h ago

    Flores Blitz Architecture And NFL Week 1 Run Fits

    Brian Flores dismantled Week 1 pass protections by deploying heavy gap-out pressure fronts that forced quick, low-percentage throws. Across the league, a lack of live preseason contact showed up immediately on tape, leading to missed tackles, blown edge leverage, and fractured run fits. Cody Alexander and Felix Johnson break down the schematic adjustments, coverage rotations, and defensive tape defining early-season NFL execution. — Timestamps: 00:00 Preseason Contact Deficits And Missed Tackles 02:43 Darnold Injury And Macdonald Structural Game Plans 18:00 Shanahan System Tells And Buffalo Isolation Routes 24:54 Chicago Broken-Play Spacing And Carolina Edge Fits 31:58 Detroit Secondary Structure And Workload Allocation 37:29 Ravens Man-Coverage Punishers And Front Pressures 44:19 Flores Gap-Out Architecture And Structural Pressure 53:28 Preseason Alignment Rust And Defensive Communication 59:43 Chiefs Run Leverage And Denver Play-Calling Flow — » Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love! MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe. — © 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

  2. Sep 9

    NFL Week 1 Preview: Macdonald's Defense, Maye's Deep Ball, & Division Picks

    Mike Macdonald’s Seattle defense takes on Drake Maye’s vertical passing attack in Week 1, testing whether split-safety caps and interior B-gap pressure can shut down New England’s downfield shot rate for a second straight time. Felix and Cody break down the schematic details of that matchup, examine key under-center offensive shifts around the league, and project divisional races through a defensive lens. Dive into tape-backed analysis of backend coverage rotations, front-seven rebuilds, and structural scheme fits heading into the 2026 NFL season. — Timestamps: — » Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love! MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe. — © 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

  3. Sep 2

    AFC West Preview & Scheme Breakdowns

    An in-depth 2026 AFC West tactical preview that breaks down the division’s scheme evolutions, roster structures, and philosophical adjustments across the AFC West. We examine how Rob Leonard's defense in Las Vegas, Chris O’Leary’s “Minter's carryover” in Los Angeles, Steve Spagnuolo's Kansas City secondary rebuild, and Denver's elite back end will shape the division title race. Plus, a look at each offense. Learn the exact matchups and technical details that will decide the AFC West this season. — Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & AFC West Overview 01:14 - Raiders Offensive Plan: Cousins & Jeanty 05:00 - Rob Leonard's Defensive Scheme & Pressure 07:08 - Chargers: Harbaugh-McDaniel Dynamic & OL 11:20 - Jesse Minter Carryover & LA Secondary 13:31 - Chiefs: Kenneth Walker & Offensive Questions 15:15 - Steve Spagnuolo’s Secondary Rebuild & Front Rotation 27:04 - Broncos Defense: Front Depth & Elite Secondary 29:02 - Sean Payton, Bo Nix, & Division Predictions — » Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love! MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe. — © 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

  4. Aug 26

    AFC South Breakdown: Stroud, Lawrence, and Defensive Schemes

    In this episode of Let’s Talk Ball!, Cody Alexander and Felix Johnson break down the 2026 AFC South, diving deep into scheme evolution across the Texans, Colts, Jaguars, and Titans. They analyze DeMeco Ryans’ shifting Base-to-Nickel structures, Anthony Campanile’s blended front mechanics in Jacksonville, and Liam Coen’s approach to unlocking Trevor Lawrence. From C.J. Stroud’s offensive line overhaul to Cam Ward’s development in offensive coordinator Brian Dabol’s new system, get complete film-room insights into every key schematic matchup in the division. — Timestamps: 00:00 - AFC South Overview 00:54 - Indianapolis Colts Defense & Young Secondary 01:59 - Shane Steichen Offense & Daniel Jones Outlook 07:34 - Jacksonville Jaguars Offense & Liam Coen 12:21 - Anthony Campanile Defense & Travis Hunter 14:20 - Houston Texans Offense & CJ Stroud 20:06 - DeMeco Ryans Defense & Hybrid Fronts 23:06 - Tennessee Titans Rebuild & Brian Daboll Offense 27:54 - Robert Saleh Wide-9 Defense & Season Outlook — » Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love! MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe. — © 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

  5. Aug 19

    AFC North Scheme Shifts and Soft Resets

    Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver bring their split-safety tools to Baltimore, while Declan Doyle moves Lamar Jackson under center with wide-zone mechanics. Across the division, Al Golden looks to evolve Cincinnati’s five-man pressure Cover 1 system, Mike Rutenberg revamps four-down structures in Cleveland, and Patrick Graham modernizes Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense. We break down the schematic overhauls, front-end alignments, and secondary health issues shaping the AFC North race. — Timestamps: 00:00 - Preseason Week 1 Takeaways 05:40 - AFC North Division Landscape 06:32 - Baltimore Ravens O: Jesse Minter Scheme & Lamar Under Center 12:12 - Baltimore Ravens D: Anthony Weaver Defense & Secondary Depth 14:58 - Cincinnati Bengals: Al Golden 5-Man Pressures & new D-Line 19:51 - Cleveland Browns O: Todd Monken Rebuild & QB Room 23:23 - Cleveland Browns D: Mike Rutenberg 4-Down Transition 25:26 - Pittsburgh Steelers O: Mike McCarthy West Coast Install 28:31 - Pittsburgh Steelers D: Patrick Graham 3-4 Defense & Outlook — » Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love! MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe. — © 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

  6. Aug 12

    AFC East Preview: Buffalo’s New Defense vs. New England's Deep Ball

    In this AFC East preview, we analyze how new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is transitioning the Buffalo Bills toward sticky man-match coverages and versatile front structures. We break down the New England Patriots’ heavy vertical passing attack led by Drake Maye, as well as how Mike Vrabel's defense leans on front stunts to generate pressure. Finally, we evaluate the foundational schematic shifts for Jeff Hafley's 4-3 transition in Miami and Aaron Glenn’s defensive rebuild with the New York Jets. — Timestamps: 00:00 - Hall of Fame Game Takeaways 01:35 - AFC East Division Overview 02:25 - Buffalo Bills: Offense and DJ Moore 03:43 - Buffalo Bills: Jim Leonhard Defensive System 08:47 - Miami Dolphins: Jeff Hafley and 4-3 Scheme 14:46 - New England Patriots: Drake Maye and Vertical Attack 20:45 - New England Patriots: Mike Vrabel Front Stunts 24:13 - New York Jets: Offense and Frank Reich 27:16 - New York Jets: Aaron Glenn Defense — » Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love! MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe. — © 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

  7. Aug 5

    NFC West Preview | The McVay-Shanahan System vs. Macdonald's Defense

    A comprehensive NFC West preview breaking down how defensive structures evolve to counter Shanahan and McVay system variations. Explore film-grounded scheme analysis on Raheem Morris's 49ers defense, Mike Macdonald's Seahawks secondary rotations, and the Rams' front-five pressure mechanics. Get the data proof points, front-box breakdowns, and technical techniques you need ahead of the upcoming NFL season. — Timestamps: 00:00 - NFC West Overview: McVay-Shanahan Lineage vs. Mike Macdonald 01:34 - Arizona Cardinals: Offseason Moves, Defensive Outlook & Tanking Predictions 06:15 - San Francisco 49ers: Defensive System Under Raheem Morris & Offense Shift 14:06 - Seattle Seahawks: Post-Super Bowl Secondary Concerns & Front Four Analysis 20:40 - Los Angeles Rams: “All-In” Moves with Garrett & McDuffie, Ty Simpson Pick & Future Outlook 30:41 - NFC West Schedule Breakdown: 49ers/Rams Travel & Early Season Trajectories — » Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love! MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe. — © 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

  8. Jul 29

    NFC South Preview | A Division Of Volatility

    Cody Alexander and Felix Johnson break down the NFC South on this episode of Let’s Talk Ball!, examining front mechanics, scheme shifts, and defensive adjustments across the division. We evaluate how key personnel moves and coaching staff changes impact the trajectories of Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Carolina, and New Orleans. Get a complete coach-to-coach breakdown of pressure paths, box counts, and quarterback ceilings to stay ahead of division scheme trends. — Timestamps: 00:00 - NFC South Overview & Volatility 08:23 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers & Regression Warning Flags 14:08 - Atlanta Falcons Coaching Hire & Offense Outlook 19:36 - Carolina Panthers, Bryce Young & Defensive Front Upgrades 25:52 - New Orleans Saints, Coaching Staff & Tyler Shough — » Join Felix and Cody each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love! MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe. — © 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.matchquarters.com/subscribe

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4.7
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

High-level football discussion for coaches and serious fans. Join Cody Alexander of MatchQuarters and Felix Johnson as they break down defensive schemes, offensive trends, and interview the best minds in the game — the home for real X's and O's talk. www.matchquarters.com

Information

  • Creator
    Cody Alexander & Felix Johnson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Cody Alexander
  • Show Website
    Let's Talk Ball!