Let's Talk Ball!

Cody Alexander & Felix Johnson
  • 4.7 (33)
  • 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. 2D AGO

    Super Bowl LX Preview: The "Darkside" Defense vs. Drake Maye & 2026 Coaching Carousel Reactions

    We preview Super Bowl LX by analyzing if Drake Maye and the "Zombie" Patriots can upset the "Darkside" Seahawks defense in a battle of efficiency versus explosive plays. Plus, we break down the latest 2026 NFL coaching carousel news, including Todd Monken to the Browns and Mike LaFleur to the Cardinals. — In this episode: - Preview the Super Bowl LX matchup, analyzing whether the “Zombie” Patriots’ deep-ball attack can disrupt the “Darkside” efficiency of the Seahawks’ defense. - Identify the biggest X-factors for Sunday, including Sam Darnold’s “redemption tour” against the team that made him see ghosts and Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s potential MVP performance from the slot. - React to the Cleveland Browns’ “wild” decision to hire Todd Monken and the potential defensive fallout if Jim Schwartz departs. - Discuss the continued dominance of the Shanahan/McVay tree in the NFC West with Mike LaFleur taking the Cardinals job and Clint Kubiak heading to the Raiders. - Break down the Baltimore Ravens’ internal succession plan, with Jesse Minter returning as Head Coach and Anthony Weaver joining as Defensive Coordinator. — Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Live from “Radio Row” & Super Bowl Week 02:00 – Reaction: Todd Monken to the Browns & losing Jim Schwartz 07:03 – Mike LaFleur to the Cardinals: The Shanahan/McVay tree dominates the West 11:22 – Klint Kubiak to the Raiders & how coaching hires affect playoff teams 16:03 – Ravens Reload: Jesse Minter returns as Head Coach 21:21 – Giants Hire Denard Wilson & the lack of minority offensive coordinators 23:16 – Joe Brady stays in Buffalo & rumors of Jim Leonhard to the Packers 25:24 – Cowboys Staffing: Christian Parker & the intra-division rivalry 27:04 – Super Bowl LXI Preview: The “Zombie” Patriots vs. The “Death Star” Seahawks 32:38 – The Drake Maye “Cheat Code”: Can he beat efficiency with deep balls? 38:35 – Sam Darnold’s Redemption Tour: Facing the “Ghosts” one last time 44:47 – Super Bowl X-Factor: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN) vs. the Patriots’ secondary 50:49 – Keys to Victory: How New England can manufacture an upset 56:49 – Final Super Bowl LX Score 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. — © 2025 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

    1 hr

  2. JAN 28

    Championship Reactions: Indiana National Champions, McCarthy to Steelers, & Super Bowl Matchup Set

    We break down Indiana's "perfect" National Championship run and the schematic evolution of the NFL run game from Wide Zone back to Duo. Plus, we react to the Steelers' controversial hiring of Mike McCarthy and analyze how the Patriots and Seahawks punched their tickets to the Super Bowl. In this episode: Break down Indiana’s “perfect” National Championship victory and the fundamental-heavy approach that defined their historic season. React to the latest NFL coaching hires, including why Mike McCarthy to the Steelers feels like the “worst hire” of the cycle. Analyze the AFC Championship game, questioning the Broncos’ aggressive 4th-down decision-making in severe weather conditions. Recap the Seahawks’ win over the Rams, focusing on Sam Darnold’s surprising efficiency and the Rams’ passive defensive strategy. Detail the schematic evolution of the NFL run game as offenses shift from Wide Zone back to Duo to punish lighter defensive fronts. — Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Indiana as the "Perfect" College Football Story 06:52 - Cignetti’s Philosophy: Being an "A**hole" About Fundamentals 13:21 - Schematic Breakdown: How Indiana’s "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" Defense Stifled Miami 19:15 - NFL Coaching Carousel: Stefanski & Harbaugh Staff Moves 21:40 - Hafley to Miami & The End of Tua? 23:45 - Jesse Minter to the Ravens 25:50 - Robert Saleh to the Titans 27:39 - Mike McCarthy to Pittsburgh: The "Worst Hire" of the Cycle? 32:01 - Eric Bieniemy Returns to KC (The "Soft Firing") 35:03 - The Buffalo Bills: The Most Dysfunctional Job in the NFL 40:36 - AFC Championship: Broncos vs. Patriots & The Weather Factor 44:34 - Is Christian Gonzalez Actually a Lockdown Corner? 52:08 - NFC Championship: Rams vs. Seahawks Recap 01:02:25 - Schematic Trends: The Shift from Wide Zone Back to Duo 01:05:40 - The Cardinals Vacancy & Prediction for Chris Shula 01:10:02 - Outro — » 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

    1h 11m
  3. Divisional Reactions: Sean McDermott Fired, John Harbaugh to Giants & Championship Sunday Previews

    JAN 21

    Divisional Reactions: Sean McDermott Fired, John Harbaugh to Giants & Championship Sunday Previews

    We break down the Bills' firing of Sean McDermott after their loss to the Broncos, analyze the hire of John Harbaugh to the Giants, and preview the Championship Sunday matchups: Patriots vs. Broncos and Rams vs. Seahawks. Plus, was that the best throw of Caleb Williams' life? — In this episode: The McDermott Firing & Coaching Carousel: We analyze the Bills’ decision to move on from Sean McDermott, the hiring of John Harbaugh by the Giants, and Kevin Stefanski landing in Atlanta. Playoff Recap & Controversy: We break down the controversial finish to the Bills-Broncos game, the “meta” flip that doomed Buffalo’s roster construction, and Caleb Williams’ insane throw in the Bears’ loss. The CJ Stroud Dilemma: We discuss the Texans’ offensive collapse against New England and debate whether Houston is stuck in “quarterback purgatory” regarding Stroud’s next contract. AFC Championship Preview (Patriots vs. Broncos): We look at how the Patriots can attack Denver’s pass rush and how the Broncos will adjust with Jared Stidham stepping in for the injured Bo Nix. NFC Championship Preview (Rams vs. Seahawks): We preview the Round 3 matchup between Seattle and LA, focusing on the Stafford vs. Darnold quarterback battle and the Jaxon Smith-Njigba X-factor. — Timestamps: » Part I: The Coaching Carousel & Front Office 00:00 The Bills Clean House Discussion on the firing of Sean McDermott and the promotion of GM Brandon Beane. 00:47 Roster vs. The Meta Analysis of how the Bills built a roster to beat the Chiefs/Bengals but failed to adjust to the league-wide shift toward 12 personnel. 05:43 The “Intellectual” Defensive Coach: A look at candidates like Brian Daboll and the trend toward hiring “intellectual” defensive minds similar to Mike Macdonald and Brandon Staley. 07:53 Stefanski to Atlanta Breakdown of the potential fit for Kevin Stefanski with the Falcons’ offensive weapons (Bijan Robinson, Drake London). 10:38 Ulbrich & The Wide-9 Shift: Why keeping Jeff Ulbrich signals a commitment to the Wide-9/Quarters-heavy defensive structures popularized by the Saleh tree. 12:50 The Harbaugh Clause: John Harbaugh to the Giants, and the unique contract clause stating he answers only to the owner. » Part II: Schematic Analysis & Game Recaps 21:03 Gap Schemes vs. Speed: How the Bills utilized Pin-Pull concepts to exploit Denver’s speed, noting Denver’s 20th rank against Duo runs. 22:33 Motion to Disrupt Coverage Denver used motion on 75% of plays (a season-high) to force communication checks and disrupt Buffalo’s split-field rotations. 24:22 Erasing the Deep Ball Denver’s secondary held Josh Allen to 0-for-6 passing with 2 INTs on attempts of 20+ yards. 27:03 Texans Offensive Collaps:e A breakdown of C.J. Stroud’s struggles and the Texans’ inability to counter the Patriots’ game plan. 30:08 Patriots MOFO Spike The Patriots increased their Middle of Field Open (MOFO) usage to 60%, using weak rotation vs. 3x1 and split-field vs. 2x2 to eliminate crossing routes. » Part III: Previews & Adjustments 32:59 Patriots vs. Broncos Preview: The matchup of the Patriots’ Man-Blocking/Duo schemes against the Broncos’ fast-flow defense. 40:35 The Caleb Williams Throw Reaction to the 45-yard cross-body throw from Caleb Williams in the Rams-Bears game. 46:02 Pressure vs. Condensed Sets Dennis Allen’s adjustment to blitz the edges and use DB pressure specifically against 12/13 personnel condensed formations, forcing the Rams into spread looks. » Part IV: NFC Championship Preview 48:41 #1 Offense vs. #1 Defense Setting the stage for the Rams (Outside Zone) vs. Seahawks (Wide-9/Cover 2). 50:00 The Schematic Conflict The clash between the Rams’ outside run game and the Seahawks’ defensive front is designed to force runs inside. 51:27 The Cover 2 Weakness Identifying the Seahawks’ 16th-ranked DVOA vs. Tight Ends as the key area for Stafford to attack the interior of the Cover 2. 55:53 The JSN Factor: Why Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the X-factor for breaking down zone coverages in this matchup. — » 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. — © 2025 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

    59 min
  4. Wild Card Reactions: Indiana vs. Miami, Buffalo's Cover 2 Scheme, & The Eagles' Collapse

    JAN 14

    Wild Card Reactions: Indiana vs. Miami, Buffalo's Cover 2 Scheme, & The Eagles' Collapse

    We break down the X's and O's behind the NFL's record-breaking Wild Card weekend, analyzing how Buffalo's disguised coverages and the Eagles' collapse defined the slate. Plus, we preview the National Championship clash between Indiana and Miami, explaining why the title will be decided by 'movement-based' defense versus raw trench power. — In this episode: The “Cignetti Bowl” Preview: We analyze the National Championship matchup, highlighting the shared James Madison roots of the defensive coordinators and contrasting Miami’s physical, NFL-prototype front with Indiana’s movement-based, stunt-heavy scheme. Historic Wild Card Weekend: We recap a record-breaking opening round of the playoffs that featured more lead changes than the entire past postseason combined, headlined by Caleb Williams and the Bears rallying late to knock off the Packers. Buffalo’s Cover 2 Masterclass: We break down how the Bills confused Trevor Lawrence by running “all the Cover 2s”—mixing various hybrid coverages and rotations to force mistakes despite playing a simple structure on paper. The Eagles’ Statistical Anomaly: We discuss the Philadelphia Eagles' collapse and the heat on Nick Sirianni, noting the rarity of a team losing a playoff game despite being +2 in turnover margin and +65 in rushing yards. The “Anti-Defense” Philosophy: We examine the modern defensive approach used by the Texans and 49ers, which relies less on exotic schemes and more on elite linebacker depth and precise vertical drops to shut down the intermediate passing game. — Timestamps: 0:00 Intro: A Historic Wild Card Weekend 2:10 National Championship Preview: The "Cignetti Bowl" 5:00 Miami’s NFL Prototype Front vs. Indiana’s Movement-Based Defense 11:06 Natty Predictions: Why Mendoza Fits the Hoosiers 17:31 Rams vs. Panthers: Puka Nacua & The "Dome Quarterback" Dilemma 23:17 Bears vs. Packers: Caleb Williams Arrives in the 4th Quarter 28:36 Bills vs. Jaguars: Josh Allen’s Perfection vs. Trevor Lawrence’s Mistakes 31:37 Scheme Breakdown: How Buffalo Ran "All the Cover 2s" 33:20 49ers vs. Eagles: The Coaching Mismatch 35:35 The "Weak Hook" & The Value of Modern Linebackers 39:56 The Eagles' Collapse: Losing Despite Winning the Stats 45:40 Patriots vs. Chargers: The "Show Zone, Play Man" Game Plan 49:48 Texans vs. Steelers: The Nuance of "Anti-Defense" 53:01 The Coaching Carousel: Underrated Candidates & 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. — © 2025 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

    1h 1m
  5. Week 18 Reactions: The NFL Coaching Carousel & Wild Card Preview

    JAN 7

    Week 18 Reactions: The NFL Coaching Carousel & Wild Card Preview

    Cody Alexander and Felix Johnson break down the shocking firing of Kevin Stefanski and the 2026 NFL coaching carousel before diving into a schematic preview of every Wild Card Weekend matchup. From the Seahawks' defensive dominance to the Eagles vs. 49ers rematch, get expert analysis and predictions for the first round of the NFL playoffs. — In this episode: Reactions to Major Firings: Cody and Felix debate the logic behind the “shocking” firing of Kevin Stefanski by the Cleveland Browns and the expected departure of Pete Carroll from the Las Vegas Raiders. The Coaching Carousel: The duo analyzes potential landing spots for top candidates, identifying the Atlanta Falcons as a perfect fit for Stefanski while discussing openings for names like Mike Vrabel and Bill Belichick. Defensive Deep Dives: Cody breaks down the “Legion of Boom 2.0” in Seattle, detailing how their zone-heavy scheme dominates the middle of the field, and examines the blitz-heavy nature of the Broncos’ defense. Wild Card Matchup Previews: The hosts discuss the “Paper Tiger Bowl” between the Patriots and Chargers and explain why Vic Fangio and the Eagles’ defense are uniquely suited to stop the 49ers’ offense in their rematch. Playoff Predictions: Predictions for the weekend slate include the Texans winning a low-scoring slugfest against the Steelers and the Jaguars potentially upsetting the Bills by controlling the ground game. — Timestamps: The Coaching Carousel 00:00 Intro: Draft season vs. Playoff season 00:38 Raiders fire Pete Carroll: Was it the meddling? Plus, Patrick Graham’s future 02:12 Jonathan Gannon out in Arizona: Why the scheme never gelled 03:54 The Stefanski Shocker: Why the Browns fired him and why it’s a mistake 05:07 The Falcons Opening: Is Stefanski the perfect bridge for Cousins and Penix? 08:58 Titans & Giants: Vrabel’s exit and the strange stability of NYG’s front office 14:26 The Dolphins: Why Mike McDaniel is safe for now 16:54 NFC East Shakeup: Cowboys/Commanders firing; DC candidates for Dallas 19:34 Coordinator Candidates: Jesse Minter and Chris Shula are ready for the jump Defensive Trends & Regular Season Review 22:53 Defense wasn’t the problem: Analyzing the Lions and Colts 26:55 “Paper Tiger” Defenses: Why the Patriots and Chargers are deceiving 30:06 49ers Defense: The “Mosquito Defense” Bend but don’t break 33:08 Seahawks Defense: How Mike Macdonald recreated the Legion of Boom Wild Card Weekend Previews 36:16 Steelers vs. Texans: A low-scoring slugfest & the Texans’ “ass-whooper” scheme 39:40 Jaguars vs. Bills: Can Jacksonville control the clock and upset Josh Allen? 42:58 Patriots vs. Chargers: The “Paper Tiger Bowl” 44:57 Panthers vs. Rams: Can Carolina run the ball enough to keep Stafford off the field? 47:58 Eagles vs. 49ers: Why Fangio and the Eagles are the worst matchup for Kittle & Purdy 51:08 Bears vs. Packers: Caleb Williams vs. a suspect Packers defense 54:59 Broncos Analysis: Heavy blitz dependency and offensive limitations 57:42 The Dream Super Bowl? A Seahawks vs. Broncos defensive battle — » 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

    1h 1m
  6. Week 17 Reactions: Dan Quinn’s Struggles, Caleb Williams vs. Brock Purdy, & Saints/Jaguars Rising

    12/31/2025

    Week 17 Reactions: Dan Quinn’s Struggles, Caleb Williams vs. Brock Purdy, & Saints/Jaguars Rising

    Cody and Felix break down the schematic issues plaguing the Cowboys and Commanders, and analyze how Brian Flores used specific pressure packages to confuse Jared Goff. The duo also discusses the Saints' resurgence, the Jaguars' playoff potential, and Caleb Williams' undeniable talent. — In this episode: - The continued dysfunction of the Las Vegas Raiders and the confusion surrounding their offensive staff structure. - Dan Quinn’s defensive regression in Washington and the potential coordinator carousel looming for the Cowboys. - Brian Flores’ tactical masterclass against the Lions and how he utilized specific pressure packages to rattle Jared Goff. - Takeaways from the Chiefs-Broncos Christmas matchup, including the heated exchange between Bo Nix and Sean Payton. - The contrast between Caleb Williams’ "undeniable" raw talent and the 49ers’ highly structured efficiency under Kyle Shanahan. — Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & The Raiders "Dumpster Fire" 5:02 - Cowboys vs. Commanders & Dan Quinn’s Future 10:08 - The Cowboys' DC Search: Why Flores/Leonard Might Not Happen 15:42 - Broncos vs. Chiefs: Bo Nix Yelling at Sean Payton 19:15 - Chargers vs. Texans & CJ Stroud’s Struggles 24:59 - Packers vs. Ravens: Derrick Henry’s Dominance 28:26 - Bengals vs. Cardinals: Arizona’s Defensive Injuries 32:30 - Steelers vs. Browns & Aaron Rodgers’ Sack Aversion 35:12 - Dolphins Recap & Todd Bowles on the Hot Seat? 37:55 - Saints vs. Titans: Why New Orleans is a 2026 Sleeper 41:25 - The Jaguars' Ascent & Liam Coen’s Impact 43:31 - Patriots vs. Jets & Drake Maye’s Potential 48:42 - Vikings vs. Lions: Brian Flores’ Masterclass vs. Goff 52:30 - Bears vs. 49ers: Caleb Williams vs. The Shanahan Machine 55:29 - Eagles vs. Bills Recap 56:22 - Seahawks vs. Panthers & Bryce Young 58:48 - Rams vs. Falcons & Kirk Cousins’ Future 1:00:06 - Outro — » 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. — © 2025 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

    1h 1m
  7. Week 16 Reactions: The Post-Spread Era (Rams/Seahawks), Michigan Rumors, & CFP Recap

    12/24/2025

    Week 16 Reactions: The Post-Spread Era (Rams/Seahawks), Michigan Rumors, & CFP Recap

    Subtitle — In this episode: — 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. — © 2025 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

    1h 7m
  8. Week 15 Reactions: Mahomes & Parsons Injuries, Bills Defensive Issues, Rams vs. Seahawks Preview, & CFP Predictions

    12/17/2025

    Week 15 Reactions: Mahomes & Parsons Injuries, Bills Defensive Issues, Rams vs. Seahawks Preview, & CFP Predictions

    Why poor linebacker play is wrecking NFL defenses, breaking down Brent Venables' plan for Alabama, and a TNF preview. — In this episode: CFP Preview: A look at Alabama vs. Oklahoma, focusing on Brent Venables’ diverse defensive scheme, plus predictions for Miami vs. Texas A&M. The End of the Chiefs’ Season? Analyzing the fallout of Patrick Mahomes’ ACL tear and why the Kansas City defense was already regressing before the injury. The Linebacker Problem: Why defenses like the Buccaneers and Panthers are collapsing due to poor second-level play and the inability to cover the middle of the field. Rams vs. Lions: How Sean McVay has evolved the Rams offense with 13 personnel and why their “aggregate” defensive line is outperforming teams with “splash” edge rushers. Bills Run Defense Issues: Breaking down why Buffalo’s light boxes and hybrid linebackers are a liability against physical AFC teams as they head toward the playoffs. — Timestamps: 00:00 Heisman Snubs & Fernando Mendoza 03:09 CFP Preview: Bama vs. OU 07:05 Miami vs. Texas A&M 09:18 JMU vs. Tulane Breakdown 10:52 FCS Playoffs: Montana vs. Montana St. 12:15 Bucs Defensive Collapse 15:23 Panthers Run Game Struggles 19:49 Mahomes Tears ACL 25:02 Herbert Passes Mahomes 26:00 Micah Parsons Injury Impact 30:10 Bo Nix & Broncos Defense 35:40 Raiders’ Scoring Drought 38:59 Colts vs. Seahawks Recap 42:49 Rams Offensive Evolution 47:22 Dolphins Clock Management 50:00 Bills Run Defense Issues 53:40 Ravens Shutout Bengals 56:07 Trevor Lawrence’s Resurgence 58:39 Historic NFL Stats 01:01:08 Texans Win Streak 01:04:47 TNF Preview: Rams vs. Seahawks — » 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. — © 2025 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

    1h 10m
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4.7
out of 5
33 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
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Cody Alexander
  • Show Website
    Let's Talk Ball!

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