Last week I joked that we may have a weekly article that simply broke down the Christian Watson TD that week. Since Watson got into the end zone again for the Green Bay Packers – bringing his total to 4 on the season – I guess we need to keep the bit going.
We’re actually going to look at two plays today: the play that preceded the TD, and the TD itself.
Play 1: 2nd & 1, 6:03 remaining in the 1st quarter
The Packers are in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). Tucker Kraft [85] is in-line on the right, making that the strength of the formation. Christian
Watson [9] is in a tight split on the right.
At the snap, Watson quick-motions under the line into the role of an Insert blocker (under the line, positioned between the TE and the RT). Doing that allows for another blocker to that side. Watson misses the block in the hole (unfortunately, a bit of a trend this year), but the Packers get what they need. They get the defender over that Insert position flying downhill to get into the backfield.
Though the interior of the line is collapsing, Marshawn Lloyd [32] is able to drive forward to pick up the 1 yard needed for the 1st down.
Play 2: 1st & goal, 5:17 remaining in the 1st quarter
The Packers come out the next play in the same personnel grouping and the same formation. Once again, the formation strength is the right and Watson is in a tight split outside. Once again, Watson quick-motions into the role of the Insert blocker, and once again there’s a step by the defender to play the run. Not quite the same response as the previous play, but it’s enough.
At the snap, Watson releases vertically through the line and breaks to the corner. The defender who has initially stepped to the line ends up picking up Kraft, who is releasing to the flat. The boundary defender is already doing that, so the Falcons have two men on Kraft and no one on Watson.
Instead of continuing his route, Watson slows down and settles in behind the flat defenders.
Love is rolling out and hits Watson in the end zone for 6.
Albums listened to: M83 – I Wrote You A Letter; Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats – Shapes of Midnight
