Last week we looked at two Christian Watson TDs. If we have a space that is simply “Let’s break down however many TDs Christian Watson scored this week,” I would not be mad at it. This was a really fun TD, so I bookmarked it as something to break down before the game was over. So let’s get to it.
Packers get the ball with 10:58 remaining in the 4th, down 17-7. After a drive that was aided by a (legitimate) Defensive Pass Interference call, the Packers were facing 2nd & goal at the 3 yard line with 8:02
remaining in the game.
The Packers are in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR), starting in a 2×2 formation. Before the snap, Matthew Golden [0] shifts to the left, putting him at the #3 in a Trips set to that side. That puts the Packers in Nub formation (3 receivers to one side, in-line TE the only receiving option on the other side). The Jets defender travels with Golden on the shift, giving the Packers a Man coverage tell.
This is an Inside Zone RPO (Run Pass Option), with the initial pass tag likely being a WR Screen. Christian Watson [9] and Skyy Moore [23] would fire out and block for Golden, who is running to the flat underneath.
Before the snap, Jordan Love [10] gives a hand motion to Watson, who in turn passes it to Moore on the outside. With the Jets in Man coverage and the safety squatting in the middle of the field, Love adjusts to a Stalk-and-Go release. Watson & Moore will both sell an initial block, then Watson will release on a slant and Moore on a fade.
This changes the play from a pre-snap read RPO to a post-snap read RPO. On the WR Screen, Love would be reading the numbers pre-snap on the Trips side and decide to hand off or throw depending on if the Packers have a numbers advantage. The Jets have 3 defenders over 3 receivers, so Love would hand the ball off.
By changing the routes, Love is now reading the safety post-snap. As he puts the ball into the stomach of the running back, he’s reading the safety (that would make the safety the “conflict defender” if we’re using the terminology). If the safety drives on the run, that means the middle of the field is open so Love will pull and throw. If the safety stays in place, that means he’s not part of the run fit so Love will hand it off.
At the snap, the safety fires down at the line (he’s leaning a bit before the snap, giving away his intentions), so Love pulls and fires. Watson does a good job releasing at the outside shoulder on the fake block. The defender fades back with that block look, giving up the inside on the slant.
Good recognition from Love and a great route from Watson.
If you’re wondering if we’ve seen this kind of thing before the answer is yes. Yes we have.
Albums listened to: Carly Rae Jepsen – Day and Night; The Appleseed Cast – Low Level Owl Volumes I+II
