Gang Green Nation
This play turned the game around.
One of the most pivotal plays of the Jets’ Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks was the interception by former Jet Leonard Williams which was returned 92 yards for a touchdown. The Jets were on the cusp of taking a three score lead in the second quarter, which would have made victory very likely. After the play, the Jets saw their lead cut to a single score. New York would manage zero points for the rest of the game, while Seattle mounted a second half comeback.
Let’s take a look at what happened.
The play begins with a defensive alignment that suggests Seattle is in zone coverage. The key indicator is that Ernest Jones, a linebacker, is aligned directly across from Davante Adams in the slot. It’s unlikely the Seahawks would cover Adams one on one with a linebacker. Also keep in mind this is a third down and goal play, making it quite likely Rodgers will be looking for his favorite target. In that sense, it would be even crazier covering Adams with a linebacker. If one is across from him, it would seem to be zone coverage.
However, Jones soon walks away from Adams and closer to the line of scrimmage. This indicates he will be blitzing.
This would seem to be a pretty big mistake. A blitz makes it more likely the Seahawks are playing some sort of man coverage. This gave away the disguise, and a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers’ experience is going to pick up on it.
However, it quickly becomes clear that Jones didn’t make a mistake by committing to the blitz too early. The Seahawks are playing a cat and mouse game with Rodgers. They wanted him to see the blitz. It was an attempt to manipulate him into throwing a hot route to Adams. Adams is looking back to see whether he needs to adjust his route to take a quick pass. Again, this is third down and goal from the 7. A quick dumpoff will lead to a likely tackle short of the end zone.
Rodgers doesn’t take the bait. Instead the guy who aligned across from Garrett Wilson is blitzing from further out in the slot. It looked presnap like he had Garrett. Instead it’s Coby Bryant, who is aligned deep with the responsibility to take Garrett.
Bryant’s alignment leaves Seattle very vulnerable to a quick in breaking route by Garrett. Adams is going up the field and running off the only defender who could possibly provide help.
The Seahawks are checkmated, right? Well, it seems like they tried to bait Rodgers again. They likely studied up on Rodgers and know that he likes to throw the slant against a heavy blitz.
Leonard Williams drops from his defensive tackle alignment into the passing lane.
This is a tremendously constructed defensive concept. The Seahawks provide the illusion of vulnerability. They make Rodgers think he has receivers in an area where there is no defensive...
