Even though the Packers blew out the Chiefs on Monday Night Football, Alex Smith’s touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin marks the first touchdown pass thrown to a wide receiver by the Chiefs since the first quarter of Week 17 during the 2013 season. During that play Chase Daniels threw a two yard touchdown to wide receiver Dexter McCluster. Since then the Chiefs have played 1,263 offensive snaps since any Chiefs’ quarterback has thrown a touchdown pass to a wide receiver. In this quick breakdown we will take a look at Alex Smith’s touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin that ended this 21 quarter streak.
Situation: 2nd and Goal at GB 5
Description: Q3 (1:00) Jeremy Maclin Pass From Alex Smith for 5 Yrds C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Winchester, Holder-D.Colquitt.
Offense Formation (Pre-Motion): Shotgun Trips Left Twins Stack Far
Offense Formation (Post-Motion): Shotgun Trips Bunch Left Far
Offensive Grouping: 13 (1 RB – Charles, 3 TE – Kelce, O’Shaughnessy, Parker, 1 WR – Maclin)
Defense Formation: Goaline Cover 1, Man-to-man coverage across the field, five pass rushers
Before the snap, Alex Smith motions tight end #87 from the left outside to form the trips bunch. This gives the Chiefs a flexible formation in both the passing and the running game. Using three tight ends in “13” personnel, the Chiefs can threaten the run to running back #25 Jamaal Charles. If you watch the defense closely after the motion the linebacker motions an “exchange” with his hands to the defender covering Kelce pre-motion. This means that one will take the inside while the other will take the defender that goes outside. A perfect setup for this play.
Smith from shotgun snaps the ball and instantly reads the free safety (#21 Haha Clinton-Dix) dropping from the line of scrimmage. Clinton-Dix approached the line of scrimmage to show a blitz before the snap hoping to confuse Smith if the play was over the middle like in a drag concept. Additionally, the fake blitz can confuse the offensive lineman and have them accidentally leave a free rusher on the edge with the Packers rushing five to the Chiefs’ five blockers.
Smith sees that Clinton-Dix is out of the picture and targets Maclin for a quick and accurate pass on an angle route underneath the other members of the bunch forming blocking party into the endzone. Cornerback #29 Casey Hayward is late after the “exchange” from the pre-snap motion which opens up the underneath routes for the touchdown.
Although this play is not the most important in terms of game relevance, it still marks the end to an NFL record that will realistically last for a very long time.
Follow Samuel Gold on Twitter: @SamuelRGold.
For other quick hitters focusing on one play in detail that I wrote check out:
