RG3 Benched; Redskins Made the Correct Decision

Play 9
Situation: 1st and 10 at WSH 39
Description: Q2 - (11:21) R.Griffin pass short right to A.Morris to WAS 44 for 5 yards (E.Reid). 0-yds YAC
Sideline View

RG3 in singleback formation has Garcon and Jackson as the outside WRs and Roberts as the slot WR. RG3 runs PA to Morris and sees his first read Roberts covered well in off-man coverage. He then sees Garcon is covered running an in-route over the middle by ILB Borland underneath and CB Cox in man-coverage.

Everyone is covered except Morris from the backfield so RG3 checks the ball down. Only a short gain on the play, but a good quick decision by RG3 to checkdown the ball when no other option is available and pressure in your face by Ald. Smith.

Play 10
Situation: 3rd and 5 at WSH 44
Description: Q2 - (10:06) (Shotgun) R.Griffin pass short right to A.Roberts pushed ob at SF 49 for 7 yards (P.Cox). 0-yds YAC
Sideline View

RG3 in shotgun has twins stack right with Garcon and Roberts. Jackson is alone on the left outside. Garcon runs a deep out route and Roberts runs the same route underneath. RG3 delivers an accurate ball to Roberts for a short gain.

This play works because the two CBs on the right side are in man coverage on their respective men, so that leaves Roberts open on the underneath route.

Play 11
Situation: 1st and 10 at SF 49
Description: Q2 - (9:33) R.Griffin pass short middle to P.Garcon pushed ob at SF 25 for 24 yards (C.Culliver) [Ald.Smith]. Caught at SF 35. 10-yds YAC
Sideline View

RG3 in offset-I formation puts TE Paulsen in motion. 49ers line up in Cover 2. Garcon is on the right side running an in-route over the middle. RG3 runs PA to Morris and then places the ball in stride to Garcon over the linebackers.

This play works because the PA sucks in the inside linebackers leaving a gap between them and the safeties. Good play design by Gruden and McVay. This play is very similar to a lot of the plays the Redskins used under Kyle Shanahan when he was the offensive coordinator.

Play 12
Situation: 2nd and 8 at SF 23
Description: Q2 - (8:19) R.Griffin pass short right to N.Paul to SF 12 for 11 yards (A.Bethea). Caught at SF 24. 12-yds YAC
Sideline View

RG3 in offset-I formation runs PA bootleg to the right. TE Paul who was in motion pre-snap comes across the line and is open in the flat for an easy toss once he clears the linebacker watching RG3. This is one of the pre-packaged plays the Redskins like to run. Typically it’s either run with TE Reed or FB Young, but TE Reed was out with a hamstring injury.

Play 13
Situation: 1st and 10 at SF 48
Description: Q3 - (13:07) R.Griffin pass incomplete short right to D.Young (A.Brooks).
Sideline View

RG3 in I-formation runs a PA bootleg to the right. LB55 Brooks reads it well and chases down RG3. RG3 throws the ball at the feet of Young. This play is very similar to play 12 except it’s FB Young is the intended target on the play.

Many people will probably criticize RG3 for the innaccurate throw, but this play was beautifully read by the 49ers defense and if FB Young caught the ball he would have realistically lost yards on the play.

Play 14
Situation: 3rd and 6 at SF 44
Description: Q3 - (12:19) (Shotgun) R.Griffin sacked at WAS 49 for -7 yards (Ald.Smith).
Sideline View

Sack Alert! LT Moses is beaten horribly on the speed rush by Ald. Smith. Watch as Moses extends himself completely losing leverage against the speed rusher. RG3 is sacked in less than 3 seconds.

If RG3 had time in the pocket, he had Roberts open on an in-route from the twins stack left.

Play 15
Situation: 2nd and 11 at WSH 32
Description: Q3 - (8:23) (Shotgun) R.Griffin pass short right to P.Garcon to WAS 37 for 5 yards (P.Cox). 0-yds YAC
Sideline View

RG3 in shotgun has Garcon outside on the right running a hitch route. This play was a pre-snap read to Garcon since CB Cox was in off-man coverage. RG3 starts the play looking left to shift the linebackers and then throws the ball. The ball is thrown low, so Garcon can’t beat Cox for any additional yards after the catch.

Play 16
Situation: 3rd and 6 at WSH 37
Description: Q3 - (7:40) (Shotgun) R.Griffin pass incomplete short right to A.Roberts [R.McDonald].
Sideline View

RG3 in shotgun has Garcon and Jackson as the outside WRs and Roberts in the slot. Garcon runs a deep hitch route and Roberts runs an out-route underneath Garcon. RG3 snaps the ball and feels pressure immediately by the stunts run by LB Lynch and DT Jus. Smith on the right-side. RG3 can’t step into his throw so he short-arms it to the ground in front of Roberts. Watch the shoves both Roberts and Garcon put on their defenders. Roberts clearly knocks his CB to the ground while Garcon clearly impairs his too.

On the offensive line, RT Compton lunges forward to take on Lynch, but misses since he is stunting to the right. RG Chester gets a good push on Jus. Smith rolling him to the outside not realizing that RT Compton is nowhere he is supposed to be. Smith levels RG3 at the end of the play.

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