Play 11
Situation: 3rd and 9 at CAR 16
Description: Q1 - (1:01) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass deep middle to D.Baldwin for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Gresham, Holder-J.Ryan.
Offense Formation: Empty-set Shotgun
Offensive Grouping: 01
Defense Formation: Cover 0, CBs in man-to-man coverage across the field
WR89 Baldwin runs a seam route from the left slot The cornerback that lines up against Baldwin blitzes which is why Wilson instantly looks for him.
Typically on a design CB blitz who fakes man-coverage, the wide receiver will change his route to something short and across the middle to give the quarterback an easy pass if there is immediate pressure. This can be seen in Play 25 of my Tony Romo versus the Colts analysis.
Instead, Baldwin continues on his seam route towards the endzone. Baldwin takes a nice step inside which makes FS33 Boston bite and get burned for the touchdown in the back of the endzone.
Even though this resulted in a touchdown, this throw could have been better placed. Wilson places it to the inside of Baldwin where it should have been placed outside seeing as the defender was playing inside technique. Overall, it was a great route by Baldwin and a great blitz recognition by Wilson to find his wide receiver, but there is always room for improvement.
Play 15
Situation: 1st and 10 at SEA 48
Description: Q3 - (13:02) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep left to P.Richardson (B.Benwikere). SEA-P.Richardson was injured during the play. His return is Doubtful.
Offense Formation: Shotgun Slot Right
Offensive Grouping: 20
Defense Formation: Cover 1*, four underneath zones, two CBs in man coverage
This is the play that Richardson tears his ACL going for the jump ball.
Wilson takes the snap, looks right, and then back at WR10 Richardson running a go-route against CB25 Benwikere. Wilson launches the ball deep left but underthrows it.
On the defensive side of the ball, SS41 Harper is playing deep coverage over the wide receivers on the right side of the field, but there is no safety over Richardson’s side. Watch FS33 Boston approach the line of scrimmage and then sprint back into no-mans land. I don’t see the purpose of his play unless he’s supposed to be in underneath zone coverage on the left side of the field or he just completely blew his assignment and is supposed to be in deep safety help over Richardson but this is less likely. Going back to the route run by Richardson:
At the top of the route he clearly slows down to get to the underthrown ball. Wilson does a good job of stepping into his throw and made the correct decision with the ball. He just needs to throw it a little bit farther next time for his receiver to have a chance at it.
Play 21
Situation: 2nd and 6 at CAR 30
Description: Q3 - (2:55) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep right to J.Kearse (J.Norman). PENALTY on CAR-R.Harper, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at CAR 30 - No Play.
Here is another example of Wilson underthrowing the ball and not fully giving his receiver a chance at the ball. In this play, Wilson needs to place the ball on the outside shoulder and 2-4 yards further down the field in order for Kearse to come down with it. This is good coverage by CB24 Norman, but a better throw has a better chance of working here.
Play 26
Situation: 1st and 10 at CAR 25
Description: Q4 - (11:18) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass incomplete deep left to R.Lockette.
Offense Formation: Shotgun Slot Right
Offensive Grouping: 20
Defense Formation: Cover 3, 3 Underneath zones, FS blitz
WR83 Lockette runs a go-route from the left outside. Wilson starts right to look off the deep center safety and instantly looks back finding Lockette on the left outside. Wilson underthrows the ball again where he should have placed it further into the back of the endzone to give Lockette the best chance at the ball. You have to give credit to CB23 White in coverage for helping breakup the play.
Finally let’s look at my favorite play on the day which is Wilson’s touchdown to Kearse in the second quarter.
Play 13
Situation: 3rd and 7 at SEA 37
Description: Q2 - (5:06) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass deep left to J.Kearse for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Gresham, Holder-J.Ryan.
Offense Formation: Shotgun Trips Right Near
Offensive Grouping: 11
Defense Formation: Cover 1, two LB zones underneath, SS blitz, bump-and-run coverage
Wilson in shotgun snaps the ball and instantly looks towards his trips right. This pulls FS33 Boston out of the play as he goes to help cover the seam route. WR15 Kearse in the left side of the trips right runs a drive route across the field blowing by CB25 Benwikere in bump-and-run coverage.
Wilson shows excellent footwork in the pocket and delivers the ball perfectly in-stride to Kearse. Boston sees that Wilson has waiting for Kearse to move upfield and cuts across to stop the touchdown. He almost does, but Kearse dives for the pylon for the score.
Overall, Wilson was very efficient with the football not making any mental mistakes. Some of his deep ball throws could have been more accurate leading to bigger plays in the future, but he made the correct decisions and executed the plays well.
Click here for all of Russell Wilson’s plays in GFY form for you to analyze as well!
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