NFL Breakdown Week 3 - Steve Smith's spectacular catch and run for a TD

A Divisional match-up brings up a play that might not have affected the outcome of the game. But it did increase the quality and excitement of it.

Cincinnati came into the game this Sunday looking to take a hold on the AFC North and to continue their impressive unbeaten start to the season. The Ravens found themselves in the complete opposite situation. They had lost their first 2 games, both of them close, but losses none the less.

We join the game midway through the 3^rd Quarter. The game had been riddled with penalties and only one team managing to score any points. The score currently sits at 14-0 in favour of the Bengals, with the Ravens missing a FG earlier in the game. Cincinnati had driven the ball into the Red zone to start the 2^nd Half, but Dalton throws a costly interception into the End zone. Baltimore Start their drive from the 20, but it starts to stall around midfield. This is where we jump in.

Ravens Ball, 4^th and 5 at Midfield with 6:37 Remaining of the 3^rd Quarter.

 

Ravens are in an Empty Set, meaning there is only the QB in the Backfield. They are 3x2 to the filed side (3 receivers to the field, 2 receivers to the boundary). This is telling the Defence that it will, more than likely, be a pass play.

 

When an Offense spread out like this, they are looking for a particular Match-up or Miss-match depending on the play call. Be it Talent based (Steve Smith circled in green), Body Type (Boyle TE circled in Blue) or Skill sets (possibly Campanaro or Aiken circled in Yellow).

 

This is the O play call. 3 Routes all breaking the same way, at the same depth, with the WR, Brown, at the bottom of the shot working down field to create space for Smiths out. Boyle motions a little bit to get in a better Pass blocking position. Looking just at the Call, you would guess that Smith would be the 1^st port of call. Savvy Vet with good route running against a Nickle Corner playing off. Match-up/miss-match.

 

The Defence are showing a ‘Sugar’ look with the LBs up in the line between the 2 DTs. 1 High Safety all on his own with the remaining players in coverage standing over a receiver. Not much to go on in terms of working out the play call. Can rule out all 2 high zones, except maybe a Robber. Other than that, it could be anything. Man or Zone, Blitz or just a base rush. Very good play call from the Defence for 4^th down. Giving little away.

 

Again Post snap, it’s not easy to decipher the coverage. Got a Corner carrying a WR Deep at the bottom, the other Corner driving down on his WR’s ‘In’ route? The only hints we have are the DB covering the slot on the far side (Circled in white) passes his guy on to the LBs that have dropped from the LOS. At a guess, I would say this was an aggressive Cover 3 Call or some form of split coverage but there is no way of telling for sure.

Anyway this makes little difference…

 

Smith WAS the match-up Flacco wanted. Working straight to him after the snap.

 

Now Smith makes a potentially key error. He runs the Route a bit too short. Meaning he catches the ball short of the 1^st down marker. Not by a lot, but enough. Knowing a bit about Trestmans ‘West coast’ background, we can blame Smith shorter strides for this as routes tend to be done on Steps not Yards to help with timing. See the varied depths of all the receivers, running the same in route, by a yard or 2.

 

However, because of the room the defender gives Smith. He can make a move and get the yardage required after the catch. Everything from now on is a bonus.

 

And what a bonus it turns into. Breaking tackles and getting a nice block from Brown to tumble into the End zone for a TD.

 

 

Without this 1^st down or TD, the Ravens would have been going into the 4^th quarter with no momentum and at least 14 points down maybe more considering field position. They would go on to lose the game anyway, but we would have been deprived of a thrilling 31 point 4^th quarter where either team could have walked away with the win.