Oakland Raiders Film Room: Week 2 (HOU)

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Oakland tried several times, in various ways to get a pass into the flat last week. More often than not, a pass rusher too quickly got into the backfield and was able to hurry QB Derek Carr or swat down the pass.  On this play in the third quarter, Oakland gets it right. They come out in 21 personnel (2 RBs, 1 TE, 2 WRs) and run play-action versus Houston’s 3-4 Cover 4 (3 DLs, 4 LBs, 4 DBs – Corners and Safeties divide deep field zone into fourths). FB Marcel Reece takes a few steps toward the line to sell the play-action before breaking to the flat on the right side. RB Darren McFadden wisely abandons his play fake and goes directly into his block on the Houston OLB, giving Carr just enough time and a clear throwing lane to hit Reece.