Oakland Raiders Film Room: Week 3 (NE)

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

One of the problems in the Oakland pass coverage in Week 3 was the excessive amount of cushion given to the New England receivers. While protecting against the deep ball, Oakland’s DBs, specifically the cornerbacks, were often caught on their heels and were slow to drive on shorter breaking routes. On this play late in the third quarter it’s 2nd and 11 at Oakland’s 40 yard line and the score is 10-9 New England’s lead. New England uses their 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) once again with a 3×1 look for this pass and exploits Oakland’s disguised man-free (one deep safety and man coverage underneath) coverage. Oakland lines up their nickel package (3 DLs, 3 LBs, 5 DBs) as though they are in a quarters or Cover 2 coverage (both coverages have two high safeties and corners playing off the line of scrimmage looking into the backfield), then shifts to man-free as nickelback Carlos Rogers blitzes at the snap.

With CB Tarell Brown so far off the receiver there’s no way for him to drive down on New England WR Kenbrill Thompkins fast enough to challenge the pass on a quick slant. When LB Kaluka Maiava bites on the play fake he’s out of position to provide the underneath help and Brady completes an easy pass for a first down before safety Charles Woodson can provide support from his deep cover position. Such is the gamble when you disguise coverages and blitz, but QB Tom Brady was able to get away with plays like this all game versus Oakland’s soft coverage. Ultimately it put New England in position to gain points far more often than necessary.