Oakland Raiders Film Room: Week 4 (MIA in London)

Offense – Opening Drive

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Mid way through the opening drive Oakland brings out their 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) with a stacked receiver look on the right side of the formation lined up in a reduced split (inside of the numbers). WR James Jones motions into the formation and runs a levels concept (two in breaking routes creating a hi-lo read for Carr) on the left side with TE Mychal Rivera. On the right side, new Oakland receiver Vincent Brown runs an out route with Andre Holmes running the 9/clear-out route both crossing each other upon release. Miami is in their nickel sub-package (3 DLs, 3 LBs, 5 DBs) with a disguised man-free coverage (single safety over the top, man coverage underneath) and sends a two wave blitz at Oakland. While looking to disguise the cornerback blitz, Miami safety Jimmy Wilson starts the play with a huge cushion over Vincent Brown which combined with the hesitation from the crossing receivers puts him slightly out of position to break on the out route after Brown makes his cut. Carr throws a solid pass and gets the ball to Brown before Wilson can make up the ground for a first down.

Also note the coverage breakdown on the left side (bottom of image) of the formation. As James Jones motions into the formation Miami CB Will Davis points him out to alert for the crossing action with TE Rivera. As with the other side of the defense, in the event of a cross he and linebacker Philip Wheeler should switch responsibilities, putting Davis in charge of covering the vertical route, while Wheeler handles the underneath crossing route. Wheeler doesn’t recognize the switch and leaves James Jones wide open over the middle. This is important to note because Jones was open long before Brown even makes his out cut and Carr doesn’t seem to even look at him. While the result of the play was a first down it’s important to be careful not to stare down receivers like this.