Successful Screens
Credit: NFL Game Rewind
Thank the heavens! Oakland finally figured out how and when to run a screen pass. Early in the first quarter Seattle sent 5 rushers after Carr and it bit them in the backside on this play. Oakland utilizes 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) in a 3×1 formation with the three receivers to the bottom of the screen and tight end at the top. Seattle sends five rushers out of their base 3-4 (3 DLs, 4 LBs, 4 DBs), with a Cover 3 Zone (corners and 1 safety split deep field into three zones) behind them. Carr does an excellent job of keeping the linebackers and safety honest with his eyes before the pass, keeping them away from the play before it can develop. The real champs of the play however are the offensive line. Firstly, they get their blocking assignments correct. Far too often this season they’ve blown that first part of the play and rushers have been able to get to Carr before the play had a chance to develop. Center Stefan Wisniewski and guard Gabe Jackson pick up their rushers and hit them for a good two count before releasing them and hustling upfield to make the big second level blocks. Their blocks allow RB Darren McFadden to get outside, find some space and get 10 yards.