![]() ![]() McCaffrey lined up in the slot and ran a flat china route, while George Kittle ran a seam behind him. One second, you’re trying to line up against an I-formation and the next second, you have to defend empty with five legitimate receiving threats. This is part of why it’s so hard to defend against the 49ers. Here, the 49ers started in an I-formation but shifted to empty with players moving all around the field to get lined up. Later in the game, the Jaguars’ underneath defenders started keying on McCaffrey. McCaffrey got nine yards on the play, but Jenkins had to dive to grab him by the ankles or this play might have gone for a touchdown.ģ:21 remaining in the third quarter, second-and-9 Jenkins simply does not have the foot speed to run with McCaffrey. Three defenders chased Samuel, leaving the middle wide open for McCaffrey. Deebo Samuel went into motion so Brock Purdy could fake a run to him and boot in the other direction. He was matched up with safety Rayshawn Jenkins. On the 49ers’ second play of the game, McCaffrey lined up outside. They lost the game 41-38, but the offense certainly did its part.ġ3:26 remaining in the first quarter, second-and-5 That can work if you have a talented, deep receiver corps, but the Chargers were thin and still found a way to get the ball to their best pass-catcher. There are so many offensive coordinators who are fine with letting their top guy get doubled and target other receivers. Allen gave him a little hesitation, took off, and created a ton of separation on the slot fade. Joseph is a really good, young safety but he’s no match for Allen in man-to-man coverage. Branch pressed the point man (receiver on the line of scrimmage), while Joseph played off and matched up on Allen. Once Allen got to the other side, he formed a bunch, so the Lions had to adjust to avoid getting picked. Lions nickel/safety Brian Branch originally matched up with Allen until he went in motion toward safety Kerby Joseph’s side. ![]() Here, Allen began on the right of the formation in the slot. Allen was in motion on six of his 14 targets.ġ:34 remaining in the second quarter, third-and-3 Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore didn’t allow the Lions to bracket him and created favorable matchups by constantly putting him in motion. Yet, Allen finished the day with 11 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns. They needed every point and thanks to Campbell’s aggressiveness, they won a shootout on the road. If Campbell had come into the game thinking they didn’t have to be aggressive against the Chargers and played conservatively, they likely would have lost this game. From there, the Lions just ran down the clock and kicked the game-winning 41-yard field goal. Jared Goff completed a six-yard pass to tight end Sam LaPorta to convert and the Chargers were forced to burn their final timeout. It was also fourth-and-2, which took quarterback sneaks or fullback dives off of the menu. With the score tied 38-38, the Lions could have kicked a field goal to take a lead but Campbell wanted to burn clock and make it an easier kick. On that drive, the Lions eventually turned the ball over on downs on the Chargers 2-yard line but on the ensuing drive, they forced a three-and-out, got good field position and scored a touchdown.Ĭampbell’s gutsiest fourth-down decision happened with 1:47 remaining in the game on the Chargers’ 26-yard line. On the Lions’ third drive of the game, they went for it on fourth-and-5 from the Chargers’ 28-yard line. ![]() And it wasn’t just on fourth-and-1 or less. He went for it on fourth downs five times and the Lions converted four. ![]() There are still many coaches who listen to their guts instead of the math and their guts usually instruct them to be conservative.Ĭampbell’s gut told him to go for the Chargers’ jugular on Sunday from start to end. Sometimes, I think he’s just listening to his gut. I’m not sure if Dan Campbell bases his fourth-down decisions on analytics or not. ![]()
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