Tom Brady delivered a clutch, pinpoint pass in the final moments of the first half of the NFC Championship Game — because that’s what the quarterback does. It was wild but, in a way, almost unsurprising.
The Green Bay Packers, however, did not see the play coming. And if they did, their defense was not ready for it.
With just a few seconds left in the quarter, the Buccaneers sent three receivers vertical downfield. Four defenders ended up in the middle of the field with Chris Godwin, which left Packers cornerback Kevin King in single coverage against Scotty Miller, who Brady found in the end zone for a gorgeous 39-yard touchdown.
Take a look.
📺: #TBvsGB on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/cHuzDq5flQ pic.twitter.com/0uCKP2onrr— NFL (@NFL) January 24, 2021
The matchup was clearly a problem for King, who had already allowed a touchdown to Mike Evans earlier in the game.
Wow.
Scotty Miller's max speed on this play: 20.64 MPH.
Kevin King's max speed: 19.19 MPH.
Via @NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/uGWBTyyPyE
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) January 24, 2021
It seems like a poor play call (cover-1) from Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. My colleague Steven Ruiz explained at length what makes the cover-1 defense an effective play call. But it’s designed to emphasize coverage in the middle of the field. It’s unclear why, in this situation, that would be the emphasis.
(Hint: IT. SHOULD. NOT. BE. THE. EMPHASIS.)
The Buccaneers had been ready to punt in that situation; Brady even went to the sideline and put on his cape/jacket before being told to return to the field. So there was a bit of confusion. That still doesn’t explain the coverage decision by Pettine and the Packers. Nothing does. It just makes no sense.
