Advanced analytics have taught us that play-action is often a cheat code. One of the quarterbacks who often benefits from using play-action designs is Minnesota Vikings passer Kirk Cousins. He turned to play-action in the second half against the Green Bay Packers to get the Vikings on the scoreboard again:
Kirk Cousins with a bomb to Adam Thielen for a TD #skol pic.twitter.com/TH3hckHy7J
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@RetroMinnesota_) September 13, 2020
This sets up similar to a Smash concept. Adam Thielen is in the slot with Olabisi Johnson outside of him. Johnson and Thielen both release vertically, only Johnson settles down on a deep curl while Thielen breaks to the outside on a deep corner route. When the outside receiver settles down, both the cornerback and the safety squat on that route for a split-second. That gives Thielen enough of a window to get behind the secondary, and Cousins hits him for the touchdown.
Minnesota still trails here in the second half, but these are the kind of plays they will need to hit on to both get back in the contest, and to have success throughout the season.
