Football Friday Film Study will be a weekly piece dissecting the Washington Redskins’ upcoming opponent’s main strength.
Two time Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning is at his best when throwing under pressure, in key situations – outside the numbers. Much of the Giants passing tree is outside the numbers: deep outs, deep comebacks, 9 routes, etc. – there aren’t many NFL offenses that have as much consistent success outside the numbers as the New York Giants.
Our first edition of “Football Friday Film Study” came in Week 5 when the Washington Redskins were matched against the Atlanta Falcons’ offense. As we discussed in that film study, Falcons QB Matt Ryan is a much better passer in-between the numbers than outside the numbers. This week, however, Washington is facing a familiar foe in Giants QB Eli Manning. He’s a quarterback that excels at throwing outside the numbers and the Giants find different ways to help Manning execute those throws.
- Week 5 match-up against the Cleveland Browns - The Browns’ defense switched to cover 1 late on this play and the two Giants’ receivers (circled) were matched in man coverage. Victor Cruz (yellow) ran a deep post route outside the numbers on this play, after the receiver circled in red ran a deep comeback which was essentially just a “clear-out” route.
- This ended up being an easy touchdown to Cruz after he cut outside the numbers.
Often times in film study you’ll come across similar plays that had similar success. This wasn’t the first time the Giants ran a deep post outside the numbers to Cruz.
- Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - This play came with a little over 6 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Giants were down 27-19. Here again is essentially the same concept of the touchdown that came in week 5 against the Browns. The outside receiver was used as a “clear-out” except this time he’s running a flat. Victor Cruz (circled in yellow) is running a deep post towards the outside of the numbers.
- At this point, you’re not catching Victor Cruz. It ended up being an 80 yard touchdown.
The Giants also like to flex their muscles and get a tad cocky when throwing outside the numbers. Especially when they have their big receiver Hakeem Nicks on the field.
- You can tell when a team is attempting to flex their muscles when they design a play, and they make up in their mind it’s going to a certain player no matter how well he’s covered. The Bucs’ DB Aqib Talib had Hakeem Nicks blanketed here – you can’t ask for better coverage than this. But Eli Manning made up in his mind before the ball was snapped that Hakeem Nicks was going to catch this football regardless, and he did.
- Look at Manning’s head – it was turned looking at Nicks the entire play. But, it worked.
