Garrett Wilson transparently vented his frustrations after the New York Jets‘ 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams this past Sunday.
I never make assumptions or conclusions from watching a game on broadcast. It tells 20% of the story since we are basically watching just the quarterback, pass rush, and offensive line—without not having an idea about the coverage downfield.
So, what did the film say?
Iso for Garrett Wilson in a 3×1 set. The Jets consistently run slants and fades out of 3×1 formations with the isolated receiver. The Rams play zone coverage to the field side, man on Garrett.
Wilson does a beautiful job of stemming inside before taking one step to change direction on the out route, turning the defensive back around.
He then makes three defenders miss after the catch.
The Rams show press-man pre-snap but drop into Tampa 2 (or Cover 6 variation that treats the trips-side much differently).
Offensively, Rodgers’s first read is Davante Adams, who isn’t open on the slant. Allen Lazard runs the seam which clears out Wilson’s short crossing route. Is he not in the read?
Rodgers immediately goes from Adams to check down, not seeing how open Wilson is. I would hope Rodgers could reset his feet, the pocket couldn’t be cleaner, and see GW open backside before just checking the ball down 10 yards short of the sticks. This could be a touchdown.
At the same time, look at where the ball actually went. Tyler Conklin is clearly leading the way for a swing concept to the back. Rodgers may not even have the option to go slant on the backside.
If he did, eye manipulation may have also been critical to hitting Wilson.
Again, the Rams look to be in Tampa 2. Todd Downing calls a Yankee concept, double post over play-action. It was the perfect call, as Adams and Conklin cleared the way for Garrett’s over-route.
Again, Rodgers is quick to check it down. I don’t know, in the past I feel Rodgers would/could hang in here and wait to throw the over to Wilson. Instead, he opts for the check down in a somewhat clean pocket.
Granted, the interior pressure comes in a hurry, so Rodgers had to decide whether to flush left or right or release it immediately, as waiting a tick longer could have broken everything down (plus, throwing in the face of a messy interior is ripe for injured throwing hands).
Mark this one down as a potential opportunity missed.
In a fourth-and-4 situation, the Jets are running mesh with Adams on a fade. Rodgers, pre and post-snap, sees Adams 1v1 and takes the chance. This is a low-probability throw/decision.
Wilson is open on the mesh and will get the first down/maybe a TD. Rodgers continues to make questionable decisions on film.
The Rams look to be in QQH on third-and-6. The hi-lo concept is over the middle, with GW settling on the shallow and Conklin on the OTB route.
Conklin could not be more open. Rodgers showcases questionable eyes and pocket feel again. He tries to make a play and get out of the pressure and fumbles.
Again, this is the end of the game. Could Rodgers get to Wilson on the seam? The defense is in 1-cross (1 deep, man coverage, 1 safety buzzes down to poach any crossers which could allow the cover corner to peel off).
Wilson looks to have a good shot at beating the defensive back here, but Rodgers takes a 3-step drop and opts for the 1v1 toward Adams. It’s a completion and first down, but to me, a potential missed opportunity Wilson’s way.
Garrett Wilson could have had 200 yards yesterday. I understand his frustrations after watching the offensive film.
