You never want to see a cornerback and a safety upset with each other after a play if you are a defensive coordinator. But Brandon Staley saw just that after the Green Bay Packers notched the first touchdown of the game in their matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Facing a 3rd-and-goal situation, Staley asked cornerback Jalen Ramsey to matchup with Davante Adams in man coverage. The Packers sent Adams in motion twice, first from right-to-left, and then from left-to-right.
When working back to the right Aaron Rodgers snapped the ball and Adams simply released to the flat:
Rodgers. Adams. Another TD from 12 to 17. #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs
📺: #LARvsGB on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nMJSN7Rn8Z pic.twitter.com/TpwTmx81bw— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2021
Ramsey tried to keep pace with Adams across the formation, but the traffic created by his teammates kept him behind the flow of the play, giving Adams easy access to the flat, and the touchdown. After the score Ramsey was visibly frustrated with the traffic he needed to work through on the play, i.e., his teammates.
How often the Packers use motion before the snap to spring Adams will be something to track.