09-15-2020, 01:04 PM
Film review: How Aaron Rodgers played keep away from Vikings' safetiesMike Zimmer said he can do a “better job” with the young Vikings cornerbacks after Sunday’s loss. But how Zimmer uses his veteran safeties can also have an impact.Mike Zimmer said he can do a “better job” with the young Vikings cornerbacks after Sunday’s 43-34 loss to the Packers. Coaches can fix finer aspects like standing in the right spot before the snap, and technique once the ball is snapped.
But how Zimmer deploys the safety tandem of Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris in coverage can also impact the younger players. ESPN analyst and former NFL safety Matt Bowen noted he was “really surprised” at how much single-high safety coverage Zimmer called against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who consistently hit deep throws over isolated corners.
Single-high safety was the Vikings’ primary coverage form (73%), and was striking during big plays (although Rodgers beat two-deep safety coverages, too). Some of the throws were just “perfect,” as rookie corner Cameron Dantzler said, but they were also consistently aimed away from the safety help and effectively neutralized the strength of the Vikings’ secondary.
Comeback hopes evaporated off Rodgers’ third and fourth touchdowns, both preceded by deep shots on third downs, when Zimmer stuck with single-high coverage on 7 of 9 such throws.
“Not only third down,” safety Harrison Smith said, “which we were not good on, but first and second down, giving up first downs on those downs and not getting into the third-and-mediums, the third-and-longs when you have the advantage, is kind of how we lived.”
1. When the Vikings paid extra attention to Davante Adams,Rodgers threw away from him with similar results.Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (#83) benefited with this 39-yard catch in the third quarter. The throw would set up Rodgers’ third touchdown and the Vikings’ 29-10 deficit.
The third-down coverage below shows just how much Adams (#17) was a problem. A typical and aggressive Zimmer front has everyone at the line but Smith (#22), the lone deep safety aligning over Adams and cornerback Holton Hill (#24). The runway is wide open behind cornerback Mike Hughes (#21) on the near side, and Rodgers sees it the whole way on a free play.
2.Packers head coach Matt LaFleur attacked with vertical routes throughout the game, and by the fourth quarter it was well established the Vikings weren’t covering with a two-deep shell.
With Smith again over Adams on the opposite side, Rodgers looks away from his favorite target. He quickly finds receiver Allen Lazard (#13)for this 38-yard completion that would set up Rodgers’ fourth score and the Vikings’ 36-18 deficit.
Looking at two Packers slot receivers, safety Anthony Harris (#41) aligns in shallower coverage near the first-down marker, clearly expecting another quick throw to the sticks. But Lazard goes deep, throwing his arm up to Rodgers calling for the ball. Harris seemingly hesitates and breaks on the wrong target in Valdes-Scantling’s (#83) along the first-down line.
Rest of story:
https://www.startribune.com/film-review-...572415142/
But how Zimmer deploys the safety tandem of Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris in coverage can also impact the younger players. ESPN analyst and former NFL safety Matt Bowen noted he was “really surprised” at how much single-high safety coverage Zimmer called against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who consistently hit deep throws over isolated corners.
Single-high safety was the Vikings’ primary coverage form (73%), and was striking during big plays (although Rodgers beat two-deep safety coverages, too). Some of the throws were just “perfect,” as rookie corner Cameron Dantzler said, but they were also consistently aimed away from the safety help and effectively neutralized the strength of the Vikings’ secondary.
Comeback hopes evaporated off Rodgers’ third and fourth touchdowns, both preceded by deep shots on third downs, when Zimmer stuck with single-high coverage on 7 of 9 such throws.
“Not only third down,” safety Harrison Smith said, “which we were not good on, but first and second down, giving up first downs on those downs and not getting into the third-and-mediums, the third-and-longs when you have the advantage, is kind of how we lived.”
1. When the Vikings paid extra attention to Davante Adams,Rodgers threw away from him with similar results.Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (#83) benefited with this 39-yard catch in the third quarter. The throw would set up Rodgers’ third touchdown and the Vikings’ 29-10 deficit.
The third-down coverage below shows just how much Adams (#17) was a problem. A typical and aggressive Zimmer front has everyone at the line but Smith (#22), the lone deep safety aligning over Adams and cornerback Holton Hill (#24). The runway is wide open behind cornerback Mike Hughes (#21) on the near side, and Rodgers sees it the whole way on a free play.
2.Packers head coach Matt LaFleur attacked with vertical routes throughout the game, and by the fourth quarter it was well established the Vikings weren’t covering with a two-deep shell.
With Smith again over Adams on the opposite side, Rodgers looks away from his favorite target. He quickly finds receiver Allen Lazard (#13)for this 38-yard completion that would set up Rodgers’ fourth score and the Vikings’ 36-18 deficit.
Looking at two Packers slot receivers, safety Anthony Harris (#41) aligns in shallower coverage near the first-down marker, clearly expecting another quick throw to the sticks. But Lazard goes deep, throwing his arm up to Rodgers calling for the ball. Harris seemingly hesitates and breaks on the wrong target in Valdes-Scantling’s (#83) along the first-down line.
Rest of story:
https://www.startribune.com/film-review-...572415142/
