Review: Kupp 75 yard TD

• Kupp 75 Yard TD Catch and Run
  • It was 3rd & 2.
  • Malik Hooker off the field.
  • Wilson was the single-high FS.
  • Kearse at SS in man coverage on TE Tyler Higbee.
  • I assume that Hooker was off the field because 3rd & 2 is a high probability of being a run.
    • The top skillset for both Wilson & Kearse is run defense.
    • With Hooker's injury history, it's a good idea to limit him with regards to run defense.
  • Stafford was in an empty backfield set, however,…
    • The defense decides on personnel before they know the offensive alignment.
  • The Rams split the RB out wide near the sideline.
    • This was done to move a defender out of the middle of the field.
    • LVE was out in coverage on the RB.
  • Kupp ran the crossing route in that area where LVE would normally be located.
  • At the point of the catch, there was another WR in the middle of the field.
    • Lewis in coverage on that WR.
  • Wilson came forward about 6 yards after Stafford released the ball.
    • On the broadcast, watch the 2nd replay angle to get a good view of Wilson.
      • Unfortunately that put Wilson on the wrong side of the mid-field WR.
    • I don't know what Wilson was thinking at that point.
      • Kupp's trajectory was clearly to the other side.
  • Diggs would have had good position if the pass was right on Kupp's jersey number.
    • However, the pass was leading Kupp such that he had to stretch with a 1 handed grab.

• Malik Hooker has been an unsung hero this season.
  • Wilson & Kearse get more highlight plays but Hooker's play enables them.
  • Hooker at FS allows Diggs & others to take chances and make plays.
    • Last season, FS Kazee was often in correct position, but couldn't prevent receptions.
    • A huge amount of receiving yardage 'allowed' blamed on Diggs was actually on Kazee.

Wilson has shown good physical ability in coverage with the deep sideline pass breakup at one point; however, he seems to be best at SS or as one of the Safeties in 2-deep alignments.