Anatomy of a Touchdown Week 8:
Alex Smith Finds Jeremy Maclin
As I reviewed the NFL All-22 film this week, trying to decide which Kansas City Chiefs touchdown play I should review for my article, there was no shortage. The Chiefs put up 30 points on the Indianapolis Colts and 21 of those came via great touchdown passes by two different quarterbacks.
Ultimately, I decided on this play, as frequent commenter “Laurels and Limitations” stated in the Arrowhead One comments section on Monday, this was probably quarterback Alex Smith’s best pass of the season. Keep in mind I could have just as easily reviewed the touchdowns thrown to tight end Travis Kelce or receiver Tyreek Hill, but I only review plays made by the Chiefs starting quarterback, so there you go.
As time was running down in the second quarter, the Chiefs were hanging on to a narrow three point lead. Smith had already left the game and then reentered. The Chiefs only touchdown to that point, was a nicely passed strike to Kelce earlier in the quarter. With a little over a minute left in the first half, it appeared the Chiefs were in business after a 28-yard catch and run by running back Charcandrick West. However, that play was negated by a Mitchell Schwartz holding penalty, which stalled the Chiefs. But, on their first play after the punt, Colts’ quarterback Andrew Luck threw a pass intended for Donte Moncrief which was intercepted ripped away by corner back Phillip Gaines. That set the Chiefs up with excellent field position to score before the half and increase their lead.
The Chiefs came to the line in an interesting formation, which was probably one of the reasons the play succeeded.
The play began with Kelce lined up “wide-right.” Jeremy Maclin was just inside him. Tight to the left was De’Anthony Thomas–remember when we thought he was getting cut?–off the line of scrimmage in a slot position, and Chris Conley outside of him, but still in tight. Pre-snap, Alex motioned Kelce to move behind Maclin and come in next to the right tackle, Schwartz.
When Smith snapped the ball, Thomas ran a short five-yard out. Conley ran an up and out before streaking back across his defender’s face into the end zone on a post route. West ran a seven-yard curl route, likely providing an easy outlet for Smith. Kelce ran an up and in before moving to the end zone as well. Maclin, the intended recipient the whole way on this play, ran a fade, heading to the back of the end zone.
Above, I said Maclin was the intended recipient of this play from the snap. This is why. This screen grab was taken a second after the snap. Smith locked onto Maclin, saw he was in one-on-one coverage and had his man beat from the line of scrimmage. Even though Thomas was wide open on the opposite side of the field, Smith knew he had to take his shot to put points on the board before halftime–something the Chiefs had not done in the final two minutes of the first half all season–to extend the Chiefs’ lead.
Even though Maclin had a step on his defender, he still was covered pretty well. Smith had attempted to hit Maclin on a couple of these plays earlier in the game, but on one occasion, the pass was broken up and on the other the duo just missed on the hook-up on an overthrown ball. This time though, I agree with my “limited” friend. It was a thing of beauty.
Generally, this is where I end this piece and throw in a GIF of the play. Well, here’s the GIF, but I want you take a look at something. Maclin’s move at the line of scrimmage.
It’s so quick that if you blink, you’ll miss it. But this is what makes Maclin so good. He’s fast. Yes. But sometimes, brains outweigh the brawn…or speed. See that little stutter step/inside move he puts on before moving on his fade route? It’s just enough to get the step he needs for his quarterback to the lay the ball perfectly into his outstretched arms.
And what a pass by Alex. If he was concussed, he didn’t show any signs of it here. Or maybe he did, since he was playing out of his mind.