One of the key plays of the game occurred in the fourth quarter, after Brandon Boykin and Trent Cole hit Eli Manning forcing him to throw the ball against the helmet of one of his offensive linemen. The ball ricocheted up into the air and Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks picked it off and returned it to the Giants 25 yard line.
Chip Kelly had a play in his back pocket, which he knew would be a winner in this situation. The key to the route was Eagles tight end Brent Celek. He needed to fake like he was blocking for a count, then he needed to begin a shallow cross right in back of the Giants defensive line, so that his route wouldn’t be seen by the New York safeties.
Celek wouldn’t start getting depth on his route until he was across the field and out of sight of the Giants safeties. Then he was start heading downfield to the end zone.
Another key to the play was the bootleg motion by quarterback Nick Foles. He was to fake a hand off to LeSean McCoy then to the offensive left of the formation to pull the safeties over to that side. Normally on that bootleg action, receivers will be crossing to the side the quarterback is rolling to. The Birds did have DeSean Jackson crossing in that direction to influence the safeties to roll with him.
Once the route was set up, another key to it’s success was Foles putting enough air under the ball so that any covering linebacker or defensive back wouldn’t have a chance for the ball.
Giants strong safety on the play, Ryan Mundy had Celek on the play and did a good job of staying with him, but he was a step or two behind and that was all the Eagles needed. Foles only wanted Celek to have a shot at the ball. He did a great job of putting air under the ball and dropping it right into Celek’s bread basket.
Celek did a great job of screening off Mundy so he couldn’t get to it. He kept his body in between Mundy and the football.
The tight end did a great of making the catch, which wasn’t an easy one because he was unable to really look the ball all the way in. He would have to use his instincts to see the ball then anticipate when it was going to hit his hands.
It was a great play call and great execution at the right time with the game on the line.
Genius! (Chip Kelly designed play )
I like the photo work, great stuff. reminds me of the Seattle defense photo break down last spring.
Was Celek first option or DJax? doesn’t matter great back pocket call off a turnover.