Breaking down Doubs’ TD receptions against the Seahawks
After suffering a concussion in the Week 12 victory over the 49ers, Romeo Doubs missed the Green Bay Packer’s next two games. While the offense performed well in his absence, his presence on the field was certainly missed.
In his return against the Seahawks on Sunday Night, Doubs made a lot of noise with his opportunities. He caught 3 of the 5 passes thrown his way for 40 yards and, more importantly, two touchdowns. His first touchdown put the Packers ahead 14-0 late in the 1st quarter, while his second put the nail in the coffin by pushing the score to 30-13 late in the 4th quarter.
So let’s look at both of them, because they’re both fun in entirely different ways.
Play 1: 2nd & 8, 2:00 remaining in the 1st quarter
The Packers are in 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR) in shotgun spread. They start in a 3×2 formation, but Jayden Reed [11] goes in motion before the snap, turning this into a Quads (4×1) formation. There’s a bunch to the right with both TEs (Tucker Kraft [85] and John FitzPatrick [86]) and the RB (Josh Jacobs [8]). The motion/release from Reed sets up a swing screen to the right, with everyone in the bunch blocking and Reed as the receiver underneath.
That leaves Romeo Doubs [87] running a slant on the backside of the formation against Riq Woolen [27]. Reed going in motion bumps Tyrice Knight [48] to the middle, which helps create a nice little area of space for Doubs to run a slant into.
Love is looking for a numbers advantage to the screen side, but it’s 4-on-4, so he moves off of that and works back to Doubs. That turn of the head to the screen side also helps bump Knight over a little more to the screen side after the snap.
Doubs has to work to get off the jam from Woolen, which causes Love to double-clutch the throw. But Love puts plenty of zip on the pass, not allowing Knight a chance to make a play on the ball.
Doubs makes a great catch with his hands, tucks the ball then muscles his way into the end zone.
Truly impressive finish to this play.
Play 2: 3rd & 5, 5:05 remaining in the 4th quarter
The Packers are, once again, in 12 personnel, but with an entirely different look. This time they have a YY Wing look, with Kraft and Ben Sims [89] off the right side of the line. Chris Brooks [30] is the running back, aligned away from the strong side of the formation. The wide receivers are in a stack on the left, with Romeo Doubs as the point man and Christian Watson [9] underneath.
The Seahawks are showing a Cover 0 look, with 9 men at the line and no deep safeties. The Packers roll out a two-man concept and Max Protect up front. Basically, throw bodies at the line and give Love enough time to go downfield.
The Seahawks don’t end up sending everyone at the line, dropping a couple guys back to the intermediate portion of the field. With it being 3rd & 5, they’re likely looking for Love to look for a route at the sticks. With all the pressure they’re showing, they’re likely thinking he’ll be looking to a hot route. They want to take away a quick read and throw some confusion into the mix. Unfortunately for them, the Packers aren’t looking at the sticks.
From the stack, Doubs pushes vertically on a post, while Watson releases inside, trails Doubs up the field then breaks on an out at the 10 yard line.
There’s some contact on the release, but Doubs pushes upfield. After some initial confusion in coverage, Doubs is picked up by Devon Witherspoon [21]. When Doubs gets to the 10, Love throws a ball that leads Doubs vertically to the middle of the field.
Witherspoon has pretty good coverage here, but it’s not enough. It’s in a spot only Doubs has a chance at, and he comes up with a sensational catch.
Two touchdowns, scored in two wildly different ways. Welcome back, Romeo Doubs.
Albums listened to: The Choir – Circle Slide, Lea Thomas – Cosmos Forever; mewithoutYou – Catch For Us The Foxes