Breakdown of Anthony Richardson’s pivotal 39-yard pass to Alec Pierce in Week 11 against the Jets

One of the most crucial plays in the Colts’ Week 11 win over the Jets was a 39-yard pass from Anthony Richardson to Alec Pierce on the game’s final drive. It was the play that got the Colts rolling.

What happened on the play? Let’s take a look.

As always, I must give the caveat that I am giving you my best guesses based on the information in front of me. I wasn’t in a pinch. I also didn’t see how the players involved were trained to handle these situations.

If you’re still reading, I assume that even with the disclaimer, you’re looking for my educated guesses. So let’s go.

The Jets come out and show a two high safety look, most likely some form of a Cover 2 defense.

The two safeties will likely split the responsibility for the deep part of the field. Jalen Mills is the safety on the near side of the picture. He will help over the top on that side of the field. However, in a two deep look, the safety will have difficulty covering a vertical sideline route. This is especially true since the safeties are aligned just 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.

As you can see, Pierce runs a vertical route. Getting to the sideline just outside the hashes will take some time. The cornerback, Sauce Gardner, in this case may have to run down the field with the receiver until he can send coverage to the corner.

In this case, however, Sauce releases Pierce early. He appears to have his attention drawn to an underlying route that enters his original zone. However, the route is well covered. Even if it results in a shutout, it’s a game situation the Jets can live with. It will be a short gain as the Jets protect the lead with just over 2:00 left in the fourth quarter.

Because Sauce releases Pierce, a deep window opens. Again, I’m not in a pinch. However, it seems like Sauce would have to run further down the field with Pierce in this situation to narrow the passing lane until Mills is ready to take over, especially in this situation.

None of this is to excuse Mills on the play. He comes over too late to cover Pierce.

I think there is a bit of guilt to go around here. Gardner released Pierce, and it doesn’t seem like he had a very good reason. Sauce ends up in no man’s land. Mills does not reach his cover in time. I also think the adjustment from the playcall had an impact. Being only 10 yards deep made coverage more difficult than it might otherwise have been.

Regardless, the Colts ended up with a big gain to start a big drive.