Vogel’s Analysis: Inside LA Rams Cooper Kupp’s 55-Yard TD catch

Setting the Stage: the Formation wasn’t unusual

The Rams went with an 11 personnel set on the field. This is their typical set, the personnel grouping that they are most comfortable with. With wide receivers Josh Reynolds, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp on the field, and tight end Tyler Higbee, it presents the most explosive package that they have to throw the football. The running back was power back Malcolm Brown, the hero from week one against the Dallas Cowboys.

Brown was the key to make this play work.

Giants didn’t see it coming

The Giants knew that hurry up in a short-yardage situation, like third-and-three, could spell a dive or draw play up the middle, especially with the success that Brown sees in short-yardage situations. The Giants wisely piled people around the line of scrimmage as a result. They studied the film and knew that the Rams were pushing a running attack this season.

But, in a McVay offense, the threat of the pass is real, especially on 3rd and 3. Quarterback Jared Goff is electric when he gets the ball out of his hands in rhythm and quickly.  And the Rams have been playing the long game this season. Show a formation and run a play in one week. Show the same formation the following week but run a different play. The Giants bit, and the Rams sank the hook and reeled them in.

Here’s how the Giants responded.