Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals: Film Room Session
Manziel misses a long touchdown to Travis Benjamin
On the Browns first drive of the second half, the offense is faced with a critical third down deep in their own territory. The Browns work from trips right gun formation. The Browns isolate Travis Benjamin on the left side and send him deep. The Bengals defense comes out with two high safeties and is in a cover 2 look. The two high safeties is one way of depicting what coverage they are in. On a cover 2 concept the corners have every thing underneath where the safeties have the two deep halves of the field. Benjamin is not the primary receiver on his play but is able to get open due to confusion in the Bengals secondary.
Source: NFL Game Pass
Manziel has a clean pocket and is looking for a receiver to break open on the right trips side. The Bengals coverage takes away the trips side of the formation. On the right side Duke Johnson is releasing from the backfield and Travis Benjamin is running a “go” route.
Source: NFL Game Pass
After seeing the Bengals have his primary targets coverage Manziel is ready to take off scrambling. Manziel never scans the left side of the field where Travis Benjamin has his man beat running deep. The corner on Benjamin, Adam “Pacman” Jones thinks he has over the top the help from the safety. Jones lets Benjamin go at about the 20-yard line. However, the deep safety Reggie Nelson, either thinks they are in a different coverage or does not see Benjamin running a deep route and does not help cover on him.
Source: NFL Game Pass
Manziel takes off and tries to pick up the first down with his legs and it is originally ruled a first down before a challenge reverses the call. Reggie Nelson never pays attention to Benjamin and Benjamin is streaking down the field. If Manziel saw Benjamin it would have been an easy touchdown and gave the Browns the lead early in the third quarter. Manziel never scans to the left where he misses a huge opportunity to connect with Travis Benjamin. Manziel must check both sides of the field before deciding to scramble. Manziel must remain patient in the pocket before scrambling. This play is a prime example of how Manziel lacks awareness and it can only improve with consistent playing time.
Source: NFL Game Pass