On the surface, Lamar Jackson’s interception to end the game against the New Orleans Saints seemed like a horrible mis-throw. Jackson threw the ball well beyond Rashod Bateman and right into the hands of safety Julian Blackmon.
However, the film of the play makes the interception more complicated than it initially appeared.
From the moment the ball was snapped and Jackson dropped back to throw, the play began to unravel. Defensive end Carl Granderson beat Vega Ioane with a spin move, while Chase Young walked Carson Vinson backward and nearly into Jackson’s lap. Jackson still got the throw away, but it sailed well beyond Rashod Bateman, who had come off the line at a jog-like pace and was well behind the ball when it arrived.
So why did Jackson throw so far ahead of Bateman, and why was Bateman moving at less than full speed? The film suggests Bateman may not have anticipated getting the football. New Orleans also appeared to be playing Cover 3, with three defenders occupying the deep portions of the field.
Even if Bateman had continued through the route at full speed, Jackson would likely have been asking him to make a contested catch with Blackmon positioned over the top. That sti...