Justin Fields Key Plays in 2023 - Week 5

Week 5 - At Washington Commanders 

Play 1 

1st Quarter

3rd & 9

Image from NFL Game Pass 

Chicago is in 11 personnel with Fields in the shotgun and a running back in the sidecar position to the left.  Fields has a receiver motion before the snap.  

Image from NFL Game Pass

Image from NFL Game Pass

Image from NFL Game Pass

Fields is operating from a clean pocket here.  D.J. Moore is running what looks like a modified version of a go route.  Moore gets inside leverage and hits the defender with a double move and stacks him at the top of the route.  Fields is able to hold the safety, who is already creeping in underneath, and waits until his receiver is left one on one before pulling the trigger.  The result is a deep pass to Moore in stride for a gain of 58 yards on 3rd and 9.  Staying in the pocket, recognizing coverage, drawing in the safety and a big pass play on 3rd down.  

Play 2

2nd Quarter

3rd & 6

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Chicago is in 11 personnel with Fields in the shotgun and a running back in the sidecar position.  Fields has the tight end shift into a trips left formation.  

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The tight end shift puts the third level defender in a bind and leaves the split end receiver one on one.  

Image from NFL Game Pass

Image from NFL Game Pass

Image from NFL Game Pass

Just as the receiver is making his break the football is coming out.  The receiver does an inside move and is able to stack the defender with the football in mid air.  The football is high and away from the defender, on the back shoulder of the receiver and the result is an 11 yard touchdown pass to D.J. Moore on a corner route.  

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Despite interior pressure Fields is able to step into the throw while maintaining a decent base.  Recognizing coverage, poise in the pocket, timing, anticipation and ball placement.  

Play 3

2nd Quarter 

1st & 4 

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Chicago has 11 personnel with Fields in the shotgun.  Fields has the tight end shift to the right which gets him one on one against the linebacker.  

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The tight end runs a crossing route and Fields puts the football right on him for a touchdown.  Fields sees that its man coverage and shifts the tight end to get the match-up he wants vs the linebacker.  The pass is in stride, on the numbers and out in front to where only the tight end can get it.  Pre snap adjustments, recognizing coverage and ball placement.  

Play 4 

4th Quarter 

3rd & 2 

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The Bears are in 11 personnel with Fields in the shotgun.

Image from NFL Game Pass

Image from NFL Game Pass

The split end receiver runs a curl route.  Fields gets the ball out quick and into the hands of D.J. Moore for a 56 yard touchdown.  Getting the one on one match-up with no safety help, Fields puts the football high and trusts his receiver to climb the ladder, make the grab and take it to the house for a big touchdown.  Fields knows where the ball is going and wastes no time putting the ball into his playmaker's hands.  Recognizing coverage, decision making and ball placement.