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This article was nearly impossible to post here, but here are the Rams part as they were listed a lot in this article.
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https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/st...lay-action-awards-picking-best-teams-qbs-more
The NFL Play-Action Awards: Picking the best teams, QBs and more
Play-action is so important in football. It puts defenders in conflict. It creates space. It's also the first answer for offenses when looking for a numbers advantage in the passing game. And when executed on early downs, to mimic the base run game, play-action becomes an aggressive tool in the call sheet.
The routes haven't changed much since I played safety in the league: flood one side of the field, open a window to throw the seam, sneak a running back out on a screen pass, take the deep ball shot over the top to hit the post for six points. But in today's NFL, creative and smart offensive minds have molded those old-school concepts to fit the modern schemes that win with tempo and interchangeable parts in the playbook. More movement, more misdirection and more speed to set the bait, with quick-release QBs who can rip the ball to a manufactured throwing lane.
Let's figure out who is the best in several play-action categories. The best rhythm quarterback out of play-action? I've got that. Best deep ball receiver out of play-action? Check. Best movement tight end out of play-action? I've got that too. I'll even pick out the single best play-action concept I saw in all of 2018.
McVay, Shanahan, Goff, Mahomes, Wilson, Julio, Zeke, Kittle -- these are the NFL's play-action all-stars:
The best play-action team overall
Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: The Rams led the league last season with 124.5 passing yards per game off play-action concepts.
What makes the Rams the best: In Sean McVay's system, L.A. can marry the outside zone run game, screen package and play-action concepts out of its 11 personnel grouping (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) with wide receivers in reduced sets. This means the Rams can lean on the run action while using pre- and post-snap misdirection to create open-window throws for quarterback Jared Goff -- and an open field for running back Todd Gurley in the screen game. And it all looks the same to a defender. McVay makes it tough to stop.
Runner-up: New England Patriots
The best zone play-action team
Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: The Rams led the NFL with 6.9 first downs per game off play-action concepts. As we discussed above, Sean McVay's play-action system is tied into the zone run game. For a better look, check out the video below from NFL Matchup to see how the Rams can open throwing windows inside the numbers for Jared Goff to pack the stat sheet.
View: https://twitter.com/NFLMatchup/status/1083824071941472256?s=20
The play-action concept I saw most in 2018
Post-cross
What it is: The post-cross concept showed up consistently on NFL tape in 2018, out of multiple personnel groupings. Take a look at the example in the diagram below from the Rams' playbook.
Off the jet sweep (Z), Jared Goff (Q) shows the ball to Todd Gurley (H) on the split-flow (Y) outside zone run action. This will draw the second-level defenders downhill, while the Rams clear out over the top on the post/go (X) with the crosser (W) working to the opposite numbers. This gives Goff a high-to-low read and often an open void in the coverage to dial up the high-percentage throw to the crossing route -- with room to run after the catch. It's easy money versus both split safety and single-high safety defensive schemes. That brings us to a great play design from Sean McVay ...
The coolest play-action concept I saw in 2018
Los Angeles Rams' throwback wheel
What makes them so good: Remember that Vikings-Rams game on Thursday in Week 4? Jared Goff hit Cooper Kupp for a sweet, 70-yard score in the second quarter. The concept? The same outside zone action the Rams always run, with McVay running off the cornerback and safety to the play side. With Kupp releasing underneath to run the throwback wheel, however, the Rams got the matchup they wanted: a wide receiver versus a linebacker. And Goff threw a dime. Check out the clip of the play:
View: https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1045479969554485248?s=20
The best rhythm play-action QB
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: Goff led the NFL with 204 pass attempts and 15 touchdowns off play-action concepts in 2018.
What to look for in 2019: Goff played lights-out in the play-action game last season outside of two matchups: the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots and the Week 14 defeat in Chicago. I want to see how Goff, McVay and the Rams adjust to the film from those two games being passed around the league this offseason. What's the answer for the split- safety coverages that can take away the frontside skinny post, backside dig and post-cross concept? I'm betting McVay has the answers that allow Goff to get to the top of the drop and rip the ball -- on rhythm -- to a clean window.
Runner-up: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings. Cousins completed 78.5% of his play-action throws in 2018 (No. 2 in the NFL), with eight touchdown passes and a QBR of 86.9. Those are top-tier numbers, and the Vikings' play-action system should expand even more under new offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.
The best QB-WR/TE play-action combo
Jared Goff to Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: Cooks and Woods combined for 55 receptions and six touchdowns off play-action throws from Goff a year ago.
What to look for in 2019: Cooper Kupp can be added to the mix here, as he caught 17 play-action targets in just eight games last season. That speaks to the Rams' aggressive approach on early downs out of 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). They led the NFL with 959 snaps out of 11 personnel last season, almost 200 more than the second-ranked team (Packers with 776). Yes, Sean McVay will have to make adjustments after the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, but that system can create productive situations for Goff and the Rams' top three wideouts off the run action.
Runner-up:Carson Wentz to Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles. In 2018, Wentz ranked seventh overall on play-action QBR (82.8). When he's on the field, Wentz is a top-10 quarterback. The system under Doug Pederson will continue to put both Wentz and Ertz -- the league's best route runner at tight end -- in winning matchups.
———
https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/st...lay-action-awards-picking-best-teams-qbs-more
The NFL Play-Action Awards: Picking the best teams, QBs and more
Play-action is so important in football. It puts defenders in conflict. It creates space. It's also the first answer for offenses when looking for a numbers advantage in the passing game. And when executed on early downs, to mimic the base run game, play-action becomes an aggressive tool in the call sheet.
The routes haven't changed much since I played safety in the league: flood one side of the field, open a window to throw the seam, sneak a running back out on a screen pass, take the deep ball shot over the top to hit the post for six points. But in today's NFL, creative and smart offensive minds have molded those old-school concepts to fit the modern schemes that win with tempo and interchangeable parts in the playbook. More movement, more misdirection and more speed to set the bait, with quick-release QBs who can rip the ball to a manufactured throwing lane.
Let's figure out who is the best in several play-action categories. The best rhythm quarterback out of play-action? I've got that. Best deep ball receiver out of play-action? Check. Best movement tight end out of play-action? I've got that too. I'll even pick out the single best play-action concept I saw in all of 2018.
McVay, Shanahan, Goff, Mahomes, Wilson, Julio, Zeke, Kittle -- these are the NFL's play-action all-stars:
The best play-action team overall
Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: The Rams led the league last season with 124.5 passing yards per game off play-action concepts.
What makes the Rams the best: In Sean McVay's system, L.A. can marry the outside zone run game, screen package and play-action concepts out of its 11 personnel grouping (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) with wide receivers in reduced sets. This means the Rams can lean on the run action while using pre- and post-snap misdirection to create open-window throws for quarterback Jared Goff -- and an open field for running back Todd Gurley in the screen game. And it all looks the same to a defender. McVay makes it tough to stop.
Runner-up: New England Patriots
The best zone play-action team
Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: The Rams led the NFL with 6.9 first downs per game off play-action concepts. As we discussed above, Sean McVay's play-action system is tied into the zone run game. For a better look, check out the video below from NFL Matchup to see how the Rams can open throwing windows inside the numbers for Jared Goff to pack the stat sheet.
View: https://twitter.com/NFLMatchup/status/1083824071941472256?s=20
The play-action concept I saw most in 2018
Post-cross
What it is: The post-cross concept showed up consistently on NFL tape in 2018, out of multiple personnel groupings. Take a look at the example in the diagram below from the Rams' playbook.
Off the jet sweep (Z), Jared Goff (Q) shows the ball to Todd Gurley (H) on the split-flow (Y) outside zone run action. This will draw the second-level defenders downhill, while the Rams clear out over the top on the post/go (X) with the crosser (W) working to the opposite numbers. This gives Goff a high-to-low read and often an open void in the coverage to dial up the high-percentage throw to the crossing route -- with room to run after the catch. It's easy money versus both split safety and single-high safety defensive schemes. That brings us to a great play design from Sean McVay ...
The coolest play-action concept I saw in 2018
Los Angeles Rams' throwback wheel
What makes them so good: Remember that Vikings-Rams game on Thursday in Week 4? Jared Goff hit Cooper Kupp for a sweet, 70-yard score in the second quarter. The concept? The same outside zone action the Rams always run, with McVay running off the cornerback and safety to the play side. With Kupp releasing underneath to run the throwback wheel, however, the Rams got the matchup they wanted: a wide receiver versus a linebacker. And Goff threw a dime. Check out the clip of the play:
View: https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1045479969554485248?s=20
The best rhythm play-action QB
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: Goff led the NFL with 204 pass attempts and 15 touchdowns off play-action concepts in 2018.
What to look for in 2019: Goff played lights-out in the play-action game last season outside of two matchups: the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots and the Week 14 defeat in Chicago. I want to see how Goff, McVay and the Rams adjust to the film from those two games being passed around the league this offseason. What's the answer for the split- safety coverages that can take away the frontside skinny post, backside dig and post-cross concept? I'm betting McVay has the answers that allow Goff to get to the top of the drop and rip the ball -- on rhythm -- to a clean window.
Runner-up: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings. Cousins completed 78.5% of his play-action throws in 2018 (No. 2 in the NFL), with eight touchdown passes and a QBR of 86.9. Those are top-tier numbers, and the Vikings' play-action system should expand even more under new offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.
The best QB-WR/TE play-action combo
Jared Goff to Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams
Stat to know: Cooks and Woods combined for 55 receptions and six touchdowns off play-action throws from Goff a year ago.
What to look for in 2019: Cooper Kupp can be added to the mix here, as he caught 17 play-action targets in just eight games last season. That speaks to the Rams' aggressive approach on early downs out of 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). They led the NFL with 959 snaps out of 11 personnel last season, almost 200 more than the second-ranked team (Packers with 776). Yes, Sean McVay will have to make adjustments after the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, but that system can create productive situations for Goff and the Rams' top three wideouts off the run action.
Runner-up:Carson Wentz to Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles. In 2018, Wentz ranked seventh overall on play-action QBR (82.8). When he's on the field, Wentz is a top-10 quarterback. The system under Doug Pederson will continue to put both Wentz and Ertz -- the league's best route runner at tight end -- in winning matchups.
