Blaine Gabbert threw two touchdown passes to Garrett Celek on the day. This is a breakdown of the second touchdown catch. To get a sense of how this catch was set up, there are two plays that occurred earlier in the game that require mentioning.
2nd Quarter, 1st and 20 – A gain of 12 yards for Shaun Draughn
This play occurred on the offensive drive that resulted in a field goal.
Missing image
2nd Quarter, 1st and 10 – A gain of 7 yards for Draughn
This is the opening play of the drive that resulted in Celek's second touchdown catch.
Missing image
Both of these plays had Shaun Draughn executing an Angle route, also known as a 'Texas' route. This route is diagrammed below with the "F" running back.
Missing image
2nd Quarter, 3rd and 6 – Stick-Nod versus Cover 4
The 49ers dial up an 'angle-pivot' route for Draughn, to go with a 'Stick-Nod' route from Celek on the weakside of the formation. An angle-pivot route will have Draughn run an angle route, then pivot to break towards the sideline. Stick-Nod is a route that requires a double move where Celek will fake a Stick route, then head straight into the seam of the coverage.
Missing image
Cover 4 is a zone coverage with 3 underneath zone defenders and 4 deep zone defenders. Since this is in the red zone and it's 3rd down, the Falcons are looking to protect the goal line with the 4 deep defenders (blue) while the 3 underneath defenders (orange) provide shallow coverage. The defenders to keep an eye on are the yellow cornerback, the orange linebacker, and the black linebacker.
Missing image
Draughn releases into his route. It looks like another Texas route, which Draughn has already used to catch two passes earlier in the game. The red LB jumps up to cover what he thinks is another Texas route. Celek is entering his double move. Celek head fakes as if to run a Stick route. This freezes the yellow CB who thinks Celek is about to break to the outside, towards the sideline.
To the strongside of the formation, Vance McDonald's route draws the attention of the black LB as he faces the strongside of the passing formation – the side with three route runners.
Missing image
The combination of McDonald drawing the attention of the black LB, and Celek's double move causing the yellow CB to take a false step, provides a seam for Celek to work his route. Draughn's route draws the red LB forward. When Draughn pivots his route, it takes the red LB towards the sideline to provide a throwing lane for Gabbert. Five step timing with a hitch step - shotgun snap equals 2 steps + a 3 step dropback - Gabbert is mid windup.
Missing image
Touchdown!
Missing image
Missing image
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers coach discusses plan for newly signed Deebo Samuel
The San Francisco 49ers reunited with wide receiver Deebo Samuel on a one-year, $7 million contract this week, sparking speculation about how the versatile playmaker will be used during his second stint with the team. Will he be the No. 2 wideout opposite veteran Mike Evans,... -
49ers have learned to keep secrets, but is this a good thing?
For years, the San Francisco 49ers had a reputation for being one of the easiest NFL teams to get information from. Not because the team was particularly transparent, but because information seemed to find its way out of the building. That changed in 2017. Since Kyle Shanahan... -
49ers' Trent Williams embraces final NFL chapter, savoring every training camp moment
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams made it clear that his current contract, which runs through the 2027 season, will likely be the final deal of his illustrious NFL career. Speaking to reporters after the 49ers' first training camp practice on Sunday, Williams was... -
Brock Purdy, Pat McAfee and the price of success: When is someone really worth the money?
Not that long ago, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was going through contract negotiations. Many weighed in on how much he was worth, and many decried how much cap space his new contract would use up. One writer claimed Purdy is not elite. Chris Simms suggested the...