Cardinals' anatomy of a perfectly executed red zone mesh play

By Walter Mitchell

photo: @azcardinals.com

We analyzed this red zone "mesh" play TD from Kyler to Marv on Red Rain Podcast. Jeff Nowak makes a good point about how Kool-Aid McKinstry could have tried to run into Michael Wilson in order to ensure a penalty flag on the play. Yet, here are the key points as to why and how the Cardinals made this play work to perfection.


Jeff Nowak
@Jeff_Nowak
This TD is an interesting one bc I think if Kool-Aid just runs through Michael Wilson (who is doing nothing but sizing up a pick the whole way) refs have to call OPI. He's not even kind of running a route. Well designed play. Kool-Aid had no chance looping.
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It's fun and interesting to watch the play a few times. Click here to watch (to be able to see each of the key points as to why the play worked:

https://x.com/Jeff_Nowak/status/1965532543832502474

Key points:

* Kool-Aid doesn't try to press Marv off the snap because it would set up Marv for an easy fade.

* Therefore, Kool-Aid is conceding inside leverage.

* Once Marv crosses his face, he should have trailed Marv right behind him like a tail so that when the traffic clears, he can have a chance to jump into the passing lane for a pass breakup.

* Kool-Aid could have tried to sell Michael Wilson's pick by running into him to draw the flag, but Wilson hides well at first and then sets up to be able to dodge Kool-Aid to one side or the other.

For working this red zone mesh play to perfection, credit:

1. Drew Petzing - design

2. Drew Terrell - teaching the details

3. M-Willie - winning the pick without getting flagged

4. Marv - running a superb route through traffic and catching the TD

5. James Conner - decoying so well on his out-route to the left taking defenders with him, that he "opens the door" for Marv to remain in single coverage.

5. The offensive line - creating a solid wall of pass pro

6. Kyler - upon receiving the snap, taking an additional 3-step drop so as to buy the added second of time that is necessary in order to allow the play to develop.

Enlightening fact:

What looks at first like a "simple mesh play" --- requires an 11-man perfect attention to detail for the play to result in a TD.

Pretty cool that this was Marvin's 9th TD catch in his first 18 games.


Comments

  1. RedrunSeptember 10, 2025 at 9:39 AM

    Finally we ran a successful mesh play! Would like to see a few more of these called by Petzing. Maybe if he has some success with them he will increase the frequency.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ERauchSeptember 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM

    I hate to be THAT guy, but I actually see this play as a negative in that it is actually damning evidence of Kyler focusing on one read only. Whether that is by scheme or not, that's a different argument.

    Watch Wilson on this play. He is more open than a bar at midnight on New Years eve as he enters the end zone. He is not being covered. At all!

    Yet the play was to MHJ from the snap. 5 seconds later. If I see the myopic offensive play calling, D coordinators sure as hell do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Since 61September 10, 2025 at 7:48 PM

    I liked KM's shovel pass TD to Connor too. We had a hell of a 2nd QTR then nothing. Did Saints staff make adjustments? Did we not respond?

    ReplyDelete

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