In the week leading up to Atlanta’s bout against Washington, defensive coordinator Richard Smith emphasized a small, albeit significant, detail to his cornerbacks: When Kirk Cousins goes into a three-step drop (and he will do that often), anticipate a quick throw to the outside if the WR runs a “thunder” seam route.
Robert Alford remembered this on Sunday when Cousins took a few strides back and looked his direction on the sixth play of overtime. He saw the QB eye a fast strike; he noticed his receiver, Ryan Grant, ran the route Smith discussed. So Alford turned his hips and broke towards the sideline.