Thank you for posting. Really nice video breakdown. But, I have a question...
I've seen teams get called for OPI for that little pick by #14 more than 1 yard beyond the line of scrimmage. What made that OK here, or was it a missed call?
That pick will NEVER be called if it doesn't influence the play. If it does influence the play (and you can argue it maybe does), the question becomes one of targeting. Usually, the picks that are called are the ones where two receivers run a rub crossing pattern, where one receiver targets (more or less obviously) the defender covering the other guy.
That's not what happens here. The receiver runs a shallow crossing route and the defender is stationary looking into the backfield and steps forward right into the path of the receiver running past him. The receiver clearly tries to avoid the defender, but if anything, it's the defender that initiates contact.
As for calling pick plays, have you ever seen a Patriots game without a huge gain on a pick play? I haven't. Our receivers just don't know how to do it without it looking blatant. (That's on the coaches, btw.)
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