Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore came to U.S. Bank Stadium ready for Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' blitz-happy play calls.
Receiver Joshua Palmer opened L.A.'s first passing play by running a pre-snap motion behind the quarterback and running back — called an orbit motion — that would become important window dressing for later.
The Chargers ran this orbit motion four times before setting up receiver Keenan Allen's 49-yard touchdown pass on a trick play. In the third quarter, Allen ran the motion and caught what appeared to be another quick screen pass. Vikings defenders were duped, rushing forward as Allen threw deep to receiver Mike Williams. The Vikings fell into a 21-10 hole.
The Vikings should've been expecting that trick after "10 to 15 screens," as head coach Kevin O'Connell surmised after the game. But defensive backs, aligned in off coverage as they have under Flores, were too eager to sprint forward and thwart another quick throw.
"We were trying to coach those guys up to be aggressive," O'Connell said, "fly up there and confirm, once that ball has been thrown, to go up there and make those tackles. We just got a little giddy there and jumped it before we had seen the ball actually thrown."
Below is a YouTube video of the four times the Chargers ran the orbit motion before Allen's touchdown throw. Click here for a link if you can't see the video.
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said they'd previously tried and failed the trick play.
"It was atonement," Staley said. "A few years ago we ran it against Kansas City. A little atonement there for an incompletion. Keenan really throws a good football, but we've been working on that play. I'm excited for Keenan, because it capped one of those maestro performances for him. A career game. A record-setting game."
