We don’t get too many old-school wide receiver vs. cornerback matchups in the NFL nowadays, so it wasn’t a surprise that George Pickens vs. Sauce Gardner was closely monitored by the media and fans alike in Week 5. It was the matchup of the game for the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets. It was also a relatively even one, though Pickens laughed last with two catches for 57 yards, a first down, and a touchdown in his team’s 37-22 win.
The only thing is, Gardner isn’t willing to give Pickens credit for two catches, and it seems like he is conveniently arguing the Cowboys’ wide receiver’s 43-yard touchdown didn’t fall on him.
“I was following George (Pickens), and I feel like I was ready for it,” Gardner told reporters postgame. “He had one catch. There was something that happened in coverage that allowed him to get two catches out of the game. Personally, I felt good [about my preparation going into the game], and as a defense, we all felt good as well, too.”
Gardner’s claim about Pickens having “one catch” and the second one was a result of “something that happened in coverage” doesn’t do the film justice and, in a way, makes the receiver’s big day even sweeter. But don’t take my word for it, let me show you.
Let’s take a look at each of Pickens’ catches vs. Gardner
In the play below, the Jets appear to ask Gardner to play press-man coverage against Pickens. And though we can’t know for sure without being in the meeting room, the rest of the defense appears to be playing some sort of combo coverage. Where the mistake Gardner alludes to seems to happen is the safeties.
The boundary safety (to Pickens’ side) inserts into the hook area as a response to the Cowboys’ run fake. At that point, the middle of the field safety and boundary cornerback follow the field receiver (Jalen Tolbert), which appears to be a mistake from the middle safety, whom Gardner seemingly expected help from deep downfield.
But based on the film, it still doesn’t take away from the fact Gardner was manned up against Pickens, and he got beat. Point blank, period. Not only that, but he even grabs Pickens repeatedly throughout the rep.
But wait! What about the other catch? Could Gardner have meant the other one? Well, it can’t be. Pickens’ first catch of the game happened on third and six, and it was clear Gardner was manned up. Pickens’ fake to the outside got the best of the Jets’ standout cornerback, and he was there to move the chains on a drive that resulted in a touchdown.