Emmanuel Forbes deserves some slack for allowing game-winning touchdown

Emmanuel Forbes played a significant role in the Los Angeles Rams’ Week 13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. He allowed two long touchdowns each on fourth down, including the game-winning score from Bryce Young to Tetairoa McMillan.

But Forbes is being maligned maybe too much. A rewatch of the final touchdown of the game shows how the Panthers:

1. Won in pass protection

2. Forced favorable coverage matchups

3. Were on the receiving end of a great throw from Bryce Young

Let’s break it down one-by-one:

Braden Fiske was the only Ram to really challenge the integrity of the pocket. Carolina’s running back stepped up to help and effectively mitigated the threat. Young had ample time to diagnose the play, step up, and make a big-time throw to McMillan.

Josiah Stewart is a useful player for a rookie. He’s demonstrated an ability to be a hybrid chess piece with effectiveness both in rushing the passer and dropping into coverage.

On this play, Stewart is one-on-one with former first round pick Xavier Legette. While Legette has been a disappointment in terms of the start to his career versus his draft position, this is still a matchup that leans very favorably in the Panthers’ direction. Credit Carolina’s scheme for catching the Rams off-guard and taking advantage of a bad call by Chris Shula.

The deep safety sees Legette running open down the field and steps down to help Stewart, which leaves Forbes in single coverage against McMillan.

At the time of the throw, McMillan is well covered by Forbes. If the pass rush were to get home, we would credit Forbes for doing a fine job and taking away the in-breaking route.

Instead—because Young had basically all day—he made an impressive anticipatory pass to catch Forbes off-guard in the deep area of the field. Young effectively threw McMillan open despite strong coverage.

It was a perfect storm of defensive breakdowns that led to the Panthers taking a late lead and ultimately the victory.