RPOs (Run/Pass Options) are all about gaining a numbers advantage. When an offense passes, it’s because they have an advantage in the passing zone they’re targeting. When an offense runs, it’s because defenders are sitting back instead of attacking the line. There are a thousand different things that can go into it, but that’s the key. The entire idea revolves around making the defense wrong. It doesn’t matter what they do; they chose wrong.
There are a couple main ways to throw RPOs. If you want to get a little more vertical with the concept, the quarterback will read a key defender (usually a linebacker). If the linebacker bites up, fire a slant in the vacated zone. If the linebacker is holding in place, hand the ball off.
The most common way the Packers run them is by looking at the pre-snap numbers match-up on the outside and throwing a WR screen. If the Packers have 3 men on the outside and the defense has 2, they throw the screen. It’s an easy way to read the defense, because the pieces are more-or-less set before the ball is snapped. The quarterback doesn’t have to read a linebacker’s movement after the snap and make a decision. If he has the numbers advantage, his decision has been made before the ball has been snapped.
Those are the basic rules. Throw if you have the numbers advantage, run if you don’t. Again, it can be more complicated than that, but that’s the overall idea. Of course, when you have a receiver like Davante Adams, you don’t have to follow those rules all the time.
On 1st & 10 with 3:13 remaining in the 3rd quarter, the Packers come out in a heavy look in 12 personnel, with the two receivers to the left. Allen Lazard is outside and Davante Adams is in the slot. The Lions are in a split-safety look, so the receivers are capped by a safety and each receiver is covered head-up by a defender.
The numbers are 2-on-2. Not a numbers advantage. But Davante Adams is Davante Adams
There is no hesitation on the part of Rodgers. He does a half-turn to fake to Aaron Jones, then fires to Adams. Adams makes the first guy miss and ends up picking up 5 yards.
The yards gained through RPOs are typically looked at in terms of the run game. Generally, anything 4+ yards on an RPO pass is considered a win. You’re not going to pick up many chunk plays on RPOs, so you just need them to be at least as effective as a run in that situation. So this isn’t a game-breaker, but it sets up 2nd & 5. Just keep ahead of the chains, man. That’s all you need.