Carter proved stout fitting downhill against the run, but repeated visual lapses in zone coverage against screens and bootlegs dragged his overall grade down to replacement level.
Carter's 62.5 overall mark was heavily weighed down by a 57 coverage grade over 40 snaps, largely due to poor spatial awareness on perimeter concepts. He surrendered huge chunk plays by abandoning his flat discipline, notably on a 30-yard screen at Q1 14:55 and a 47-yard leak to Darnell Washington at Q4 06:16. However, he flashed real playmaking ability when driving forward, highlighted by an explosive pass breakup at Q2 01:50 and a 68 run defense grade built on sound downhill fits (Q2 03:55 and Q4 10:13).
Strengths
Downhill gap shooting
Physicality at the catch point
Closing speed in pursuit
Weaknesses
Flat awareness vs screens and leaks
Passing off intermediate crossers
Shedding second-level blockers
Plays that moved the grade
+1.5Q2 01:50, 1st & 10Read the route concept promptly and drove violently downhill into the flat to break up a pass to Darnell Washington.
-1Q4 06:16, 1st & 10Overcommitted to motion and vacated his zone responsibility, allowing a 47-yard screen and leak reception to Darnell Washington.
-1Q1 14:55, 1st & 10Opened hips inside and reacted late to the running back releasing into his flat on a 30-yard gain.
Every graded snap · 18 wins or losses, 51 routine
-1Q1 14:55 · 1 & 10 · CoverageOpens his hips inside on his drop and fails to see the back leaking to his flat, reacting far too late to contest the catch.
+0.5Q1 05:16 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseRead the run keys promptly and attacked downhill to meet the running back behind Lawrence's penetration.
-0.5Q1 04:42 · 3 & 11 · CoverageSinks in middle coverage but is held by underneath crossing action, allowing Wilson to cross behind his depth.
+1Q1 03:44 · 1 & 10 · Pass rushIdentifies Rodgers breaking contain to the right, mirrors and closes space rapidly to hit the QB as he delivers the deep ball.
-0.5Q2 04:30 · 1 & 10 · CoverageFlows heavily to the defensive left with the stretch action, taking himself out of position against the bootleg.
+1Q2 03:55 · 2 & 2 · Run defenseDiagnoses the stretch action immediately, scrapes over the top cleanly, and meets Warren downhill to finish the tackle.
-0.5Q2 02:23 · 1 & 10 · CoverageDrops into coverage but cannot close down Freiermuth's path as he crosses the middle.
+1.5Q2 01:50 · 1 & 10 · CoverageRecognizes the route concept immediately, drives aggressively downhill into the flat, and breaks up the pass with a violent, clean hit at the catch point.
+1Q3 07:39 · 2 & 10 · Run defenseReads run action quickly, avoids trash in the middle, and squares up Warren for the primary stop after a 4-yard gain.
-0.5Q3 06:36 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseCaught by the crack block of Bernard and unable to fill the running lane.
+0.5Q3 05:52 · 2 & 1 · CoverageMaintains depth in the hook zone and rallies forward on the checkdown throw.
-0.5Q3 05:47 · 3 & 1 · Run defenseClimbed on and sealed by Hoffman, preventing him from filling the crease.
+1Q4 10:13 · 2 & 8 · Run defenseQuickly diagnoses the interior run, shoots downhill into the A-gap, and makes a solo stop on Warren after 3 yards.
-0.5Q4 07:39 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseBit slightly on the pre-snap motion and was unable to take an aggressive pursuit angle to cut off Warren.
-1Q4 06:16 · 1 & 10 · CoverageOvercommits to the motion/pass concept to the offense's left, abandoning his flat responsibility.
-0.5Q4 05:23 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseScrapes slowly to the playside and cannot reach Warren before he breaks into the open field.
+0.5Q4 04:35 · 1 & 6 · Run defenseScrapes aggressively across the formation to track the ball carrier and closes down any cutback angle.
+0.5Q4 03:48 · 2 & 11 · Run defenseDiagnoses the run quickly, shoots downhill into the B-gap, and combines with Allen to finish the tackle.