Chris Harris breaks down Jimmy Moreland's INT vs. Eagles originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Jimmy Moreland's first-career interception could not have come at a better time for the Washington Football Team.
With Washington down 10 to the Philadelphia Eagles midway through the third quarter on Sunday, Moreland picked off a Carson Wentz pass and returned it to just outside the Philly red zone. Washington would score on the ensuing possession, trimming the lead down to three.
Moreland's pick was a momentum-shifting play in Washington's Week 1 victory over the Eagles. The turnover was Wentz's second of the game, and the QB never got comfortable again in the matchup. The Burgundy and Gold would rattle off 27 unanswered points for a stunning 10-point victory over the Eagles.
Following the game, NBC Sports Washington's Mitch Tischler spoke with Washington defensive backs coach Chris Harris, who described what Moreland saw from the Eagles on that play to allow him to make the interception.
"Jimmy was playing zone coverage and he was belling off his receiver, meaning he was playing off [the line of scrimmage] so he could have vision on the quarterback as well as his receiver," Harris said.
"He had a good understanding that they may throw the ball hot, because we were sending pressure. He was anticipating the quarterback getting ready to throw the hot, and he did."
Related: Chris Harris sees a lot of himself in Jimmy Moreland
Playing in zone coverage, Moreland knew Washington's front was applying pressure. Reading Wentz's eyes, Moreland made his break for the ball as soon as he saw the QB plant his back foot into the ground.
"When he cocked back and threw it, I said 'Oh yeah, this finna be mine,'' Moreland said on Washington Football Postgame Live. "I had to go make a play and take the ball out of the receiver's hands."
Moreland made the play, alright. And it was a big one that helped lead the Washington Football Team to victory.
