In an unexpected twist, the Washington Commanders found success by channeling the spirit of pop icon Taylor Swift. During their dominant 40-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the Commanders unveiled a clever play call dubbed “Taylor Swift” that resulted in a touchdown for rookie tight end Ben Sinnott.
A Swift Strike
According to Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, the “Taylor Swift” play was designed to catch the Panthers off guard. The play involved Sinnott aligning to the left next to fellow tight end Zach Ertz, then motioning across the formation pre-snap. After faking a block, Sinnott slipped into the flat, where he was wide open for an easy touchdown reception from quarterback Marcus Mariota.
You can’t really beat that to start your NFL scoring career. He was stoked about it.
– Kliff Kingsbury on Ben Sinnott’s touchdown
The play design was a perfect blend of misdirection and execution, capitalizing on the defense’s focus on stopping the run. Mariota’s play-action fake to running back Brian Robinson froze the linebackers, allowing Sinnott to slip behind them unnoticed for the score.
More Than Just a Name
Kingsbury revealed that the Commanders have a “bunch of” plays named after pop stars, but “Taylor Swift” stood out as a particularly effective call. He credited the tight ends for coming up with the cleverly titled play, hinting that someone in the position group must be a die-hard Swiftie.
The tight ends came up with the name, so you’d have to ask them. But I think he must like Taylor Swift on, like, a deeper level.
– Kliff Kingsbury on the origins of the “Taylor Swift” play
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Taylor Swift has been linked to an NFL team’s playbook. The Kansas City Chiefs, whose tight end Travis Kelce is dating the singer, reportedly also have plays named in her honor. However, Kingsbury clarified that the Commanders’ version is simply called “Kelce” and has no direct connection to Swift and Kelce’s relationship.
A Winning Formula
The success of the “Taylor Swift” play highlights the importance of creativity and unpredictability in NFL playcalling. By drawing inspiration from pop culture and keeping defenses guessing, offensive coordinators can find new ways to generate big plays and score points.
For the Commanders, the unconventional play call paid off in a big way, contributing to a lopsided victory and a memorable moment for their rookie tight end. As they continue to integrate clever playcalling into their offensive game plan, fans can expect more surprises and, hopefully, more touchdowns in the weeks to come.
A Star-Studded Playbook
The revelation that the Commanders have multiple plays named after pop stars raises intriguing questions about the team’s playbook. Which other celebrities have inspired play calls? How do the players and coaches come up with these creative names? And, most importantly, will we see more touchdowns scored thanks to plays named after music icons?
As the NFL season progresses, fans will undoubtedly be keeping an eye out for any references to their favorite artists on the gridiron. For now, the Commanders can celebrate their successful execution of the “Taylor Swift” play and the promising debut of their rookie tight end Ben Sinnott. With a little luck and a lot of creativity, this could be the start of something special in Washington.
