ESPN presents: Don't Get Defensive - Answers

The Titans had built an early 10-0 lead against the Ravens in the Divisional Round playoffs. On a 3rd-and-9 approaching the 2 minute warning in the first half, Lamar Jackson broke free for a 48-yard touchdown. Who was most responsible for letting Jackson’s game-changing play develop?

A) 24 Safety Kenny Vaccaro (bottom of field)
B) 58 Linebacker Harold Landry III
C) 31 Safety Kevin Byard (middle of field)
D) Coach Mike Vrabel ✅

Against Arsenal in 2016, Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores off a quick end-to-end counterattack with some slick passing.  Who was most at fault for allowing Messi to score the opening goal of the Champions League match?

A) 6 Laurent Koscielny (top of field)
B) Coach Arsène Wenger ✅
C) 4 Per Mertesacker (top of field)
D) 18 Nacho Monreal (bottom of field)

The Lakers have been one of the best defensive teams for the past couple of years. But they didn’t look like it against the Timberwolves a few weeks ago. Juan Hernangómez slipped loose for a dunk. Which Laker was most responsible for keeping track of him?

A) 9 Wesley Matthews (near baseline)
B) 5 Talen Horton-Tucker (near top of paint)
C) 0 Kyle Kuzma (near far sideline) ✅
D) 23 LeBron James (near far sideline)

The Avalanche's Gabriel Landeskog loses the puck entering the Senators' zone, and two quick passes later, Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk was on a breakaway. Which Avalanche player was out of position and allowed Tkachuk  to get behind the defense?

A) 49 Samuel Girard (bottom of ice) ✅
B) 96 Mikko Rantanen (bottom of ice)
C) Goalie Philipp Grubauer
D) 92 Gabriel Landeskog (loses puck)

The Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard doesn’t need much time or space to wreak havoc, as the Mavericks learned on Valentine’s Day this year. Lillard slashed through Dallas’ pick-and-roll defense for a dunk. Who was most responsible for clearing the path for Lillard?

A) 0 Josh Richardson/13 Jalen Brunson
B) 0 Josh Richardson/11 Tim Hardaway Jr.
C) 0 Josh Richardson/6 Kristaps Porzingis ✅

Before the Falcons allowed Dallas to complete one of the most unlikely comeback wins last season, Atlanta built a huge early lead, partially thanks to Matt Ryan’s toss to Hayden Hurst for a 42-yard first-quarter touchdown. Which Cowboys player was most responsible for keeping track of Hurst?

A) 28 Cornerback Daryl Worley (deep middle of field)
B) 48 Linebacker Joe Thomas (middle of field)
C) 24 Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (bottom of field) ✅

With runners at first and third and two outs, the Indians’ Josh Tomlin had a chance to get out of the first inning of Game 6 of the 2016 World Series allowing only one run. But instead Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall let an Addison Russell looping fly ball fall between them, and two more runs scored. So whose ball was it?

A) Second Baseman Jason Kipnis
B) Right Fielder Lonnie Chisenhall
C) Center Fielder Tyler Naquin ✅

The Cardinals wasted no time jumping out to a lead in a Week 13 matchup against the Rams. Arizona’s Kyler Murray found Dan Arnold wide open for a 57-yard touchdown in the first two minutes of the game. Who was most responsible for Arnold getting so open?

A) 32 Free Safety Jordan Fuller (top middle of field)
B) 20 Cornerback Jalen Ramsay (top of field)
C) 22 Nickle Cornerback Troy Hill (bottom in slot)
D) Coach Kliff Kingsbury's play design wins ✅

The Wild's Zach Parise pounces on a loose puck during a line change against the Sabres. Which Buffalo player failed to execute on the line change that allowed Parise to score on the break?

A) 26 Rasmus Dahlin (top of ice on boards) ✅
B) 4 Zach Bogosian (player with puck)
C) 9 Jack Eichel (middle of ice)

Minshew Mania faltered in Jacksonville last season, but the Jaguars still had their moments, such as this big play to Laviska Shenault Jr. inside 2 minutes of the first half at the Bengals. Which Cincinnati defender was most responsible for letting Shenault get so open near the sideline?

A) 22 Cornerback William Jackson (goes in motion)
B) 38 Cornerback LeShaun Sims (bottom of field, deeper off line)
C) 30 Safety Jessie Bates (deep middle of field)
D) 23 Cornerback Darius Phillips (bottom of field near line) ✅

Boston’s Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts are two of the best defensive outfielders in the game, but they couldn’t decide who should make this play on a fly ball off the bat of the Athletics’ Stephen Piscotty, who got a 2-RBI ground-rule double in the box score. Who needed to be more assertive in calling for this ball?

A) Right Fielder Mookie Betts
B) Center Fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. ✅

The Trail Blazers were already cruising against Minnesota late in the third quarter when Damian Lillard flexed his range. Coming off a hand-off against the Timberwolves, Lillard drained a deep 3-pointer. Who deserves the most credit for letting the clock strike Dame Time?

A) 1 Anthony Edwards
B) 8 Jarred Vanderbilt
C) 0 Damian Lillard's range is unfair ✅

In an Arsenal-Reading women’s match, Arsenal scores following a corner kick in a sequence that includes multiple give-and-go passes. Which Reading player was most responsible for giving Arsenal's Kim Little the space to score?

A)1 Goalkeeper Grace Moloney
B) 8 Remi Allen (bottom of field outside penalty area) ✅
C) Multiple defensive breakdowns
D) 22 Josane Potter (middle of field near goalie box)

The 76ers' Seth Curry has been even more dangerous from 3-point range this season than his brother has been. The Nuggets' defensive lapse off a double team in the paint created ample space for his shot. Which Denver player was most responsible for staying close to Curry?

A) 7 Facundo Campazzo ✅
B) 1 Michael Porter Jr.
C) 27 Jamal Murray
D) 50 Aaron Gordon