Imagine this: your favorite quarterback just threw an interception. You open social media and immediately see the following phrase:
“He just threw a meatball sub.”
A meatball sub? As in the sandwich…? The new season has started, and the opportunity to post lowlights has returned.
The Meaning of a Meatball Sub
A “meatball sub” in online lingo refers to an interception that falls squarely on the quarterback. That rules out interceptions caused by disguised coverages, wide receiver drops, and well-timed defensive line swats.
In the majority of meatball sub examples, the quarterback lobs the ball into double coverage or throws the ball directly to a defender. In some examples, the type of sandwich may vary, although the sentiment remains the same.
The pass seen above by Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is the season’s first great example of a meatball sub. The pass is floated carelessly into double coverage, creating an easy opportunity for the defense to snag the ball.
The term “meatball” in baseball refers to a pitch that is easy to hit. In football, it represents a ball that is easy to intercept.
Every Meatball Sub Starts With a Mental Error
Quarterbacks throw meatball subs for one reason and one reason only: mental error. A meatball sub cannot happen without a bad decision from the quarterback. It is an unforced error.
While pressure from the defense may cause rushed decision-making, the quarterback is often better off taking a sack or throwing it out of bounds than lofting it into triple coverage. A crucial ingredient for the meatball sub is carelessness.
Watson carelessly throws the ball directly to the defender, targeting the well-covered Jerry Jeudy on a curl route. If Watson had targeted any of his other receivers at that point in the play, he would’ve had a better opportunity for a reception, pass breakup, or drop, which are all better than this boneheaded interception.
Not Every Interception Deserves the Meatball Sub Label
Many accounts on X have jumped on the trend without understanding what actually qualifies.
This play by Jalen Hurts is incorrectly deemed a meatball sub. While the ball is thrown to DeVonta Smith with two defenders near him, Smith has beaten both of them on his route. The ball doesn’t reach him because Hurts takes a massive hit as he throws, altering his motion. This is a good play by the defense, not necessarily a bad decision by the Eagles quarterback.
Meatball subs have always existed in football, and they won’t be leaving anytime soon.
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