screen pass

noun

: a forward pass in football to a receiver at or behind the line of scrimmage who is protected by a screen of blockers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Later in the quarter, UConn tried a screen pass, but Turner threw it right to Marshall’s Damion Barber Jr., who returned it 34 yards for a score. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2022 Kansas City made it 28-13 when Mahomes found Watson for the TD one play after Jerick McKinnon gained 34 yards on a third-and-20 screen pass. Josh Dubow, ajc, 24 Oct. 2022 Rodgers hit Romeo Doubs for 20 yards on a screen pass, then converted on third-and-long with a dart to Randall Cobb. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2022 Silvers threw a screen pass to Jontre Kirklin, who then threw the football to wide receiver Deontay Burnett to complete a 49-yard touchdown play with 4:15 left in the first quarter. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 12 Mar. 2023 Dalvin Cook rushed for 95 yards and his brilliant 64-yard touchdown after catching a fourth quarter screen pass was the signature play of the comeback. Steve Silverman, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2022 The rookie who already won the Pats a game with his special teams prowess on a walk-off punt return, took a first-quarter screen pass from Mac Jones and outraced the Bills defense 48 yards to the end zone, putting his team up, 7-3. Tara Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Dec. 2022 The Cardinals scored a touchdown when Geno Smith threw a screen pass to Arizona linebacker Zaven Collins. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 7 Nov. 2022 Aside from the interception, Micah Bernard dropped a first-quarter screen pass on third-and-14 that looked capable of going for a big gain. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Oct. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'screen pass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of screen pass was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near screen pass

Cite this Entry

“Screen pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screen%20pass. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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