He threw to a downfield receiver.    From Wordnet, Princeton University. 

Adverb, adjective : He sent his receivers downfield. downfield blocking is important on passes.    From Dictionary.com. 

WR: Devery Henderson, New Orleans — Drew Brees 'first look downfield is his way.    From Wordnik.com.  [All-Joe team rewards NFL grunts whose work lets the gridiron stars shine] Reference

Coach Randy Shannon said that the team called downfield passes, but that receivers weren't open.    From Wordnik.com.  [Rivals.com: College Football News, Schedules and Scores Headlines] Reference

The Rifleman marched his team relentlessly downfield.    From Wordnik.com.  [Blue Adept]

He had some downfield blocks and he didn't allow a sack.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Band of Brothers] Reference

He also seemed unwilling to challenge defenders downfield.    From Wordnik.com.  [Offense Was Missing in Action] Reference

McCoy hit him downfield and Shipley just outran the defense.    From Wordnik.com.  [Tommy Lawlor: NFL Draft Notes] Reference

Stile ducked through the line and charged straight downfield.    From Wordnik.com.  [Blue Adept]

They want to get downfield, but they adapt their plans on the fly.    From Wordnik.com.  [Relentlessly Resourceful] Reference

A simple matter of not just throwing money, but punting it far downfield.    From Wordnik.com.  [outfoxed Diary Entry] Reference

When Troy Polamalu intercepts a pass and dashes downfield, my spirits soar.    From Wordnik.com.  [Jennifer Bogo: Sunday Night Innovation: Why Scientists Should Be the Real Role Models] Reference

PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Vick flicked his wrist and fired tight spirals deep downfield.    From Wordnik.com.  [Paul Mecurio: All Hail the Felonious Ex-Con -- Michael Vick] Reference

Behind their enigmatic smiles, longheaded politicians look farther downfield than most.    From Wordnik.com.  [How Much Change Is Change?] Reference

So we've still got a ways to go, but it's still in the game, it's pretty far downfield now.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Nov 22, 2009] Reference

The object in football is to march downfield and penetrate enemy territory and get into the end zone.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Jun 28, 2008] Reference

That thing was, I think we had a chance to get one pass downfield and we missed that one, and that was it.    From Wordnik.com.  [Joe Gibbs on a New York Super Bowl] Reference

Their second play, the quarterback fakes a handoff, spots a receiver downfield and lofts an on-target pass.    From Wordnik.com.  [Baltimore Charm, a new Lingerie Football League team, plays up sheer talent] Reference

The last indignity: On second down from the Indianapolis 23, when Manning again looked downfield for Collie.    From Wordnik.com.  [Redskins defense laments missed chances in loss to Colts] Reference

Then again, on telelvision you don't have too much choice since you can't see what's happening downfield anyway.    From Wordnik.com.  [83-81 (OT)] Reference

If you were close enough to him as he ran downfield, he'd actually slow down a little to try and give you a shot.    From Wordnik.com.  [A fun Jim Haslett story] Reference

He's determined to get downfield, but at any given moment he may need to go sideways or even backward to get there.    From Wordnik.com.  [What It Takes] Reference

The long touchdown catch came on a wheel route where Spiller got open downfield and made the grab for an easy score.    From Wordnik.com.  [Tommy Lawlor: NFL Draft Notes] Reference

Stile got downfield and cut back as if to receive the ball-and found himself thoroughly blocked off by the android pass de - fender.    From Wordnik.com.  [Blue Adept]

Philly's biggest weapon is McNabb roaming out of the pocket, where he throws effectively and is also a threat to take off downfield.    From Wordnik.com.  [Starr Gazing: Boston, Philly Fans Agree: Pats Win] Reference

A short pass thrown to a running back in the flat after the quarterback has decided that his primary receivers downfield are covered.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Pro Football Snob's Dictionary, Vol. 2] Reference

He often uses the deception of a "double move" to fool defenders into thinking he's running a short route before taking off downfield.    From Wordnik.com.  [The NFL's Lost Statistic: Drawing Flags] Reference

Quarterback Samantha Allen dropped back, faked a handoff, turned and zipped a pass 30 yards downfield, hitting her receiver in stride.    From Wordnik.com.  [Baltimore Charm, a new Lingerie Football League team, plays up sheer talent] Reference

Appearing certain to be sacked, the quarterback eludes the grasp of the oncoming rush, all the while looking downfield for an open man.    From Wordnik.com.  [Earl Pomerantz: "My Football Dilemma"] Reference

The bill is going get to the floor and they have an expression and it's an old sports expression, just keep moving the chains downfield.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Nov 1, 2009] Reference