Eagles v. Falcons

The play call on Atlanta’s do or die 4th and Goal from Philly’s 2-yard line is understandably what everyone is talking about. After motioning Tight End (#80) Levine Toilolo across the formation, the Falcons ran sprint right with two short outs:

It’s easy to second guess a play call after watching it on TV, but there’s a lot not to like about this call with the season on the line from the two yard line:

The first issue I have with the play call is personnel choice–Atlanta has Fullback (#40) Derrick Coleman lined up out wide at the bottom of the screen. A running back out wide by itself isn’t a bad choice (it can help a Quarterback assess coverages). However, Atlanta should have had its best playmakers on the field, which certainly includes Running Back (#24) Devonta Freeman.

The second issue I have is sprinting out on 4th and Goal; I don’t like cutting the field in half without one of the following: 1) some sort of rub/pick concept, 2) a flat route that can turn into a wheel if not open at first, or 3) some sort of throwback option, like below:

Without any of these, the Eagles’ defense has defended almost 2/3 of the field without doing anything, and there is no recourse if Matt Ryan’s first read isn’t open.

This 4th and Goal also could have been a game winning Field Goal had it not been for an inexcusable end of first half mistake from Atlanta. With seven (:07) seconds left to play, the Eagles had the ball at the 50 yard line and no timeouts remaining. Understandably, Julio Jones is on the field in the deep middle in case Philly decides to take a shot at the end zone. Atlanta is also prepared with four defenders pre-snap for Philly to run a 3-man Flood concept to try and throw an out route and get out of bounds in time for a field goal attempt.:

Players #1 (Linebacker Deion Jones) and #3 (Cornerback Desmond Trufant) in the graphic allow for the intermediate out to be completed and out of bounds in six seconds. First, Jones hops inside and does not defend the sideline, even though any completion in the field of play would end the half. Then, Trufant sinks to the deep out, even though another defender is over the top and the clock would have run out if the ball was thrown to the deepest out.

The next play, the Eagles make a field goal as time expires. Understanding game situation and clock management cost Atlanta on two separate occasions in the divisional round.

Jaguars v. Steelers

Jacksonville offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett called a near flawless game on Sunday, but my favorite play was their final Touchdown with 4:34 to play in the 4th:

Jacksonville is in I-formation tight, with an extra Tight End to the right side of the formation. Pittsburgh is still in a 2-high Safety look, although the strong side Safety is playing with a staggered stance somewhat closer to the line of scrimmage. The Jaguars are running iso play action Fullback seam, otherwise affectionately known as “pop pass:”

The outer most Tight End takes a wide release and runs a fade to hold the Cornerback, while the play action sucks up the only two players in position to stop the play, leading to an easy touchdown:

Patriots vs. Titans

The divisional round didn’t make the Patriots sweat, but they have added a small X’s & O’s wrinkle I’ve noticed a few times this year. Similar to a jet sweep or toss crack, New England has scored multiple times this year with a Running Back or Wide Receiver (usually Brandin Cooks) coming in motion and Tom Brady ‘dropping’ the ball to them as they run around the corner. Below, James White (#28) comes in motion slowly at first, and Titans Linebacker (#59) Wesley Woodyard follows, confirming it’s man-to-man coverage and a good look for the dropoff sweep. It’s possible the Patriots have a check out of this play if it isn’t man to man or against certain fronts: 

As long as Left Guard Joe Thuney can reach his gap and make sure the Defensive Tackle (Pro-bowler Jurrell Casey) doesn’t penetrate, New England has great look: down blocks by Gronk and Wide Receiver Chris Hogan (#15) with Nate Solder (#77) pulling around to lead the way on the Cornerback originally lined up over Hogan:

Thuney does his assignment, there are great down block angles, and James White is able to catch the ball at almost full speed for a relatively easy touchdown:

Vikings vs. Saints

The game winning touchdown in the Vikings vs. Saints game began as the same exact situation as the Falcons vs. Eagles end of half scenario; there were ten seconds left and the Vikings had no timeouts, so any completion in the field of play would end the game. However, the Vikings were at their own 39 yard line, so a Hail Mary to the end zone was out of the question. The Vikings run the same play as the Eagles, a 3-man Flood concept:

We all know what happened next:

It’s obvious Saints DB Marcus Williams misplays both Stephon Diggs and the ball. But the Saints coaching staff could have put the defense in a better position. First, given the game scenario, the absolute number one priority is “do not let the Vikings complete the ball and get out of bounds,” yet the Saints only have 3 defenders guarding the sideline. Instead, the Saints should have either rushed only 3 down lineman or pulled their Middle Linebacker much closer to the sideline and the bunched Vikings. The Saints already have 3 defenders to account for the backside Wide Receiver Adam Thielen and Running Back Jerrick McKinnon, and the Vikings can’t complete the ball in bounds, so the Middle Linebacker does nothing but cover grass.

Overall, there was a lot to learn on game management this weekend; football fans can only hope the championship round and the Super Bowl bring as much excitement as the divisional round.

The post 2017 Divisional Round Review appeared first on Syed Schemes.

Split Zone (like inside zone or zone read) entails all lineman taking a play side zone step, or stepping with their play side foot first toward where the run is designed to go. Like Zone Read, the end man on the line of scrimmage is left unblocked by the offensive line. However, the quarterback is not making a read on this defender; instead, an H-Back, Fullback, or Tight End will come across the formation for a kick out block, creating a natural crease for the running back to cut back. The kick block makes the play a bit like a trap. The running back steps downhill for the ball and has a 3-way go: continue outside (if every defender has been reached), plant his foot and press up field once defenders spill over the top, or see the cutback lane and attack the crease backside.

Split Zone creates a natural crease because inside linebackers must flow downhill play side. Meanwhile, the defender unblocked by the offensive line may see the play as zone read and play a feather technique to prevent the QB from keeping the ball. This gives the H-Back/TE a clear advantage, as he is coming to kick out the defender on his heels at full speed. This is likely what happened on the Seahawk Touchdown, with Luke Willson (#82) getting a clean shot at Clay Matthews:

The play is blocked exactly how a coach would draw it up, with both guards reaching play side and controlling the defenders in head up 2-techniques. The right tackle steps play side and has a relatively easy block on the defensive end/OLB, Julius Peppers. The center helps the right guard control the 2-tech and then continues to the closest second level defender. The left tackle steps down hard play side and is able to easily wash (#50) A.J. Hawk, the inside linebacker who has flowed play side far too much. Take note of what the pre-snap motion did: When Willson moves across the formation, A.J. Hawk steps two full yards to his right. This leaves him out of position and unable to recover.

Below is an example of a defense playing Split Zone more soundly:

Washington’s outside linebacker Perry Riley (#56) is head up on the guard, instead of a shade inside, where A.J. Hawk was washed inside. Riley diagnoses the play well and doesn’t step too far downhill or inside. Riley also gets help from #98 Brian Orakpo, who stonewalls the kick out block and makes the cutback crease very small. Running back LeSean McCoy has no choice but to press up field into a scrum for a yard. Note that the Eagles have 2 tight ends, thus condensing the box. While in shotgun, Split Zone may be best with a more spread look (3 WR 1 TE and 1 RB).

Split Zone can be run by offenses with no zone read element as well. While nobody would call Tom Brady a speed demon, the Patriots are successfully able to execute Split Zone below:

The Colts linebacker (#52) D’Qwell Jackson starts over the guard and is over aggressive downhill and inside, making it easy for the right tackle (#76) Sebastian Vollmer to wash him down. The kick out block is essentially a stalemate, but there is still a cutback crease for the running back.

Split Zone also gives offenses play action options, both from under center and shotgun. The blocking scheme remains the same for the offensive line, who must sell run. The kick out blocker attacks the unblocked defender but avoids him and heads to the flat. It’s a win-win for the offense: If the unblocked defender crashes down hard, the receiver will likely be wide open in the flat. If he feathers, the quarterback will have room to throw. The play will almost always end up going toward the quarterback’s throwing arm:

As seen above, the play action element of Split Zone can also be run with a WR/RB hybrid to maximize speed from route runners. From under center, Split Zone play action is more effective with the TE/H-back/FB because it looks more like a run. However, the play action element may be harder to run from under center because the kick out blocker could get lost while sifting through traffic. Below, Seattle is able to pick up a key first down on 3rd and short:

Overall, Split Zone is a great complimentary concept to both inside zone and the zone read. If linebackers are being over aggressive and making tackles downhill against inside zone, or read men are feathering against zone read, Split Zone is the way to counter. Once defenses are aware of Split Zone as a run, play action is the next progression. While the primary focus here was Split Zone from shotgun, other analysts have focused on Split Zone from under center. 

The post Split Zone appeared first on Syed Schemes.

Minnesota is in a base 4-3 Cover 2 look, with both Safeties responsible for one “Deep-Half” of the field, and each of the Cornerbacks and linebackers taking an underneath zone for five defenders across underneath:

The Offensive Line sells Outside Zone left very well, and Rodgers starts the play with an excellent Play-Action fake, drawing the eyes of the Safety that would be immediately affected:

Next, Rodgers goes through his progression and uses his eyes to affect defenders. Rodgers looks at his first read and checks both Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson and Safety Harrison Smith, who is in good position with a 10-yard cushion. Meanwhile, the Safety originally affected by the Play Action has flipped his hips to go back to his coverage responsibility

Rodgers then goes to his next read, the 2nd Safety. Here is where the play design works to perfection. The Play Action and Randall Cobb’s Post-Dig route has drawn the attention of the 2nd Safety. Even though the Cornerback is in good position to play the route, the 2nd Safety comes up to play the route because he does not feel his Deep-Half is threatened. In this freeze frame, it is not, because Jordy Nelson is stemming toward the corner. Vikings Safety Harrison Smith (#22) commits to this stem and breaks on the route

GIve credit to the Packers’ Offensive Line; this is a long developing play, and without them Rodgers would not be able to go through his progression in a clean pocket for this much time. Rodgers sees the 2nd Safety breaking towards Randall Cobb, but knows Jordy Nelson is going to break back to the Post. Rodgers baits the 2nd Safety into believing he wants to throw the ball to Cobb, which creates a giant void behind the 2nd Safety

In addition to the great Offensive Line play, Packers WR Jordy Nelson (#87) sets up Vikings Safety Harrison Smith with a great route. At this point, 1/2 of the field is completely vacant, and Nelson has beat the safety. The video below puts together the progression of the play, first in slow motion, then standard speed:

The Sting Route combined with the Dig can be used as a 1 safety or 2 safety beater. Against Cover 1 or 3, the offense reads the single high safety. If the single high safety stays deep, the dig underneath is the throw, and if the safety bites up, the Sting route is the throw.

However, against Cover 2 either the Quarterback must control the backside safety with play action and his eyes, or the dig route must occupy him to create a 1 on 1 matchup with the safety defending the Sting route.

Many factors go into this Touchdown. Aaron Rodgers shows why he is one of the very best Quarterbacks in the game, the Offensive Line protects him for ample time, and Nelson runs a great sting route. Other NFL Analysts breaking down the Sting Route (#8).

The post Rodgers Play Action Progression leads to long Jordy Nelson Sting Route TD appeared first on Syed Schemes.