Welcome back to another episode of Make The Call, our deep dive into the art of play calling like never before! With the AFC conference almost wrapped up, it’s time for the AFC North coaches to take the stage before we conclude the series with the AFC South. As usual, we’ve tossed a unique football scenario their way to test their minds. So, grab a seat, examine the snapshot and scenario, and prepare to plunge into their decision-making process. They’re here to dissect their tactics, provide insights into their strategies, and demonstrate how the game is played at the top level. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan, a lover of strategy, or just in for some fun, you’ve found your spot. It’s time to Make. The. Call!
THE SCENARIO.
You’re up against your arch rivals on the road, and they beat you the last time you played. Lots of trash talking and altercations typically happen from staff and players alike during this matchup. You gave up 6 sacks in the last game, and your rivals blitz often. It’s 1st and 10 after a decent opening kickoff return to begin the game. What’s the call?
THE CALLS.
“First thing is I put RB to block left and shift the oline to block right. That leaves one guy left on a free release so I have to pass fast…. Hot route the left WR to a slant route, hot route number 11 to whip route, which beats man if it’s man…. double flys out the 2 WRs outside. Cover 3, I hit 83. Cover 2, I hit 9 along the sideline. Man, I hit the whip route or the slant. Everyone is blocked and it gives me time for a few reads in pocket.”
– ARod
“We’ll draw up a play in an attempt to take the air out of the crowd and get the momentum on our side. Pre-snap: There’s 8 bodies in the box, but it appears that 2 defenders are matched up against our TE and our RB (I don’t expect them to blitz). We’ll audible to a levels-like concept. The WR on the far right will be on a streak, our slot WR will be on a slant, our TE will stay in to block, our RB will be on a block and release route (out to the left), and our WR on the left will be on a 10 yard dig. In play progression: I’m assuming my boy George Pickens is out wide to the right. With no safety help, I like him 1 on 1 against the best of them. He’ll be the first read and get the ball if he’s able to get a clean release off the line… if not we’ll look to our slant (who should have a clean release since he’s off ball). If they’re in man like I suspect, the dig route should create a legal pick. If neither are open we’d check down to the RB.”
– Curt
“In our last encounter, we conceded six sacks, a glaring issue we’ve since addressed. Now, with the momentum from a stellar kick return granting us advantageous field position, we’re poised to intensify our offensive pressure. As we break from the huddle, adopting the Shotgun Trips Y-Flex Formation, we immediately notice the opposition’s Nickel Set, with six defenders poised at the line. This is a scenario we anticipated.
– Bom Trady
With a fully fit Joe Mixon at Halfback, we’re strategically positioning him for a ‘Check and Release’ block. Given the likelihood of a six-man rush, our plan is to counter with equivalent blocking. The absence of our star left tackle, Orlando Brown, due to injury, requires Joe to adapt by stepping up and shifting right within the pocket, a key adjustment in our protection scheme.
Our ace, Ja’Marr Chase, is in the slot, likely facing a one-on-one with the Free Safety. His matchup is crucial, and we’re banking on his ability to outmaneuver his opponent. Our analysis suggests that the defense will employ Press Man Coverage, utilizing inside leverage. This insight shapes our offensive strategy, as we aim to exploit their approach.
On the left, Higgins finds himself isolated, a scenario we intend to leverage with a hot route to a comeback. Meanwhile, Tyler Boyd, positioned wide right, is set for a drag route underneath. This play isn’t just about Boyd’s route; it’s a tactical move designed to create a dilemma for the opposing User Linebacker. We understand that our window to execute is narrow, likely just a two-count, emphasizing the need for rapid, precise decision-making.
Each element of this play is a calculated response to our opponent’s tactics, reflecting our adaptability and strategic foresight. As we line up, every player knows their role and the part they play in this chess match of gridiron strategy.”
“I’m starting the game off with some perimeter plays early on in my opening script. Probably some time of double screen on the first play. I’d have a 3×1 wide bunch formation with a jailbreak screen to the WR in my bunch with a RB swing crack screen to the single WR where the solo WR (X) cracks the RB’s cover defender on a swing screen. I’d motion the WR across the formation into the bunch to get a man/zone indicator pre-snap for the QB as well as hide the bunch to make it hard to communicate the bunch rules for the defense. The QB’s read is the RB’s cover defender, usually the will LB or a rotated down safety. If the LBs chases the RB, that indicates man coverage and you want to cut off the 5 step drop and throw the swing on the 3rd step of your drop while fading away to navigate the ball around the DE rushing upfield. The X WR will naturally take 2 defenders because the CB manned on him will follow him inside thinking it’s a drag/slant and then the X will block the RB’s defender as well.
– KMFO
If the Will LB that the QB is reading doesn’t chase the RB and it appears to be zone, then the QB wants to finish a 5 step drop on time and deliver the throw to the WR in the bunch on the jailbreak screen because you’ll have good perimeter numbers against a zone blitz.
With a defense that’s blitz-heavy and sacked me a lot, I’m looking to start getting their D-line to pursue sideline to sideline to wear them out early in the game. Also I want to make the defensive coordinator have to start thinking twice about sending heavy blitzes due to our screens that we show early on. When playing on the road against a team that gets after the QB a lot, last thing you want to do is put your QB in a position where he is making complex reads early on with down-field throws and risk taking sacks that’ll get the crowd into the game.”
