Here is a simple trick to enhance passing down blitzes:
>> Attack the RB!
Below, the Patriots run a simple "Wick" (Will Dog) pressure attacking the open-side (non-TE) edge.
Pistol is also not an ideal location for pass protection from the RB...
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100%... For people surprised he was getting HC interest, I point out that he made lemonade outta lemons in Miami.
That roster was sub-optimal.
Not all coverage disguises have to be from opposite contours.
The Patriots play a ton of Cover 3 from a 2-High shell, which feeds into that information loop, but plays like Tampa.
What is 2-Hole Coverage: www.matchquarters.com/p/coverage-1...
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Patriots illistrating the utility of non-traditional Tampa 2s (NTT).
Clip 1: Inverted 2 with the Post Safety as the "pole runner" or Middle Run-Through (MRT).
Depth is your friend!
Clip 2: NE with an open-to-open post rotation and a 2-Hole NTT concept.
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Understand why living in 2-High on early downs is a trend to watch for in 2026 | www.matchquarters.com/p/erasing-pl...
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The Play-Action Kill Chain:
Solving Personnel Mismatches with Split-Field Coverage
Miami’s 4.8 YPD split-field efficiency neutralized early-down play-action explosives and can provide a schematic blueprint for the rest of the NFL.
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The Safety opposite the Ni is playing vision, and is the High Intermediate player.
The Safety to the Ni works to close the Post.
Find more resources on how the Patriots use a Protector/Aggressor mechanism in their 2-High structures: www.matchquarters.com/p/patriots-v...
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Creating "stacks" or layers in the Post is why so many 2-High NFL defenses are making it harder for offenses to attack the middle of the field on early downs.
Here, the Patriots have the Nickel travel into the boundary where the RB sidecar is located.
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When analyzing blitz trends in the NFL, edge pressure opposite the RB is one of the first patterns you recognize.
Here, the Patriots use their Down Safety (21) on a contain blitz.
The movement from the D-line "jams" the Zone's ability to create horizontal space.
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This is an inexpensive way to force errant throws and scrambles without bringing a heavy blitz and vacating zones downfield.
The full technical breakdown of the Center Pick, including BOSS variations, is available now on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/anthony-we...
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Offenses use the running back to stabilize the pocket and pick up second-level blitzers
Anthony Weaver’s Dolphins utilized a Center pick scheme to turn that protection rule into a defensive advantage.
The blitz design manufactures a free hitter by forcing the offense to "pick" itself.
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That's a very "Ravens" style of play, too.
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Talking blitz design this week on Let's Talk Ball!
- Identify the weak link in protection and force the one-on-one.
- Target the back to manufacture a mismatch that ends in the quarterback’s lap.
Pod links below.
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Also, Shanahan stated before the Super Bowl that Seattle is so tough because they cap your routes and are just as dominant against the run.
So, Macdonald was getting the best of both worlds while being able to cap the intermediate and essentially double CMC.
It's a numbers and leverage game.
Even with the flat defender tucked in, the pressure "is the coverage," blocking quick access to the sideline & allowing the LB to expand.
Learn more about blitzing condensed formations: www.matchquarters.com/p/chucky-sam...
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A lot of defenses would check out a CB pressure or check the blitz down to an ILB vs. a condensed formation.
Once the Bills motion to a 2x2 formation, the Patriots still send their CB off the edge.
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Not a dumb question!
100%, yes.
In fact, Stefanski (Falcons) mentioned this to Kevin Clark at the NFL owners meetings.
It forces you to stay patient with the run game, which most of these OCs won't do.
Defenses are willing to give up a 3-4 yard run to get you into a passing situation.
Really appreciate it!
That is what I built MatchQuarters for.
Thank you.
At the NFL level, Quarters is typically a Red Zone call because it can build layers & defenses aren't afraid of vertical shots.
Learn more about weak side vision mechanics: www.matchquarters.com/p/high-to-lo...
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Just because it is Quarters, doesn't mean the Post will be open.
Here, with two low routes, the Weak Safety can use his vision to poach any deep crosser or OTB route.
The Patriots are among the best teams to study when looking to marry weak-rotation Cover 3 & Quarters.
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Miami ran Cover 2 to eliminate explosives on early downs, & it worked, allowing them to have one of the best YPD against play-action.
See why more NFL teams are pivoting to split-field coverages on early downs: www.matchquarters.com/p/erasing-pl...
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Mike Macdonald and Anthony Weaver both had something in common in 2026:
They leaned heavily into Cover 2.
Seattle used the coverage as a cap, compressing offenses & forcing them to run the ball or throw low in the zone.
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Though the QB was looking backside, & the pressure hit, had Allen snapped back to the front side, his only throw would have been behind the line of scrimmage.
Push Alerts: www.matchquarters.com/p/quarters-c...
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Don't let flat pushes drain out your curl defender in Quarters.
Great example of Quarters coverage vs. a mirrored Stack "Smash" concept.
The "box" appears to the RB's side as he pushes to the flat.
Excellent job by the Patriots' Ni hanging in the Curl instead of chasing the flat.
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What is Poach Coverage: www.matchquarters.com/p/what-is-po...
Teaching Poach Coverage: www.matchquarters.com/p/teaching-p...
Poach vs. Solo Coverage: www.matchquarters.com/p/coverage-1...
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Against Quads formations, the backside Safety can be wasted in true split-field coverage.
The Patriots lock the backside X and Poach their Weak Safety.
On the front side, the coverage is a variation of Stubbie (Mini/Special).
With a Poach Safety, the front-side coverage can focus on the Slot.
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You bet!
Love teaching ball.
Really appreciate it!
Thank you.
Hey, it's a football show that actually talks ‘ball!
Please follow, rate, and review us. Plus, tell your friends!
MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/podcast
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1EHyzgT...
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TalkBallPod...
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