Defenses in the NFL are increasingly attacking offenses through... the open-side B-gap (away from the TE). Against Duo, the line movement can force the RB weak, which is not how the play is designed to work. The Ravens use a boundary Will "stab" to create and force the Vikings' vertical run horizontal. Adding a Fire Zone coverage and dropping the Boundary Safety adds a layering effect to the run fit. If the Mike (49) rocks back earlier, Baltimore would have a clinic vice tackle. Instead, the Nickel traces back on the line of scrimmage and meets the back with the Safety. Mike Macdonald, another Ravens-tree coach, used this exact pressure in the Super Bowl to kill the Patriots' run game. Learn more about best practices early down pressures, only on MatchQuarters: --show more

The Cowboys' Jaishawn Barham (55) is going to be... a weapon on early downs. Against the Cardinals, DC Christian Parker used him on the open side (away from the TE) to puncture the Cardinals' downhill run game. These pressures are becoming an excellent way to attack early down run concepts. The LB's job is to stay connected to the B-gap and work vertically, cutting off the RB or bending to him once he crosses the line of scrimmage. If this concept looks familiar, it's because Seattle's Mike Macdonald used this pressure in the Super Bowl to counter the Patriots' heavy-package run game. Learn more defensive best practices and trends, only on MatchQuarters: --show more

When a defense can anticipate the Zone’s direction, these... interior twists can be deadly. In the clip, the Chargers run a NOT stunt (Nose 1st) against a Pistol Split-Zone concept from the Broncos. The line will work to the defensive right, & the stunt uses that movement to cut off the RB. Denver's RB goes wide & is run down by the Nose. Learn more about internal twists on MatchQuarters: --show more

One of the best ways to attack gap schemes... is to "chase" or "punch" the puller in the B-gap. Patriots illistrating one of the most common run down pressures in the NFL, a Will "Dog" puncturing the B-gap. The Bills are running a Counter YF (no pull). New England's pressure creates a free hitter & prevents the RB from getting a quick vertical press. --show more

Love watching #Patriots NT Khyiris Tonga do work in... the run game. Consistently fires into blocks to reset the line of scrimmage, and plays with a non-stop motor. Look at the hustle here from the 335-pound NT to run down the line of scrimmage on the zone toss.show more

NFL defenses are constantly looking for ways to protect... their Nickel against the run. Conversely, offenses are trying to mask intentions within their packages. In the clip, the Packers are in 11 personnel but are aligned in a 12 personnel double-slot formation. The Steelers match with a "Stride" path, or Ni-to-B-gap, versus Green Bay's Wide Zone. Stride has the DE COP (contain), while the Ni comes underneath. The WR is responsible for the Ni, but he's now gone. Learn more about how NFL defenses protect their overhangs, only on MatchQuarters: --show more

The Packers attack the Steelers' protection with a classic... "Spike" path opposite the RB. Traditionally, this path attacks the side of the protection where the RB is located. Moving it to the open side and away from the RB creates a better angle for the initial blitzer to spill the block. The path creates a natural cross-dog action as the LB in charge of the RB wraps around on a "Hug Rush." Once the RB initiates a block, he inserts on a blitz (Green Dog). Learn more about "Hug" rushes and how they can amplify pressures on MatchQuarters: --show more

A lot of Packers fans are asking if they... will see the 3-Safety system that was a staple of Gannon's Cardinals defenses. Against the Steelers, we got to see shades of the system. Green Bay is in a Penny package (5-1) with three Safeties on the field to match Pittsburgh's 11 pers. The call is Will 4, meaning the boundary Edge will rush and the field Edge will drop into coverage. Though Gannon has run a derivative of the Fangio system, his scheme is unique to him. He prefers Quarters over the "rotational" split field menu found in Philadelphia. I expect Gannon to have a more traditional style in '26, but there is a use case for his 3-High structures, especially against 11 pers. Learn about the evolution of this scheme and why Gannon had to create a mitigating defense in Arizona, only on MatchQuarters: *I made this free to all.show more

Against the Lions, Jeff Hafley wanted to use this... Post-to-Buzz rotation in his Inverted 2 scheme. The Post Safety will "steal" the Seam. Because there is a Post Safety to start, the Mike doesn't have to get into the deep middle "right now!" That allows him to reduce his early down conflict. Green Bay was able to get a pick in the Red Zone off this rotation earlier in the game. --show more

Gary Patterson is back stalking a sideline. What does... that mean? Classic 4-2-5 Quarters structures. The Trojans' game against San Jose St. gave us an excellent look at Patterson's defensive philosophy against a true Spread offense. Against a "Quads" alignment and backed up, USC "shoved" the coverage and gave a clinic look at "Solo" (poach) coverage. The Spartans attack with a Slot Fade, giving us a look at how the Weak Safety mechanics function. Solo is an "active" poach, and the Safety works quickly to the #3 WR. Once the receiver converts to a speed out, the WS climbs to close the post. Learn more about standard Quarters structures vs. Trips, including Solo, on MatchQuarters: --show more

Look at the route distribution to the boundary and... how they're just compressing the space of the 3 routes using 4 defenders playing with perfect depth and leverage maintenance. This is the essence of a Vic Fangio split safety coverage — play 4-over-3 to the side #3 releases to, distribute the dirty bunch using zone principles to keep all the routes caged in and just suffocate the concept.show more

There is not one snap from Saturday that perfectly... encapsulates Ohio States defense and what Arch was dealing with. Pre-snap: 4-2-5 MOFC look, which means nothing since Patricia drops into Tampa/C2 from this look often. Post-snap: Double A gap Creeper (Mahomes) with MOFC. Versus 3x1 Gun Weak creates 4th/1st and 3 Up rules. - Boundary 5t is the 4th/1st Crosser - Field 5t is the Strong Hook - Caleb Downs is the 3 up is 3 player - Nickel is SCIF/B2b player. Caleb Downs gets #3 vertical to start the down that turns into an inside stem. The post safety that starts into the boundary identifies #3 bending back over the middle of field, and Caleb Downs is able to "Cut" him back to the post safety. Essentially the 3 up is 3 and post safety switch roles in them middle of the play. This adds layers to the coverage based off of leverage (#3 is running away from O/s leverage 3 up player, while running into postive leverage post safety). All of this is to say this new Ohio State defense is not predicated on just being talented and being chaotic, they showed an extreme grasp on techniques just in week 1.show more

“Mikal ran the floor and took the defense down... the floor … (Shamet) gets a wide open three because Mikal’s ability to run – just put his head down and run – at a point in the game where everyone is tired.” - Mike Brown on play below, subtle ways Mikal Bridges impacts game:show more

The Cardinals have one of the most unique defenses... in the NFL. Their "base" sub-package starts as a Penny (5-1) three-safety system and can morph into a 4-2-5 or a standard 3-4. Against the Raiders, the structure moves to a 4-2 once Las Vegas initially shifts to a 3x1 set. Learn more about how Arizona uses its three-safety platform to rotate into different coverages, only on MatchQuarters: --show more

"Pick" pressures are an excellent way to attack protections... from mugged fronts. Here, the Gators target Miami's left Guard. The mugged LB works to the near hip of the Guard while the D-linemen step vertically to get the lineman in position. Once the LB makes contact, the DL will wrap. The goal is to get a 2-for-1 on the LB and create an alley to the QB. Interestingly, it's usually the "pick man" that comes free in these types of pressures. Learn how other teams run these schemes on MatchQuarters: --show more

The hate is justified. This whole run it back... gimmick is bad and brings down the whole momentum of the show. Even in Kayfabe , You have to be some kind of a dumbass to run it back instead of eliminating people. Roman knocked the yeet of your face and eliminated you from the Rumble and you are glazing him the next day ?? All that crashout and “im not just an entrance” is literally just a lie. You are the worst wrestler of all time brother.show more