GUESS THE GAME PLAN DIVISIONAL ROUND PLAYOFFS (PART 1): GREEN BAY OFFENSE
January 11, 2017 Allan Uy Dallas Cowboys, NFL 0
Credit: Rick Wood-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Cowboys come off their bye week to host the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs. With Aaron Rodgers playing at a high level once again, this Sunday’s matchup is likely to be more closely contested than Dallas’ convincing win over Green Bay in week six. Here’s a look at some of the plays the Packers will run on Sunday.
GREEN BAY RUNNING GAME
Although Green Bay’s strength is its passing game, they do have two RB’s capable of gashing defenses for big gains in Ty Montgomery and Christine Michael. When they do run, expect to see split zone and zone lead concepts.
Split Zone
The zone lead works much like an outside zone run, but with a HB in the backfield as a lead blocker. The Packers often rely on their FB Ripkowski to accomplish this.
Outside Zone
GREEN BAY PASSING GAME
One of the ways Aaron Rodgers will attack the Cowboys’ defense is up the seam. In the play below, the TE widens the defender with his release before cutting up field. This creates a passing lane for Rodgers to fit the ball before the S over top can close the gap.
Double Seam
Another concept the Packers are likely to run is also one of Dallas’ staple pass plays: the bootleg. Even though Green Bay passes the ball almost two thirds of the time, the defense must still honor the run fake in the play below. This allows Rodgers to work outside of the pocket where he finds Davante Adams open on an over route for a large gain.
GB Bootleg
Watch for stop routes or back-shoulder fade routes to the outside as well. Even with good coverage by the CB, a precisely-targeted back-shoulder fade is almost impossible to defend.
These next two concepts will be covered in the same diagram. They are the slant route and pick/rub route.
Double Slant and Curl-Flat
Rodgers will frequently target his receivers on slants throughout the game. These are typically short pass plays that can easily turn into big gains.
The pick/rub concept involves two or more crossing routes that “legally” pick off a defender to spring a receiver open. Many teams across the NFL rely on this concept, including Green Bay. These pick plays come in multiple variations like the curl-flat diagrammed above. Also, watch for the slant-flat and, depicted in the video below, the curl-slant.
Lastly, one of the traits that makes Rodgers so dangerous is his ability to work beyond a play’s design. He can scramble to buy time as he and his receivers work on-the-fly with demoralizing results. Whenever Green Bay creates an explosive play or scores a spectacular touchdown, chances are it’s because of scramble drills like these.
Expect the Packers to call each of these plays/concepts at least once on Sunday. And don’t be surprised if they become a key part of Green Bay’s game plan against the Dallas Cowboys.
January 11, 2017 Allan Uy Dallas Cowboys, NFL 0
Credit: Rick Wood-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Cowboys come off their bye week to host the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs. With Aaron Rodgers playing at a high level once again, this Sunday’s matchup is likely to be more closely contested than Dallas’ convincing win over Green Bay in week six. Here’s a look at some of the plays the Packers will run on Sunday.
GREEN BAY RUNNING GAME
Although Green Bay’s strength is its passing game, they do have two RB’s capable of gashing defenses for big gains in Ty Montgomery and Christine Michael. When they do run, expect to see split zone and zone lead concepts.
Split Zone
The zone lead works much like an outside zone run, but with a HB in the backfield as a lead blocker. The Packers often rely on their FB Ripkowski to accomplish this.
Outside Zone
GREEN BAY PASSING GAME
One of the ways Aaron Rodgers will attack the Cowboys’ defense is up the seam. In the play below, the TE widens the defender with his release before cutting up field. This creates a passing lane for Rodgers to fit the ball before the S over top can close the gap.
Double Seam
Another concept the Packers are likely to run is also one of Dallas’ staple pass plays: the bootleg. Even though Green Bay passes the ball almost two thirds of the time, the defense must still honor the run fake in the play below. This allows Rodgers to work outside of the pocket where he finds Davante Adams open on an over route for a large gain.
GB Bootleg
Watch for stop routes or back-shoulder fade routes to the outside as well. Even with good coverage by the CB, a precisely-targeted back-shoulder fade is almost impossible to defend.
These next two concepts will be covered in the same diagram. They are the slant route and pick/rub route.
Double Slant and Curl-Flat
Rodgers will frequently target his receivers on slants throughout the game. These are typically short pass plays that can easily turn into big gains.
The pick/rub concept involves two or more crossing routes that “legally” pick off a defender to spring a receiver open. Many teams across the NFL rely on this concept, including Green Bay. These pick plays come in multiple variations like the curl-flat diagrammed above. Also, watch for the slant-flat and, depicted in the video below, the curl-slant.
Lastly, one of the traits that makes Rodgers so dangerous is his ability to work beyond a play’s design. He can scramble to buy time as he and his receivers work on-the-fly with demoralizing results. Whenever Green Bay creates an explosive play or scores a spectacular touchdown, chances are it’s because of scramble drills like these.
Expect the Packers to call each of these plays/concepts at least once on Sunday. And don’t be surprised if they become a key part of Green Bay’s game plan against the Dallas Cowboys.
. My gut tells me this is going to be the best Sunday in a loooooooong time
