Under-center offense surge

NFL teams are using under-center offense at 42.0% rate through Week 3, the highest since 2013.

“everyone in the nfl is going under center now”

Blitz rate spikes

Defenses are blitzing under-center passes at 51% rate through three weeks, the highest since 2006.

Run game shift

Teams run outside zone on 40% of designed rushes, the highest since 2016, with formations shrinking to 22.67 yards.

Blitzing run defense

Defenses use blitzes to get defenders into unaccounted zones, forcing offensive lines to play faster.

Vikings blitz example

Vikings send LB Eric Wilson through the backside A gap to occupy left guard and open holes for receivers.

“Eric wilson blitzes into the backside a-gap, occupying the lg”

Corner blitz strategy

Defenses use corner blitzes to create unaccounted-for defenders, especially in condensed formations.

“always blitz the corner against condensed formations”

Seahawks corner blitz

Seahawks use corners to blitz, with defenders like Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe creating negative plays.

“the seahawks and head coach mike macdonald run this a lot with their corners”

Blitzing pass defense

Defenses blitz under-center play action passes at 52% rate, disrupting quarterback timing and flow.

Bears play example

Bears use blitzes to disrupt Jalen Hurts' play, forcing intentional grounding to stop the offense.

“jalen hurts finishes his run fake and there are two bears defenders in his face because lb devin bush blitzed”

Saints blitz success

Saints' LB Kaden Elliss times blitzes perfectly, creating stress on running backs in pass protection.

“kaden elliss was all over the lions on these blitzes when they got to uc”

Blitz effectiveness

Blitzes create 1v1 matchups between running backs and linebackers, forcing quicker decisions.

Buffalo pass protection

Buffalo uses tight ends to block blitzes, helping QB Josh Allen avoid pressure in play-action passes.

“dawson knox ends up blocking the blitzing lb through the b gap”

Bears run defense

Bears use running backs and tight ends to seal edges against blitzes, creating illusion of run plays.

“chicago sees a double corner blitz like the one we talked about earlier”

Blitz strategy impact

Defenses are increasing blitz rates to 32.3% leaguewide, the highest since 2010, to counter under-center offenses.

Next steps

Offenses must develop creative pass-protection schemes to counter rising blitz rates against under-center plays.