# NFL Defenses Blitz Under-Center Offenses > NFL defenses use aggressive blitzes to counter under-center offenses' rise. - Title: NFL Defenses Blitz Under-Center Offenses · CBS Sports - Summary: NFL defenses use aggressive blitzes to counter under-center offenses' rise. NFL defenses are increasing blitz rates to 51% against under-center passes to… - Keywords: nfl, under center offense, blitz rate, defensive strategy, football, pass protection, run game, quarterback, sports, Defenses, Blitz, Under-Center - Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-defenses-combatting-unexpected-rise-under-center-offenses - Published: 2026-09-30T14:25:07+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: nfl, under center offense, blitz rate, defensive strategy, football, pass protection, run game, quarterback, sports ## 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. ## Key takeaway NFL defenses are increasing blitz rates to 51% against under-center passes to disrupt offensive plays.