The Detroit Lions' defense is a true outlier in the modern game. As more teams look for a Nickel defender that lets them play sub-packages on early downs, the Lions go against the modern meta by playing a majority of their snaps in a “Base” defense. They will likely do that again in 2026, even with the addition of former Titans and Rams Nickel Roger McCreary. 

On early downs (1st/2nd), Detroit lined up in Base on over 72% of its snaps and paired that with a traditional 4-3 personnel grouping, both of which ranked #1 in the NFL. Operating from a 4-3 package requires three off-ball linebackers on the field, and losing Alex Anzalone will likely sting.

Within the league, only three teams, the Lions, Vikings, and Raiders, cleared the 50% mark in Base usage. Only seven total cleared 40%. The NFL is clearly a Nickel league, and the Lions are a complete outlier.

One area the Lions are aligned with regarding the current NFL meta is “hybrid” players. Derrick Barnes functions as a de facto Edge even though he is listed as an off-ball LB on the roster. He logged almost 50% of his snaps on the line of scrimmage last season.

By walking Barnes down to the line of scrimmage as a fifth rusher, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard can present a 5-1 (Penny) or 5-2 (3-4) spacing on the field while keeping a 4-3 personnel in the game. Though in a 4-3 package, the Lions function as a 3-4 Base defense on most downs.

In the secondary, Safety Brian Branch can play almost anywhere. The Pro Bowl Safety logged only 38% of his snaps from depth, with over 50% coming from in or around the box. Both Barnes and Branch are used as “adjusters” in Detroit's Base-heavy philosophy.

Playing from a majority Base forces the Lions to align in a primary closed-post shell, with Barnes and Branch often staying heavy near the box. Barnes anchors the line of scrimmage, setting a hard edge near the perimeter of the box, while Branch provides the spatial offset.

His ability to play in the Slot or drop into the box as an extra run defender allows the Lions to maintain a heavy front-box count without sacrificing coverage speed. Detroit wants to stuff the run on early downs, forcing predictable passing situations and staying ahead of the chains on defense.

With so many bodies near the box, the Lions were still able to play the pass well from their Base personnel. Detroit finished fourth in early down passing Success Rate (43.5%), ranking them fourth overall. With only four DBs on the field, the Lions’ secondary has to play flawlessly if the team is to be an elite unit.

The Lions’ main coverage shell is a closed-post look, regardless of package. On early downs, they run Cover 1 or Cover 3 on about 55% of their snaps. Detroit ranked in the top 10 in closed-post usage while fourth in Cover 1 usage (25%) on early downs.

The NFL is averaging over 80% zone coverage schemes on these downs, with an almost 50/50 split between open and closed-post structures league-wide. Detroit is also an outlier in this category, again, leaning heavily into closed-post schemes.

The use of Base forces the Lions to play more man coverage to protect the defense's second level. Branch is the enforcer near the box and mainly handles the TE or Slot WR on early downs, depending on which package the offense is running. In the “post” is All-Pro Safety Kerby Joseph, who, when healthy, acts as a middle-of-the-field eraser.

Though Detroit carries a highly functional Quarters coverage that ranked ninth in usage (21%), the defense also doesn’t lean into the disguised-coverage meta that has taken over the league.

Because the Lions do not base from a two-high shell, they don’t utilize coverage disguises that often. Most disguises in the league are open-to-closed, with few using closed-to-open rotations at high volumes.

NFL offenses can clearly see what shell the Detroit defense is in on most downs. To counter that predictability, the Lions employ a technique in the Post that allows their defense to better play crossing routes that plague basic Cover 3 structures.

On average, NFL offenses gain almost a full yard more against closed-post defenses when running play action. Though the Lions have a high-level change-up in Quarters, their standard coverage choice is squarely in a closed-post defensive shell.

Below, I’ll examine how the Lions adjust their Post Safety play depending on the offense. First, we will look at how Detroit uses traditional footwork against an 11 personnel offense (Bengals). Then, we’ll examine how the Lions use a “Cheat” technique in the Post to counter a play-action-based offense in the Bears.

The ability to adjust the technique to match the offense, while keeping the same coverage and personnel packaging, is a critical part of the Lions' success. Since Detroit doesn’t disguise coverages, they must use different techniques to alter coverage patterns in the back end. Let’s dive into the tape!

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Dave Aranda (Baylor) and Ron Roberts’ pressure system is built on a duality of pressure points. Within blitz tags, the defense can target either toward or away from the TE, RB, or passing strength. That gives the defense six pressure points in total without having to teach any new scheme.

Roberts’ system is built on the foundation of his Tite Front, which is an odd spacing alignment (no B-gap “bubbles”). Each pressure within his system is designed to fit from odd spacing. So, even when blitzing, the defense doesn’t have to learn a new fit structure.

Within Roberts’ system in 2025, there was low blitz volume and a highly structured Base. The “static” pre-snap presentation and lack of overall blitz volume (~30%) gave the Gators an identical look every snap. That static picture is a force multiplier when Roberts calls a pressure, as seen on film and through the data.

One of the most popular paths in football right now is the Theismann simulated pressure that attacks the TE’s side with a vertical penetrating blitz. As more offenses at every level pivot to the use of multiple TEs and vertical run concepts (Duo/Counter), the use of these internal “sims” has increased.

Opposite Theismann, which attacks the TE side, is Orton, the open-side complement. The pressure is designed to attack the weak side of an opponent’s blocking scheme and is better suited for zone-run schemes, or horizontal flows.

Regardless of pressure or “static” Base, the Florida Gators maintained an almost identical run-down efficiency. Although efficiency was similar, using pressure significantly reduced the Average Depth of Tackle (ADOTK) by nearly 1.5 yards and the Success Rate by more than 10%.

Aranda, at the 2020 Lone Star Clinic, detailed how concepts like Theismann and Orton are designed to destroy one-back run designs while still providing utility against play-action passing. The bonus of “flex” Edges that can insert versus the run or drop versus the pass gives the defense max utility on early downs.

Zone pressures are becoming increasingly important at the higher levels of football. The NFL has become a zone-pressure league, and the use of simulated pressures at the college level allows defenses to maintain their seven-man distributions while applying direct pressure on the offense. The fact that numbers convert to the run makes these utility pressures a critical tool within the modern defensive coordinator’s call sheet.

While modern football has become increasingly hyper-focused on the pass, the ability to stop the run on early downs is what gives the defense back the power. The Aranda-Roberts system was built on this belief, focusing on structure (Tite Front), zone coverage (cap verticals, layer the intermediate), and, finally, creating pressure, which, against the run game, means coordinated cut-offs.

We will examine three clips to illustrate Orton's effectiveness on the open side of the offense. The weak-side pressure is designed to counter Spread-style “gun runs” that feed into the horizontal nature of the plays. Let’s dive into the tape and see how the Orton path helped the Gators finish the year with a 71% Stop Rate (negative EPA plays) while still creating a pass rush when needed.

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Most NFL defenses are using closed-to-open rotations to get into Tampa 2, but the 2025 Chargers used a unique open-to-open rotation as a change-up on 2nd & Long. This schematic breakdown explains the mechanics of the inverted spot-drop zone (Big Half), covering everything from the “Tip” Tackle pick pressure to the Nickel “pop” coverage variation. Learn how defensive coordinators use this split-safety shell to let the middle run-through (MRT) defender act as a vertical “trash collector” without pulling a linebacker from the box.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Non-Traditional Tampas

00:13 - The Chargers' Open-to-Open Philosophy

00:34 - Film Study: 3rd & 6 vs. Raiders

01:44 - The Open Post Boundary Invert Mechanics

02:05 - The "Tip" Tackle-Pick Simulated Pressure

04:30 - Film Study: Derwin James & Nickel Creepers

05:53 - Boundary-to-Field Middle Run-Through Rotation

07:23 - Film Study: 4-Man Rush with Nickel Pop-Out

08:55 - Coaching the "Trash Collector" Safety from Depth

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© 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

We dissect the structural changes and fatal depth flaws defining the toughest division in the NFC. From Drew Petzing’s updated 12-personnel run game in Detroit to the schematic transition toward match coverage in Green Bay, we map out the technique and spacing that will decide the division. Learn how Ben Johnson’s offensive “coin flips” and the college Spread's trickle-down effect on quarterbacks are shaping the 2026 NFC North civil war.

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In this episode:

• Chicago Bears: Ben Johnson’s offensive strategy relies on creating a 50/50 “coin flip” run/pass model to keep defenses guessing, while the secondary transitions to more dynamic two-high match shells utilizing new safety additions.

• Detroit Lions: Drew Petzing introduces a heavy 12 personnel run structure featuring Jahmyr Gibbs and Isaiah Pacheco, but a rigid “All-11” defensive philosophy leaves the team dangerously vulnerable to depth and injury attrition.

• Green Bay Packers: Following Jeff Hafley’s departure, the defense shifts toward a Fangio-adjacent system under Jonathan Gannon, necessitating a structural transition from zone concepts to rigid backend match rules.

• Minnesota Vikings: Kyler Murray takes over the offense as the team navigates the broader tactical challenge of adapting high school and college spread-concept habits to a professional dropback system.

• Division Outlook: The hyper-competitive landscape sets up a brutal war of attrition, with structural execution inside division matchups ultimately dictating who breaks out of the gridlock.

—

Timestamps:

00:00 - NFC North Landscape

03:16 - Offseason Movements in the Division

06:43 - Impact Rookies & Defensive Trait Evaluations

09:04 - Bears Offense: Ben Johnson’s 50/50 Coin Flips

14:18 - Bears Defense: Overhauling the Secondary Structure

17:36 - Lions Strategy: Drew Petzing’s 12 Personnel Run Game

21:03 - Lions Defense: The Cost of the All-11 Philosophy

27:15 - Packers Transition: Adapting to Match Coverage Rules

33:39 - Vikings Outlook: Kyler Murray & The Spread Trickle-Down

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Ron Roberts has created a defensive system that doesn’t rely on pressure to handle every down. Though his system is best known for its blitz structures, which have influenced football at all levels, the Gators only ranked 67th in Blitz Rate in 2025 (PFF).

Outside of Nick Saban and Kirby Smart, the duo of Roberts and Dave Aranda might be the most influential defensive coaches of this era at the lower levels. Within their defensive philosophy, stopping the run is a premium, and the use of pressure on early downs is built to generate coordinated cut-offs and funnel the ball into numbers.

The Gators finished this past season 4-8, but it wasn’t because of defense. Florida finished 39th in DFEI (think NFL’s DVOA) and had one of the best run defenses in the country. The irony here is that a system known for its pressure was actually elite at its “Base” call (-.197 EPA), while sitting 29th nationally when blitzing the run.

Though the system is popular because of its deep bag of simulated pressures, Roberts didn’t blitz the run that often; instead, relying on structure to stagnate early down offenses. Florida was 130th in Run Blitz Rate (RBR), sending a second- or third-level defender on less than 15% of their calls.

Efficiency is built into the defense's basic structures, but the use of pressure as a change-up is evident in the data. On a down-to-down basis, the Gators had an Average Depth of Tackle (ADOTK) of 4.4 yards. Contrast that with less than 3 yards when Florida sent a blitz.

Success Rates plummeted as well, going from 40% (48th) to 29% (20th). Roberts’ zone pressure system is designed to cut off the run and cap verticals in the passing game, essentially compressing the field.

“Base” for the Gators is the Tite Front, which has become a staple at the lower levels of football. The premise of the defense is to cut the offense from the B-gaps while keeping eyes on the ball with zone coverage. Last year, the Gators ranked 15th in zone coverage usage (80%). Zone pressures are an extension of Roberts’ Base and are used to create violent, sudden compression, as opposed to the standard, technically based philosophy.

These simulated pressures are baked into the system for Roberts, and no other team in the country ran them more than the Gators (58%). Run fits are coordinated in front of mostly split-field coverages. Florida ranked 15th in Quarters usage (34%) and 11th in Cover 6 (13%). “Box” or linebacker pressures were a third of their philosophy, with the Nickel being a major feature as well.

Though pressure was not a major feature of Roberts, it is a component worth studying. Like his NFL counterparts, Roberts uses best-practice vertical pressures to attack opposing run games, including the popular Theismann path.

Because Roberts relies so heavily on static Tite presentations on early downs, offenses naturally “relax” and default to basic or standard Odd Front reactions. That “lull” makes the Theismann path a lethal, low-volume, highly efficient change-up.

By looking identical to Base pre-snap, the path attacks the offense's structural “base” rules when the offense is least prepared for interior pressure. Let’s dive into the tape and look at how this change-up attacks three distinct offensive designs.

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Learn how Jesse Minter weaponized Derwin James to neutralize heavy run games and squeeze condensed formations. This tactical breakdown analyzes the mechanics of the “heel-line” path, illustrating how the Chargers utilized weak-side edge pressures to dent pullers and force vertical gap schemes horizontal. Discover how these Safety “Knife” techniques serv…

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Discover how current defenses are shifting away from Tampa 2 on 3rd & Long toward weak-rotation coverages. This tactical breakdown explains how split-field “Poach” elements and Safety vision mechanics effectively cap vertical space against empty "Punt Pro" max-release concepts. Learn how to structure a defensive answer that eliminates deep-shot tracks from condensed offensive alignments.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Modern 3rd Down Philosophy
00:41 - Explaining "Punt Pro" Protection
01:32 - Offensive Spacing vs Defensive Constraints
01:57 - The "Grab-Me" Intermediate Route
03:19 - Atlanta's Hybrid Split-Field Rules
03:55 - Defensive Box & "Latch" Mechanics
04:44 - Replacing the Tampa 2 Shell
05:17 - Poach Safety Technique
06:09 - Full Play Real-Time Review

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The NFC East is undergoing a massive schematic face-lift with new coordinators, roster overhauls, and shifting defensive philosophies across all four teams. We break down everything from the Commanders' transition to a Flores-style blitz system and the Cowboys' interior front rebuild to Vic Fangio’s match-coverage secondary in Philly and the structural evolution in New York. Dive into this complete divisional preview for a punchy, tape-grounded look at the tactical changes that will decide the NFL's most dramatic division.

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In this episode:

• Washington Commanders: Fired Kliff Kingsbury and Whit Jr. to install an under-center, run-heavy offense under David Blough and an aggressive, Flores-style blitz defense under Daronte Jones to protect both Jayden Daniels and a vulnerable secondary.

• Dallas Cowboys: Moved past Micah Parsons to build an inside-out front anchored by Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, utilizing an aggregate edge rush to keep a light linebacker core clean while Christian Parker implements a Nickel-based split-field toolbox.

• Philadelphia Eagles: Replaced A.J. Brown with a Shanahan/LaFleur-style gun-run offense led by Sean Mannion, while a returning Vic Fangio deploys a high-leverage match-coverage secondary featuring young corner talents.

• New York Giants: Embarked on a multi-year organizational reset by mirroring the Ravens’ dual-silo tracking system, combining Matt Nagy’s spread offense with Dennard Wilson’s disguise-heavy, press-quarters defense.

• Divisional Outlook: Massive schematic overhauls and heavy programmatic shifts across the board make this a high-stakes chess match, with the Eagles holding the division to lose while Dallas and Washington lean into contrasting, explosive defensive updates.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - NFC East Divisional Overview

02:26 - Offseason Receiver Drama and Roster Resets

05:48 - Impact Rookies and Safety Trends

08:07 - John Harbaugh and the New Giants Model

09:26 - Washington Commanders Schematic Shift

16:43 - Daronte Jones and the FaceMelter Defense

20:01 - Dallas Cowboys Front Rebuild and Secondary Toolbox

30:27 - Philadelphia Eagles Post-A.J. Brown Pivot

37:13 - New York Giants Tactical Rebuild

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LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker runs one of the most aggressive pressure systems in the country, with a near-50% Pass Blitz Rate (PBR), ranking seventh in the Power 4. That high-pressure approach is built into Baker’s schematic DNA, tracing back to his roots in the coaching tree of current Duke head coach Manny Diaz.

Having worked under Diaz at Texas, Louisiana Tech, and Miami, Baker reflects his mentor's approach by avoiding passive four-man rushes and instead relying on heavy blitz packages to dictate terms to opposing offenses consistently. The Tigers’ defense is unique, though, in that it operates within a structural paradox.

LSU has always been able to carry elite defensive back play. Man coverage has been a main tool for most defensive coordinators in Baton Rouge. Even the zone-dominant Dave Aranda played mostly “Wizard 1” (four-man rush with Cover 1) during his tenure.

On standard downs, LSU ranked sixth among the Power 4 in Cover 1 usage (34%), with Cover 3 accounting for another 35% of the pie. Varied split field coverages made up the rest.

Coverage, for the most part, was not an issue, which is why the Cover 1 numbers were so high, but the pass rush was. LSU only recorded 24 total sacks, ranking 100th in Sack%. On passing downs, Baker had to consistently amplify the rush by sending numbers. The metrics validate his efficiency as a blitz designer:

• Unblocked Pressures (UBP): 5th in the FBS, proving schematic manipulation over raw physical wins. When LSU blitzed, Baker understood how to attack the protections.

• Average Time To Pass (ATTP): 16th in the FBS at 2.36 seconds, forcing the ball out before routes could develop. When LSU blitzed, the pressure got there fast, only amplifying an already stout secondary.

Though LSU operates one of the most aggressive systems in the country, sending five or more rushers on 70% of its blitzes, Baker leans heavily into “safe” zone coverages rather than exposing his secondary in man coverage. When sending numbers, the Tigers completely flip from a man-match defense to pure zone. LSU’s structural shift cuts its standard Cover 1 usage to 30% while flooding the backend with Fire Zone coverage on 52% of pressure downs.

An extension of LSU’s main pressure package is the Hot, or “Eyes,” blitz (16%), which accounted for a third of the Tigers’ play calls against 12 personnel this past season. The Tigers almost completely avoided max blitzes and used Cover 0 on fewer than 2% of their calls.

LSU’s defensive backfield was elite playing Cover 1 and Match-3, but Baker’s DNA is built in pressure. Instead of relying on an average pass rush and exposing his secondary in man coverage, Baker leaned into his roots and used zone pressure as a reprieve on passing downs.

Protecting coverage was also reflected in LSU’s below-average use of the Slot defender in the blitz menu. LSU blitzed the overhang on less than 9% of its pressures, ranking 48th overall in the P4. By comparison, Diaz at Duke ranked 16th and doubled that percentage to 18%.

Baker’s limited use of overhang pressure illustrates a modern shift toward maintaining coverage integrity and using LBs to bring pressure, letting the coverage defenders cover.

Below, I’ll break down the three main pathways Baker used to attack standard college offenses, with Clemson as “home base.”

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Learn how modern defenses use Nickel personnel (4-2) to manipulate front spacing and seamlessly snap into hidden 5-1 “Penny” fronts. This tactical breakdown of the Falcons’ “Walk” mechanics details how to close weak-side run bubbles, deploy early-down “Wick” pressures, and utilize hybrid linebackers to disrupt Wide Zone and play-action concepts. Master …

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Defending early down play-action requires disciplined split-field coverages that protect intermediate passing windows without sacrificing deep vertical support. Learn how the Atlanta Falcons use a Cover 6 (Stuff) concept and matched linebacker flow to cap one of the modern NFL's favorite three-level flood concepts effectively.

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We are taking a pause this week so you can catch up on all the trends Felix and I have been talking about this off-season. Next week we will start diving into the NFL, going division by division to get you ready for the season. There are 12 total episodes that cover everything from run fits to defending motion.

See y’all next week!

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Modern defensive coordinators are caught in a constant structural conflict between prioritizing coverage spacing and maintaining box integrity. While playing light boxes in sub-packages is necessary to limit explosive passing games, 2025 defensive charting data shows a razor-thin margin for error when nickel and dime personnel are forced to fit the run.

A micro-analysis of post-snap execution reveals that elite run defense is fundamentally driven by a unit’s ability to limit space at the point of attack, neutralizing horizontal displacement before the ball spills into the secondary.

By analyzing comprehensive Expected Points Added (EPA), Yards Per Carry (YPC), Average Depth of Tackle (ADOTK), and other advanced metrics, this study isolates the structural parameters of the league’s three foundational front families: Even-Over, Under, and Bear. The following breakdown details how elite coordinators optimize these box fits to survive the modern ground game and counter the play-action meta.

» Data: PFF

Top-3 Front Structures

Even-Over Front Family

• Base (2,749 ATT): 3.65 YPC | -0.109 EPA | 16.8% TFL+NG Rate

• Sub-Package (4,833 ATT): 4.52 YPC | -0.030 EPA | 16.0% TFL+NG Rate

• The Reality: By far the most heavily utilized front structure in the NFL. While the alignment anchors a highly efficient Base run defense, that efficiency collapses in sub-packages, surrendering nearly an additional full yard per carry (+0.87 YPC).

The Even-Over front family serves as the structural baseline for the modern NFL, acting as the primary high-volume anchor for defensive playbooks. It is designed to establish a balanced horizontal wall in Base personnel. However, it faces a heavy execution tax when defenses try to preserve that same gap discipline with lighter sub-package boxes.

In Base personnel, the front is extremely efficient, holding offenses to a stifling 3.65 YPC while pairing a solid 55.0% Stop Rate with a 16.8% TFL+NG rate. However, because it is the most heavily exposed front family in football, logging over 7,500 cumulative snaps league-wide, it pays a steep physical exhaustion tax that creates a major performance drop in sub-packages (+0.87 YPC).

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Under Front Family

• Base (2,459 ATT): 3.97 YPC | -0.096 EPA | 15.9% TFL+NG Rate

• Sub-Package (1,793 ATT): 4.43 YPC | -0.045 EPA | 15.3% TFL+NG Rate

• The Reality: Highly stable volume in Base matching the Even-Over family. Sub-package drop-off occurs (+0.46 YPC) but remains tighter and slightly less volatile than Sub Even-Over looks.

Under As Your Base

With a TFL+NG rate hovering between 15% and 16%, the Under family rarely creates immediate, explosive negative plays behind the line of scrimmage. However, it offsets this lack of backfield disruption by maintaining a steady down-and-distance floor. Its Base Stop Rate (55.7%) tracks right alongside the Even-Over family, but it achieves this metric with far less volatility within the data set.

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Bear Front Family

• Base (426 ATT): 3.08 YPC | -0.206 EPA | 23.0% TFL+NG Rate

• Sub-Package (152 ATT): 3.58 YPC | -0.1531 EPA | 24.3% TFL+NG Rate

• The Reality: A highly specialized, low-volume tool designed to choke out heavy offensive sets. It is easily the most efficient run-stopping structure in the NFL on a per-snap basis.

The Bear Front Paradox

The data shows a highly variable profile within the Bear front family. With a league-leading 23.0% TFL+NG rate in Base and 24.3% in Sub, nearly a quarter of all run plays against Bear spacing are stopped immediately at or behind the line of scrimmage. However, the Bear front’s Base Stop Rate is only 44.8%, well below Even-Over (55.0%) and Under (55.7%).

Covering both guards and the center blocks natural vertical double-teams and forces immediate penetration into the interior. This creates a high volume of quick-win tackles for loss. The structural risk is losing leverage behind that interior wall.

If an offense seals the edge or handles the initial interior spike with an Outside Zone, the defense loses consistency in tracking the second level. With second-level defenders pulled tight into box conflicts, there is no safety net once the front line is bypassed.

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Overview

The Bear Front is a defensive gamble and depends heavily on the players. The Under front is a traditional standard, while the Even-Over front is the league’s everyday best practice.

Over gives defenses a high floor that keeps them structurally sound with Base personnel, but because its efficiency drops sharply in Nickel alignments, coordinators can’t run it statically at volume. The front needs post-snap line stunts, blitzes, or aggressive Safety triggers as timely change-ups to stop offenses from getting past the second level.

Coach’s Note: The Saints were a clear inverse outlier in 2025, bucking the league trend by defending the run far better in sub-packages than in base personnel. In the Under and Even-Over front families, their sub-package alignments posted highly efficient marks of -0.159 EPA/play and -0.199 EPA/play, respectively. That performance effectively shut down opposing ground games, compared with their more permissive base anchors (-0.041 and -0.043 EPA/play).

The front profile is only half the battle. Pre-snap alignment doesn't solve post-snap spatial distortion. To see exactly how elite defensive coordinators anchor the point of attack, limit Yards Before Contact (YBC), and protect their light-box personnel against heavy run sets, unlock the full clinic by becoming a paid sub.

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Learn how Seattle's early-down "Theismann" simulated pressure uses elite action-to-coverage mechanics to stifle split-zone runs and counter play-action concepts. Discover the exact tape-grounded adjustments and data-driven tactics modern NFL defenses use to manipulate heavy offensive personnel and stabilize early-down efficiency.

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In 2025, Notre Dame ranked in the top 10 nationally in both pressure rate and quick pressure rate by building their pass rush around a disciplined 5-0 pressure system centered on walk-down alignments, interior stunt games, and layered vice concepts. This free clinic breaks down two best-practice pressure paths: the “Magic” path, a three-man inside game, and a vertical stunt with a wrap, showing how to install 5-0 pressures at any level using the same concepts found from Friday night to the NFL.

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© 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

Unpack the definitive defensive blueprint for stopping late-game passing attacks as Felix and Cody break down the dramatic structural shifts of the Two-Minute Drill. Learn how elite NFL coordinators abandon standard Cover 3 schemes to use split-field coverage shells, Dime personnel, and higher defensive line stunt rates to constrain space. Discover the coaching rules needed to create organic four-man pass rush pressure, eliminate vertical threats, and throttle high-tempo offenses without relying on the blitz.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - The Two-Minute Drill Blueprint

01:58 - The Blitz Myth: Allocating Space Over Extra Pressure

04:31 - Historical Evolution: From Air Raid to Modern NFL Tempo

05:35 - The Run Filter: Elimination of Horizontal Schemes

07:51 - Streamlining the Menu: The Power of One-Word Calls

11:11 - Packaging Sub-Groups: The Substantial Surge in Dime Personnel

18:05 - Organic Pressure: Stunt Rate Explosions Up Front

25:34 - Protection Manipulation: The Technical Utility of "Boss" Fronts

29:12 - Backend Coverage Shifts: The Systematic Death of Cover 3

41:02 - End of Game Mechanics: Implementing a Sideline Fence

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Last week’s episode:

…& don’t forget to catch up on “Football School”:

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© 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

Defense is inherently reactive because the offense sets the table, creating a lag in adjustments that gives offenses an advantage until there isn’t one. The objective of the offense is to create space by any means necessary, with defenses designed to constrain that space. Football is currently in a space “war” as it moves past the Spread Era.

The main trend across football is the rise in heavy personnel packages by offenses to force the issue on early downs (1st and 2nd) by presenting a run-oriented attack. Base usage rose from ~23% in 2024 to over 27% in 2025. Offenses haven’t changed the basic nature of the run game, but have shifted how they are doing it and slightly increased the frequency on early downs.

Part of the engine for success for a modern offense is the play-action passing game. Ironically, an offense doesn’t need a good run game to reap the benefits of play-action passing. That should shoot a shiver down the spine of every defensive coordinator.

As a counter, more defenses are playing Quarters on early downs, especially in Base defenses, which have fewer coverage defenders. Part of this broader shift toward split-field coverages has been a 3% decline in Cover 1.

Cover 3 remains the dominant coverage on early downs, but teams are starting to limit play-action by pivoting to Quarters. Defenses are looking for a layered approach in the middle of the field rather than packing the box, as offenses understand how to punish isolated defenders or outmatched linebackers.

The issue, defensively, is in the structure. Closed-post or single-high coverages have loaded the box and are more vulnerable to run action, especially Wide Zone, which stretches the defense horizontally.

Two-high, or split-field, coverage alignment keeps the Safeties deep, giving them more time to “see” the play action and adjust accordingly. It is easier to play down than to play back, and the data is proving that out. Plus, it uses simple defensive logic: don’t allow the deep pass (fatals)!

Even Cover 3 ecosystems are changing. More defenses are playing two-high shells and using “match” principles in their schemes. The ideological shift in closed-post coverages illustrates an alignment within the NFL community of the diaspora of Fangio-adjacent principles and the adoption of the two-high shell pre-snap meta.

As for split-field coverages, especially in Nickel packages, NFL usage has steadily grown over the years, reaching its highest level in the past five years at 41.7%. Quarterly coverage within those philosophies grew by 2% in 2024.

The Atlanta Outlier

One of the more interesting “Quarters teams” in the NFL is Atlanta, which ranks below the league average (38%) in Nickel defense. It isn’t their volume of Quarters coverage that sets them apart; it’s the composition of that coverage that makes them unique.

Starting in 2023, NFL offenses countered defenses utilizing match rules with more motion, condensed sets, and heavier packages. To address spacing issues, teams raised their Cover 2 rates by 4% in '24. In ‘25, more teams refined their split-field menus, reducing their use and increasing Quarters rates.

The refusal to pivot to more non-traditional Tampas and other forms of Cover 2, which have grown in popularity, is a philosophical one that pairs the system with other split-field dynamic playbooks, such as Fangio-adjacent staffs.

In Atlanta, the defense ranks near the bottom of the league in Cover 2 usage, at under 3%. Ulbrich didn’t want to add more to a defense that has struggled in recent years to generate any pressure; that would have been a disaster. Instead, Ulbrich addressed Atlanta’s issues by getting better at executing the tighter coverage menu he carries.

The Ulbrich Blueprint

Ulbrich and Saleh in New York had some of the highest Quarters rates in the league. That number dipped significantly in 2024, when Saleh was fired. Once in Atlanta, Ulbrich was paired with Raheem Morris, who came from the Fangio-adjacent tree, but the Cover 6/8 “rotations” never showed up in volume ‘25. However, Ulbrich’s Quarters percentage was higher than his ‘24 number.

With the Jets, Ulbrich has arguably the best CB duo in the league in Sauce Gardner (Colts) and DJ Reed (Lions). Playing Match Quarters requires CBs that can play man-to-man on the outside, so it is understandable why New York carried such a high number.

Ulbrich’s scheme, like most NFL defenses, is anchored in Cover 3, especially in Base. Atlanta ran Cover 3 on almost 50% of its base downs and about a third of its downs in Nickel. When in Base, man-coverage dropped by 11% compared to Nickel, while Quarters rates rose by more than 9%. Without that extra defender, Atlanta wasn’t willing to give the offense one-on-ones across the board.

75% of all downs in Base are in a “binary” Cover 3 or Quarters choice (think Texans), eliminating variance. One trend from ‘25 is the growth in Quarters usage on early downs, especially in Base defenses.

Above, the chart illustrates where the Falcons sit around the league, using Quarters on just under 30% of their snaps. The Falcons are unique in this setup, as the Eagles, Saints, and Rams are all Cover 6-reliant and stem from a different philosophy than the Commanders or the blitz-centric Vikings (Hot Quarters).

Even in Nickel, the Falcons are unique. Compared to the other teams that use high amounts of split-field coverage, the Falcons are mainly doing it with Quarters. Only the Cardinals had a higher usage number. During the offseason, Atlanta added the Cardinals’ Safety Coach, Patrick Toney, signaling Quarters isn’t going anywhere, even as the head coach changes in Atlanta.

Overall, Nickel snaps were down 16% in 2025 as more offenses used 12-personnel packages. Offenses are challenging “lighter” philosophies to meet their extra gap and blocker with Base. The logic, offensively, is that the matchups are better for their hybrid TEs, and the coverage menu is pared down, making the defense more predictable.

Atlanta’s coverage menu translates from Base to Nickel seamlessly and even increases in split-field usage. Atlanta’s matchup style and ability to carry a full menu stabilized the defensive performance regardless of the package.

Nickel Billy Bowman is 5-10 and 200 pounds, but he missed much of the season because of an injury in place of Dee Alford, who weighs in at 175. That mass difference forced the Falcons to use more Base personnel.

In 2026, the hope is that a full year in the system and a healthy season will allow the Falcons to increase their Nickel usage. Ulbrich had a similar reaction in New York when looking at his ‘23 and ‘24 Nickel rates. Nickel in ‘23 was on the field 82% of the time on early downs, compared to 67% in ‘24, when he had injuries at Nickel and the NFL landscape began to pivot to heavier packages.

Film Study

Below, I take a look at Atlanta’s Nickel and Base Quarters structures. One common theme throughout is the use of a five-man front alignment. Whether it was James Peirce and Jalon Walker in Base or a “walked” Kaden Ellis (Saints), Ulbrich was trying to get to five-man spacing to help with the run defense on early downs.

Still, the split-field coverage remained constant, and the Falcons’ unique style reflects the NFL’s new meta: playing Quarters on early downs, especially in Base. Let’s dive into the tape!

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© 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.

Discover how modern NFL defensive coordinators are using split-field zone coverages to combat the explosion of offensive motion. Learn how top units like the Texans and Vikings structure their coverage menus to stop horizontal constraints, while dissecting the three fatal flaws that cause single-high structures to fail. Master the exact visual indicators needed to diagnose modern pass and run-fit mechanics.

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*Please follow us on YouTube, subscribe, rate, and review us on Apple and Spotify. If you watch/listen in the browser, choose one of the three and go hit FOLLOW!

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In this episode:

• The Macro Zone Meta: NFL defenses are using zone coverage on 78% of early downs, rising to nearly 85% in the open field, to avoid chasing modern offensive motion in man coverage.

• The Houston Blueprint: The Texans lead the NFL in efficiency against motion by pairing a permanent nickel package with a split-field menu of 40% Cover 3 and 20% Quarters.

• The Minnesota Outlier: Brian Flores’ defense defies traditional meta by blitzing 66% of the time in the open field while still dropping into zone coverage 80% of the time.

• The Three Fatal Flaws: Bottom-tier defenses are failing against motion by over-indexing on static single-high structures, neglecting split-field adaptations, and allowing box linebackers to chase horizontal movement and vacate run gaps.

• Technical Motion Keys: True vertical threats can be diagnosed instantly on tape by reading whether a receiver’s shoulders square to the line of scrimmage or cross the tackle box before the snap.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction & The Modern Motion Problem

04:03 - The NFL’s Early-Down Zone Majority

06:44 - Comparing College Volume to NFL Efficiency

11:09 - The Structural Death of Man-Match

14:16 - Targeting Middle of the Field Coverage

18:13 - Houston Texans Defensive Profile

22:43 - Minnesota Vikings Blitz & Zone Outlier

29:25 - The Spatial Limitations of Cover 2

36:38 - Structural Breakdowns of Broncos, Patriots & Seahawks

42:44 - The Three Fatal Flaws of Bottom-Tier Defenses

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Last week’s episode:

…& don’t forget to go to “Football School” if you missed any episodes this summer!

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» Join Felix and me each Wednesday as we dive deep into the game we love!

MatchQuarters is a reader-supported publication. So, make sure to subscribe, like, and share articles.

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© 2026 MatchQuarters | Cody Alexander | All rights reserved.