MatchQuarters by Cody Alexander

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Timestamps:

00:00 Math Behind Hug Rushes in Man Coverage

01:14 Slide-Lock Protection & Green Dog Path

02:26 Spilling the RB & Creating the Pressure Alley

03:17 Caging the Pocket & Coverage Layering

04:19 The Physics of Attacking the Back

05:55 The Problem: Defending the Back on a Flare

06:45 Shared Rush & Spike Rules

08:23 Peel-and-Eat Technique & Contain Replacement

10:51 Third-Down Pressure Applications

Other Hug Rush Resources:

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NFL Week 1 Preview: Macdonald's Defense, Maye's Deep Ball, & Division Picks

Cody Alexander — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:01:21 GMT

Mike Macdonald’s Seattle defense takes on Drake Maye’s vertical passing attack in Week 1, testing whether split-safety caps and interior B-gap pressure can shut down New England’s downfield shot rate for a second straight time. Felix and Cody break down the schematic details of that matchup, examine key under-center offensive shifts around the league, and project divisional races through a defensive lens. Dive into tape-backed analysis of backend coverage rotations, front-seven rebuilds, and structural scheme fits heading into the 2026 NFL season.

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Timestamps:

00:00 CFB Tape & Program Development

06:11 NFL News: Gonzalez Extension & Smith Injury

11:28 Cleveland's QB Room Dilemma

15:35 AFC East & North Division Forecasts

21:40 AFC South & West Fronts

29:30 NFC Contenders: Eagles, Bears, & Rams

48:01 Week 1 Scheme: Macdonald vs. Drake Maye

53:09 Matchups to Watch: Under-Center Shifts & Rebuilt Fronts

59:22 Opening Slate Breakdown & Week 1 Implications

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Last week’s episode:

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Macdonald, Minter, and Martindale: The Ravens Defense Archive

Cody Alexander — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:50:34 GMT

Master the Ravens’ defensive system with film-room breakdowns and tape clinics covering Mike Macdonald, Jesse Minter, Wink Martindale, and the entire coaching tree. Explore how modern coordinators use split-field coverages, light-box run fits, and simulated pressures to attack modern offenses without sacrificing backend structure. Study detailed scheme installations, pressure paths, and coverage adjustments from Baltimore, Seattle, Los Angeles, and beyond.

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Total System Resources

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Mike Macdonald

2025 Season (Seattle)

2024 Season (Seattle)

2023 Season (Baltimore)

2022 Season (Baltimore)

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Jesse Minter

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Chris O’Leary (Chargers)

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Wink Martindale

Zachary Orr

Anthony Weaver

Dennard Wilson

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Inside DeMeco Ryans’ Static Early-Down Defense

Cody Alexander — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:02:19 GMT

Since 2020 and the “Two High Revolution,” NFL defensive philosophy has been dominated by disguise. From a two-high shell, the defense can pivot into multiple different spots post-snap. Along with the backend complexity, defenses have increased their use of simulated pressures and early-down blitzes.

Offensively, the meta has shifted to under-center play-action, which forces the quarterback to his back to the field. The theory is that the quarterback must recalibrate his sight, creating hesitation and doubt. For immature quarterbacks, the shift in coverage post-snap can force errant throws, increase turnovers because of a lack of awareness, or create uncertainty that leads to pressure.

In 2026, defenses are constantly “moving,” searching for negative plays and trying to find an edge in an increasingly offensive sport. DeMeco Ryans and his defensive coordinator, Matt Burke, are extreme outliers.

Houston has built the NFL’s counter-culture defense, or an “anti-defense.” Last season, the Texans finished in the bottom third of the league in Blitz Rate on early downs, ran almost no snaps of Dime (75% Nickel), and rarely disguised their intentions.

Yet, even though most offensive coordinators and quarterbacks knew what was coming, Houston was second in DVOA, behind the Super Bowl champions in Seattle. They did finish first in EPA/play, though (FTN). Houston’s playbook is based on the Robert Saleh scheme, which was introduced in 2018 as Kyle Shanahan and Saleh moved away from the Pete Carroll-dominant systems around the league.

The system’s hallmark is a stunt-heavy front four, static secondary structures, and Nickel-based defense. Looking at an entropy chart (above), the 49ers, Packers, and Texans all rank at the bottom and come from the same coaching tree.

Houston ranked 30th in Disguise Rate (20%) and third in Static Shell Rate (80%), trailing only Denver and Cleveland in pure pre-to-post-snap static looks in ‘25. Though the 49ers and Packers utilize more post-snap disguise, all three share the same foundational wide-front, zone-first architecture, with Houston

Ryans has leaned into the thought process of simplicity over scheme. Houston, on a majority of their downs, is aligned in a four-down “Wide-9” with an 80%+ zone coverage menu on early downs. The line is typical of a wide front and requires the interior defensive line to gain penetration while the two defensive ends work to cage the box. All of this is done with little help from designed pressures.

So, how does a defense that plays static on much of its downs come to be so dominant? First, the roster is loaded with talent, and each player is a perfect fit for their role. DEs Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are both wreckers on the edge. In the secondary, Derek Stingley Jr. is considered a unanimous top-five CB in the league. At Nickel, Jalen Pitre is a three-headed monster, or a player who can cover, tackle, and even blitz when called upon.

Houston definitely has the “Jimmies and the Joes,” but there is nuance in how Ryans and Burke call their defense. With little disguise and pressure to overcome any deficiencies, technique, communication, and alignment are critical—and that cannot be overstated.

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How Christian Parker Is Rebuilding the Cowboys’ Defense

Cody Alexander — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:02:53 GMT

The Dallas Cowboys’ defense fell off a cliff in 2024. Dan Quinn, in his three years at the helm, had established a perennial top-five DVOA unit, anchored by a simple man-dominant scheme, a chance-taking secondary, and Micah Parsons’ elite ability to wreck protections opposite the heavy-handed DeMarcus Lawrence.

With Quinn’s departure, the reins were given to Mike Zimmer, who brought more diversity in scheme but inconsistent play (and remained very static). Zimmer was then replaced by Matt Eberflus, who was coming off a lackluster three-year stint as the Bears' head coach. If ‘24 was bad, the Cowboys had not yet hit rock bottom.

2025 looked like a return to normalcy on defense during the offseason. Eberflus ran a similar style to Quinn’s but with a zone twist in the back end and much less stunting (by almost 10%). With more off-ball zone coverage being played, the CBs were asked to play less aggressively, something they hadn’t been asked to do in a long time.

Coach’s Note: It’s a misconception that Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland were aggressive on-ball (press) CBs. They were off-ball, vision-heavy man CBs. They used their depth and vision to break on quick throws, which led to high interception totals, but also large yards-surrendered numbers for both.

Communication failures plagued the backend, and the linebacking corps was almost nonexistent. The defensive line was left in the lurch when Micah Parsons was traded right before the season to settle his long-standing contract dispute.

What seemed like an insane trade at the time gave the Cowboys the ammunition to go get the Jets’ Quinnen Williams, one of the league’s premier defensive tackles, to play alongside Kenny Clark, who came over in the Packers/Parsons trade. Now, Dallas arguably has one of the league's stronger interior duos.

Through Week 8, the Dallas defense was historically bad, ranking among the worst in the modern era, allowing 250 points and 3,200 total yards. Eberflus’ scheme was too vanilla and plagued by an overall lack of production, but there were signs of hope in the back half of the season.

When Williams joined the defense, the front was stabilized, especially in the interior. The defense went from 30th in EPA/rush to breaking even (.000) when teams ran the ball; that’s a large jump.

One of the main issues that plagued the Cowboys, even under Quinn in his final year, was the inability to consistently stop the run. Opponents who could gain traction on the ground were able to mitigate Parsons and attack the defense by controlling the game. The defense was never “under control” in the past two seasons.

“He was just dynamic.” - Brian Schottenheimer

Eberflus was fired quickly after the season, and the head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, went on to interview 40 candidates. The eventual choice was rising star and Eagles’ Passing Game Coordinator (PGC) Christian Parker, who also worked under Vic Fangio in Denver. Parker was the last interview, and the organization instantly knew he was the man for the job.

Parker, though young, has an interesting and extensive background. Along with Fangio, he’s worked under Vance Joseph (DC/Broncos), Ejiro Evero (DC/Panthers), Mike Pettine, and current Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko. So, though inexperienced as a play caller, he’s an established commodity in the NFL and has worked under some of the top names at the highest levels of the sport.

The secondary was a glaring issue in ‘25, and bringing in Parker should help alleviate many of the communication and consistency issues. In Denver, Parker quickly tutored Patrick Surtain II into an All-Pro player, along with veteran Safety Justin Simmons, who earned the honor in all three years Parker was on the staff.

In Philadelphia, CBs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean both earned All-Pro honors in their second season with Parker. The question for Parker will be, can he piece it all together in a timely fashion?

As stated, the run defense was getting better, and Parker is a known secondary “whisperer.” Dallas was a bottom-dweller the past two seasons, and the fanbase will want a quick pivot back to at least above-average play.

Still, no one knows exactly what this defense will look like, but we can garner some idea from who he hired to coach alongside him. Parker has employed Marcus Dixon (DL) from the Vikings, Ryan Smith (DBs) from the Cardinals, and Derrick Ansley (PGC) from the Packers.

He even dipped into the college ranks with Chidera Uzo-Diribe (OLB) from Georgia and Scott Symons (ILB), the defensive coordinator for SMU. Both Uzo-Diribe and Symons were considered rising stars in the college ranks.

That is a diverse mix, but it is rooted in Fangio principles, though only Parker has direct ties to Fangio. Dixon worked under Fangio-adjacent coaches Raheem Morris (Rams/’21) and Evero (Broncos ‘22). Parker’s D-line coach also has experience with Vance Joseph, who runs a front-seven philosophy similar to Brian Flores's, his last stop before moving to Dallas.

Ansley worked under current Saints DC Brandon Staley, a direct Fangio disciple, and Smith coached the CBs under Jonathan Gannon, who ran a derivative of the Fangio scheme that favored Quarters in Philly. Parker speaks the same language as they do, but will be able to learn from their experience working in Quarters-dominant schemes under Hafley and Gannon. Though the Eagles have pivoted to more Quarters (Quads) usage, the scheme is still founded on a “rotational” split-field scheme.

Uzo-Diribe comes from the Saban/Smart family, which has structures similar to those of Fangio but has its own unique and expansive ecosystem. The Eagles and Georgia have been almost a pipeline, with a wealth of information, players, and schematic crossover.

Symons ran an Odd-based (Tite) zone defense that featured more spot drop zones than the match coverage typically seen in the Fangio system. Symons is seen as an elite teacher in the college ranks and can bring fresh ideas into the defense.

“This is our defense. I don’t want it to be called the Eagles’ defense or Vic (Fangio’s) defense. This is going to be ours. We’ve been real intentional about going about that process, from the language that we use, the workflow that we have, and everything else.”

Parker may “base” from the Fangio foundation, but this will not be a cookie-cutter playbook. There are many directions this defense can go; Parker’s main task will be to streamline the call philosophy and nail down what the Cowboys’ defense actually is. So far, communication hasn’t been an issue in the preseason, but the dial is about to get turned up once the actual season starts.

One of the dangers when a young coach gets his first opportunity is trying to “do everything.” Looking at the background of Parker’s staff, it’s easy to go down some deep rabbit holes imagining what this defense can look like.

Starting with Dixon, who worked alongside the mad scientist Flores, there is an argument that the historically low Blitz Rates in Dallas could increase exponentially even though Fangio schemes don’t blitz at high volumes either.

Smith comes from one of the most unique “designer” defenses in the league. Arizona ran a three-safety system and featured a newly signed Safety, Jalen Thompson.

He will likely play alongside 1st-Round draft pick Caleb Downs and one of the better Post Safeties in the league, Malik Hooker. With three quality NFL Safeties, the 5-1 “Penny” looks could be there. The Packers have been running modified versions this preseason, as shown above.

“Big” Nickel has become a major trend in the league as defenses look for apex defenders who can hold up against the run. Downs gives Dallas a dynamic piece at that spot.

The “Star” or Nickel is the critical player for defenses that want to live in sub-packages. Parker also described the position as a 1st-Round talent position, meaning it’s no longer “just” a third CB.

Ansley has worked under Saban, Staley, and, most recently, Jeff Hafley, which gives him a deep bag to draw from when it comes to secondary play. He also brings coordinating experience at the University of Tennessee under Jeremy Pruitt (Saban disciple) and as the DC for Staley in his last year in LA (‘23).

One thing is clear: there is an overt shift in philosophy. Parker will be challenged to find a balance between schematic overload and “cutting the grass too short,” but the preseason was a roadmap for what the foundation will look like under this new staff.

The Cowboys will no longer be a movement-based four-down front, as they have been for almost a decade, but that doesn’t mean they will be “static.” Dixon will provide different ways of setting the front from an Odd-based system, which can be quite multiple.

The Cowboys traded for Kenny Clark’s partner, Rashan Gary, in March to provide size at the Edge position, something Dallas desperately needed. The additions of Otito Ogbonnia (Chargers) and Jonathan Bullard (Saints) also provide depth inside.

Coach’s Note: Ogbonnia was on the Chargers team led by Ansley and played in a Jesse Minter Ravens-adjacent system that is very similar to Fangio’s. Bullard played one year under Dixon (‘24) and last year with Staley in New Orleans. There’s a reason both were signed for depth.

Parker will look to hold gaps instead of “jet” through them. The defensive line will look to reset the line of scrimmage, knock the line back, and keep the smaller linebacker corps clean on the second level. The Edges will have to convert from power to speed, not the other way around.

Though Parker won’t tip his hand too much during the preseason, watching the games, especially the starters and immediate backups, makes the Cowboys’ defense much clearer: it’s a Fangio-adjacent scheme with a few new features that will emerge during the season.

The NFL preseason games show the foundation on which a defensive scheme is built. After reviewing the first two preseason games, Parker has laid a solid floor for the defense to build on. Everything starts with Base defense, which is what we will focus on in this breakdown. Let’s dive into the tape!

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Attacking 12 Personnel: Carolina’s Sonic Switch Pressure

Cody Alexander — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:01:16 GMT

Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero leverages the “Sonic” pressure path to defend early-down 12 personnel play-action passing. By combining a five-man pressure with split-field coverage mechanics, Carolina creates double triangles on the back end while sending edge speed into the quarterback's face. Discover how checking the Sonic blitz path from the Safety to the Corner solves condensed sets and forces immediate run cutbacks.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - 12 Personnel Play-Action Meta & The Sonic Path

00:53 - Panthers vs. Cardinals: Sonic Path Overview

01:10 - Checking Sonic to the Corner vs. Condensed Sets

03:23 - Interior Line Slants & Edge Pressure Mechanics

05:31 - Split-Field Coverage & Double Triangle Structure

06:01 - Pressure as Coverage vs. Play-Action

07:47 - Sonic Pressure Mechanics vs. Mid-Zone Run

08:57 - Tight Bunch Check & Corner Edge Fit Mechanics

11:19 - Why the Sonic Path Belongs in Your Playbook

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Other Resources:

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AFC West Preview & Scheme Breakdowns

Cody Alexander — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:03:22 GMT

An in-depth 2026 AFC West tactical preview that breaks down the division’s scheme evolutions, roster structures, and philosophical adjustments across the AFC West. We examine how Rob Leonard's defense in Las Vegas, Chris O’Leary’s “Minter carryover” in Los Angeles, Steve Spagnuolo's Kansas City secondary rebuild, and Denver's elite back end will shape the division title race. Plus, a look at each offense. Learn the exact matchups and technical details that will decide the AFC West this season.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction & AFC West Overview

01:14 - Raiders Offensive Plan: Cousins & Jeanty

05:00 - Rob Leonard's Defensive Scheme & Pressure

07:08 - Chargers: Harbaugh-McDaniel Dynamic & OL

11:20 - Jesse Minter Carryover & LA Secondary

13:31 - Chiefs: Kenneth Walker & Offensive Questions

15:15 - Steve Spagnuolo’s Secondary Rebuild & Front Rotation

27:04 - Broncos Defense: Front Depth & Elite Secondary

29:02 - Sean Payton, Bo Nix, & Division Predictions

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Last week’s episode:

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Brian Flores and the Evolution of Vision Pressures

Cody Alexander — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:03:01 GMT

Brian Flores came back to calling defense with a vengeance in 2023. After a year as a senior defensive assistant under former Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin, Flores remodeled his already aggressive philosophy and doubled down on pressure.

One of Flores's major pivots was a move away from standard defensive structures. “All-Up” and double-mug alignments became frequent alignments in Minnesota. Double-mug means two off-ball defenders are aligned in a respective gap on the line of scrimmage. The goal was to apply maximum pressure on opposing quarterbacks and offensive lines while protecting an immature secondary.

In ‘23, Flores blitzed on 44% of those mugged presentations. NFL opposition didn’t know how to handle these “exotic” looks, and the Vikings finished the year eleventh in DVOA. In three years, no one has run more double-mugged alignments than the Vikings, and it isn't even close.

One of the main issues in year one (‘23) was the predictability of the pressures Flores called. On early downs, the Vikings had a 63% Blitz Rate, which shrunk to 43% on 3rd Downs. For as aggressive as Flores was, he also carried the most Drop-8 coverages in the league.

Teams were also finding ways to protect themselves and attack downfield against the all-up alignments. Flores, with a better roster up front, created an even stronger defense, backed by pressure. In 2024, the Vikings would finish in the top five in DVOA, led by the league's #1 rushing defense.

All-up alignments don’t mean all-up blitzing. Flores in year one had a 6+ Blitz Rate of 44%. In ‘24, that dropped to a third of his all-up play calls. Last year, that number was almost halved (18%). Each year, Flores has increased the nuance and diversity of his system to stay ahead of the ever-evolving NFL landscape.

One way Flores stayed ahead of his opponents was by blitzing at around a 50% rate on every down. Essentially, offensive coordinators had to deal with a “coin flip,” guessing whether the Vikings would blitz.

The nuance came in how Flores pressured. On first down, Flores used mostly five-man pressures. On 2nd Down, especially in a passing situation, the Vikings shifted to a third of their pressures being simulated. Opponents were in constant flux in ‘25, not knowing when or how the Vikings would apply pressure.

The Vikings’ double-mug usage is the primary mechanism by which Flores applies pressure to his opponents. Other teams like the Broncos and Ravens used double-mugs at volume, but neither used them on early downs unless it was an obvious passing down.

Minnesota had 80 snaps of double-mug alignments on 1st or 2nd Down. To put that into perspective, Baltimore only ran 78 total in ‘25! These alignments are a central feature of the Flores defensive philosophy, and he ran more all-up alignments on early downs than on 3rd Down.

Presenting double-mug alignments on early downs forces the offense into max protection and limits an offense’s ability to run play-action. The current NFL offensive meta leans heavily on early-down play-action. Minnesota counters this by gapping out the front and stacking verticals.

The scheme favors the Vikings because of the number of people on the line of scrimmage. Paired with vision-breaking zone coverage, the defense suppresses the main mechanisms an offense uses to move the ball: the run game and intermediate throws.

Most of these pressure attacks involve 11 personnel packages, where 83% of all double-mug presentations appear. The blitz rate is also extremely high at 72%. Opposing offenses didn’t have an answer. Interestingly, the Jaguars, whose defensive coordinator, Anthony Campanile, worked under Flores, led the league in early down double-mug EPA. Again, this is a feature of the system, not a “bug.”

To live in this kind of alignment, especially bringing all that heat, the secondary has to play a specialized kind of coverage. During Flores’ time in Pittsburgh, he met with Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi, the godfather of Hot Blitzes. A typical Hot blitz sends six defenders and has a specialized vision-based Cover 3 behind it.

During his tenure with the Dolphins, Flores was already becoming known for his “Bengals Hawk” pressure, which terrorized opposing quarterbacks. In Minnesota, Flores runs Hot Blitzes, but he updated his “Hawk” coverage to complement his all-out pressures.

What was once a 3rd-down call has now become a major source of pressure on every down. The all-up alignment gaps out the front, and Flores can use different presentations depending on the game plan or scenario. The addition of simulated pressures, along with other designs, keeps opposing coordinators on their heels.

This article will break down how “Hawk” coverage functions against different formations and illustrate how the “simple” pressure can wreck an opposition’s play. The double-mug alignment is only the beginning; the pressure is designed to cut off throwing lanes as the secondary triggers off vision, a main feature in Hot coverage.

Let’s dive into the tape!

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Unlock the full breakdown below to see how to install this pressure package, handle early-down protection checks against 11 personnel, and teach “cap” defenders to trigger on the quarterback’s eyes without giving up vertical seams.

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How the Rams Use Closed-to-Open Cover 2 Traps

Cody Alexander — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:02:42 GMT

The last decade has seen an explosion of pre-snap shifts and motions in NFL offensive schemes. One way to counter these constant push-and-pull features is to play from a two-high shell. The defense is better positioned and can conceal its overall intentions for much longer.

Currently, the NFL meta uses open-to-closed rotations or shows two-high but spins to a closed-post defense. Cover 3 remains the most dominant coverage in the NFL, accounting for ~28% of all snaps in 2025. Add Cover 1, and closed-post coverages account for 52% of all coverages called (FTN).

Teams that feature a high number of coverage disguises tend to be from the same system, with the Fangio-adjacent crew leading the way. Most units feature a majority of open-to-closed rotations, but the closed-post-dominant defense has its own answer to baiting the offensive coordinator into calling the wrong play.

Disguise rates, overall, account for almost a third of all plays in the NFL, with a baseline of 30%. Closed-to-open disguises are rare, accounting for less than 10% of all calls.

The Rams run a Fangio-adjacent system, but defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s background makes him an outlier within it. Head Coach Sean McVay wants a disguised defensive scheme that matches his offensive philosophy, but LA stands out for its use of closed-to-open rotations.

LA ranks third in disguised rates across the league at 40% and is fifth in closed-to-open disguised rates (13%). Still, the Rams feature a two-high disguise on over a quarter of their plays (27%), ranking them seventh in the league. But opponents have to contend with both high levels of open and closed post disguises, which are not found in “sister” schemes like the Eagles (<1%) and Panthers (8%).

Another scheme-divergent aspect of Shula’s defense is its heavy use of Cover 2 in the coverage menu. Last season, the Rams ranked sixth in their use. One way the Rams amplified their coverage disguise system was by using closed-post pre-snap pictures to morph into non-traditional Cover 2 concepts.

The main way the Rams converted closed-post looks into Cover 2 was through a boundary “roll.” LA would show a standard Cover 3 look, but would “roll” the coverage into the boundary. 83% of Shula’s closed-to-open disguises turned out to be Cover 2 concepts.

Traditional Fangio-adjacent schemes leverage their secondary from a two-high shell to get into their “base” Cover 9 or weak rotation Cover 3. Shula has deviated from the Base system established in LA in 2020 by using closed-to-open rotations at volume.

While open-to-closed is the Rams’ primary rotation (27%), their 13% closed-to-open volume is actually among the highest in the league. Offenses not only have to deal with a heavy volume of open-post looks, but also with Shula’s use of disguise from static Cover 3 alignments. Let’s dive into the tape!

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Want to see how Chris Shula traps QBs with the closed-to-open “2-Roll”?

Unlock the full film study below to break down the tape, boundary rotations, and other techniques the Rams use to turn static Cover 3 pre-snap looks into Cover 2 traps.

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How Denver Double Mugs to Isolate Tackles

Cody Alexander — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:01:30 GMT

Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph leverages double-mug alignments to condense protections and force the running back into interior A-gap responsibility. By squeezing the interior with double-mug presentations and dropping into eight-man coverages, the Broncos eliminate “chip” help and isolate heavy offensive tackles against elite edge speed. Discover how Vance Joseph's 58% Blitz Rate out of double mug creates high-efficiency pass rush lanes for Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper.

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Thursday Clinics are the “Open Lab.” You have 30 days to study this clinic for free before it hits the Paid Archive. Click below to become a full member of MatchQuarters.

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A complete video analysis software for any sport.

14-day Free Trial available – no credit card required!

Use promo code MATCHQUARTERS for a 10% discount!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Vance Joseph’s Double Mug Presentation

00:29 - Interior Protection Mechanics & A-Gap Rules

01:13 - Isolating Offensive Tackles on Islands

01:40 - The Data: 58% Blitz Rate & Drop-8 Stunts

02:20 - Protection Communication & Fan Slide Mechanics

03:02 - Stunt Execution & Interior Drop Out Coverage

03:33 - Edge Get-Off: Jonathon Cooper & Nik Bonitto

04:17 - Squeezing the Interior to Isolate Edge Speed

05:25 - Application: Exploiting Heavy Tackles with Speed

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AFC South Breakdown: Stroud, Lawrence, and Defensive Schemes

Cody Alexander — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:03:13 GMT

In this episode of Let’s Talk Ball!, Cody Alexander and Felix Johnson break down the 2026 AFC South, diving deep into scheme evolution across the Texans, Colts, Jaguars, and Titans. They analyze DeMeco Ryans’ shifting Base-to-Nickel structures, Anthony Campanile’s blended front mechanics in Jacksonville, and Liam Coen’s approach to unlocking Trevor Lawrence. From C.J. Stroud’s offensive line overhaul to Cam Ward’s development in offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s new system, get complete film-room insights into every key schematic matchup in the division.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - AFC South Overview

00:54 - Indianapolis Colts Defense & Young Secondary

01:59 - Shane Steichen Offense & Daniel Jones Outlook

07:34 - Jacksonville Jaguars Offense & Liam Coen

12:21 - Anthony Campanile Defense & Travis Hunter

14:20 - Houston Texans Offense & CJ Stroud

20:06 - DeMeco Ryans Defense & Hybrid Fronts

23:06 - Tennessee Titans Rebuild & Brian Daboll Offense

27:54 - Robert Saleh Wide-9 Defense & Season Outlook

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How Chris Shula’s "Penny" Adjustment Protects the Box

Cody Alexander — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:01:52 GMT

Since 2020, the Rams have been under the Fangio-adjacent umbrella. The system requires heavy schematic lifting by the secondary and is amplified by the rush. Without an above-average-to-elite rush, the system leaves its defensive backs on an island.

With Raheem Morris leaving for Atlanta at the conclusion of the ‘23 season, Chris Shula was promoted to defensive coordinator, bringing a new evolutionary twist to the Rams’ defense. Shula’s background includes a stop at John Carroll (‘14) between Brandon Staley’s stints as defensive coordinator (‘13, ‘15-’16).

When Staley returned to John Carroll after a one-year stint at James Madison (‘14), Shula left to become the Defensive Quality Control coach for John Pagano’s Chargers defense, which ran a Fangio-adjacent system. In ‘17, Shula joined Sean McVay’s first Rams staff (they are college best friends from Miami, OH). Shula worked under legendary coordinator Wade Phillips until Staley took over in ‘20.

It’s important to point out Shula’s background because the schematic shifts in Los Angeles feature elements of his dual background: Fangio and Phillips. One relies on coverage to answer problems, while the other uses an aggressive front to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Enter Shula, who has blended the two systems to create his own unique take on the Rams’ defense.

The Rams’ defensive identity is built on a relentless pursuit of the quarterback and an active defensive line. In ‘25, they led the league in Stunt Rate at nearly 30%, a full five points ahead of the Patriots at #2.

Last season, the Rams were top five in total pressures (5th), QB Hits (3rd), and QB Hit Rate (4th). There is an emphasis on attacking the line of scrimmage with the front.

LA also doesn’t send much pressure from the second or third levels, where they ranked 24th in Blitz Rate (<25%). The defense is designed to attack up front, which is a hallmark of a Phillips defense.

Shula’s front features five defensive linemen, giving him flexibility in sub-packages and Base (3-4) to rush the passer and attack protections. The goal in Base is to create one-on-one opportunities with five on the line of scrimmage. In Sub, the goal is to win with four and have one of the inside players require a double team.

Jared Verse: 80 total pressures | 16.8% win rate
Byron Young: 64 total pressures | 13 sacks
Kobie Turner: 55 total pressures | 8 sacks
Braden Fiske: 42 total pressures
Poona Ford: 30 total pressures

One of the major headlines this offseason was the trade for Browns DE Myles Garrett, in which the team gave up Jared Verse, their former 1st Round pick. Garrett is arguably the best defensive player in the league and finished with 25 total sacks last season. Verse is seen as an above-average pass rusher who had only 7.5 sacks last season.

Myles Garrett in 2025:

Sacks: 25.0 (1st)

PFF Pass Rush Grade: 93.3 (1st among edge rushers)

Pass Rush Win Rate: 24.6% (2nd among edge rushers)

Total Pressures: 84.0 (4th)

Shula already knows how to isolate pass rushers, but now has a force multiplier for the defensive front that was a fringe top-10 rushing team in ‘25. Garrett brings a near 25% win rate to the defense and should shift focus to the edges, which will only amplify the interior rushes of Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske. Turner has the potential to be a double-digit interior rusher, which would put him into a special category.

The Rams’ defense wants to keep its front intact, even when in Base. Simulated Pressures have become more popular in the NFL, and the Rams were fifth in usage (~11%). That is a feature of the Fangio system, but with Garrett on the line of scrimmage, Shula isn’t going to want to drop him.

When offenses try to force light box responses by aligning in Spread sets within heavier packages, removing a team’s best defender from the line of scrimmage creates an advantage. The NFL is trending toward heavier packages, but that does not mean offenses are giving up space outside.

Similar to LA’s 13 personnel pivot last season on offense, it often meant getting defenses in Base personnel and attacking them through the air with TEs. Seeing this in practice daily, Shula created a clever way to “break the box” and cover down to two-receiver formations without sacrificing his front five in Base.

Against the Saints, instead of flexing Jared Verse out to cover down on a Slot receiver, Shula pushed his Mike, creating a Penny, or 5-1 alignment in his 3-4 Base. If the D-line is the “motor” for the defense, why take it apart?

In this article, I examine the 5-1 structure Shula created to keep his five-man rush intact. For LA, keeping their D-line together was essential, and he trusted them more than most coordinators. The Rams led the NFL in Dime usage at almost 30%. A DC doesn’t do that unless he thinks he can win with four.

Whether he is using 5-1 “Penny” looks against heavy personnel or leading the NFL in Dime usage on obvious passing downs, Shula's overarching philosophy stays the same: win up front with four or five down linemen and let the coverage structure fit around them. Let’s dive into the tape!

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Denver’s Man-Indicator Zone: Hiding Tampa 2

Cody Alexander — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:02:16 GMT

Modern NFL coverage disguise requires more than simply spinning from a two-high shell to Cover 3; Vance Joseph’s Denver Broncos defense leverages man-indicator alignments to mask post-snap Tampa 2 rotations (NTTs). By using “yo-yo” motion triggers and corner-over structures, Denver presents aggressive man-to-man pre-snap alignments before dropping into …

Red Zone Geometry: How The Broncos Cap the End Zone

Cody Alexander — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:02:35 GMT

Modern NFL offenses use spatial compression to create high-percentage throws in the red zone, but rigid zone coverage leaves vulnerable soft spots along the goal line. In this clinic, we break down how Vance Joseph and the Denver Broncos use field-segmentation rules, sticky man-match coverage, and dynamic safety cut mechanics to cap the end zone. Discover how to marry 2-High brackets with goal-line pass-offs to eliminate quick-hitting seam throws and force low-percentage decisions in tight spaces.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Red Zone Field Geometry (High, Low & Goal Line)

01:21 - The Shift to Sticky Man-Bracket Mechanics

02:37 - Goal Line Cover 1 Cut Concept

04:11 - LB Protection Conversions & Rat Mechanics

06:08 - Low Red Double Brackets vs. Shallow Crossers

08:22 - 3-Man Goal Line Vision Triangles

10:31 - High/Low Red Adjustments vs. Receiver-in-Backfield Sets

12:18 - Boundary Dig “Bumper” Mechanics

Other resources:

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AFC North Scheme Shifts and Soft Resets

Cody Alexander — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:01:08 GMT

Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver bring their split-safety tools to Baltimore, while Declan Doyle moves Lamar Jackson under center with wide-zone mechanics. Across the division, Al Golden looks to evolve Cincinnati’s five-man pressure Cover 1 system, Mike Rutenberg revamps four-down structures in Cleveland, and Patrick Graham modernizes Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense. We break down the schematic overhauls, front-end alignments, and secondary health issues shaping the AFC North race.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Preseason Week 1 Takeaways

05:40 - AFC North Division Landscape

06:32 - Baltimore Ravens O: Jesse Minter Scheme & Lamar Under Center

12:12 - Baltimore Ravens D: Anthony Weaver Defense & Secondary Depth

14:58 - Cincinnati Bengals: Al Golden 5-Man Pressures & new D-Line

19:51 - Cleveland Browns O: Todd Monken Rebuild & QB Room

23:23 - Cleveland Browns D: Mike Rutenberg 4-Down Transition

25:26 - Pittsburgh Steelers O: Mike McCarthy West Coast Install

28:31 - Pittsburgh Steelers D: Patrick Graham 3-4 Defense & Outlook

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Double Mug Mechanics: How the Broncos Paired Edge Speed with Sticky Coverage

Cody Alexander — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:02:53 GMT

The 2025 Denver Broncos defensive line delivered an elite performance in creating quarterback pressures. Vance Joseph’s unit finished with 68 total sacks, four shy of the all-time record and the fifth-most ever. They added eight more in the playoffs, finishing with 76 total.

Denver is the only team in ‘25 to finish with four players with seven or more sacks. Although Nik Bonitto was the only defender to reach double-digit sack totals (14), the unit worked together to create one of the best rushes in NFL history. Offenses struggled against Denver’s rush because there was no weak link; eight defenders in all had 4+ sacks.

One of the main reasons the Broncos’ rush is so dangerous is that its two edge rushers have the quickest “get-offs” in the NFL. According to NextGen Stats, Jonathon Cooper had the fastest get-off in the NFL last year at 0.69 seconds, with Bonitto placing third at 0.72, right above Myles Garrett.

One of the main features for Joseph on passing downs was the use of “double mug” alignments, where both linebackers stand in the A-gaps while the four defensive linemen spread out. That width by Bonitto and Cooper is what wreaked havoc on opposing offenses’ pass protections.

The concept forces the offense to either fully slide one direction, leaving a RB on an Edge or completely free. Neither option in the NFL is ideal. The most popular option, and the one featured in the image above, is placing the RB on one of the LBs and walking him into the A-gap to reduce the speed at which the ‘backer can rush. The width issue still remains.

Denver used these double-mug alignments to dictate pass protections and isolate offensive tackles against the fastest Edges in the game. On top of the threat of an all-out rush, the Broncos used simulated and five-man pressures to change the leverage and keep opponents guessing where the pressure would come from.

The constant onslaught forced quarterbacks to accelerate their process at lightning speed. Denver had the second-fastest Time to Throw (TTT) at 2.36 seconds. Regardless of the defensive call, opponents’ passers knew the ball had to come out quickly.

Interestingly, the Broncos had the second-lowest checkdown rate at 7.9% and the third-lowest blitz checkdown rate at 4.8%. Regardless of whether Joseph applied pressure, the combination of tight secondary coverage and pressure from the defensive front forced quarterbacks to either eat the ball or throw highly contested passes. There wasn’t an option for a quick release if pressure hit home.

Denver’s defense allowed no air for any opponent. The unit led the league in almost every pressure category regardless of whether they blitzed:

Total Pressures: #1 (239)
QB Hits: #1 (149) | Blitz QB Hits: #1 (54)
Sack Rate: #1 (9.74%) | Adjusted Sack Rate: #1 (11.97%)
Blitz Sacks: #1 (28) | Blitz Sack Rate: #1 (13.40%)

More importantly, the secondary and pass rush complemented each other, compounding problems for opponents. When a pass rush forces quarterbacks to speed up their processing, and the secondary gives them no room for error, those factors act as a force multiplier and feed off each other in a seemingly endless loop. Denver had the second-lowest completion rate (57.8%) and yards per attempt (6.1 YPA), while also forcing the fourth-most throwaways (28).

Under Joseph, the Broncos have become a closed-post, man-match-heavy unit. Pat Surtain II is considered one of the best CBs in the league and an All-Pro. Opposite him is Riley Moss, who led the NFL in pass breakups alongside Carolina’s Mike Jackson with 19.

Inside, Nickel Ja’Quan McMillian has become one of the best man-specialist Slot defenders in the league. There’s a reason why Joseph plays so much man coverage when sending pressure (56%): coverage talent and pass rush.

Last season, the secondary was fourth in “Step Coverage” (SC%), reps when a coverage defender was only a step away when targeted (18.7%). Denver’s coverage and rush mechanisms were both elite, making it difficult for opponents to get out of holes they dug on early downs, where the Broncos were third in Rush DVOA.

Vance Joseph used double-mug presentations as his primary building block for attacking passing downs. The unit’s ability to quickly get to the quarterback (TTT) and play sticky coverage (SC%) allowed the Denver defense to be historically good at creating sacks. The menu's high variance also helped throw opponents off the scent.

Everything in Denver wasn’t just haymakers or an overreliance on their speedy Edges. Joseph did an excellent job of curating different looks and pressure types each week. From Cover 0 max blitzes to Drop-8 schemes, the Broncos kept offensive coordinators guessing with double-mugged alignments. Let’s dive into the tape!

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Jacksonville's Split-Field Quarters Pressure Package

Cody Alexander — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:01:48 GMT

Jacksonville defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is merging Vic Fangio’s split-field shells with Brian Flores’ aggressive mug-pressure package to attack opposing offenses. By utilizing Nickel blitzes, Fire Zone paths, and other popular pressure paths, the Jaguars generate pass-rush push while capping vertical routes on the back end. Discover how Jac…

Designing the Ravens’ Red Zone "Tag" Sim Blitz

Cody Alexander — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:01:41 GMT

Learn how Mike Macdonald and the Baltimore Ravens use the "Glitch" Blitz to freeze opposing quarterbacks and force game-changing turnovers in the low red zone. We break down the mechanics of this 4-man overload “Tag Sim” pressure, showing you how dual edge rushes and interior vision droppers exploit slide protections against 2x2, 3x1, and motion looks. Master the coverage rules and front alignments behind one of the most efficient red zone pressure concepts in modern football.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction & Scheme Overview
01:06 - Low Red Zone & Field Dynamics
02:00 - Creating the Overload & Slide Protection
03:03 - Tag Mechanics & Short-Edge Bull Rush
04:06 - 2x2 Breakdown: Forcing the Quick-Throw Sack
06:36 - 3x1Adjustment: Dual-Edge Rush & Interior Vision Drop Pick-6
09:51 - Motion Rules: Peel-and-Eat Mechanics Against Running Back Releases
12:35 - Summary: Teaching the Tag Sim Pressure

Other “Tag” Resources:

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AFC East Preview: Buffalo’s New Defense vs. New England's Deep Ball

Cody Alexander — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:03:52 GMT

In this AFC East preview, we analyze how new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is transitioning the Buffalo Bills toward sticky man-match coverages and versatile front structures. We break down the New England Patriots’ heavy vertical passing attack led by Drake Maye, as well as how Mike Vrabel's defense leans on front stunts to generate pressure. Finally, we evaluate the foundational schematic shifts for Jeff Hafley's 4-3 transition in Miami and Aaron Glenn’s defensive rebuild with the New York Jets.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Hall of Fame Game Takeaways

01:35 - AFC East Division Overview

02:25 - Buffalo Bills: Offense and DJ Moore

03:43 - Buffalo Bills: Jim Leonhard Defensive System

08:47 - Miami Dolphins: Jeff Hafley and 4-3 Scheme

14:46 - New England Patriots: Drake Maye and Vertical Attack

20:45 - New England Patriots: Mike Vrabel Front Stunts

24:13 - New York Jets: Offense and Frank Reich

27:16 - New York Jets: Aaron Glenn Defense

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Last week’s episode:

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Fangio’s Cover 8: Solving 3x1 Crossers from Two-High Shells

Cody Alexander — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:01:38 GMT

For decades, the NFL used the Tampa 2 and Quarters defenses to defend long-yardage passing downs. Spot-drop schemes were easily targeted by 3x1 formations and had predictably soft, target-rich areas on the field. The league as a whole has always been a closed-post ecosystem, until now.

During the “Legion of Boom” era, the league shifted to a zone-match Cover 3 on standard downs. Again, a static alignment that modern spread offenses could clearly identify and attack.

Then, in 2020, Vic Fangio and Brandon Staley launched the “Two-High Revolution” by lining up in a two-high shell on more than 80% of their plays. That trend has continued over the past six years and is now the meta for pre-snap defensive alignment. In 2026, defenses are looking for ways to play split-field coverages while still fitting the run and countering pre-snap motion and play-action passing.

The Fangio system is based on a weak rotation Cover 3 (Cover 9) foundation. The structure is what allows the defense to play its unique brand of “rotational” split-field coverages. Fangio’s favorite split-field coverage, Cover 8, falls under the Cover 6 family and aligns almost identically to his Cover 9 base.

Cover 6, or Quarter-Quarter-Half, is not a new coverage. The system complements Quarters and builds a zone “double” over the receiver away from the passing strength. The “X” receiver is, even today, typically the best pass catcher on the roster because that is where offenses can consistently find one-on-one matchups.

But Cover 8 is almost uniquely “Fangio,” though some teams around the league have started to adopt it. In “8” or “Trix,” the defense places the Cover 2 side to the passing strength or Nickel. The Weak Safety is now a Quarters defender, meaning he can “poach” the front side versus 3x1 or play vision, creating a layering effect in the middle of the field.

By playing from a two-high shell, Fangio can mask his intentions, while creating a scenario where the first few seconds of every passing play look the same. The pre-snap two-high shell forces opponents' quarterbacks to read identical post-snap movement across Cover 6, Cover 8, Quarters (Quads), and Cover 9. Rarely will a quarterback designate the field-side CB as his primary read, especially in a 3x1 formation.

Split-field coverages have become a critical part of modern defenses, with Quarters usage rising to 15% in 2025. Cover 6 usage during this time continues to hover between 8% and 9% league-wide. The rotational coverage scheme is clearly tree-based when examined in the data. Coaches within the Fangio tree use coverage between 18% and 25%, more than double the league average.

The only other system outside the direct Fangio tree that has adopted the rotational system is the Ravens' coaching staff, led by Seattle’s Mike Macdonald (#2 on the chart). The Saleh-adjacent tree (Packers, Texans, 49ers, Falcons) utilizes a traditional Cover 6. The system is highly technical, which is why most teams default to standard match-Quarters.

Outside of Jacksonville, whose defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile worked under Fangio in ‘23, the Eagles are the premier Fangio-tree team when it comes to Cover 8. Though Philly gave up 13.8 YPR, the coverage functioned as a highly efficient ball-hawking tool, generating four interceptions and eleven PBUs.

Combined with the Eagles’ league-leading 3-Seam usage (11.6%) and Quarters (14%), the weak rotation-based defense uses coverage to create pressure. Unlike the current trend within the league to use split-field structures behind blitzes, Fangio balks at that philosophy with a 2.5% Quarters pressure usage.

Quarters has increased in usage and become more stable coverage for the Eagles. It can also mask the “tilt” in the two-high scheme a little better.

The use of Cover 8 is also highly game plan-dependent. Last season, the Chargers, Cowboys, Lions, Packers, and Vikings ran the coverage on more than 12% of their plays, with the Packers running it on 20%. The trade-off for Cover 6 was vertical exposure. The coverage, when seen, is easy to manipulate, and one of the reasons the Eagles have pivoted to more Quarters usage the past two seasons.

With elite talent at the boundary CB and Nickel spots, Fangio has shifted toward more man (Cover 1) and match-heavy schemes such as Cover 9 and Quarters. Looking at the data, the explosive rate dropped by more than 5% when Fangio called Quarters instead of Cover 8.

Still, there is value in the coverage and in using it against modern passing schemes, and no one runs the full system better than the man who created it. Cover 8 is an excellent way to create backstops for deep crossers by poaching the backside safety, while also gaining a leveraged flat defender and a deep cap to the passing strength.

Let’s dive into the tape and break down how Cover 8 is structured not only against 3x1 formations, but also against 2x2 and Empty alignments. To run everything from a two-high shell, all the coverages have to marry and look alike pre-snap.

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