Today’s a big deal — we finally get to see some good WR blocking.
Offensive Concept: 2x2 12p Zone with Pseudo Bunch Orbit
Defensive Structure: Even Open Zone
Breakdown: Once again march with me into mixed-read territory though today with a triple option flair. The bubble or orbit attached to zone read always has potential to show a little triple option, but rarely do you see it at the NFL level.
We get a glimpse of it here. Up against Open Zone (Cover 2), there are numbers to be had for the orbit. Combined with the zone read, and thus eliminating a man to count, the defense is left with the half field safety to come down and play the orbit.
Here’s where we see a flash of triple: the defensive end (dive player) crashes and the quarterback, presumably, has the option to keep with an orbit being a third option late off any unblocked defender who should show in a reasonable amount of time. However, perhaps the orbit is the second option and a third nixed since Mahomes “pitches” after a quick mesh and read.
Space is an issue. There isn’t much of it for the QB to pull and then potentially throw. Therefore, the orbit seemingly replaces the QB’s option and does good on this promise (the logistics are not dissimilar to the “flat” RPOs).
Another key piece to why this play works: the Mike linebacker does not make a decision fast enough. He is in no-man’s-land play neither run nor pass. He drifts with the zone action and then falls in line in pursuit of the orbit. Had he sniffed out the pull and throw quicker, he’d have been an unaccounted for threat concerning the pass.
Last: we must acknowledge the tight end and WR blocking unit. A nice switch creates angles and the WR gets movement on the inside linebacker.
Success.