Tremendous Bowl Movie Preview: How the Eagles ought to assault the Chiefs’ protection

I made a decision whether or not or to not concentrate on a number of particular areas, but it surely’s the Tremendous Bowl! I spent too lengthy watching the Chiefs’ offense, so this preview is a bit shorter than the offensive preview. But it surely’s nonetheless fairly lengthy… Let’s go!

Chiefs Protection vs. the Eagles Offense

This Chiefs’ protection is fairly a number of with their personnel utilization. Nonetheless, they’re predictable by way of their defensive construction. It is a 2-high protection that performs MOFO (no single-high security), and that leads to gentle bins. The Chiefs rank twenty eighth in stacked field utilization, and it’s simple to see why. They rank thirty second in success price after they stack the field.

In the event that they need to stack the field in opposition to the Eagles’ offense… I say carry it on! Stacking the field doesn’t at all times assist in opposition to explosive runs. The additional defender within the field can expose you to very large runs. The Chiefs’ two beginning safeties are Justin Reid and Bryan Prepare dinner, each of whom are on the slower aspect. I anticipate them to stay to a two-high construction.

Everybody is aware of that this Chiefs’ protection, led by Steve Spagnuolo, likes to blitz. We are going to get to that… however do you know they drop 8 into protection on the third highest price too? I anticipate to see some drop 8 with a spy on Jalen Hurts on this recreation. That is one thing I noticed vs. the Payments. Nick Bolton will typically carry out the position of a spy.

We are going to get into this extra later, however this chart scares me essentially the most. I’ll clarify why later. For now, you’ll be able to see that this Chiefs’ protection lives in a split-safety world (Cowl 4) and doesn’t play as a lot single-high protection as most groups do. The Eagles excel in opposition to single-high protection.

Jalen Hurts vs. Break up-Security

Keep in mind I discussed the Chiefs’ defensive protection chart worrying within the above part? Because of this. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense are good in opposition to Cowl 4 and Cowl 6 (split-safety), however they hardly ever face it! Groups don’t play lots of split-safety in opposition to them due to the specter of Barkley operating. The numbers present that this offense is sweet in opposition to it, however I want the Eagles had seen extra of it put together them for this one.

I believe Hurts is a greater quarterback when every little thing is simplified. With out placing this too merely, I believe it’s simpler to throw in opposition to single-high as a result of you already know you will have one-on-one protection on the surface so much. This helps Hurts to excel in opposition to this protection. Throwing in opposition to split-safety typically requires extra processing and this will generally trigger Hurts points.

Empty

Once I watched the Chiefs vs. Payments, I used to be just a little stunned to see how the Chiefs performed the Payments’ Empty formations. They typically rushed 4 and stored 7 in protection. They didn’t appear too involved about Josh Allen operating which stunned me. If I used to be designing the sport plan for the Eagles, I might unfold this Chiefs’ protection out by going to Empty extra. This could power the Chiefs to declare their protection because it’s more durable to disguise vs. Empty and if the Chiefs solely carry 4, I might be seeking to get Hurts operating from Empty. I desire spreading the Chiefs’ protection out to scale back the chance of their cornerbacks blitzing in opposition to condensed formations.

Cowl 0

12) As soon as once more, good luck blitzing Jalen Hurts. The offense has been so good in opposition to the blitz this yr. Hurts hits his again foot, throws a magnificence on time to his finest WR. Simple cash. Hurts was very correct in the course of the sphere on this one. He is clearly labored onerous on this… pic.twitter.com/g0omns1gZI

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) November 25, 2024

Within the Payments recreation, Josh Allen and the offense did job of figuring out the place the stress was coming from (at instances) and beating the blitz. They’d some success with this.

If the Chiefs carry some Cowl 0, I’ll take quick throws to remain on schedule. I might moderately test it down and hope for YAC than endure unfavorable performs. Nonetheless, the Chiefs sort out properly, so they need you to do that… that’s the chess match for you!

Operating Recreation

The Eagles shouldn’t have an important run-blocking tight finish outdoors of Dallas Goedert. The Chiefs are unhealthy at defending the run in opposition to 11 personnel. The Chiefs are good at defending the run in opposition to 12 personnel.

the Chiefs run protection splits are staggering vs 11 personnel

vs 2+ TE units:

#3 in YPC#7 in EPA

vs 11 personnel:

#24 in YPC#17 in EPA

Philly is utilizing 11 personnel on 81% of snaps this postseason (Q1-3)

Saquon Barkley is gaining 6.9 YPC out of 11… 5.2 YPC out of 12 pic.twitter.com/OmZDay3KDk

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 4, 2025

That is easy. Run the ball from 11 personnel! Unfold the protection out and provides Saquon Barkley house to make defenders miss.

When it comes to how the Chiefs will defend the Eagles, I anticipate they may attempt to stop massive performs. The Chiefs run a 2-gap type the place the defensive position keep sq. to the road of scrimmage, and so they depend on second stage defenders coming downhill shortly to plug gaps. I might make the most of pulling guards and movement within the run recreation to attempt to decelerate the second stage defenders, particularly Nick Bolton.

Security Rotation

Spags brings out some fancy security rotation within the massive moments. The Eagles have to be very cautious in the event that they go under-center and run play-action as a result of the image might change by the point Hurts is again going through the protection. As said earlier, I might contemplate sure formations (equivalent to Empty or 4-strong) to attempt to get the Chiefs to declare their protection early. Hurts have to be very cautious when studying the deep safeties post-snap and may’t assume that the pre-snap image will stay static.

Enjoyable rotation from Spags and the Chiefs:*Weak security strikes all the way down to change into the center of the sphere tampa 2 participant*Nickel turns into a deep half participant*Security to the underside turns into a half participant to the highest pic.twitter.com/KkGC3f1XvR

— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) October 21, 2024

The Chiefs like to rotate from center of the sphere closed (normally Cowl 3) to center of the sphere open (split-safety – Cowl 4/6) and Hurts must watch out of this. He might anticipate a one-on-one throw alongside the sideline, however the Chiefs might take this away post-snap. He must be cautious to not predetermine his throws, or he may get caught out by the Chiefs’ middle-of-the-field disguise.

Receivers vs. Cornerbacks

From the movie I watched on the Chiefs, I used to be fairly impressed by their outdoors cornerbacks. There are barely any corners on the earth who can cowl AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith in one-on-one, however the Chiefs might attempt at instances! Trent McDuffie is a wonderful (though undersized) nook who might find yourself on AJ Brown. I believe this may be a unbelievable matchup for the Eagles, though McDuffie is sweet, as a result of I believe AJ Brown can bodily dominate him on the catch level and the road of scrimmage. I believe the Chiefs are susceptible within the slot, and I might be lining DeVonta Smith up so much.

The Eagles additionally want to make use of stacks and bunches to get receivers off of press protection on this recreation. The Chiefs are a significantly better protection after they can press receivers on the line of scrimmage. The Chiefs have performed press protection on 47% of snaps this postseason and solely allowed a 46.7% catch price and 5.2 yards per goal. Compared, they’ve allowed a 71% catch price and seven.2 yards per goal when not in press protection. AJ Brown ranks 2nd within the NFL this yr in yards per route run in opposition to press protection.

I want to see some 4-strong appears to be like with AJ Brown remoted because the X. If the Chiefs need to press him, I might take that one-on-one. Nonetheless, I might use stacks, bunches, and movement on the robust aspect to get receivers free releases. DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson can each be inclined to robust press corners. Let’s do that. Lots.

7) Once more, do not overcomplicate issues. Isolate your elite celebrity WR one-on-one within the purple zone. Line him up inside to present him the power to go both manner. Then throw a dart to the surface. The ball placement is ideal. Hurts and AJ Brown had been locked in. Simple cash!! pic.twitter.com/3V9uNrBcJr

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) January 27, 2025

Nick Bolton

After watching the Payments vs. the Chiefs recreation again, I needed to do an entire part on him. Bolton ruined the Payments’ recreation plan. He was their defensive X-factor. He’s a ache to recreation plan for as a result of he always hovers across the line of scrimmage. He solely rushed the quarterback on 3 snaps, however the offensive line frequently shifted towards his aspect as they fearful he may blitz. The Chiefs will line Bolton up over the guard on one aspect of the formation and power you to shift your offensive line to his aspect. Then, he’ll drop into protection, and they’ll carry stress from the opposite aspect. It’s so easy, but it surely’s efficient as a result of Bolton is superb in protection and in opposition to the run, even when he has to maneuver backward on the snap. Simply control him.

Free Rushers / Blitzing

This hyperlinks to the above level. That is everybody’s greatest worry heading into the sport. Spags is the grasp at getting free rushers after the quarterback. The Eagles can take care of this in numerous alternative ways. They may depart a operating again into block extra typically. They might must lean on quick-hitting ideas to get the ball out of Hurts’ arms shortly. If the Chiefs are utilizing blitz-heavy fronts on 2nd or third down, I might contemplate operating the soccer, too, to make the Chiefs take into consideration blitzing once more. I do know everybody will get annoyed when an offense runs on third and lengthy, however if you’re contemplating going for it on 4th down anyway, I might be OK with some third and lengthy runs on this recreation.

That is what the Chiefs accomplish that properly. Line up a linebacker over the guard on one aspect of the formation. Then drop him into protection and blitz from the opposite aspect. It’s precisely what I commented on above when discussing Nick Bolton.

doozy from Spags. Must have religion that your safety is working in the correct course away from the preliminary look (must get the slide left and have the RB take #27).

take a look at Reid (#20) and Karlaftis (#56) crossing paths into protection. pic.twitter.com/JKdEKpx7cd

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 2, 2024

The Chiefs’ highest blitz down and distances are third and lengthy and 2nd and quick. You don’t need to find yourself in third and lengthy in opposition to this protection. However you additionally have to be cautious on 2nd and quick as Spags will attempt to power a third and lengthy. That is throughout their movie.

I’ve accomplished sufficient research on Spags on how he is the most effective at getting a free rusher.Here is one other instance, 1st matchup vs Payments.Cowl everybody, Rg RB &must take OLB and Mike, leaves the CB free. Only a nice name. Middle has to take Nostril who drops primarily based on #’s . pic.twitter.com/BvCUhrFQuW

— coachkou (@coachkou) January 26, 2025

Let’s get into it. Right here’s my greatest concern. Hurts has the best scramble price amongst all quarterbacks this yr in opposition to zone blitzes. He takes the best sack price in opposition to zone blitzes. That’s a troubling mixture. The Eagles want to ensure Hurts is comfy in opposition to zone stress. That is the precedence. Hurts should preserve his eyes up in opposition to zone stress. Not like this.

Spags and the Chiefs ran certainly one of their favourite creepers 4 instances in opposition to the Eagles:*T-E stunt + Nickel off the sting*Drop the DE away*OL needs to slip to Jones, rush can find yourself overloading the sting*nonetheless can preserve the two excessive construction + 7 in protection pic.twitter.com/YKH4LsPzbF

— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) November 22, 2023

I’ve talked about a number of instances all through this text that the Eagles should unfold the Chiefs’ protection out. They have to be so cautious when enjoying condensed formations. Everybody in is aware of that Spags likes to blitz his cornerbacks in opposition to condensed formations. You possibly can’t make it simple for him!

Chiefs with a double CB stress vs. the Broncos.

If you happen to go condensed, Spags *will* blast you with stress.

Can do the double edge stuff like within the clip, or ship the CB + a LB via the B-gap. — pic.twitter.com/lDPAe2DgL6

— Cody Alexander (@The_Coach_A) November 15, 2024

Lastly, the Eagles can not play scared. That is only a private opinion, however I believe the Payments performed scared in opposition to the Chiefs’ protection and didn’t run their ordinary stuff. The Eagles have an elite operating again. An elite offensive line. Two excellent receivers. And a prime quarterback. The Eagles ought to take some photographs in opposition to the Chiefs Cowl 0. If the Chiefs need to blitz, the Eagles ought to take some photographs down the sphere. The Chiefs rally to the soccer in a short time and I believe they’re completely satisfied so that you can test it down within the flat in opposition to their stress appears to be like. It’s the Tremendous Bowl. It’s time to be aggressive.

Nicely Coached

It is a boring level, however from learning the Chiefs’ protection, my greatest takeaway is that this protection could be very properly coached. I don’t suppose they’ve unbelievably good expertise. However I believe they’re extraordinarily well-coached. Specifically, watching them rally to the soccer shortly in opposition to display screen passes vs. the Payments was very spectacular. Any such play is throughout their defensive movie. The RPOs with bubble screens hooked up might not work too properly this week.

the Chiefs protection utterly weaponizing the cornerback place makes it such a enjoyable watch.

these guys destroy bubble screens, actually press receivers into the bottom, blitz the QB, get entangled in opposition to the run and browse & soar route ideas.

good soccer. pic.twitter.com/zrZXt7mm5I

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) August 28, 2024

The Chiefs’ protection recorded the league’s lowest missed sort out share (10.7%) in the course of the common season. This doesn’t shock me in any respect. You possibly can inform the unit could be very properly coached when watching them.

General

I believe it is a superb protection, but it surely depends on excellent performs and moments moderately than constant each down manufacturing. The Eagles’ offense has to attain factors this week. They’ve the expertise to beat this protection. I anticipate the Chiefs to have a number of profitable blitzes and power a number of sacks, however the Eagles want to make sure they don’t go into their shell and play extremely conservatively. There are down-the-field photographs available. I might prioritize operating the soccer and attempting to shift the Chiefs out of their split-safety appears to be like earlier than taking deep photographs in opposition to single-high protection. Crucial factor is to have a transparent plan in opposition to the blitz. Each single play must be designed with stress in thoughts. I’m feeling fairly assured… till the sport begins!

Thanks for studying! I’d love to listen to your ideas, so be at liberty to remark beneath and ask any questions. If you happen to loved this piece, yow will discover extra of my work and podcast right here.