Goodness me, the Eagles are in one other Tremendous Bowl! I’ve watched a ton of Chiefs movie … so this could be a protracted one. I made a decision whether or not or to not concentrate on a couple of particular areas, but it surely’s the Tremendous Bowl! I’ll simply cowl as a lot as I presumably can. Hopefully, that is as complete a preview as you have to!
Chiefs Offense vs. the Eagles Protection
Final week, I rewatched the All22 of the Chiefs vs. Payments AFC Championship Sport and commented on each play. I loved it and located it extraordinarily helpful. I’ll remark fairly a bit on that sport on this one. If you wish to try the video, I did it on my Patreon, which you’ll be able to subscribe to right here. I realized quite a bit from doing it!
The Fundamentals
The Chiefs run as a lot heavy personnel as any workforce within the league. Lower than 50% 11 personnel is fairly insane within the trendy NFL. You will notice this all through the article, however it’s no shock that the Chiefs rank 1st in utilizing RPOs.
There are lots of designed rollouts and screens, too. This offense is all in regards to the quick throws!
Misdirection, RPOs & YAC
The secret is misdirection. This isn’t a typical dropback offense. Every little thing this Chiefs’ offense does is about complicated the protection. Every little thing. They don’t have sufficient expertise to take a 5-step drop and throw it on time. It’s not what they do. It’s all RPOs with misdirection. It’s irritating as hell. Nevertheless it’s onerous to cease.
I got here into the movie anticipating every part to be about Travis Kelce. It’s not. Xavier Worthy is the X-Issue. His pace and ability set create a lot confusion. He’s always transferring, stretching the protection horizontally and vertically. Take a look at the rep beneath. The Chiefs faux GH Counter, however the tight finish does a 180 and finally ends up lead blocking for Worthy. That’s so intelligent.
Chiefs Offense All22 thread. I will replace this as I watch extra. The extra Chiefs movie I watch, the extra I believe Xavier Worthy is their X-factor on this sport. There’s barely a snap when he isn’t shifting, in movement, or making an attempt to trigger confusion. The Chiefs are masters at… pic.twitter.com/mgUaacIxKA
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
Pretend the run to the left and throw it to the precise to a receiver coming throughout the formation who ran a 4.21 40. Soccer is easy. The Payments don’t play man protection right here, however they nonetheless can’t cease Worthy as a result of the linebacker is caught staring into the backfield. Andy Reid will need to have sprinted to the rostrum when Worthy is on the market. He’s the proper match for this offense.
The Payments slot cornerback calls this out however the Payments are too late to react. Once more, it is simply extra misdirection. Pretend the run left and throw it to Worthy in movement. It’s worthwhile to be SO disciplined together with your eyes in protection. Mahomes can throw it round any incoming defender with… pic.twitter.com/qOsgLooUgx
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
Extra misdirection… Worthy is eye sweet on each single play. You have to be so disciplined on protection.
All eyes on Worthy! Pretend the reverse with a good finish in entrance… And throw it the opposite means. It is all about misdirection. No coordinator does it higher than Andy Reid. He is the grasp.
One of the best ways to cease this? Fundamentals. Eye self-discipline. Do your job and do not attempt to be too… pic.twitter.com/EJ1zG93PDW
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
The Chiefs don’t simply run easy RPOs and throw it to the flat each time. They’ve some unbelievable designs. Travis Kelce will at all times be a risk, so Reid makes use of him as eye sweet right here. The defenders’ eyes naturally go to Kelce and Worthy, operating to the left. So, Mahomes throws it over the defenders’ head and hits JuJu Smith-Schuster over the center.
We now have seen the Eagles have points within the flat this season. I assure you that Reid goes to focus on them with fast screens. The Eagles must rally to the soccer and sort out properly. You possibly can’t be too aggressive towards the Chiefs, or they’ll make you pay. Regardless of that, you must get after the ball rapidly once you see the ball thrown.
Inverted Wishbone
For those who’ve by no means seen the ‘Inverted Wishbone’ formation… prepare for it! The Chiefs use it quite a bit. This formation has Patrick Mahomes within the Pistol with two move catchers on both facet. They love operating this formation as a result of it causes a lot confusion on the defensive facet. As I said earlier, it’s all about misdirection…
I believe that is what you’ll name huge open! Get used to this inverted wishbone formation. The Chiefs adore it! They incessantly shift late into this and it causes all types of confusion. This might be a brand new problem for the Eagles’ protection. I am pic.twitter.com/gABQUow5Fr
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
Misdirection… eye sweet… it’s what this offense does. Andy Reid is pretty much as good as anybody at stretching a protection horizontally and testing the protection’s fundamentals and self-discipline. That is unbelievable sport planning. Many groups will run a ‘scrape exchange’ towards any play the place the quarterback is studying the EDGE defender, however by utilizing the inverted wishbone, the Chiefs have a lead blocker to get the linebacker who’s scraping. They are going to take a look at the Eagles’ EDGE defenders quite a bit.
Inverted wishbone once more. That is why they adore it. The again goes left which stretches you horizontally and Worthy retains it. It’s worthwhile to have extraordinarily disciplined EDGE defenders as a result of the Chiefs will take a look at you. I am guessing this can be a ‘scrape’ change however the additional blocked in… pic.twitter.com/szxYYFdUDU
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
Check out the second degree of the Payments’ protection. They haven’t bought a clue what the Chiefs’ offense is doing. Andy Reid destroyed Sean McDermott’s’ protection.
Watch the 2nd degree of the Invoice’s Protection. Lol. They do not have a clue what’s going on. This is the inverted wishbone once more. Mahomes fakes like he’s protecting it (he did on this similar sport – and scored a TD). Reid completely wrecked McDermott on this one. pic.twitter.com/X8iduOD9ov
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
Extra inverted wishbone? Oh, go on then…
Mahomes ran for two touchdowns final week, and can do it once more when you don’t play the sting properly.
The Chiefs often begin the play within the Pistol Offset formation, with two tight ends subsequent to Mahomes on the identical facet. One will often movement to the alternative facet to create the inverted wishbone. Nonetheless, the 2 tight ends will typically keep subsequent to Mahomes and the Chiefs will run out of the Pistol Offset formation. Simply to provide you one thing else to consider as a protection!
In case I haven’t made this clear by now… it’s all about misdirection and deception.
4-Robust
Andy Reid loves operating 4-strong. He’ll isolate the X-receiver and flood the passing power. After they run this between the ’20s, Mahomes will usually goal the X-receiver. Particularly, if that is Xavier Worthy. Nonetheless, within the crimson zone, he hardly ever targets the X. He often throws it to the 4-receiver facet so he can flood one facet of the sector. Mahomes is extremely sharp and solely wants a tiny window to fireside it in. He has unimaginable arm power. It’s worthwhile to be extraordinarily disciplined in your zone match protection to remove all 4 of those routes.
Get used to seeing 4-strong. Reid loves it. The Chiefs hardly ever throw it to the X within the crimson zone as Mahomes will goal the robust facet. Mahomes & Kelce have such a robust understanding. If you are going to play zone within the RZ, you must keep extraordinarily tight to Kelce or he’ll… pic.twitter.com/vEH6KMVo7a
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
As a result of these tight window throws, defenses might be aggressive within the quick space and leap throughout these Travis Kelce routes. So, what do the Chiefs do? They throw it over the linebacker’s head. The Chiefs’ ability is sequencing performs collectively. Andy Reid is aware of how the protection goes to play them. He’s at all times one step forward of the opposing defensive coordinator. That’s what makes Reid so good. He doesn’t have a transparent philosophy, however he’ll discover a protection weak point and relentlessly go after it.
After all, Reid gained’t make the 4-strong look predictable. The Chiefs run lots of ‘fast 4’, the place you movement the again out to the Journeys facet simply earlier than the snap. That is all to check the defensive guidelines. Each member of the secondary must know their assignments and the way they’ll alter to the Chiefs’ movement.
This is the 4-strong once more. The Bucs are all around the quick routes, so Mahomes reads it and throws it over their head. It is sensible design and nice QB play. The Chiefs are usually not probably the most proficient offense, however Reid/Mahomes will scare any DC. They achieve this many issues properly. pic.twitter.com/nLmlb899ms
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
Rub/Decide Ideas
I’d not play a lot man protection in any respect towards this offense. It might be tempting to play man protection as a result of the Chiefs’ receivers are usually not excellent. However Andy Reid is the grasp of scheming open receivers towards man protection. The Payments performed lots of single-high man protection towards the Chiefs, which was a complete catastrophe. The Chiefs’ offense destroyed man protection. Even when you get stress rapidly on Mahomes, he’s extraordinarily comfy getting the ball out rapidly and discovering the open receiver. Blitzing this offense and enjoying man protection is dangerous. I wouldn’t do it.
If you will blitz or play man protection, you higher be extraordinarily assured in your means to move off receivers operating crossing routes. The Chiefs love Mesh because it schemes open their receivers. I might keep away from blitzing Mahomes as he is so good pre-snap. Clear single-high pre… pic.twitter.com/Cm5CAJCNY3
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
There are a ton of ideas on movie like this. The Chiefs like to get Mahomes on the transfer, too, to make these throws even simpler. You can’t play apparent single-high man protection. Fortunately, the Eagles do not do that as a lot!
For those who play man protection, you want strict guidelines to cope with rub/choose routes. Reid will scheme open his receivers and the Eagles might want to play Banjo protection to keep away from getting killed by these route mixtures. The Chiefs do a superb job mixing up Mahomes’ launch factors too. pic.twitter.com/I1jJGzxofH
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
Discover the similarity between the 2 performs beneath…
Man, that is means too straightforward. The Chiefs love this Flood idea within the RZ. They scored an similar TD earlier on within the season from a unique alignment. Reid will run his greatest hits however costume it up in another way each week. You simply cannot play static Single-high man protection like… pic.twitter.com/trZ3CZPqWe
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
2024 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
-3×1
-Slot Fly Movement➡️Flood
-X-Fade, 3-Fly Arrow, 2-Sail, Z-Curl
-Vs Man Free — Movement into slot Stack Creates Pure Rub on Security Permitting QB to get this out Fast Beneath on Arrow pic.twitter.com/e2wmk0J9kP
— Tempo N House (@PaceNSpace2) December 19, 2024
That is Andy Reid at his most interesting. The identical play dressed up in another way. Don’t play man protection towards this workforce within the crimson zone.
Worthy – Deep Photographs
I’ve already talked about him a ton. Worthy is the man the Eagles have to cease. The Chiefs wouldn’t have the receivers to go down the sector. This isn’t an offense that takes lots of deep pictures. Nonetheless, once in a while, Mahomes will take a shot to Worthy. The Chiefs will throw it quick, attempt to get the protection to return nearer to the LOS, after which chuck it deep. You have to be disciplined on the again finish.
The Chiefs hardly ever do that, however it’s of their locker. For those who play quarters, Mahomes goes to take some pictures in one-on-one conditions to Worthy. The Chiefs will take pictures in 2nd & quick conditions as they belief their means to live performance on third & quick. Worthy is the X-Issue. pic.twitter.com/dOjuy8oGkB
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
When watching the deep pictures, it was clear that the Chiefs like to throw them on 2nd and quick. Keep watch over the deep play-action pictures on 2nd and quick.
Patrick Mahomes
Regardless of being the most effective participant within the NFL, I really feel like Mahomes should still be underrated by some. He’s not had his most interesting 12 months, however the movie remains to be fairly unbelievable. I don’t get to enter element right here. It’s simply value declaring that typically the protection can do every part proper, and Mahomes can nonetheless make a play.
Cowl every part completely. Play the EDGE properly. Cowl the tight finish within the flat. That is good protection…
… after which Mahomes simply makes a ridiculous play. You possibly can’t give him an inch. He is absurdly good outdoors of construction. pic.twitter.com/gRumhSlH4c
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
The Chiefs Working Sport
Have you ever observed that I’ve barely talked about the Chiefs’ operating sport? It’s as a result of it isn’t value specializing in. The operating backs aren’t nice. The blocking is common. Nonetheless, the design is nice. As identified all through the article, the run sport depends on misdirection. Count on lots of eye sweet. For those who can ignore the distractions, they run lots of zone runs, and it’s fairly common. The operating sport is all about staying forward of the sticks. The Chiefs run the ball as a result of they should. They do it on early downs to keep away from moving into 2nd and lengthy conditions. The Eagles should win up entrance and shut down the Chiefs’ early down run sport.
third and Lengthy
On third/4th and eight+, the Chiefs have a 32.3% passing success charge which ranks seventeenth within the NFL. Their Bust Charge is greater than the Eagles in these conditions at 30.8% vs 38.6%.
It’s possible you’ll assume that seventeenth isn’t horrible, however I count on a workforce with Reid and Mahomes to be quite a bit higher.
How do you beat this offense?
Then you definately play split-safety coverages and rush 4. You possibly can run some simulated pressures, however Mahomes may be very fast to diagnose stress. I favor dashing 4, enjoying zone (bracketing Kelce) and permitting the surface cornerbacks to go one-on-one with the Chiefs’ receivers. Mahomes will power it when he will get pissed off.
OK, it is not an ideal offense! There are apparent flaws. That is how I’d play the Chiefs. Loads of split-safety zone match dashing 4. It’s worthwhile to take away Mahomes 1st learn and make him maintain it. He hates taking sacks and can throw out of stress. He’ll throw some dangerous… pic.twitter.com/DhNJFUhCxb
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
It might frustrate some followers, however I’d play a bend however don’t break type. I don’t thoughts if the Chiefs examine it down quite a bit and get into the crimson zone so long as you tighten up and power a subject aim. Because of the lack of receiving expertise, Mahomes must take pictures into tight home windows. The protection can make the most of this.
I might play lots of zone in an effort to hold eyes on Mahomes. The Chiefs wouldn’t have lots of receiving expertise. Mahomes has to make tight window throws to Kelce to maintain the offense rolling. You do not see lots of huge open vertical pictures as a result of they do not have sufficient receiving… pic.twitter.com/BqDKiuaphy
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
As soon as once more, that is the way you play this offense. Rush 4, collapse the pocket with good rush lane integrity, and get quite a few defenders round Kelce. Mahomes and Kelce play lots of ‘buddy ball’ the place Kelce will discover any open area towards the protection. That is why enjoying man protection is dangerous. This play additionally reveals what a protection can do in the event that they don’t fall for the attention sweet. Take a look at the depth that the linebackers get right here. They don’t fall for the play-action in any respect. It’s all about being disciplined in protection.
As soon as once more, the center of the sector. The Bengals play zone and collapse the pocket with 4. It might sound fundamental, however that is how I might play this Chiefs’ offense. Get eyes on Mahomes and our bodies round Kelce.
The Chiefs use the inverted wishbone once more however the Bengals’ protection stays… pic.twitter.com/EA2v7GosV2
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
I watched each sack the Chiefs took, and lots of of them got here from any such play. Mahomes does not need to take checkdowns on third and lengthy. He needs first downs. So, he’ll look to increase performs as a result of he’s excellent out of construction. As a protection, I wouldn’t ship lots of stress or play man protection on third and lengthy. Play zone protection, be disciplined in protection, and get our bodies round Kelce. The Chiefs’ offense doesn’t scare me in apparent passing conditions. They simply don’t have the expertise to win on the surface. It’s all about stopping Kelce and successful on early downs.
If the Eagles can win in early downs, the Chiefs’ offense does not scare me on third & lengthy. They do not have lots of receiving expertise. Mahomes will attempt to prolong performs so sustaining rush self-discipline is significant. On late downs I might encourage the protection to get stress however keep rush… pic.twitter.com/GaSRp0hd30
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
That is my favourite sack that I watched. The Raiders ship 4 and rotate from split-safety to single-high. That is one thing I might see the Eagles doing quite a bit. Nonetheless, fairly then enjoying straight-up man protection, they permit the surface cornerbacks to cope with the surface receivers one-on-one and get lots of our bodies round Kelce in the course of the sector. Mahomes ought to take the examine down, however he doesn’t need to on third and lengthy!
That is the good things. For those who do play single-high, rotate into it late & belief your outdoors cornerbacks to win one-on-one. Bracket Kelce and get lots of eyes round him. The offensive line will be overwhelmed. This offense struggles in the event that they battle on early downs. They should keep… pic.twitter.com/uMGsMYwZso
— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) February 2, 2025
I believe that’s sufficient movie!
Total
The Eagles’ protection has considerably extra expertise than this Chiefs’ offense. Truthfully, it’s a captivating offense to review as a result of it’s so extremely well-designed, and Patrick Mahomes is unbelievable. However the expertise degree isn’t very excessive. For those who can keep disciplined and never fall for the misdirection and deception, there isn’t quite a bit that scares me. Worthy is the X-Issue. He has professional game-breaking pace, and Andy Reid is aware of it. Reid makes use of him in so many various methods. Mahomes and Kelce will at all times make a couple of unbelievable performs, however you may cease this relationship by enjoying robust zone protection and getting lots of eyes round Kelce. Bear in mind when the Eagles performed man protection and despatched 5 final week, and Washington threw to Zach Ertz back-to-back after he beat Reed Blankenship in man protection? Yeah, the Eagles should not try this once more.
This protection has the expertise to cease the Chiefs’ offense, and I really feel fairly assured about it. Nonetheless, you may by no means be too assured when enjoying Patrick Mahomes.
Thanks for studying! I’d love to listen to your ideas, so be happy to remark beneath and ask any questions. For those who loved this piece, you’ll find extra of my work and podcast right here.