Beating a Pressure Defense

One of the biggest things I was looking forward to heading into the match-up against the Cardinals last week was to see how Chip's offense, and most notably, Foles, would hold up against a pressure defense. The Cardinals defense is very good at attacking the QB, and they do it through a variety of blitzes. So far, up until last week, Nick hasn't been challenged too much with the blitz, so I thought for sure we would see it on Sunday.

I think there is no question that Nick faced more heat in this game, than any of his other games this season. 5 sacks suggests as much. However, Nick still countered with a productive 259 total yards and 3 TDs. Not at a bad day at the office. Nick showed good poise and did a nice job evading the rush at times. But, after reviewing the tape, a lot of the credit needs to go to Chip Kelly.

The Cardinals have some good pass rushers in Jon Abraham, Darnell Docket albeit perhaps a bit past their primes. But they are a defense that likes to blitz, especially with their 2 inside linebackers.

Heading into this game, the player that terrified me was Daryl Washington. Washington is a great player and an explosive pass rusher. Dansby also remains productive in that scheme. So naturally, it made a good amount of sense this week to deploy a TE heavy attack. Daryl Washington was almost a complete non-factor in this game. No sacks, no really big plays. He was solid, but he didn't make any game-changing plays that Cardinals fans are used to seeing. Dansby made a few plays (2 sacks) but again didn't seem to be a difference maker out there for the Cardinals through 3 quaters.

One way to negate Washington and Dansby in the passing game is to force them to cover. This is one of the beauties of the spread offense. You can spread the field and force linebackers and safety to cover vs. rushing the passer. It was very clear from the get-go that this was Chip's plan. As Tim McManus was quick to point out, the Eagles targeted the TEs on their first 4 plays from scrimmage resulting in 3 completions and a TD. Let's look at a couple to set the table.

First play from scrimmage we send 5 players out on routes. Most notable is Brent Celek playing H-back who motions and heads to the flat. This pulls Dansby out of the box. On the top of the screen, McCoy is going to the flat, drawing Washington:

Foles originally looks downfield and dumps to Celek. A minimal gain but you notice the Cardinals only rushing 4. Hard to blitz without leaving someone wide open against a spread like that.

Here's a couple of plays later on a 3rd down to get the Cards off the field. You'd think they'd blitz one of their ILBs as it's their M.O. By splitting Celek out into the slot, Dansby is forced to cover. You will see Washington is focused on McCoy out of the backfield.

And a nice hole in the middle emerges for Celek for a 1st down:

Here we split out Ertz wide and Daryl Washington is has single coverage on the outside. Foles spots the mismatch immediately.

Cardinals send 6, but Foles has a match-up he likes and fires into the single coverage:

Washington actually has pretty good coverage on this one but Foles throws a beauty where only Ertz can make a play. He makes a great play on the ball.

Getting Arizona's best pass rusher outside of the box and defending Ertz on the edge is a win for Chip Kelly.

Here's a few more spread looks.

Here the Cards have us backed up into our own end zone. Would probably love to blitz in this situation. But we send 5 receivers out forcing them to cover. Dansby's got McCoy and Washington is on Celek. Only a 4 man rush and the Eagles get out of trouble.

Again the Eagles leave 5 to protect and send 5 receivers out on a pattern.

Here Jackson is looking for a natural pick as McCoy floats to the flat. Look at the maze Washington has to navigate through to get to McCoy. He ultimately does not get there and the Eagles convert a key 3rd down (albeit with a very generous spot).

Last one. This is how you beat the Cover-2. Eagles split 4 receivers wide and McCoy will again drift to the flat. Ertz is originally lined up against a CB.

The Cards are playing zone, so as the play progresses, the CB steps on McCoy in the flat leaving Ertz for the safety. Ertz hits the seam hard. On the top of the screen, Desean Jackson is coming out of the slot and drawing the ILBs forward. Again Cards can only send 4:

And Ertz beats the safeties down the seam for a TD:

And what happens when the Cards chose not to cover someone outside and blitz anyway? On this play, we have a 3-2 advantage albeit with a safety over the top:

Foles recognizes blitz quickly and gets the ball to Jackson on a bubble screen with 2 TEs in front of him:

The result is an explosive play for Desean:

And of course, anytime you face a pressure defense, you want to throw the screen game in. Cards blitz, Nick does a great job holding the ball just long enough for the defense to bite:

And dumps it off to Desean who has an ambush player, and 2 lead blockers for another explosive play:

Finally, anytime you face a pressure defense. Blitz pick-up is absolutely key. Lesean blew one early. Clearly miscommunication between Peters and McCoy. Both take the outside guy and leave a free lane for Karlos Dansby: