AFTER BREAKING DOWN defensive, passing and running plays over the past three weeks, this time around we’re going to switch our attention to play-action and how the Cleveland Browns used it to devastating effect against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It’s just the third time in 23 attempts that Cleveland have beaten their divisional rivals and, while most of their scoring came on the ground, it was the threat of their run game that was enough to fool the Steelers on this play.
For those who didn’t see the play, here’s how it looked on TV:
As we’ll see below, the importance of the game situation, particularly down and distance, cannot be overstated when calling plays.
Pre-snap read – Offence
The Browns have lined up with their Heavy/13 personnel on the field. This means there is one running back (white), three tight ends (red, green, blue) and a lone wide receiver (out of shot in the above image).
Advertisement
The formation they line up in is known as Big Wing. That means they have all three tight ends lined up to one side – the strong side we introduced last week – with a lone receiver lined up wide on the weak side.
Pre-snap read – Defence
The Steelers are in Cover 1 with just the free safety Mike Williams (orange) covering the deep threat. We’ve seen this formation quite a few times in this series and it is used by the Steelers in this situation because they are expecting the Browns to run the football.
At the snap
Coaches Film: How the Browns used their run game to throw a 51-yard touchdown pass
The Browns are in their hurry-up offence meaning they’re not going into the huddle to call plays, instead, quarterback Brian Hoyer is making adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
As you can see in the gallery above, they have tried two run plays from the exact same formation on the previous two plays so, when the ball is snapped, it’s no surprise the Steelers are set up to defend the run.
What happens next?
We introduced the concept of the zone running game way back in week one and the Browns run a variation known as a split-zone scheme.
With the offensive line blocking to the strong side, linebacker James Harrison (92) thinks he will get an unblocked run at the quarterback/running back.
However, the split-zone sees one tight end – in this case Gary Barnidge (92) – pull out of formation (we introduced the concept of pulling last week) and block the weak side, cutting off Harrison (red).
With everyone except Cortez Allen (28) and Troy Polamalu (43) heading towards Browns running back Ben Tate (44), this gives Hoyer time to fake the hand off – play-action – and let the play develop and get his pass away.
With Williams (23), dropping out of his zone to provide double coverage on the (out of picture) lone wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, this opens up the middle of the field for Jordan Cameron (84) who is in a one-on-one matchup with Allen.
While the pass from Hoyer is obviously a good one, it’s worth noting that Cameron has also identified that there are no Steelers in the middle of the field so presents a much easier target for his quarterback by running there rather than to the outside of his defender.
Notes
Key to all of this was how the Browns played the situation. Everything about they way they set up from the formation to the personnel on the field suggested they would run the football.
Had the game situation been third down with 10 yards to go, it’s virtually certain the Browns would have attempted a standard pass play rather than trying to run play-action.
Coaches Film: How the Browns used their run game to throw a 51-yard touchdown pass
AFTER BREAKING DOWN defensive, passing and running plays over the past three weeks, this time around we’re going to switch our attention to play-action and how the Cleveland Browns used it to devastating effect against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It’s just the third time in 23 attempts that Cleveland have beaten their divisional rivals and, while most of their scoring came on the ground, it was the threat of their run game that was enough to fool the Steelers on this play.
For those who didn’t see the play, here’s how it looked on TV:
As we’ll see below, the importance of the game situation, particularly down and distance, cannot be overstated when calling plays.
Pre-snap read – Offence
The Browns have lined up with their Heavy/13 personnel on the field. This means there is one running back (white), three tight ends (red, green, blue) and a lone wide receiver (out of shot in the above image).
The formation they line up in is known as Big Wing. That means they have all three tight ends lined up to one side – the strong side we introduced last week – with a lone receiver lined up wide on the weak side.
Pre-snap read – Defence
The Steelers are in Cover 1 with just the free safety Mike Williams (orange) covering the deep threat. We’ve seen this formation quite a few times in this series and it is used by the Steelers in this situation because they are expecting the Browns to run the football.
At the snap
Play 1: 1-yard run (5-yard penalty on the Steelers)
Play 2: 2-yard run
Play 3: 51-yard play-action pass
The Browns are in their hurry-up offence meaning they’re not going into the huddle to call plays, instead, quarterback Brian Hoyer is making adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
As you can see in the gallery above, they have tried two run plays from the exact same formation on the previous two plays so, when the ball is snapped, it’s no surprise the Steelers are set up to defend the run.
What happens next?
We introduced the concept of the zone running game way back in week one and the Browns run a variation known as a split-zone scheme.
With the offensive line blocking to the strong side, linebacker James Harrison (92) thinks he will get an unblocked run at the quarterback/running back.
However, the split-zone sees one tight end – in this case Gary Barnidge (92) – pull out of formation (we introduced the concept of pulling last week) and block the weak side, cutting off Harrison (red).
With everyone except Cortez Allen (28) and Troy Polamalu (43) heading towards Browns running back Ben Tate (44), this gives Hoyer time to fake the hand off – play-action – and let the play develop and get his pass away.
With Williams (23), dropping out of his zone to provide double coverage on the (out of picture) lone wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, this opens up the middle of the field for Jordan Cameron (84) who is in a one-on-one matchup with Allen.
While the pass from Hoyer is obviously a good one, it’s worth noting that Cameron has also identified that there are no Steelers in the middle of the field so presents a much easier target for his quarterback by running there rather than to the outside of his defender.
Notes
Key to all of this was how the Browns played the situation. Everything about they way they set up from the formation to the personnel on the field suggested they would run the football.
Had the game situation been third down with 10 yards to go, it’s virtually certain the Browns would have attempted a standard pass play rather than trying to run play-action.
Read more from our Coaches Film series
Kaepernick’s 80-yard pass swings game for 49ers
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
American Football Cleveland Browns Coaches Film Editor's picks NFL Pittsburgh Steelers US sports Xs and Os