Cracking the Code: How NFL Offenses are Evolving Against Two-High Safety Defenses
The NFL is a copycat league, but it’s also a league of constant innovation. Remember when the Kansas City Chiefs torched the league with seemingly unstoppable RPOs? Defenses adapted. Now, a new chess match is unfolding: How are offenses adjusting to the rise of two-high safety defenses, a scheme designed to limit explosive plays and force teams to grind out drives?
Last season, the Cincinnati Bengals, facing a stacked box and two-high safeties, audibled into a play that saw Joe Burrow connect with Ja’Marr Chase for a 70-yard touchdown. This wasn’t luck; it was a calculated risk, exploiting the vulnerability that two-high can create in the intermediate passing game.
The Two-High Takeover: Why Defenses Embraced the Trend
The two-high safety look, popularized by coaches like Brandon Staley (Los Angeles Chargers) and DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans), aims to combat the modern NFL’s aerial assault. By keeping two safeties deep, defenses can effectively bracket star receivers and reduce the risk of giving up game-changing bombs. The scheme forces offenses to be patient, dinking and dunking their way down the field.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, under Todd Bowles, have been staunch proponents of this approach. In their Super Bowl-winning season, they used two-high looks to neutralize explosive offenses like the Kansas City Chiefs. The strategy paid dividends, forcing Patrick Mahomes into hurried throws and limiting the Chiefs’ downfield passing game.
The Offensive Counterpunch: Finding the Cracks in the Armor
While two-high defenses initially stifled offenses, innovative play-callers are finding ways to exploit their weaknesses. Here’s how:
- Embracing the Run: With safeties playing deep, the box becomes lighter, presenting opportunities for the running game. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, have capitalized on this by pounding the ball and controlling the clock. The San Francisco 49ers, with their diverse run schemes and talented backs like Christian McCaffrey, also excel at exploiting lighter boxes.
- Intermediate Passing Game: The space between the linebackers and the deep safeties becomes prime real estate. Quarterbacks like Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, known for their accuracy in the short-to-intermediate range, can thrive by targeting tight ends and slot receivers in these zones.
- Pre-Snap Motion and Formation Variety: Offensive coordinators are using pre-snap motion and diverse formations to confuse defenses and create favorable matchups. By forcing the safeties to declare their intentions early, offenses can identify mismatches and exploit them. The Miami Dolphins, under Mike McDaniel, are masters of this, using motion to create advantageous running lanes and passing opportunities for Tua Tagovailoa.
- Utilizing Athletic Quarterbacks: Quarterbacks who can extend plays with their legs and make throws on the run add another dimension to the offense. Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles can punish defenses that commit too heavily to coverage, using their legs to pick up first downs and keep drives alive.
Case Studies: Teams Successfully Adapting
Several teams have demonstrated success in cracking the two-high code:
- Kansas City Chiefs: After struggling initially against two-high looks, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes adapted by incorporating more short passes and utilizing Travis Kelce in the intermediate zones. They also improved their running game, forcing defenses to respect the threat on the ground.
- Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles’ dominant offensive line and running game, combined with Jalen Hurts’s ability to make plays with his arm and legs, make them a nightmare for two-high defenses. They can run the ball effectively, exploit the intermediate passing game, and punish defenses that overcommit to stopping the run.
- Detroit Lions: Ben Johnson has unlocked Jared Goff’s potential by implementing a diverse offensive scheme that features a strong running game and a variety of passing concepts. Amon-Ra St. Brown thrives in the short to intermediate passing game, making the Lions a tough matchup for defenses employing two-high coverages.
The Future of the Chess Match
The battle between offenses and two-high defenses is far from over. As defenses continue to refine their schemes, offenses will need to continue to evolve and find new ways to exploit their weaknesses. Expect to see more emphasis on pre-snap motion, formation variety, and the utilization of athletic quarterbacks who can make plays with their legs.
The evolution of offensive strategies against two-high safety defenses highlights the dynamic nature of the NFL. It’s a constant game of cat and mouse, with each side trying to outsmart the other. As the league continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how offenses continue to crack the code and find new ways to score points.