Denver Broncos Defense: Blitzing the Ravens Part 2

Blitz #	Down	Personnel	Blitz Type	Rushers	Pressure/Sack
6	3rd and 8, Q2	3-2-6 Dime	Safety	5	Pressure
7	3rd and 12, Q2	4-1-6 Dime	Double Zone (MLB, CB, S)	5	Pressure
8	3rd and 14, Q2	3-1-7 (4S 3CB)	Safety	4	Pressure
9	2nd and 6, Q2	4-2-5 Nickel	S/LB	6	None
10	3rd and 6, Q2	3-2-6 Dime	S/LB	6	None
11	1st and 10, Q2	4-2-5 Nickel	S	5	None

Blitz 6

Out of the Dime formation, a simple S blitz with Mike Adams. Broncos will use that extra Safety to blitz quite frequently in dime situations.

Blitz 7

Another great design. Both Phillips and Ayers (ends) will drop back and cover the flat. In their place the Broncos will substitute a safety a cornerback and bring Woodyard as the 5th rusher. Why I labeled it a double zone blitz.

Blitz 8

This is one of my favorites for the use of 4-safeties. Duke is used against the TE in man coverage, Adams feigns blitz then drops back into a zone with Moore. Del Rio uses Bruton's straight line speed to blitz with a true 3-man line. Nothing more than a safety blitz out of a 3-1-7 alignment.

Blitz 9

4-2-5 nickel they bring a Safety and LB for 6 rushers total. Ravens pick it up nicely though and there is no pressure.

Blitz 10

There's an interesting alignment here. The Broncos put Phillips behind Ayers. Ultimately, he will rush on a delay behind the LB/DT stunt of Wolfe and Woodyard. You can see by now the Broncos love to utilize a safety and LB combination on the blitz in their subpackages.

Blitz 11

Finally, just a safety blitz from the edge. Five rushers. I notice the Broncos are usually less successful with only one additional rusher especially if it is a safety or corner.

Wrap-Up

All total, the Ravens ran 17 passing plays in the 2nd quarter, the Broncos blitzed on 6 of them, and registered a pressure on half of the attempts.

For the first half, the Ravens ran 30 passing plays and the Broncos blitzed on 11 of them (36.7%), and managed to get pressure on 6 (54.4%). They brought 5 or more rushers 8 times and chose to switch up the zone blitz 3 times.

I've have the 3rd quarter to go along with the 4th quarter the next couple of days. As for tomorrow, thorough breakdown of the Giants.