Coverages, fronts and stunts with every defender's job, plus the coaches who drew them up. Pick a look, run the replay, see what beats it.
Conflict defender. Man-coverage linebacker
Why the offense wins. Crossing routes create natural pick/rub action that forces trailing man defenders into traffic at the mesh point.
Key adjustment. Switch to zone or bracket the crossers with banjo technique.
Conflict defender. MIKE linebacker in man coverage
Why the offense wins. Quick-hitting stick sits before the blitz arrives; LB in man cannot match the stop route.
Key adjustment. Blitz quickly to arrive before the stick route settles.
Conflict defender. SAM in man on the shallow crosser
Why the offense wins. Crossing routes create natural rubs that free receivers from trailing man defenders; hot route timing beats the blitz.
Key adjustment. Rush and arrive before the rubs can develop at the crossing point.
Conflict defender. Press corner in man on Z
Why the offense wins. The glance breaks at 5-6 yards into a middle of the field with zero post safety — it's a one-cut, rhythm throw that's out before the sixth rusher arrives, and a clean inside win is a touchdown.
Why the defense wins. Inside-leverage press on Z can deny the break at the line, and any hesitation in the release means the blitz beats the throw.
Key adjustment. Press Z with inside leverage to deny the break; the sixth rusher beats any hesitation.