By John Sarianides
The Atlanta Falcons scored 540 points this season utilizing a diverse passing attack that featured a talented collection of wide receivers lead by Julio Jones. The receivers weren’t the only ones who caught passes from quarterback Matt Ryan. The running back did damage in the passing game as well.
Running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman combined for 883 yards and five receiving touchdowns this season. Freeman caught 54 passes for 462 yards and 2 touchdowns while Coleman caught 31 passes for 421 yards and 3 touchdowns. Both backs are terrific receivers who run precise routes and know how to get open. They are match-up nightmares for opposing defenses.
Case in point. Look the impact they had in the divisional round playoff win against the Seahawks. Both backs were a big part of the Falcons win. Here is my breakdown of how the Falcons used them in that game.
1. King Spread Rt. Fly Hip Rt Bob 769 F-In, H-Flat: The Falcons start this play by motioning out fullback Patrick DiMarco to the left. They then studder motion Tevin Coleman out of the backfield. DiMarco runs a five yard in-cut while Coleman runs a flat route. Julio Jones runs a 15 yard backside dig route and tight Austin Hooper and Mohammed Sanu run a post-wheel combination front side. Ryan’s initial read is the post wheel. If it is covered, he can hit Coleman in the flat or reset his feet and hit Jones on the backside dig route.
2. Gun Trey Wing Lt. Hero Bob Stick, Dig-In: On this play, Coleman will go in full motion to the right and set up as the flanker. On the snap, he will run a five yard in-cut. Julio Jones will once again run the dig route. Front side, the Falcons run a simple stick concept. Ryan’s first read is the stick hi-lo. He reads the curl-flat defender and throws off of him. If he doesn’t like it, he resets his feet and comes back side to reads 3 and 4 (dig and In-cut).
3. Gun Split Rt. Tolls Hero Bob 272 Z-Spot, Y-Check: The Falcons come out in 11 personnel and put tight end Austin Hooper in the backfield with Coleman. Coleman goes in full motion to the right. On the snap, he runs a fade route. If a linebacker or safety goes with Coleman, Ryan looks for the one on one match-up in man coverage and takes it. If not, he works his dig, spot combination front side. The back side fade route is a coverage eater unless Ryan likes the match-up pre-snap. If he does, he can take it.
4. Gun Face Lt. Close Rt. Bob 749 X Whip, H-Flat: Enough about Tevin Coleman! Devonta Freeman actually caught more passes than Coleman and had more receiving yards. On this play, Ryan starts his progression front side. He has the home run post if it is open. If it is not, he identifies the curl, flat defender, reads him and throws the trail concept. If the flat defender buzzes the flat, he throws the whip behind him. If he drops straight back or sinks on the X receiver, Ryan throws the flat route. If he doesn’t like the front side, he goes back side to the flat route and dig combination.
5. Fling Rt. Bob 9124 H-Flat Lt: Ryan surveys the coverage pre-snap. If it is man to man and he likes Freeman on a linebacker or safety, he can take the fast to the flat route with Freeman right now. Otherwise, Ryan works his front progression which is U to Y to TE or the home run ball on the backside post.
6. Gun Duos Rt. Yin Quick 9452 H-Corner: The Falcons scored on this play against the Seahawks at the end of the first half in their divisional round match-up. Matt Ryan hit Tevin Coleman for a 14 yard touchdown pass on a halfback corner route. Coleman is a terrific route runner for a running back. He knows how to get open and separate from coverage. Coming underneath the post on the dagger concept helped free up Coleman and he was wide open for the touchdown.
As you can see, Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan does a terrific job of creating match-ups with his running backs in the passing game. The Patriots have to make sure that their linebackers don’t cover Freeman and Coleman often in coverage because if they do, it could be a long night for their defense.