NFL 3rd Down Situational Defense part 1- 3rd and 3

 3rd Down Defense and Offense is an integral part of the NFL.

The great teams have the ability to make plays on 3rd down. You look around the league and the teams that win in the regular season and playoffs  are excellent on 3rd down and also let up the least amount of sacks. 

8 of the top 9 in 3rd down efficiency were in the playoffs.

These include:

1. Green Bay, 2, KC  3. Baltimore,   4. Buffalo 5. New Orleans 6. Las Vegas, 7. Tennessee 8. Tampa 9. Cleveland 

The worst teams on 3rd down  all had losing records and were:

1. Phila, Giants, Cincy, Jets and Chicago

Below is a team by team breakdown

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/third-down-conversion-pct

You see where this is going.
The Stat that i think ties into this scenario is pass protection and needs to be evaluated further. If you look at sacks allowed, 9 of the top 10 NFL teams in the playoffs were sacked the least. 

On the other hand the 9 of the 10 teams sacked the most were non playoff teams. The one team not on this list Seattle, was beat up by the Rams and lost because they couldn't keep Russ Wilson upright. Sorry Seahawks fans, it wasn't a Schotty issue, it was a protection issue.

Here are the stats that you will find interesting:

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/qb-sacked-per-game

With all that being said, I'm focusing this article on the situational aspect of defense and how they approach 3rd down.

The best in the league were Miami, Balt, San Fran, Rams, New Orleans, and Pittsburgh.

But lets look at some situations and what teams like to play.

Part 1 3rd and 3

3rd & 3

I looked at some teams and how they play 3rd and 3. Depending on field position, it is a passing down for most teams. That being said, I think you have to play some man to man or cover 2 concepts to it. Don't expect long 2 or 3 man games on the defensive line because they take too long to get home.

The Dolphins led the league in 3rd down. Here they go odd 3 x3 look and send the mike but drop the defensive ends to play as rat defenders.

Vs the Patriots they send 5 with the olb responsible for the rb if he releases. Turns into a 6 man rush with protection.

Nice design and wr doesn't win the 1x1 matchups. 

Steelers offense vs Browns Defense

Browns showing mug double a gap pressure but bail and play man free with 2 rat defenders 

3rd and 3 wildcard game

The Titans go cover 0 and blitz Lamar out of a 3x3 front. Bring 6 I know its Lamar so against traditional qbs may not be this aggressive.

They do a nice job as the weak lb comes free.

Its a 3x3 bring all 3 inside lb and play cover 0. Its a counter read so the end takes the rb but the will lb comes free.

Bills vs Colts

In the wildcard game, the 1st 3rd and 3 they run a 4 man rush and play cover 3

Defense :Show pressure double mug b gap but play cover 3. 

The Bills run a good play with the 10 yard crossing routes, but Allen feels pressure scrambles, and throws it away. Poor read against the Colts simple cover 3

These are just some of the coverages you will see on 3rd and 3. More will be added as we move on in my offseason analysis.