NFL Run Game Schemes - Trap game, Eagles, Patriots ,Colts,Saints & Browns

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Who says you can't run trap at the NFL level.

I watched the Eagles do it on numerous occasions in various ways. The great thing about the trap is if you get the look, run it. If you don't like it you check out and run something else. That's the way the NFL teams do it. It's a great run, vs 4-2 teams and the nickel world we live in!

Sometimes they run it traditional with only one guard pulling. Other times they influence block it  pulling both guards, getting plenty of yards against disciplined defensive lineman who follow the first guard. It's often a great play against teams that move alot, and with an overemphasis on pass rush the play has had great success.

The last way they run it is if the backside gets a 3 technique. In these situations they pull the tackle and have the guard block solid on it. 

Tje reason they have success is because it ties into their run game. The other thing the Eagles do well is they run pin and pull. What does that do? Well they pull often that the dt are trained to get in the hip of the guard and follow him. That opens huge holes inside in the run game and makes the trap play more efficient. 

Here's a look at the influence trap. 1st and 10 vs the Bengals. Bengals in a 4-3 look with 2 3 tech.

What that does is change the puller. The tackle pulls when their is a 3 tech on the backside rather than the guard. 

Great design for a nice 16 yard result.

On the next play,  they run tackle trap, same rule 3 tech so the tackle pulls and they run it long and block the de (5 tech) . IN theory Peters is a better puller so they may be trying to set it up this way as most teams set the front to the tight end. THey picture below is no different. Looks like the dt is in a 2i thus making the long call.  

Pick up a nice 6 yards.

Here's another clip of it vs the Steelers

Vs the 49ers on 2nd and 14, they run it with three trap blocks. Creative scheme and design.They influence with both guards and wham with the tight end down. 

Excellent design on 2nd and 14 for a nice 8 yard gain.

Here is a video clip of the play above

vs the Giants they ran the same play, This time they have a shaded nose which makes it a very tight block.

They execute it and get a very nice gain on the play.They pick up 14 yards on the nice trap play.

At the college level,

Michigan is unbalanced

Michigan runs trap with the h back trapping  and the fb on the lb. They fan the backside and create a nice cutback lane.

nice design and 2 clips below.

2 clips of the play are below.

New:
 Vs the Jets, they run it with the center and backside tackle pulling.

The reason for the change is that the Jets are playing a 2i to the side they are pulling to and a 3 tech away. For better angles, they pull the center and backside tackle.

The other key point is they pull the olb outside the box with the motion. Now they have a soft box with #40,  a nickel cb playing inside as a box defender. As you can see, he is no help on the cutback and they get a nice 25 yard gain. Nice design by the Eagles.

Excellent schemes and design of the trap play by the eagles.

The New England Patriots

 The Patriots run some schemes that are unique and not often seen in the NFL. They will run some old school toss, some traditional 2 back power and counter, some zone read amongst other things. They really did an excellent job scheming up the run game with the limited passing game they had.

The other play they like at times is the trap play . It reminds me of a high school offense at times that would run the old jet/trap package at time or they run it out of traditional 3x1. They are very good at running jet sweep, which widens the defensive end and then running the compliment with the trap play off the jet motion. But, the great thing about their offense is they can run the trap blocking scheme from various formations and motions.

The key to this is the Jets are in a 4-2 front which makes the trap a good play.  They ran it the few times out of 11 knowing the Jets will go 4-2 nickel vs it.

In the playoffs the Browns ran trap effectively vs the Steelers to help win the AFC Wildcard game. They ran it left and blocked it long, meaning they doubled the 3 technique and trapped the 5 technique. 

They ran it 2 times for 34

They ran it 2 times for 32 yards in their playoff game vs the Steelers.

Here are both clips

Here the Colts run it vs the Jets out of 11 personnel:

2nd and 18 The Falcons run it for a nice 11 yard gain.

They run it with motion to move the LB's and create nice trap angles.

The Dolphins run it vs the Patiots in 2018.

They run it out of 11 personnel with condensed split to the tight end side. This is important as the Patriots set the 4-2 front to the TE.

They false key it which forces #52 to step that way and give the Center time to get to him.

They get 3 excellent trap blocks from both guards and the TE

The Tackle Center and Tackle do an excellent job on the 2nd level.

Vikings run the same scheme against the Patriots in 2018

Copy cat league.

Saints run trap vs the Eagles.

 

 

These are just a few teams that run trap. You will find some others in the NFL that uses the trap scheme with success.