One of the ways that modern NFL offenses attack defenses is with multiple tight end sets. The ability to spread or contract the formation with versatile tight ends that excel at receiving and blocking allows an offense to be unpredictable from one personnel grouping. Today, we look at four concepts teams used to attack the odd-front nickel with 12 personnel during the 2018 season.

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Crack Toss Sweep 

The offense aligns in a 3x1 shotgun formation with the back offset left and a TE isolated in a tight split. The TE that is aligned as the No. 3 receiver motions across the formation to a wing on the left side of the line. At the snap, the quarterback gets the ball and pitches it to the running back. The TEs double the Sam LB and the T pulls around to block the corner. The rest of the OL blocks outside zone to the left.

The blocks to the front side are well executed and the back gains 9 yards before being chased out of bounds by the free safety.

Levels/U Post

The offense aligns in a 3x1 shotgun formation with the back offset right and a TE isolated out wide.  At the snap, the isolated TE runs a post, the back shoots to the flat and the three receivers to the trips side run a levels concept with in-routes at varying depths. With the defense bringing an exotic pressure and playing 3-deep, 3-underneath coverage, the ball must come out quickly. If the QB chooses to go to the trips side, he is reading the nickelback over No. 2.  If he goes to the side of the isolated TE, he is reading the strong safety and trying to hi-lo him with the post/flat.

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The QB looks to the trips side, sees the nickel run inside with the slant by No. 2 and throws the ball to the open No. 1 receiver. The ball comes out just as the Sam LB, who is coming through the left A-gap as a free rusher, hits the QB.  The play results in a gain of 9 yards.

Speed Option

The offense comes out in an empty set with the RB lined up out wide to the right, outside the X-receiver. The Z-receiver is lined up out wide to the left, one TE is in the slot to the left and another TE is in-line to the left. The back motions into the backfield and lines up offset to the right with the QB in shotgun. The Sam LB is in man coverage and follows the RB back into the box. At the snap, the offensive line blocks outside zone to the right, but the right tackle leaves the edge defender and climbs to the second level to block the Sam. The QB and RB run speed option to the right with the QB reading the edge defender.

The QB attacks the outside shoulder of the edge player to get him to commit and then pitches outside to the RB. The Sam LB has the angle to pursue outside, beat the block by the RT and send the RB back inside to his help or make the tackle, but he cuts inside, allowing the RT to block him. The RB accelerates upfield, makes a move and gets tackled after a gain of 9 yards.

U Shallow/Y Curl

The offense comes out in a 3x1 formation with a nub TE aligned opposite the trips.  The back is offset to the left beside the QB in shotgun. At the snap, the No. 1 and No. 3 receivers to the trips side clear out, the No. 2 receiver runs a curl and the nub TE runs a shallow cross. The QB’s read is the defender over No. 2, but he must make sure no LBs follow his eyes and creep into the curl window.

The hard count by the QB gets the defensive line to jump offsides and the QB must pick up a bad snap. Keeping his composure, he first looks to the seam by No. 3 to hold the LBs inside. The shallow gets the attention of the LB to the trips side and the nickelback does not get depth to cover the curl route by No. 2.  The QB moves to the curl, sees it’s open and throws a dart for the 21-yard gain.

Overall, the ability to stay in a consistent personnel grouping and run multiple formations and concepts is huge for an offense. Teams with two versatile, talented tight ends have the luxury of being able to do this. Always remember to adjust what you do to your personnel.