Find all the articles in our American football frequently asked questions on this link. Today, understand defensive schemes in the NFL.
If there are always eleven players lined up in defense, the distribution between the different positions varies from one team to another. Defense in 43 or 34, 425 or 335: what do the different numbers mean in defensive schemes in the NFL?
What do the numbers mean?
The first number is the number of defensive linemen. The second for that of the linebackers, the third defining the number of players on the back line.
So in a defense organized in 34, we must understand: three players on the defensive line with four linebackers behind them. This is, for example, the preferential system in Baltimore. In this order present on the field, the trio Nnamdi Madubuike-Travis Jones-Broderick Washington form the first curtain.
Behind them, two outside linebackers (also named Edge) with Odafe Oweh on one side and Kyle Van Noy on the other. In the center of the second curtain, it is Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson who make up the second razor blade.
Defenses using a so-called “43” base scheme, like Buffalo's, conversely align four defensive linemen and three linebackers.
Three linebackers? The names have remained, but the vast majority of defenses in the NFL now only use two interior linebackers at the same time: in favor of an additional back.
The evolution of attacks has forced defenses to adapt
DeMeco Ryans began his NFL career in 2006, as a linebacker for the Houston Texans. The team's best tackler for this rookie season, he started all 16 games of the season. He is accompanied by two other linebackers: Marlon Greenwood (16 starts) and Shantee Orr (11 starts). During playing time, the defenders are mainly distributed according to a 434 pattern.
Today coach of these same Texans, he mainly organizes his defense in 425. If there are always four defensive linemen, an additional defensive back is the starter to the detriment of a linebacker.
Because the game has become more aerial than in his playing days when the attacks ran more, DeMeco Ryans preferred to leave only Azeez Al-Shair and Henry To'o To'o on the second curtain. Five players make up the back line. The same setup is used by Brian Flores with the Minnesota Vikings defense.
Three cornerbacks or three safeties
Because they are faster and also better in coverage, many defensive coordinators like to field an extra safety at the expense of a linebacker.
Jalen Pitre (Texans) and Josh Metellus (Vikings) know how to occupy one of the two safeties positions: the one intended to protect depth (free safety Or single high) or the one responsible for replacing a linebacker on the second curtain (strong safety Or safety box).
But their versatility also allows them to “slot corner”. This player is called a “nickelback” with the main role of marking the opposing receiver (or tight-end) lined up in the slot (inside the numbers written on the field). Some defensive managers therefore favor the versatility of a safety to be that 5th man on the back line.
Others, like Vic Fangio in Philadelphia, prefer to line up two safeties and three players trained as cornerbacks: two on the outside and one on the inside. So, although he played primarily as an outside cornerback in college, Cooper DeJean plays a more interior position in the Eagles defense. Darius Slay and Quinyon Mitchell taking care of the outside receivers while he covers the interior of the field.
Of course, no defensive manager in the NFL stays stuck on one system. For example, the Kansas City Chiefs defense mostly lines up with a 335 formation. But sometimes, Steve Spagnuolo asks for 4 players on the defensive line, other times he sends six defensive backs: to adapt to an opponent in particular or at a moment of the match.
