To wait for the rest of this offseason, we decipher the key actions of the 2023 season. First episode, the Detroit Lions.
Week 1: Chiefs – Lions (20-21), touchdown by David Montgomery
The framework
Today's meeting is the first of the 2023 season. The unbeatable Kansas City Chiefs, defending champions, host the Detroit Lions.
And these Lions had some bite. Dan Campbell didn't hesitate to be aggressive to convert 4se attempts. Brian Branch, for his part, has already stood out with an interception returned for six more points.
Opposite Patrick Mahomes, not perfect and with little help, fought to keep his team afloat and even lead at the end of the match. (20-14).
In the 4e quarter-time, 7 minutes from time, the Lions move up the field one last time, thanks to Jared Goff and Josh Reynolds, to give themselves a chance of victory.
The game
The action takes place on the 8 yards of Kansas City, on a 2e attempt with 4 yards remaining to go for a new series. The ball is positioned as far to the right as possible.
The Lions call a 12-personnel formation. We must understand that there is a running back and two tight ends on the field, who accompany the five linemen, the quarterback and the 2 remaining receivers.
The initial pattern is unbalanced, the 2 receivers are on the left side of the field, the wider side. While the rest of the team is in an I-formation with two classic tight ends (one tight end on each side).
The advantage of this formation is that it allows you to create real danger on the run, with potentially 7 blockers. But it also provides solutions to the pass with three potential threats on the most open side of the field.
The action
Dan Campbell's men face a defense with a front of 43 (4 linemen and 3 linebackers), and facing a single Safety in the “deep” middle of the field.
They then trigger a movement before Amon-Ra St. Brown (#14 White) engages the ball from the left to the right.
This “motion” is intended to read and manipulate the defense. The Detroit Lions are therefore in a position to learn that the Chiefs are not defending the wide receiver slot man to man. Amon-Ra is not followed by his direct counterpart.
And above all, the defense moves as a group. THE linebacker weak side (Leo Chenal, #54 Red) comes to position himself on the outside. THE nickelback (Justin Reid, #20 Red) comes closer to the linebackers remaining. The Lions have succeeded, There are only 2 left linebackers axial instead of 3 initially.
The blocks
The game will therefore be a race. And the most important thing for the success of a race is not so much the quality of the runner but rather that of the blocks which will allow him to open up.
The diagram falls into the category of “ counters “. A counter is a combination of blocks in opposite directions. While the members of the line push in one direction (yellow lines), two players drop out to block (blue lines) in front of the runner (green line) with running angles opposite those of their teammates.
Finishing
The Detroit Lions open space on the outside right of the line, behind Penei Sewell (#58 White). The former Oregon player does a remarkable job of advancing on the pitch while becoming a real wall for his opponents. Jonah Jackson (#73 White) and Sam LaPorta (#87 White) showcase their athleticism to quickly come into the open gap and clear the way for David Montgomery (#5 White). The running back is perfectly freed in the interval and only has to beat Bryan Cook (#6 Red) for the touchdown.
Here we see the importance of “ motion ” initial. Since Leo Chenal (#54 Red) has to defend the outside and is carried away. He cannot help his teammate Nick Bolton (#32 Red) without a solution against a thrown blocker.
The Detroit Lions go ahead and will not let go of this lead to win the only first game of the season. Enough to clearly display their expectations in 2023.
