Denver's "Psycho - Slot Blitz"

One of the hardest things for an offensive line to do is block a blitzing DB.  They are simply just not accounted for, the LBs and DL are always, but never the safeties unless they walk into the box, and rarely the CBs.   So why don't most teams blitz their CBs? It's too risky, any offense with a decent QB and WRs that have a pulse can see the guy over them blitz and he'll just turn around and catch the wide open pass.  As we see in this play, the Raiders fail to do so.

So how do the Broncos execute it so well? Well besides having two amazing pass rushers in Dumervil and Von Miller, they disguise it with tactic called "Psycho", when none of the defensive line has their hands in the dirt, and everyone is moving around.  They won't do this a lot, because it would screw them versus the run, but on 3rd and long (like this play) and obvious passing situations they'll sometimes show this.

ABOVE: Raiders come out in an EMPTY set with 2 TEs which just throws me off to begin with. Not a very popular formation, but on 3rd down with 13 yards to go, it looks like they'll "Max Protect" and have 3 WRs running routes. Denver is showing Cover-1 with the 1 high Safety and the CBs playing inside leverage and manned up to the WRs and 7 men in the box.  The blitz is going to come from the man in the slot, Chris Harris.

ABOVE: When Carson Palmer snaps the ball, the entire play goes down hill for the Raiders. The Broncos were actually disguising their Cover-3 coverage, and not playing man at all.  The CBs backpedal and the two inside LBs as well as the LB who showed blitz over the RT drop into the Curl/Flat, Middle Hook, Curl/Flat area respectively. Harris, the Slot CB, blitzes, and the Raiders TE runs his route accordingly.

ABOVE: The Slot WR, we'll just call him Buddy Angelpants, does not read the blitz for some reason, and continues his 8 to 12 yard route. Meanwhile, Harris is getting a clean shot at the QB.  Notice the TE on the other side is blocking no one, that should never happen when you have men accounted for, but like I said, no one accounts for the CBs.

ABOVE: With Buddy Angelpants still running his route with no intentions of stopping, Carson Palmer is screwed and tries to pump fake to get Harris to jump in the air. No dice.

ABOVE: Palmer is sacked for an 11 yard loss.  Yes, it was 3rd down, had to punt anyways, but this is 10 yards worth of field position given up.

So how did Harris come so free and untouched? That's part of the design of the blitz, as I'll show below.

ABOVE: What do you see? I see Carson Palmer with his foot in the air trying to snap the ball, but the OL is still trying to figure out who they'll block. The Center obviously doesn't see Carson's leg, thus can't snap it. (CB Harris isn't in this picture). I love how only 1 Bronco is to the Raiders right side (not counting the safety).

ABOVE: With the OL still trying to get situated, the 4 Broncos showing blitz are looking ready to kill.

ABOVE: The ball is snapped and Carson Palmer is looking to 2 WR side. #30 to our left side, David Bruton, rushes outside the TEs shoulder, D-Gap, causing the LT (#69) to fan out (This is key for the blitz to work). #58, Von Miller, rushes right at the LG, controlling his man. #91 rushes A-Gap between the Center and RG, controlling two men.  Those are the only guys (3 of 7) who rush the QB who were in the box, leaving 6 offensive lineman to account for them. That should be an easy pick up, QB should have all day to throw. Not so fast.

ABOVE: In comes Chris "The Party Crasher" Harris to mess up Carson's day.  Von Miller goes A-Gap, forcing the LG to turn his back to Harris' side. #91 goes opposite B-Gap causing the RT and RG to double team him.  Harris has this HUGE hole to run through and about to blindside Carson.

ABOVE: So with the WRs still running down field, Carson is done. He pump fakes, gets sacked, loss of 11. Well designed, well executed.