It is no secret that the Ravens Defense dominated the Phins in two games in ’08.  The architect of the Ravens Defense is now the head coach of the Jets, Rex Ryan.  One of the big questions going into tonight’s MNF game is whether the Jets Defense can duplicate the success of the Ravens Defense in shutting down the Miami Offense?

First we need to talk about what the Ravens did to the Phins and for this post I will concentrate on the Playoff Game.  I was there and able to see, first hand, what was happening on the Ravens Defense.  The Ravens were able to dominate defensively in this game because of the Ravens completely disregarded the Phins passing game.  You may be wondering how I can make that statement?  Simple, the Ravens spent the majority of the game in either a Cover 3 or a Cover 1. 

Cover 3 is a 3 deep zone with the FS and CB’s each covering a deep third of the field.  This coverage allows the SS to walk up into an 8-man front to stop the running game.  (The SS for the Ravens  was 3rd in tackles for the game with 7, 3 for a loss or no gain.)  So, why does a standard Cover 3 defense show no respect for the Phins passing game?  Easy, this coverage gives an offense the advantage in the passing game.  Because 8 men are committed to stopping the run, the CB’s and FS are exposed.  They have to protect against the big play so they play deep and not allow WR’s to get behind them.  This opens up the sidelines for 7-10 yard outs that are almost impossible to defend. 

Cover 1 is man to man coverage with the FS free to roam the middle of the field.  This coverage is a favorite of the Ravens because of the playmaking ability of Ed Reed.  It gives him the freedom to read the QB, read the route combinations, and make the appropriate play.  Like a Cover 3, Cover 1 allows the SS to walk up into an 8-man front to support the running game because his coverage responsibility is usually the TE.  So, why does a standard Cover 1 defense show no respect for the Phins passing game?  This coverage puts a lot of responsibility on the CB’s to cover the WR’s man to man all over the field.  Man to Man coverage schemes make the CB’s susceptible to double moves and big plays. 

Now, the question we need to ask is why in a league dominated by the Cover 2 would the Ravens choose to play these coverages the majority of the time against the Phins?  IMO, this question has multiple answers:

1.       Both coverages allow the SS safety to support the run, the strength of the Miami Offense.

2.       The Holes in the Cover 3 are sideline routes, outs and comebacks.  Both of those routes require arm strength to throw.  Pennington’s arm strength was questionable at best.

3.       To beat Cover 1, the WR’s must be able to beat the jam off the LOS and create separation from the CB.  As we have debated a number of times on this site, the Phins WR’s are not particularly good at either of those skills.

So in essence, the Ravens Defense played the coverage schemes to take advantage of the weaknesses in the Phins Passing Offense.  And they did it very well.  The Ravens committed a lot of men to the LOS and were daring the offense to pass the football, and the Phins couldn’t do it. 

My guess is that Rex Ryan will try to do the same things with the Jets tonight.  Will the stronger arm of Chad Henne get the Jets out of a Cover 3?  Will the Phins WR’s be able to separate from man to man coverage?  Will the Phins make enough plays in the passing game to move the SS off the LOS and open up the running game?

Here are some things to look for in tonight’s game:

·         Are the Jets playing with 8 men in the box?

·         If so, what is the coverage behind them?  In a Cover 3 the FS and CB’s are on the same plain, say 12 yards off the LOS.  In a Cover 1, the FS should be significantly deeper than the CB’s.

·         What are the routes being run by the WR’s?

As a former college player and coach, I always enjoy watching the game within the game so to speak.  And all of this is most likely meaningless.  The team that wins tonight will be the one that blocks, tackles, runs, and catches the best, regardless of the scheme.  But that doesn't mean I won't be looking for where the SS is on field and hoping the Phins can take advantage of this positioning.