Playbooks
Overview
The Falcons Offense and NFL Live Falcons Offense are functionally the same playbook. They share all 618 of this cut's plays and differ by zero sets, so every formation, concept and audible package you build here carries over directly. Pick whichever cut your mode offers, because your game plan won't change. At 618 plays across 8 formations and 44 sets, the Falcons Offense is larger than 92% of the game's 64 offensive team playbooks, which gives you a deep pool of looks to rotate. The identity is clear: Shotgun carries 384 plays (62%) across 22 sets, so this is a spread passing book first. Singleback (87 plays, 14%) and Pistol (81 plays, 13%) form a second tier. Together they give you a balanced run and play-action layer that keeps defenses from sitting in pass coverage every snap. The heavy material is a thin but useful complement. I Form (36 plays), Weak I (9), Split Backs (6) and Goal Line Offense (12) cover short yardage, clock killing and red zone downhill runs. Split Backs is a rare inclusion, found in only 8 of the game's 236 playbooks. The concept list leans on quick game and zone attacks: Drag, Crosser, Flat, Hitch, Slant, Spot, Post and dedicated Cover 3 Beater looks, supported by Play Action, Block and Release and Motion. This book supports an up tempo, pass heavy game plan that attacks the underneath and intermediate zones out of Shotgun. It mixes in Pistol and Singleback play action to punish linebackers who cheat on the quick game, then turns to I Form, Weak I or Goal Line when you need to lean on a defense.
Scheme Fit
The Falcons Offense wants an accurate, quick release quarterback who can process Shotgun reads fast, plus shifty slot receivers and a receiving back who can win on Drag, Flat and Crosser routes. Because it carries 23 and 13 personnel along with I Form, Weak I and Split Backs, it also rewards a fullback and at least two tight ends who can block. That depth lets you use the heavy sets as a real change of pace. Choose it if you prefer a pass first, rhythm based attack but still want enough power and play action to punish defenses that overcommit to the spread.
Example Plays from this Playbook
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Strengths
- Shotgun depth is elite: 384 plays across 22 sets let you run the same Drag, Slant, Hitch and Crosser concepts from many different alignments, so opponents struggle to key a formation and guess the call.
- The Cover 3 Beater, Spot, Flat and Post concepts give you built in zone answers, and the sheer number of Shotgun sets means you can find a Cover 3 look that matches your personnel without changing formations.
- Pistol (81 plays) and Singleback (87 plays) give you a real second identity. Play Action and Block and Release out of these sets punish defenders who creep up against the Shotgun quick game.
- Five personnel groups, from 11 to 23 (2 RB, 3 TE, 0 WR), let you force defensive subs. Stacking 13 and 23 personnel lures heavy fronts, and swapping to 11 lets you exploit mismatched nickel and dime packages.
- Split Backs, found in only 8 of 236 playbooks, gives you a two back look most opponents rarely see. It adds pre snap confusion and lets you run traps like 0 1 Trap with extra lead blocking.
Weaknesses
- With 62% of the book in Shotgun, a disciplined opponent can bet on pass and sit in light boxes with extra DBs. Your run game has to prove itself early, or the defense will play two high shells all game.
- The under center power package is thin: I Form has only 36 plays across 3 sets, while Weak I and Split Backs add just 9 and 6 plays. Repeating those formations in short yardage makes your tendencies easy to read.
- Goal Line Offense has only 12 plays in 1 set, so inside the five your red zone menu is small. A defense that user controls the middle and plugs the dive can take away much of what you have.
- The concept list is built around zone beaters (Cover 3 Beater, Spot, Flat, Hitch), so heavy man and Cover 0 pressure forces you to lean on Slant, Crosser and hot routes rather than dedicated man beater designs.
Usage Tips
Build your base audible package around your two or three favorite Shotgun sets. On 1st and 10 and 2nd and medium, run Drag, Slant and Crosser, and check to the Cover 3 Beater when you see a single high safety with the corners bailing.
On 2nd and short or 1st down after a big gain, go to Pistol or Singleback play action to hold the linebackers. Then hit the Post or Crosser behind them with Block and Release keeping a back in to protect.
On 3rd and 1 or 4th and inches, check into I Form or Split Backs for FB Dive or 0 1 Trap. Save Split Backs for high leverage downs so its rare look doesn't become a readable tendency.
Inside the 5, use Goal Line Offense sparingly and pair it with 13 personnel (1 RB, 3 TE, 1 WR) play action. That keeps the defense from loading every gap against a predictable run.
Use Motion in Shotgun to diagnose man versus zone before the snap. If the defender follows the motion, hot route to a Slant or Drag. If the defense stays put, stick with the Spot or Flat concept to beat the zone.
Formations in this playbook
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