Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
DB Blitz Tex 3 is a five-man pressure package out of the Nickel Single Mug front that brings a defensive back off the edge on a Tex stunt while dropping into Cover 3 behind it. The three deep defenders bracket the field into deep thirds, the underneath curl-flat defenders squeeze the flanks, and the Mike drops to the middle hook to protect the seam. This is a zone blitz designed to disguise pressure while still keeping three-deep integrity, so the primary read for the defense is forcing the quarterback into a quick decision before the DB stunt gets home off the edge.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check the running back alignment since a back staying in to chip or block on the DB blitz side signals the offense may already be picking up the stunt. Watch the offensive tackle depth off the snap. If he sits deep in pass pro rather than sliding to double the stunt, the Tex looper should win quickly. Post-snap, the quarterback's eyes to the flat or curl route often mean he is trying to throw off his back foot before the edge pressure arrives, so user the curl-flat defender to jump that route. This look is vulnerable to hot routes that attack the vacated B-gap or quick slants into the area the blitzing DB leaves behind, so be ready to spy that void with the Mike if the quarterback is mobile. Cover 3 fits are exposed by seam routes and deep crossers if the deep third defenders drift too far outside, so keep leverage on any receiver working vertically up the numbers.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or shifts from the offense to confirm whether they are sliding protection toward the DB blitz side before you snap it.
This call thrives on early downs and third and medium when offenses are still working through their run-pass options and are not yet in max protect.
Disguise the DB blitz by showing a two-high shell before the snap, then rotate the safety down into the deep third at the snap to keep the quarterback guessing.
Pair this with 1 LB Dog or Nickel Blitz 3 in the same set so quarterbacks cannot key on which gap or defender is bringing the pressure.
If the offense checks into a screen or quick game to beat the blitz, be ready to bail into Cover 9 or Cov 3 Buzz Match on the next snap to keep them off balance.
