Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA TE Wheel out of Pistol Deuce is a play-action shot play built around a wheel route from the in-line TE lined up tight to the formation. Off the run fake, that TE releases outside and up the sideline on the wheel while the backside TE runs a deep vertical seam, creating a high low stretch on the same half of the field. The outside WR to that side clears out on a deep go while the two receivers on the opposite side run a shallow drag/flat combo that also serves as the check down if the shot routes are covered, with the offensive line and remaining backfield personnel sliding to protect against the edge rush. Primary read starts with the wheel route out of the backfield/TE alignment against man leverage, then works to the deep vertical seam route, and finally checks down to the underneath crossers.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage with a linebacker or slower defender matched on the TE running the wheel is the biggest green light since he cannot flip and run with the vertical break. Two high safety shells such as Cover 2 or Cover 4 are vulnerable to the seam route splitting the numbers before the safeties can rally over the top. Cover 3 with a hard flat corner squatting on the wheel route path can undercut the route and bait a turnover, so watch for a cornerback sitting outside instead of banjoing with the TE. Blitz heavy fronts with man coverage behind them are risky for the offense unless the shallow drag or hot route is used, since protection can break down before the wheel or seam routes fully develop. Zone drops from linebackers that widen quickly to reroute the TE at the line signal a scheme designed to disrupt the wheel timing, which should push the quarterback's eyes immediately to the seam or checkdown.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as press corners or a linebacker walked out over the TE since the wheel route is designed to win against man defenders who cannot carry the vertical break. Use motion or a hard play-action fake to hold linebackers and freeze the defense for an extra beat before the wheel clears the flat area. If the coverage shows two deep safeties, key the seam route from the backside TE since it can split the safeties on Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells before the wheel fully develops. Hot route the shallow drag receiver into a quick option or spot if you are getting pressure off the edge, since the play action protection can be a step slow against overload blitzes. Pair this play with HB Dive or Strong Power earlier in a drive to sell the run fake and condition the defense to bite on the play fake, then dial up PA TE Wheel on early downs or in short yardage red zone situations for the biggest explosive play chance.
