Playbooks

Mesh Corner

Shotgun·Bunch Open Offset·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Patriots OffenseOffenseNFL Live Patriots OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Mesh Corner out of Shotgun Bunch Open Offset is a man beater built around a classic mesh concept combined with a corner route breaking off the top of the bunch. The two shallow crossers pick and rub off man defenders underneath while the corner route stretches the sideline vertically behind the traffic, forcing a natural pick against man coverage. Primary read progression starts with the corner route if you see man coverage or a blitz with no deep help, then works down to the mesh crossers underneath if the corner is capped, and finally checks down to any backside outlet if both levels are covered.

Defensive Reads

Check the corner alignment on the bunch pre-snap, if they are pressed and showing man leverage the mesh crossers will have room to work and the corner route becomes the shot play answer. Identify single high safety rotation, since that usually confirms man coverage underneath and opens up the corner route behind the mesh traffic. Watch for a user-controlled defender sitting in a lurk spot near the mesh point, as a smart human defender will jump the shallow crossers and bait the quarterback into a turnover. Read linebacker depth at the snap, if they are sinking deep into zone drops instead of matching receivers in man, the mesh underneath will be taken away and you need to climb straight to the corner route. Recognize two deep safeties pre-snap as a sign of Cover 2 or Cover 4, which squeezes the corner route window and makes the underneath mesh combo your primary answer instead.

Usage Tips

Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as corners lined up tight on the bunch receivers or a single high safety rotating late, since mesh concepts thrive against man leverage. If you see two deep safeties in a clear Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell, consider hot routing the corner route to a deep out or checking to a different play in the set like RPO Alert Out since the corner window shrinks against zone drops. Use the corner route as a home run shot on early downs when you have single high safety looks, and lean on the mesh crossers on third and medium since the picks naturally create separation against trail technique. Pair this play with Mesh Spot and Y Trail in the same set so the defense sees the same bunch alignment but has to respect multiple crossing patterns, which slows down defender reaction time on the mesh. Snap the ball quickly against blitz-heavy teams since the mesh underneath gives your quarterback a fast answer against pressure looks that show extra rushers near the line.

Other Plays in Bunch Open Offset