Playbooks

Jet TE Mid Screen

Shotgun·Doubles Y Off·11

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDoubles Y Off

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 3 playbooks

Sim Focusedtargeting Ba OffenseOffense Sim Focusedtargeting Ph OffenseOffense Sim Focusedtargeting Rn OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Jet TE Mid Screen is a screen play out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off that uses jet motion as a pre-snap window dressing before delivering the ball to the tight end sitting in the middle of the field behind a screen wall. The offensive line and backside blockers release to set up a wall in front of the TE while the outside receivers run vertical or clear-out routes to pull coverage away from the middle. This is a zone beater at its core since it exploits linebackers flowing hard to the jet motion or biting on play-action fakes, and the primary read progression starts with the jet sweep fake, moves to the TE screen as the first option, and checks down to the RB leak if the TE is jumped.

Defensive Reads

Watch linebacker depth pre-snap, since stacked or aggressive LBs are prone to flowing hard with jet motion and opening up the middle screen lane. Identify the coverage shell before the snap, Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone shells are the most vulnerable because deep zone defenders do not sink to help on the TE screen. Post-snap, key on user-controlled defenders spying the middle of the field, a smart lurk defender sitting in a shallow zone can jump the route and blow up the screen for a loss. If the defense shows man coverage with a linebacker locked on the TE, this play loses value fast since there is no natural pick or leverage advantage in man match. Recognize blitz timing from interior linebackers, if they crash downhill immediately at the snap the screen can actually work in your favor by using their own aggression against them, but a delayed blitz that stays home kills the concept.

Usage Tips

Use jet motion pre-snap to bait linebackers into overpursuing, then throw the TE screen as soon as the LBs commit to the flow.

This play hits hardest against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 where linebackers drop deep and lose sight of the TE releasing into the middle.

Call this on early downs or second and short to keep the defense honest on run fits, since the jet motion sells outside run action.

Pair it with Mtn HB Swing or Bounce HB Power in the same set to condition the defense to react to jet and outside run action before hitting them with the delayed screen.

If the defense shows a hard blitz or man coverage with no underneath help, hot route the TE to sit shorter and get the ball out immediately before the screen wall collapses.

Avoid calling this into aggressive nano blitz packages that send extra rushers through the A or B gap, since the screen blockers will get beat before the wall sets.