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Breakdown
PA Comebacks is a play-action shot off run fakes designed to hit deep and intermediate stops on the outside once the defense bites on the run. Off the play fake, the boundary X runs a comeback stopping around 15 yards, the slot receiver on the near side climbs vertically before working back outside on a deep comeback near the sideline, and the backside single receiver runs a comeback of his own to give the quarterback a two-way go. This is primarily a zone beater that punishes linebackers and safeties who step up on the run fake, with the deep comeback to the slot side as the primary read and the two outside comebacks serving as answers to soft coverage or blown zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check linebacker depth and shade, since linebackers biting hard on run action open up throwing lanes underneath the comeback breaks. Watch for two deep safeties versus one high, a two high shell with soft corners is where this play thrives since the comebacks settle in the void between the corner and the safety. Post-snap, identify any user-controlled defender flying downhill on the run fake, that is your cue to fire the throw before he can recover to the comeback route. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender jumping the comeback route beats this play, since the flat defender can undercut the break if he does not respect the run fake. Man coverage with a deep half safety over the top of the slot receiver's comeback is the toughest matchup, since the corner can play the break aggressively knowing he has help.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like first or second and medium when defenses are more likely to respect the run action and get linebackers to bite forward.
Key on the safety depth pre-snap, if both safeties are sitting deep at 10 plus yards this play loses value since the comebacks will be sitting ducks for a deep zone drop, but if you see one high or a safety cheating toward the box this is a green light.
Hot route the backside comeback into a hitch or slant if you diagnose man coverage with no help underneath, since comebacks against tight man coverage can get undercut easily.
Pair PA Comebacks with Deep In or PA Dagger from this same set to keep defenses honest, since both start with similar run action but attack different depths and angles once the defense starts sitting on the comeback route.
Look to throw the deep comeback route on the slot receiver first since it is designed to work furthest downfield against zone drops, and only check down to the shorter comebacks if a linebacker or corner jumps that route hard.
