Playbooks

Pitt X Drag

Shotgun·Trips HB Wk·10
DragPass PlayDigCrosserOutStreakWheel
Play diagram for Pitt X Drag from Shotgun Trips HB Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Bills OffenseOffenseNFL Live Bills OffenseOffense

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1LeftWheel
SLWRRightStreak
WR1LeftDeep In
WR2RightDrag
SLWR2RightOut

Read progression

  1. WR1 left, Deep In
  2. WR2 right, Drag
  3. HB1 left, Wheel or SLWR right, Streak or SLWR2 right, Out

Breakdown

Pitt X Drag is a trips-based passing concept out of Shotgun Trips HB Wk with 10 personnel. The trips side runs a clear out combo with the top receiver on a deep corner route, the middle slot running an out breaking route to the flat, and the inside receiver running a drag route across the field underneath. The backside X receiver runs a corner route while the HB releases out of the backfield on a flat route, giving the quarterback a two level read with the drag as the primary answer against man and the flat/corner combo working zone coverage. This is a man beater and zone beater hybrid, with the drag serving as the first read against man pressure and the flat route or backside corner opening up versus zone drops.

Defensive Reads

Check the middle linebacker or nickel defender depth before the snap, if they are shaded toward the trips side the drag route may get picked off early in its route. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone, since this play design is vulnerable to a user controlled defender jumping the drag route in Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells. Identify blitz packages pre-snap, since the HB flat route out of the backfield can be a checkdown against pressure but leaves the protection thin if both the HB and a lineman are attacking the same gap. This play struggles against tight man coverage with deep safety help since the drag route has no natural pick or rub to separate from a trailing defender. Cover 2 shells with sink linebackers can undercut both the drag and flat routes, forcing the quarterback to rely on the backside corner route as the only viable outlet.

Usage Tips

Read the middle linebacker depth pre-snap, if he sits shallow the drag route will have room to work across the field for a big gain.

Use this on second and medium to second and long, the drag route needs field to develop and is best when the defense has to respect multiple levels.

If you see man coverage indicators like corners lined up tight with no safety help over the top, key on the drag as your first read since it beats man leverage cleanly.

Against zone shells, work the flat route and backside corner combo since underneath zone defenders tend to squeeze the drag and vacate the flat.

Pair this play with Trips Cross or Mesh Spot in your play calling sequence, since both use similar route distribution and will keep the defense guessing between drag concepts and crossing routes.

Other Plays in Trips HB Wk