PA Cheat Comeback is a play-action pass out of Wing Slot Offset that sells the run fake before working a comeback and clear out combo to the play side. The outside receiver pushes vertical then breaks down into a comeback route back toward the sideline, while the inner receiver clears the middle of the field on a deep vertical to hold safeties, and a third receiver runs a shallow drag underneath toward the boundary. On the backside, the tight end runs an out breaking route to the flat that mirrors the comeback concept, giving the quarterback a two level read to either side of the formation. This is a man beater at its core, using the comeback break to create separation against trailing corners while the vertical clears the safety over the top, and the primary read progression starts with the play side comeback before working back to the backside flat or drag underneath.

Defensive Reads

Watch the free safety depth pre-snap, since a deep single high alignment signals Cover 1 or Cover 3 where the comeback route has the most room to sit down against off man or zone corners. If the corner over the comeback route is playing tight press man, expect him to jump the break, so be ready to look off and reset to the backside out or drag. Man coverage with the linebackers biting hard on the run fake creates the biggest window for both the comeback and the underneath drag, so trust the play-action to hold second level defenders for an extra beat. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties can squeeze the comeback route since the corner has help over the top, making this play less effective and pushing the read to the shallow drag or flat instead. If you see a linebacker or safety cheating toward the flat or drag as a lurk defender post-snap, get off that read immediately and come back to the comeback route before the window closes.

Usage Tips

Use this on second or third and medium when the defense expects a run look off the play-action fake, since the hard ball fake can freeze linebackers and hold the safety just long enough for the comeback to break open. Check pre-snap for single high shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1, since the deep vertical route occupies the free safety and opens up the comeback sitting down in front of the corner. Hot route the drag into a deeper crossing route against zone heavy defenses if you need more separation past the underneath linebackers. Pair this play with Cheat Post Dagger Wheel or Cheat Inside Zone from the same Cheat tagged group so the defense has to respect both the run action and the deep shot off similar formation looks. Throw with anticipation on the comeback since the receiver is working back toward the ball, and leading him too far or too late invites a jumped route from an aggressive corner.

PA Cheat Comeback

Quick Reference

In 4 playbooks

Receiver routes

Read progression

Breakdown

Defensive Reads

Usage Tips

Other Plays in Wing Slot Offset