Playbooks

Dig X Comeback

Shotgun·Y Trips Wk·11
DigComebackPass PlayPost
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.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

MUT KO Balanced OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Dig X Comeback is a trips-based passing concept out of Shotgun 11 personnel that pairs a deep dig from the middle of the formation with a comeback route from the X receiver on the backside, creating a natural high-low and horizontal stretch on one side of the field while giving you an outside boundary win on the other. The dig sits down in the intermediate zone to attack the middle of the field against off coverage or zone drops, while the X comeback attacks the sideline for a quick separation throw against press or trail technique. Your primary read starts with the dig working across the field, then progresses to the X comeback if the defense rotates a safety or linebacker to take away the middle read.

Defensive Reads

Identify whether the defense shows Cover 2 or Cover 3 pre-snap, both shells leave a soft spot in the intermediate middle for the dig route to settle into. Watch the flat defender and curl to flat zone defenders, if they widen to the trips side the dig has a clean throwing window and the comeback becomes the secondary read. Man coverage with a single high safety is where the X comeback wins most often, look for the cornerback playing outside leverage and throw with anticipation before the break. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field will jump the dig route, if you see a defender flashing down after the snap move on to the X comeback immediately. Aggressive blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge or through the A gap can disrupt the timing of the dig, get the ball out on rhythm or check down if the protection breaks down.

Usage Tips

Check the pre-snap safety alignment before the snap, a two high shell tells you the dig has room to sit down in the intermediate window while a single high look means you should prioritize the X comeback against man coverage.

Use hot routes to convert the underneath routes into flat or drag options if you see man coverage rolled to the trips side, this keeps the concept alive against man beaters and gives you a checkdown against blitz looks.

This play shines on second and medium to second and long, giving the dig enough space to work and the comeback route enough cushion to break open against cornerbacks playing off.

Pair this play with Levels Y Out or Curls X Go earlier in a drive to condition the defense to expect quick game, then hit Dig X Comeback when they start jumping short routes.

Watch the flow of the linebackers after the snap, if they widen out to the trips side to help in coverage the dig will have a clean throwing lane down the middle of the field.

Other Plays in Y Trips Wk