Playbooks
Seattle
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Seattle is a play-action four verts concept out of Singleback Bunch Ace with 12 personnel. The bunch releases into a vertical flood with the outside receiver running a Go, the middle bunch receiver bending into a deep Corner, and the inside bunch receiver working a Seam, while the backside X runs a solo Go to hold the far cornerback. The play-action fake and TE seam create a true four verts flood that stresses both Cover 2 and Cover 3 safeties, with the primary read progressing from the Seam (leverage on the middle safety) to the Corner route breaking away from Cover 2 flat defenders, then over the top to either Go route if the safeties bite on the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and spacing: two deep safeties evenly split signals Cover 2 or Cover 4, while a single deep safety in the middle of the field signals Cover 1 or Cover 3. Beats Cover 3 hard because the seam route occupies the middle safety while the corner route sits behind the flat defender who cannot get enough width. Beats Cover 2 by using the corner route to climb over the cornerback before the safety can rotate over, especially if the safety bites on the play-action. Post-snap, watch for a user-controlled deep safety sitting on the corner or seam route, since a lurking Mike or Sam linebacker can also jump the seam if the quarterback stares it down too long. Man coverage with no safety help over the top shuts this down quickly, so if you see press man alignment pre-snap be ready to hot route the underneath X route instead of forcing the vertical shots.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or second and medium when defenses expect run based on the play-action look and 12 personnel grouping.
Identify single high versus two high pre-snap: against Cover 3 attack the seam-to-corner combo since the flat defender cannot cover both, against Cover 2 read the safety who has to choose between the corner route and the backside go.
Hot route the backside X to a slant or drag if you diagnose man coverage underneath, since the four verts spacing already stresses zone but a shallow crosser gives you a quick answer versus man.
Pair this with HB Slash or Duo out of the same Bunch Ace look to sell the run action first, then call Seattle once the defense starts sitting on run fits.
Take the shot in obvious play-action counts (second and short, first and ten off a run heavy series) since the deep routes need time to develop and a rushed throw kills the concept.
