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Play 1: 1st & 10. -7. 9:11 2nd.
Defensive Formation: 3-4
Coverage: Cover 2
Offensive Personnel: 13 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/iVsMYmA.jpg
With the Colts in 13 Personnel, the Patriots have no need for man-to-man coverage. Revis takes a simple drop on this play as the TE runs a “Hitch” in his zone. Had the ball been thrown, Revis probably would have made a play on it.
Play 2: 2nd & 7. 28. 6:24 2nd.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: Cover 2
Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/CjgnyB2.jpg
The Colts run a “Hi-Lo” concept on this play and have the Patriots fooled. The slot WR comes into Revis’s zone and he carries him until he in breaks. The slot CB should continue to drop and Revis should come back up on the crossing route at 5 yards. The two players cover the wrong zones and it results in a wide open side of the field. The ball is dropped but it should have been a big gain.
Play 3: 1st & 10. 12. 5:29 2nd.
Defensive Formation: 3-4 Under
Coverage: Cover 2
Offensive Personnel: 13 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/w9KR98n.jpg
Revis is on the only WR in the formation, the WR runs a “Vertical” route. It is Revis’s job to carry this route to the FS who will then cover it. Revis then is to wait for any other routes to cross into his zone, on this play nothing does.
Play 4: 1st & 10. -23. 9:57 3rd.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: Cover 2
Offensive Personnel: 12 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/rpkDoPE.jpg
The Patriots Cover 2 on this play is the perfect defense for the cross route combinations that the Colts run. As soon as Revis’s man goes away, he is to sink and wait for another route to come into his zone. On this particular play nothing does, a well run Cover 2 by the Pats.
Darrelle Revis has the ability to take any WR that he is covering out of the game almost completely, this is the difference between this years team and years past. Revis may not be the fastest, biggest or strongest but he displays incredible, if not perfect, technique on nearly every play. Using his physical nature he is able to get into WR’s chests and keep them from getting to where they want which doesn’t allow them to get open in time. Revis’s ability to shut down half of the field will prove very useful in the Super Bowl and will give the Patriots something they have not had in Super Bowls past.
