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Play 6: 1st & 10. -26. 0:39 2nd.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: Cover 1
Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/lUbPzX0.jpg
Once again the Panthers elect to run a screen play, this time with a different blocker as well as one less blocker. On the previous screen play, the C pulled to block and was not able to get there on time. On this play, the LG is the lead blocker in hopes that he can get to the defenders on time. Chancellor once again blows this screen up. This time, the blocker does get to Chancellor and has a chance to block him. Kam breaks on the throw quickly and makes contact with the blocker. Using his hands and extending his arms, he does not allow the blocker to get his hands inside and to block Chancellor. After defeating the block, Chancellor once again drags down the RB, this time for only a gain of 2.
Play 7: 3rd & 8. 24. 0:18 2nd.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/KPfngkR.jpg
This play may not look like much in the box score (a gain of 7), but this play is the difference between a FG and a chance for a TD. It is 3rd down with only a few seconds remaining in the half, the Seahawks are expecting pass. The Panthers run a Power play to their FB. The blocking holds up on this play, the LG pulls through the hole and blocks the LB who is filling right where the run is supposed to be going. Chancellor ends up becoming the unblocked run defender on this play, although he starts aligned at 17 yards. Chancellor comes rushing down, and although he doesn’t really gather himself like in previous plays, he chops his feet right before contact allowing him to move with the ball carrier and lay a good hit on the big FB, driving the ball carrier backwards and keeping the Panthers from getting a first down and allowing them to continue their drive. A very solid hit, and a good tackle.
Play 8: 1st & 10. -12. 11:26 3rd.
Defensive Formation: 4-3 Under
Offensive Personnel: 21 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/uwblxP6.jpg
On this play the slot WR has motioned into the backfield, giving the illusion of 2 RB’s in the backfield (22 Personnel). Also, with no WR split out to the boundary, the CB has moved down onto the TE taking Chancellor’s spot in the box and allowing him to stay at 11 yards. The way to defend the Triple Option is to have a “Dive” player (inside handoff), a QB player (QB keep) and a “Pitch” player (the RB awaiting the option from the QB). The Seahawks defend it with three levels. The DE, who the Panthers are “reading” is unblocked so he takes the “dive”. The WLB, scrapes off of the DE’s butt and attacks the QB inside out forcing him to make a decision. Chancellor’s job on this play is as the “pitch” defender. He must come screaming downhill (while also staying under control) in order to limit the yardage if the QB pitches the ball out. The QB sees that he can go no further and pitches the ball to the RB. Chancellor comes down as soon as he recognizes the play and hits the ball carrier almost immediately containing the play to no gain.
Play 9: 2nd & 18. 49. 6:49 3rd.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: Cover 3
Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/HSCquov.jpg
On this play, the Panthers are facing a 2nd a very long situation, they run an “All-Curls” concept. The Seahawks are in a Cover 3, in order to not give up the big play. Chancellor is aligned across the inside WR. As the WR comes out, he stems to the middle of the field before sitting down. As the rush hits home, the QB begins to scramble to the defenses right. Chancellor knows that the LB’s will flow with the scramble so he will gain a defender on the sit down route, he then begins to close down on the QB while staying in the passing lane. Chancellor’s height and position forces the QB to throw the ball over the defender and ultimately over his TE’s head, resulting in an incompletion.
Play 10: 2nd & 4. 13. 6:11 4th.
Defensive Formation: 4-3 Under
Coverage: Cover 3
Offensive Personnel: 12 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/aTmsTUu.jpg
With the score being 24-10 and the Panthers still threatening, the Seahawks need a stop in order to seal the game, if the Panthers score a TD here then they are very much back in the game. With three wide to the field the Panthers send the inside and outside WR on “Go” routes, trying to take the second level (LB and SS) with them in order to free open the “Out” for the first down. The QB initially looks to his left, where his WR stumbles on the route, before he comes back to the right side. First, he looks for the TE on the seam route, as you see the FS and CB begin to squeeze that route. His final option is the “Out” route. Chancellor has taken a pretty significant drop (sitting 5 yards off the out) but with the throw being late and across the field he can make a play. Chancellor moves as soon as the QB cocks the ball back and even though it is a strong throw, Kam picks the ball off and is off to the races. His first interception for a TD in one of the biggest moments of the season, clinching the Seahawks spot in the Conference Championship Game.
Kam Chancellor, although known, may be the least known player of the “Legion of Boom” but in this game he played better than the rest. Aligning in the box for a lot of plays, Chancellor was a force in the run game, cleaning up several runs that could have possibly slipped through by lowering his shoulders and delivering the boom. In the passing game, Chancellor proved very efficient. Twice blowing up screen passes before they even get started by beating the blockers with speed, strength and technique. And also he showed impressive break ability on passes and routes, ultimately making the play to win the game.
Chancellor is a freak athlete (see .gif below), containing the size, speed and strength to dominate games. He shows impressive change of direction and hip fluidity for his size, but also has the ability to control himself (most of the time). Showing the speed and discipline to close running gaps and limiting possibly larger gains is a key to the Seattle defense, without Chancellor in the box the defense as a whole might not be as dominant.
As he running mates before him, Chancellor is starting to become talked about more and more, now not just because of his bone-crushing hits, but now for his overall athleticism and coverage ability. May these playoffs be Kam’s time to break out? It will be interesting to see this week how he plays against a very balanced team in the Green Bay Packers.
Just for fun: The (almost) FG block by leaping the lineman
