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Play 7: 2nd & 9. 28. 14:31 4th.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: Cover 1
Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel (Empty)
http://i.imgur.com/WaUiYKP.jpg
This play and the coverage is very interesting. You will notice in the picture that the DB’s look to cross man-to-man coverage. The reason this happens is because the Colts play a “take them as they come” technique. Davis is the outside defender on this play, meaning that he will take the first WR who goes to the outside, while the Nickel CB will take the first player who goes to the inside. Davis is aligned at 7 yards, this is because in bunch formations you want your defenders to be on different levels to avoid pick plays on rub routes such as this one. The Broncos do flip routes but the Colts are ready for it. Davis drives on the flat route and although the catch is allowed, it is smothered before gaining anything over 5 yards.
Play 8: 1st & 10. -33. 13:21 4th.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: Cover 3
Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/0tzNW05.jpg
The Colts are once again in a Cover 3, meaning Davis is to keep everything in front of him. Cover 3 is generally a safe defense, giving up the shorter throws in order to limit the deep throws. The SS (#29) has the “Curl to Flat” zone, which cuts off any outside intermediate routes. The WR on Davis’s side runs a 14 yard out route. The Broncos playfake and the SS bites on the run, although it’s only one step, this step puts a lot more stress on Davis. Because the SS is late to his zone, the throwing window is clear. Davis once again breaks his coverage rules and jumps the route. A great play on this one, undercutting the route and knocking the ball down right before it gets there.
Play 9: 3rd & 7. -36. 12:34 4th.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: Cover 1
Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel (Empty)
http://i.imgur.com/b1Baz3X.jpg
The Broncos are in an empty formation here. The TE (inside, bottom of screen), runs a vertical route right up the hash marks in order to clear the single high safety for the route they want, the post. Davis is in man-to-man coverage with the WR who is running the post. The WR inside releases, picking immediately where he is going. Davis flips his hips and trails the WR right on his hip the entire time. Even though the throw is high, the ball still would have been knocked incomplete by Davis as he has tremendous coverage on this play. When the WR goes up for the ball Davis goes up for the defense with his up-field arm (proper technique) and deflects the ball knocking it incomplete.
Play 10: 2nd & 8. -46. 3:14 4th.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: Cover 1 Robber
Offensive Personnel: 10 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/EQLSZDG.jpg
A similar concept to the previous play here for the Broncos. Once again they send the inside WR on a vertical route in order to clear the FS from the middle of the field. Once the FS is cleared the Broncos believe that the dig from the outside WR will come free. Davis is lovked up in man-to-man coverage. The huge key to this play and the coverage, is that Davis knows that he has help over the top which allows him to gamble on his coverage. Davis allows the WR to get over top of him, where Davis takes a trail technique once again. Had the WR run a vertical route, Davis would have been beaten but the FS would have been able to help him. The WR runs a dig and as soon as Davis realizes what the route is he undercuts it perfectly but is unable to finish the play and come up with the interception. An interception would have sealed the game for sure but Davis couldn’t quite make the play.
Play 11: 1st & 10. -36. 1:42 4th.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: Tampa 2
Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/CvLayKS.jpg
On this play, the Broncos are pressing to get the ball down the field in order to quickly score in hopes that they can get back into the game. The Colts run a Tampa 2 (MLB in middle 1/3 zone) in order to not give up a deep pass. To the boundary, the Broncos run verticals and to the field, they run a “Hi-Lo” concept once again. Since both routes on Davis’s side go away from him he is guarding empty field. The RB in backfield leaks out into the flats. While the ball is in the air, Davis closes on the route and blows the RB right after he catches the ball, limiting Denver to only a gain of 1. A good read by Davis.
Play 12: 2nd & 9. -37. 1:16 4th.
Defensive Formation: Nickel
Coverage: 3 Deep
Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel
http://i.imgur.com/4syqKwn.jpg
With the game winding down, the Colts switch to a prevent defense to finish the game off. The three deep defenders each split the field, while the underneath defenders split the field four ways. Davis has an underneath zone, guarding the flats just as he would in a Cover 2. With the chance of completing a deep pass slim due to the coverage, the QB dumps it off to the TE on the crossing route, who is running right into Davis’s zone. Davis sees the route coming and jumps it. As soon as the TE catches the ball Davis is able to wrap him up and bring him down for a gain of only 3.
Vontae Davis dominated the game against the Denver Broncos and their high powered passing attack. Davis is a very instinctual CB, using his vision and intelligence to cover routes that he may not even be responsible for. Davis has the ability to understand what the offense is trying to accomplish and promptly shuts those routes down.
Davis excels in man-to-man coverage, being physical with the WR’s right at the line and getting them off their route. Vontae seems to prefer letting the WR’s get on top of him in their routes and then using the trail technique to mirror the route before undercutting the route and breaking up the play. He struggles sometimes being too physical and getting caught, but most of the good DB’s know what they can or can’t get away with when it comes to holding or pass interference, Davis does this just as well as anyone in the league.
