Over the first couple of weeks of the season, we’ve seen the Green Bay Packers working Dash motion into their offense. It’s been primarily used in one specific way in the run game. We talked about that last week, but let’s show it again here.
“Dash” involves a TE arcing back in motion before the snap. At the snap, he fires toward the line. The Packers have used this motion to get to a power run the vast majority of the time: the Dash motion man kicks out the EMOL (End Man on Line) and the guard from
the motion side pulls as a G Lead.
We have seen slight variations to this, but nothing major. Backside pass tags as an option if the defense is caught in a certain look or blitz. In Week 1, we saw Matthew Golden get a 1st down off a backside slant against a blitzing defender. In Week 2, we saw Matthew Golden catching a big pass off a Bubble to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime. Both of those were merely slight variations on a theme. This week, we saw it open up a bit.
It’s the Packers’ first drive of the 2nd half. They’re down 17-7, facing 1st & 10 at the 50-yard line. They come out in 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR), which is how they like to run their power concept. They’re in a 2×2 condensed look, with a TE in-line on either side of the line. Before the snap, Josh Whyle [81] goes in Dash motion, looping 4 yards behind Jordan Love [10]. At the snap, Wyle releases toward the line, looking like he’s kicking out the EMOL. This forces a reaction from Divine Deablo [0], the linebacker to that side of the field. He drives down hard at the point of attack to take away the run.
But it’s all a ruse. Whyle releases through the line, angling toward the sideline (he doesn’t get to the sideline because Deablo kicks out a foot and takes Whyle down). Christian Watson [9] is the receiver to that side, and he pushes hard vertically down the field. The Falcons are in a two-high look with their safeties, with the safety over Watson backpedaling against the vertical push from Watson.
Watson puts on the brakes 15 yards down the field. With the safety pushed back and Deablo at the line to attack the run, there’s a nice open space for Watson to settle into.
Love hits Watson, who turns upfield to pick up a few more yards. By the time the whistle blows, it’s a 22 yard gain.
Nice way to build off a concept you’ve shown a decent amount of through 2 weeks (and have had success with). I’ve been waiting for some vertical variations off that motion, and it looks like we’re starting to get them. I’m looking forward to seeing what else they do with this.
Albums listened to: Blondshell – Violins; Dragonflies – Dragonflies
