The concept of

the jet sweep is simple, and any team can run the play from almost any personnel group or formation, provided there's a wide receiver lined up on the perimeter.





By receiving the handoff at close to full speed, the wideout provides the offense with a huge advantage. At the same time, however, the ball carrier risks getting flattened by an unblocked defender in the backfield or while turning the corner.





Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin has an unusual combination of muscular build and speed, which makes him ideal to run the jet sweep. But he also has an injury history, so frequency could be key over the long haul.





The success of the jet sweep is based on misdirection into open space. In the season opener against the Packers, the Seahawks had Harvin line up on the left side of the formation in all four of his rushing attempts. In Super Bowl XLVIII against the Broncos, the Seahawks ran the play twice, with Harvin lined up on the right side both times.





"It definitely affects the defense," said Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. "Just to see the guys freeze, or they will run one way and the ball will be going the other way. Just to keep them guessing, really. We do so much motion and shifting anyway, they don't really know what's going to happen."



