49ers Defense Shows Up, Big Time

It is no secret that the 49ers’ defense is among one of the best in the league. Dealing with injuries to key starter defensive players (Ian Williams, Ray McDonald, Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis and Nnamdi Asomugha, Chris Culliver), the 49ers back ups have to bring their A game to keep the opposing offense off the field (see Colts and Seahawks disasters). The secondary of the Niners has often been of talking points of concern when compared to their front 7. The Niners D held the Texans to 182 yard on 40 pass attempts which embedded a “try us” tone for the game early on. The Niners pass defense is rated second overall in the league and for good reason.

Interceptions

Q1 13:37 | 3rd and 6

Brock and Rogers are both playing zone flats in this Cover 2 scheme. Brown has lone man coverage on the outside vs Andre Johnson and Whitner in his Cover 2 will cover his half of the field providing help to Brown if need be. The defensive play call here is excellent. Reid gives a pre-snap communication, as does Rogers, and Brock is receptive. Reid is playing a helpful zone over the top and will cover over the top of Brock if he decides to stray from his zone responsibility.



In this flats zone coverage both Brock and Rogers are responsible for certain types of routes (flats, wheels, curls/hitches, etc.). Brock and Rogers were definitely on the same page because as soon as both receivers get on their breaks Brock peels off once he recognizes the route of his stumbling man and intercepts a weakly thrown pass by the QB. Notice the forward motion by Reid as he read exactly what Brock and Rogers did and would have been in great position to provide any extra help.

The communication between the 3 DBs on display.





Q2 7:08 | 1st and 10



This is a well put together zone scheme and a great way to dare a quarterback to beat you. Niners are in their Robber coverage keeping the receivers in front of them due to the lack of immediate safety help (due to the single high safety). The right CB Brown and slot CB Rogers are both in man coverage. However, they are both in different types of man coverage. Brown is aligned in a man press while Rogers is aligned in a man free. The reason for the difference is simple: Brown has help with the zone provided by Whitner above him in case he gets beat so he can disrupt the timing of the WR by being on the line where Rogers does not have the same immediate help. Reid is the last line of defense and is going to play the top cover and provide the safety blanket where needed. Rogers aligns to the outside of the slot receiver in hopes to disrupt any outside releasing route and push him back inside to the seams where he has the help of both zone LBs. Now the QB should recognize that Brock, highlighted, is playing an off man which is typically played around 8 yards, give or take a yard, from the line.



When a CB is playing off man a QB should know that he is being read. Thanks to Brock sticking to cornerback 101 fundamentals and a lazy effort by both the QB tossing a lazy ball and WR not boxing out the CB, the Niners stole another one from the Texans. When playing off man, you read the QB at the snap for a 3-step drop. If you see the QB open up at 3 steps, you immediately snap to the receiver and make the play available (intercept, swat, position yourself for a good tackle, etc.). If the QB does not open up for the 3-step you better find your receiver and open your hips. Most, if not all, 3-step routes are timing routes. The QB here displays poor footwork which disrupts the timing on the route — couple in the fact the throw didn’t come out too hot and you’ve got a recipe for disaster if the CB reads you well. In this case, Brock reads the QB for the drop at the snap by taking his 3 steps too (again, cornerback 101) and recognizes what’s going to happen. Brock immediately plants his feet, locates the ball and receiver, and drives. The ball gets to the receiver late (the ball should have been released when the WR was at the 50) and the CB closed in on the inside of the hitch route. Both the QB and WR need to recognize that the timing is off and adjust — QB throws more to the WR’s outside shoulder and/or the WR boxes out the CB at the end of his hitch to avoid what happens. The woes of the route and timing are definitely to not take away from Brock’s superior play. These things happen all the time in the NFL, there is a reason why not many corners can get interceptions every game. Brock’s ability to read, use his footwork and drive with his speed helped him acquire his second pick of the game. It is also worth noting that the coverage of everyone was at a fairly high level that night — even Donte Whitner’s, who is highlighted on the top absorbing the TE when he enters his zone. A great defense helps each other and in this play you can see it all unfold.



On display below is the great timing by Brock and the not so great timing by the QB on this day-to-day hitch route. Pay attention to the QB’s steps and when the WR breaks on his route where the ball is.





As always — these breakdowns are my interpretations on defenses, routes, coverages, schemes, techniques, etc. I do my best within the gates of my knowledge to write these breakdowns.