Frequent Cheesehead TV commenter "Paul Ott Carruth", a former player and coach, breaks down a different aspect of the Packers and their opponents from an X's and O's standpoint. Today he looks at the Atlanta Falcons' running game, which had great success against the Packers.

The Packer’s defense is returning to the scene of a crime this Saturday night.  To officially “scrub the evidence” the defense will need to do two things.  The first is fundamental….......TACKLE!  The Packers were atrocious with their open field tackling.  Second, control #33.  Every offense runs through a particular player.  For teams like the Packers and Patriots, the offenses run through their quarterbacks.  The Chicago Bears offense now runs through Matt Forte.  Jay Cutler, while an upgrade over previous Bears QBs, is now more of a game manager, a caretaker if you will.  The same could be said for the Atlanta Falcons.  “Matty Ice” is a little bit of a misnomer because the lion’s share of the offense has not been thrust upon him.  Frankly, he hasn’t needed to shoulder a large burden.  And that is exactly what the Packers defense needs to do this weekend.  The majority of the game needs to be put on Ryan’s shoulders.  I may be in the minority, but I have serious questions about his capability to perform one-dimensionally.  It’s hard for a lot of teams to operate this way…..just look at the Packers.  But without Rodgers I’m not sure the Packers would have been able to have a winning record.  It just goes to show how special he is.  We haven’t seen Ryan assume that type of role because he hasn’t had to…..the offense runs through Turner.  That will be the primary focus for this Packer defense………that and tackling.  In this X and O segment, let’s take a look at some of the primary formations and staple runs the Falcons will be using on Saturday.

Diagram 1:

In this diagram the Falcons use their primary formations of Pro I and Twin I with 21 Personnel.  Pro refers to a TE and Flanker (Z) on one side of the formation and a split receiver (X) to the other side.  “I” refers to the backfield alignment of a FB and HB directly in line behind the QB.

Diagram 2:

The Falcons like to off-set their FB to either  the TE side or the SE (split end side).  When off set to the strongside (TE), it is often called “King.”  When he is off set to the weakside (SE) it is often called “Queen” (sorry ladies).  I don’t know if the Falcons actually call it King and Queen but I know that a lot of teams do.

Diagram 3:

Here we see the use of 20 (2 backs 0 Tight Ends) personnel.  We’ll call it Flex.  This isn’t as much of a run formation for the Falcons as it is a passing formation but they can and do run out of it.  The other formation we’ll call 21 Pro Hip Queen.  It uses a TE in a position just off the hip of the Offensive Tackle.    The Falcons will close down the splits of the X and Z receivers.  The Y can motion from this position and serve as a lead blocker (think Packers Rhino and Falcon formations).  The tight splits of the X and Z provide a nice opportunity for the receivers to fade from the coverage and use the width of the field on go routes (i.e Roddy White).   The other thing to look for is crossing routes from both receivers due to the tighter splits.   Look for this formation in the game.

Diagram 4:

We’ll call this first formation 20 Flex Close F Hip.  The FB aligns in a hip position and the Z and E receiver align in close proximity in a compressed set.  The X assumes normal alignment.  The Falcons like to run Toss plays out of this formation.  They will also sneak the FB out to the weakside and drag the Z and E and run boot action.  The other formation we’ll call 21 Pro Shotgun Split.  The  backs are split on either side of the QB now in shotgun.  The Falcons will go to this formation in long yardage situations when they feel they are getting pressured.  They will free release the X, Y, and Z and use the FB and HB in the protection scheme giving them a 7 man protection.   If no blitz shows, the FB and HB will execute checkdown routes.

Diagram 5:

The “Power O” is a staple run of any gap blocking team.  We saw the Bears use it in the final week and the Falcons ran plenty of it in the first match-up.  It is the primary run in the Mularkey offense.  The front side OG and OT double team the 3 technique and work to the flowing Mike.  The TE bangs the DE and then works up to the Sam.  The Center blocks back on the 1 shade and the LG pulls around and picks up any body that leaks through on the front side.  The FB kicks out the DE after he has been set up by the TE.  The backside OT will either scoop to the Will or pass set to bring the DE up field.  If the Will fast flows over the top and the DE is influenced up field, it creates a natural seam on the backside.  Turner will look to keep the ball front side, but if he see’s things clogged up, he will take the seam if it is there.  It is important for the Packers to be disciplined with their run fits.

Diagram 6:

The “Stretch” play is a zone play.  Here we see it from a 2 x 2 formation.  The backside will zone step to the play side as normal .  The difference between this play and how the Packers run outside zone is that the Center and onside OG will pull.  The play side OT blocks down on the 3 technique.  The TE zone steps to reach the DE.  The back will aim at the TE as in the outside zone.  If the DE stays outside, he now knows the ball cuts up inside and he gets behind the Center and OG that are pulling.  The Falcons will either toss the ball or drive it deep via a direct hand off.  Look for this play (with a toss) from the 20 Flex Close F Hip (Diagram 4) formation.

Diagram 7:

The “Counter Dive” is a play to take advantage of a fast flowing defense.  The line blocks man on or double teams.  In the diagram I have the flanker (most likely an extra TE) motioning across and serving as a lead blocker on the Will to the weak side.  The QB fronts out to the right and flash fakes to the FB.  The QB continues on his path and with a ball switch to the right hand, gives the ball to Turner who has adjusted his path to the weakside.

Will the Packers line up in a 4-3 look?  Probably not.  The point of this X and O session is to look at how the Falcons attack in their run game, which is their “bread and butter.”  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Capers bring out the patented “46” front in this game.  The idea will be to get favorable one on one matchups in the blocking scheme, limiting the amount of pulling the Falcon lineman can do.  It would expose the Packers to single coverage on the outside but unless they can control the run with 7 in the box, they’ll have to do this.  Penetration on the line of scrimmage will be the key to disrupting the Falcon run game and putting more responsibility on the shoulders of “Matty Ice.”  And that would be fine by me because he isn’t “Joe Cool.”