In the previous two articles, we dissected Cover 2. Today, we’ll breakdown Cover 3, what it looks like, and what happens when it goes wrong using the All-22 tape from the Steelers’ meeting with the Jets Week 2.
Personnel: Trio
Route Concept: Smash Seam
Defense: Cover 3
Result: 45 yard gain by Jeremy Kerley
Cover 3, as the play suggests, asks each defensive back to cover a third of the field. Cornerbacks guard their respective deep third with the safety Ryan Clark playing between the hashes. The MIKE ‘backer drops to the middle. At times, both linebackers will play the flats but in this case, only the weakside linebacker does with the strongside dropping into a hook zone. SS Ryan Mundy has the flat on a curl/flat read (protect against the curl, force the throw into the flat).
Noted above, the Jets run the “smash seam” concept with Kerley and Stephen Hill. Kerley on a go with Hill on a curl (traditional smash route is curl/corner).
The issue that allowed the big gain? Keenan Lewis biting on the curl. As the corner playing the deep third, you’re taught to read #1 to #2 and take anything deep. Mundy correctly passes off Kerley but Lewis bites on Hill breaking. No one is over the top.
By the time Lewis gets turned around and recovers, Kerley has him beat. Lewis has to chase him down to save the touchdown.
A play designed to stress a corner playing zone, it’s an easy read for Sanchez. If the corner plays the seam, throw the curl. If the corner bites on the curl, (as was the case) throw the seam. Lewis got caught and the Jets made him pay. Doesn’t get much easier than that at the pro level
