Analyzing Offensive and Defensive Philosophies

Ok, so I decided to look into the playbooks and I'll post the defensive playbooks that I think should be appropiate for the 2017 coaches. I will start work on the 2018 season, but that will be later. The offensive playbooks should be fine.

There are some problems that happen in M08. Some is that I can't really change the AI playcalling a whole lot (A team that mostly runs Cover 3 IRL, may not run a lot of Cover 3 with the assigned playbook) or behavior (Press Coverage doesn't work, the AI doesn't call for press coverage or off coverage, which is important in some schemes), but I'll do the best I can. I'll use what I know from the playbooks, as well as part of moonbax's research to try and fill in each coach, but I won't totally rely on him. For instance, every offensive playbook he selected didn't have the Wildcat. And while the Wildcat is pretty rare to see, it is used every now and then and the AI in M08 knows how to use it (I was shocked and amazed when I saw it). I'd say most of the playbooks already present are good enough, but I'll note where it could be changed.

A few things. I'm going to say that I HATE(!) teams that run Hybrid 3-4/4-3 sets (Looks at Matt Patricia). They are a pain get a playbook assigned to them.

Second, the defensive aggression, for now, should at a solid 50. Lowering it results in more base sets (3-4 or 4-3). Raising it results in more sub packages (Nickel, Dime and Quarter). It maybe increases the amount of blitzing done by the team, not 100% sure of that.

Third, moonbax found that pushing the Pass/Run Defense Ratio too much resulted in bad gameplay by the QBs and RBs. However, considering he had a slider set that had 34 QB Accuracy (Affects overall player awareness) and 37 WR Catching (Affects everyone's catching) ... that's expected. But, what I found is that: High Pass Defense + 4-3 set = More Nickel 4-2-5 than Dime 4-1-6 and 4-3 Under. High Run Defense + 4-3 Set = Nickel 4-2-5, some Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6 and 4-3 Over. High Pass Defense + 3-4 set = More Nickel 3-3-5 than 2-4-5, more Quarter 3-1-7 than Dime 4-1-6 or Dollar 3-2-6. 50 Pass Defense + 3-4 set = More Nickel 2-4-5 than 3-3-5, some Dime 4-1-6. High Run Defense + 3-4 set = Even split of Nickel 2-4-5 and 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and no Quarter. This also influences INT and fumbles so, the best would be to be careful with this. The best to use would be either 49 Pass Defense (For teams that run 2DT formations like Nickel 2-4-5) or 51 Pass Defense (For teams that run 1DT formations like Quarter 3-1-7).

Fourth, whenever I mention 2 playbooks means that both should be able to fulfill the role of the scheme the team is running.

2017 Coach Defensive Philosophies and Playbooks:
Bears:
John Fox/Vic Fangio (3-4 with some hybrid looks, Cover 2 Zone Press):
Defensive Playbook: Ravens (3-4 book with a 4-3 Under set and 46 Bear and Normal. Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5 and 1-5-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Bengals:
Marvin Lewis/Paul Guenther (4-3, Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Vikings (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Bills:
Sean McDermott/Leslie Frazier (4-3, Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Vikings (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored) Would ask for help on this one.

Broncos:
Vance Joseph/Joe Woods (3-4, Man):
Defensive Playbook: 3-4 (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

49ers:
Kyle Shanahan/Robert Saleh (4-3, Cover 1 Man, Cover 3 Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Texans (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Giants:
Ben McAdoo/Steve Spagnuolo (4-3, Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Giants (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Jaguars:
Doug Marrone/Todd Wash (4-3, Cover 3 Zone/Cover 1 Press Man):
Defensive Playbook: Bengals (4-3 with 46 Normal and Bear. Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7) or Lions (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Jets:
Todd Bowles/Kacy Rodgers (3-4, Man/Zone Mix):
Defensive Playbook: Jets (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7) or Cowboys (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Lions:
Jim Caldwell/Teryl Austin (4-3, Off-Man):
Defensive Playbook: Titans (4-3 with 46 Bear, which can simulate a "Wide-9" technique. Nickel 4-2-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Packers:
Mike McCarthy/Dom Capers (3-4, Man/Zone Mix):
Defensive Playbook: Packers (3-4 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7) or Dolphins (Dom Capers book, 3-4 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Panthers:
Ron Rivera/Steve Wilks (4-3, Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Vikings (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Patriots:
Bill Belichick/Matt Patricia (Hybrid (Grr.), Man/Zone Mix):
Defensive Playbook: This is the only team for which I'll do this: Ravens (3-4 book with a 4-3 Under set and 46 Bear and Normal. Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5 and 1-5-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7) or Patriots (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7) OR Jets (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 1-5-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Raiders:
Jack Del Rio/Ken Norton (4-3 Under, Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Bears (4-3 with 46 Bear, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7) or Jaguars (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Rams:
Sean McVay/Wade Phillips (3-4, Man):
Defensive Playbook: Chargers (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Ravens:
John Harbaugh/Dean Pees (3-4, Man/Zone Mix):
Defensive Playbook: Patriots (Dean Pees' book. 3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 1-5-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Redskins:
Jay Gruden/Greg Manusky (3-4, Cover 3 Zone, some Cover 1 Man):
Defensive Playbook: 49ers (3-4 book with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Saints:
Sean Payton/Dennis Allen (4-3, Cover 2 Zone/Cover 3 Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Saints (4-3 book with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Seahawks:
Pete Carroll/Kris Richard (4-3 Under, Cover 3 Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Bengals (4-3 book with 46 Bear, Normal, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Steelers:
Mike Tomlin/Keith Butler (3-4, Man/Zone Mix):
Defensive Playbook: 3-4 (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7) or Patriots (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, no 3-3-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Texans:
Bill O'Brien/Mike Vrabel (3-4, Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Steelers (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Titans:
Mike Mularkey/Dick LeBeau (Cover 1 Man/Cover 2 Man/Cover 2 Zone/Cover 3 Zone):
Defensive Playbook: Steelers (Dick LeBeau's book. 3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 49% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Vikings:
Mike Zimmer/George Edwards (4-3, Press-Man):
Defensive Playbook: Bills (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Please review this list and if you don't agree on a coach, let me know.

Semper fi
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Always have a plan. And a backup plan. And backups to the backup.
And be able to improvise.

Analyzing Offensive and Defensive Philosophies - Page 2 (2024)