On Monday, the New York Giants hired Shane Bowen, a young defensive coordinator who previously worked for the Tennessee Titans for three seasons. In the first edition of The Bowen Breakdown, we discussed the differences between his defense and that of former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Now we’ll focus on the Titans’ red zone defense.
Under Bowen’s leadership, the Titans had a strong run defense for all three seasons. They were also the best defense in the red zone last season. Tennessee allowed a touchdown on 37.7% of red zone visits, while the Baltimore Ravens were second at 42.3%.
Tennessee ranked 14th in 2022, allowing a touchdown on 55% of red zone trips, and fourth in 2021, Bowen’s first season as coordinator, with a touchdown rate of 51.67
‘Bend, don’t break’ was a way to define Patrick Graham’s defense, and Bowen’s unit could be described similarly, albeit with different strategies.
The Jaguars had first-and-goal at the 7-yard line down 28-20 in the fourth quarter in Week 18. Bowen’s unit rolled out in a Nickle 2-4-5 against a 3×1 set with the running back to the lone tight end side, which was the short-side of the field.
Tennessee possessed a four-over-three edge with three receivers and a man on the tight end side. The strong safety orientation toward the three-receiver side to assume crossing routes. The cornerback facing Calvin Ridley (0) is in MEG (guy wherever he goes) and has inside leverage. The top defender read three to two with Zay Jones’ (7) motion and would have responded downward if Jones was three to the flat.
The safety on the three-receiver side read two to three and played the goal line with Trevor Lawrence (16). The inside backer identified with Jones (the three) and assumed inside leverage as a result of his position and the safety of those on the goal line. Both safeties on the field function as middle hook defenders.
Some people hear match coverage and may not grasp what it implies. Pattern-match is “zone” until the receiver’s routes are disclosed, after which it becomes man coverage. This is a universal notion, with each defense having its own set of principles for dealing with specific offensive looks. The numbers in the above illustration refer to the receiver’s presnap position.
