Greg Cosell's Film Review: Philip Rivers and a classic NFL coaching chess match

The San Diego Chargers-Atlanta Falcons game last week is why I love watching film and breaking down Xs and Os.

This was a fantastic example of tactical football, a chess match between the two coaching staffs. And it was a vintage performance from a quarterback, Philip Rivers, who has a rare mastery of the game.

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The coaching moves started in the first half. The Falcons’ foundation on defense is “Cover 3” zone in which three defensive backs are each responsible for a deep third of the field. That’s what the Seattle Seahawks used most often when current Falcons coach Dan Quinn was their defensive coordinator. On the Chargers’ first possession they used a “Cover 3” beater concept.

Out of a bunch set, “X iso” receiver Dontrelle Inman attacked cornerback Desmond Trufant vertically to threaten and occupy him. Tyrell Williams ran the deep over route to the deep third on Trufant’s side, and there was a void because Inman stopped and Trufant stayed with him. In this “Cover 3” concept, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell had to run vertically with Williams. That’s a mismatch the Chargers knew they would get on this route concept against “Cover 3.” And you can see how the Chargers created a void in Trufant’s zone. It’s great use of personnel, formation and a route concept against a coverage the Chargers figured they’d see. Williams gained 49 yards on the play.

For the rest of the first half, Rivers and the Chargers put on a clinic on how to attack and defeat “Cover 3” by personnel, formation and route design.

Here’s another good play. Out of an empty set, a two-man route concept to the boundary (short side) occupied both the cornerback Robert Alford and the safety Keanu Neal. Then Williams ran the same over route he ran on his 49-yard gain in the first quarter. You can see how the routes to Rivers’ left allowed Williams to get behind those defensive backs. This time he gained 38 yards.

The Falcons tried a new defensive plan late in the first quarter. On their first “man free lurk” snap of the game, Rivers diagnosed it immediately. Trufant was playing Travis Benjamin with width and depth. Benjamin’s shallow cross underneath tight end Antonio Gates forced lurk defender Neal to react to him, but it was too late. Benjamin caught the crossing route with room to run and picked up 21 yards.

After seeing their “Cover 3” get burned a number of times, the Falcons came out in more man coverage in the third quarter. They were clearly more aggressive and challenging with man coverage and blitzes. You could see that game plan, and how the Chargers adjusted.

What stood out was how patient Rivers was. He’d attack when the defense presented opportunities and take the throws that were there when necessary. It was a professional quarterbacking performance.

The Falcons went back to their foundation “Cover 3” late in the fourth quarter and Rivers got them again. It was a three-level stretch concept. The flat defender Brian Poole had excellent depth so Rivers throttled down Inman with the throw to hit Inman in the void rather than leading him into Poole. You can see that if Rivers hit Inman in stride, Poole would have made a play on the ball. That’s great coverage understanding by Rivers. This play went for 17 yards.

It was a great game to track, because there were many strategic adjustments. This was also an outstanding game by Rivers. He’s always patient and knows how to beat a defense. It’s the kind of game that shows why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

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NFL analyst and NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell watches as much NFL game film as anyone. Throughout the season, Cosell will join Shutdown Corner to share his observations on the teams, schemes and personnel from around the league.