My Top Three Plays from Super Bowl LVIII
Written by: Kyle Stout
Super Bowl LVIII was a dream matchup for any lover of offensive football. I found myself more excited for this year's game than many of the past. I absolutely love both play callers, and appreciate them for their differences. You have Kyle Shanahan, the West Coast system, and a brand of physical football built on creating creative touches for a variety of playmakers. Then there is Andy Reid, the mad scientist who combs through 1950’s NFL film for unique plays, and the next great dynasty in the making. This year's Super Bowl did not disappoint. In fact I will probably comb back through the tape and watch it again! Hope you enjoy my “Top Three Plays” from the big game…
Play #1 49ers Pivot-Sail
3rd Down & 9 (San Francisco 49ers Offense)
Love this Sail concept from the 49ers on this key 3rd down conversion. I have to be honest I would have thought the Chiefs would have been the first to use the TE sail with Kelce. They had run it a bunch down the stretch heading into the Super Bowl. What the 49ers did that I really liked was three things: 1. Used pre-snap motion to identify coverage for Purdy and add a little layer within the scheme, 2. Created different levels on the playside with the use of the pivot or shake route underneath the sail to create the high-low read, 3. Looked like a full progression read as there were options backside with what looked like what was setting up to be a dig (could have been setting up curl-flat combo) and the slip by the RB.
Play #2 Chiefs Zone Arrow
4th & 1 OT, Game on the Line, (Kansas City Chiefs)
The Arrow concept attached to the run game has been a hot play call this year more than ever. I first saw the play a few years ago when Georgia ran it from an unbalanced set. This was actually the second time the Chiefs dialed up this concept. Earlier the Chiefs ran this on a critical 3rd down in the midfield to convert for a big first down. It looks like the chiefs used a spacing concept each time as the concept surrounding the “Arrow” concept with the TE.
Play #3 49ers Throwback Screen
Redzone Touchdown (San Francisco 49ers)
As the number of players who touch the football within a given play increases, your chances at an explosive play exponentially compound. Kyle Shanahan dialed up a great RB throwback here for an explosive touchdown in the redzone. Christian McCaffrey has been one of my favorite players to watch ever since his time at Stanford. I love the different ways play callers develop unique plays for him to create touches beyond just running the ball.
