Falcons Friday: Third and Fun

The Falcons tapped into the tight end throwback on occasion for big plays throughout the 2016 season. One of my favorite variations of the throwback came in the 4th quarter of the Falcons' game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Normally, the throwback is featured with heavy play action before slinging the ball back across the field to the tight end.

Here's an example from the Oakland game last season.

Atlanta deployed the throwback for a first down on third and one against the Chiefs, but the framework was different.

The blocking scheme on this play is really cool. Since Matt Ryan is only taking a one step drop after faking the toss, the entire offensive line can't sell out and act out the blocking for the fake toss. Only Austin Hooper, Mohamed Sanu, and Ryan Schrader are playing the fake sweep.

The rest of the offensive line is setting hard to protect Matt Ryan. Remember, it's a one step drop off the play fake so any penetration can essentially kill the play.

Once the ball is snapped, the Chiefs read the play as a run play. Everyone flows hard towards the sideline including Eric Berry. With Berry committing downhill, that removes the single high safety from the equation. Levine Toilolo is just about to sneak downfield when Berry starts pursuing the play fake.

Matt Ryan makes a stellar play in the pocket to evade the Chiefs defender that was battling with Chris Chester. The quick step to avoid the pressure gave him the half second he needed to get the throw off.

This was a tremendous playcall in a season filled with tremendous playcalls. The split blocking scheme and the tight end throwback make this a unique play that should find it's way back onto the field once or twice in 2017.

Shoot ideas for plays in the comment section or tweet them at me (@FourVerts).