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Facing 8 in the Box: With 2 or More Wideouts

Earlier today, to add some context to which running backs were facing the most stacked boxes, we looked at which teams were doing so with a single receiver split out.

That was something of a starter and what we’re about to do now is more of a main course in adding context to the piece we released yesterday. Because now we’re going to look at which rushers had to face eight men (or more) in the box when their offense lined up with two or more receivers split away from the formation.

Logically, that is the real determining test. When defenses are adjusting to just one receiver split out wide, it gives them an extra defender to put in the box. When there are two then it becomes about whether a safety comes into the box to be the extra and form an eight-man front.

So let’s start by seeing which defenses used the most stacked boxes.

Bears and Bills

At one end of the spectrum stands a team, the Buffalo Bills, that showed eight men in the box against run plays with two-plus split receivers a league-high 23.85% of the time. At the other end, the Chicago Bears responded the same way on just 5.19% of runs. That gives you an idea of how aggressive both teams were in shutting down the opposing run game, or, if you like, how confident they were in their front seven handling business.

Here’s the full list:

[table id=852 /]

Rushers Dealing with Stacked Boxes

But which running backs dealt with the biggest stacked fronts when their teams had two receivers split out? Well, DeAngelo Williams is the man to lead the way — he faced eight or more men in the box on 25% of his rushes in this scenario. Still, his relatively low sample size makes the 24.78% of Stevan Ridley stand out all the more, making a mockery of the idea that a top quarterback prevents teams from loading up in the box.

Again, the full list:

[table id=851 /]

Tomorrow we’ll be moving on to something a little different with these numbers. Looking not just at who faced what, but starting to look at the success teams and runners had depending on how many men were in the box.

 

Follow Khaled on Twitter: @PFF_Khaled

 

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