How the Dallas Cowboys win the NFC East and beat the RPO

The run-pass option is taking the NFL by storm and if the Dallas Cowboys want to win the division, let alone the postseason, they’ll need to figure out how to stop it.

The run-pass option is nothing new to football. It’s actually been a popular attack in the college ranks for quite some time now. But in the NFL, it’s just in its infancy. And since multiple teams (like the Eagles) rode it to success in 2018, it’s expected to be used virtually everywhere this season. That’s why it’s imperative the Dallas Cowboys find a way to solve the opportunistic attack.

Typically, once the ball is snapped, it’s been the defense reacting to the offense, but in an RPO, it’s just the opposite: the offense is reacting to the defense. That’s why having a defense made up of quick, long, and versatile players is paramount to success over the RPO. That’s why most consider linebackers to be the key to beating the RPO. And that’s why it’s not surprising Dallas loaded up on linebacker this offseason.

The run-pass option (RPO)

An RPO is a play in which the quarterback has an option of either handing the ball off or passing it downfield. The decision is usually made mid-play and it’s usually based on a combination of ratio reads and reading the conflict defender. Offensive linemen play it like the run the entire time, meaning the QB must make his decision promptly, because if the linemen get too far downfield they’ll get called for a penalty.

For a more thorough explanation, catch up on what the RPO is here:

Related Story. Explaining the RPO in the NFL. light

And how and why Dallas intends to us it here:

Related Story. Why the Dallas offense needs more RPO. light

Because the RPO is opportunistic and exploits overcommitted defenses, mismatches, and weaknesses, having long rangy linebackers is widely considered to be key. That’s because linebackers are universal weapons, capable of run-stopping, pass rushing, and pass-coverage. Weakness aren’t as easy to spot when facing a multidimensional LB.

As such, getting extra linebackers on the field is a must when facing an RPO team. But how can a traditional 1-gap team, built with 4-3 personnel, and often employing nickel coverage, add another linebacker to the field?

Adopting a 3-3-5 defense.

The 3-3-5 defense

Before you scoff at the absurdity of a 3-3 front six, first dismiss your prejudice and in fact, forget everything you know about a 3-4 and 4-3 defense. Instead, follow the assignments of the players. Just because there’s only three down linemen doesn’t mean the defense is only going to rush three. Quite the contrary, it allows you to rush a fourth rusher from anywhere on the field, without short-handing the coverage unit.

The 3-3-5 defense employs an extra linebacker at the expense of a lineman – not a cornerback. That’s why in nickel passing situations it’s so effective. It’s perfectly designed for these situations.

We all have the preconceived idea a 3-4 defense is innately a 2-gap “passive” attack up front. But the thing is, it doesn’t have to be. Just like a 3-3-5 defense, it isn’t required to abandon the aggressive 1-gap attack that Rod Marinelli so unabashedly employs.

The problem with the 4-3 defense is it’s pretty darn easy for an offense to read its intentions. Sure, there is some coverage variation from play to play. There are also some games/stunts up front that can catch blockers off guard. But for the most part, the gap assignments are pretty easy to predict.

The 3-3-5 is not so easy to read. You have three down linemen that could be playing either 1-gap or 2-gap. You also have three linebackers with unknown gap responsibility. Think about it: blocking is pretty easy when you know who it is you’re supposed to block. If you don’t, it’s not so easy.

The 3-3-5 defense employs an extra linebacker at the expense of a lineman – not a cornerback.

In a 3-3-5, you still usually have a fourth player rushing the passer just like before – the only difference is you have no idea who it’s going to be. It can be the SAM, the WILL, or even the MIKE. Many 3-3-5’s even send outside cornerbacks and safeties to be that fourth pass-rusher.

Even if you have a pretty good idea “who” is coming in hot, you don’t know which gap they’re coming through.

The RPO is an attack designed to place the defense (and specifically an individual player) in conflict. This “conflict defender” must ultimately decide which way he’s going to go on a given play. Whichever way he chooses, the offense will choose the opposite. In a 3-3-5, it’s harder for the opposing QB to even identify who’s the defender in conflict.

That’s why LBs are suddenly being valued so high right now. They are the epitome of versatility on defense. They can read, react, and recover better than anyone. That’s why the Cowboys invested a first round pick in LVE. That’s why they consider him, Sean Lee, Damien Wilson, Joe Thomas, and Jaylon Smith to all be significant players this season.