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Cody Alexander

@matchquarters.com
34K followers 168 following 7.2K posts

Solving defensive problems with data and film. MatchQuarters | Let’s Talk Ball! Pod | 6x Author No Frills Daily Football Clips

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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 10h
Learn more about how defenses use internal stunts to combat zone run schemes, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/oklahoma-i... --
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Speed Over Mass: Using Interior Twists to Erase Heavy Run Schemes
Oklahoma led the nation in Rush Success Rate (27.1%) by ignoring SEC 'reduction' norms. Here is how to use a 37% stunt rate to manufacture free hitters against zone and gap schemes.
010
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 10h
Post-snap, the Nose steps to the LG, allowing the Center to "knock" him before he climbs to the ILB. Once the DT tags the LG, the Nose loops back behind the Center. The pressure puts the RB in a phone booth with the Nose. ...
120
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 10h
The Jaguars used an internal twist against the Patriots' heavy personnel under-center run game. In Base, Jacksonville used a TON stunt to the open side to gain a free defender on the RB. The initial stunt from the 3-technique (Tam) knocks the LG off the Nose. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 10h
Notice how the Will (51) is already tilted for the scrape-exchange. Indy's DE does a great job of using the LG's momentum to ricochet back down the line of scrimmage. Learn more about run down stunts, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/ton-stunt-... --
010
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 10h
Seeing this weak-side stunt more and more as a change-up to under-center runs. Weak-side Nose + Rip stunt to create a "jam" or "feed" the movement of a Wide Zone. The Texans attack the B-gap bubble weak, and the "Rip" stunt shortens the edge for the Will LB. ...
142
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 10h
Learn more about how Brandon Staley uses his hybrid off-ball LB, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/brandon-st... --
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How Brandon Staley Is Weaponizing Kaden Elliss
Meet the NFL’s Best Interior Blitzer
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 10h
The Falcons had Elliss rush the passer on 174 snaps in '25, ranking fourth among LBs, behind hybrids Frankie Luvu (WAS), Derrick Barnes (DET), and Eric Wilson (MIN). Only Wilson was used in a similar fashion (interior), and his volume is mostly due to Brian Flores’s blitz-centric style. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 10h
Meet one of the NFL’s best interior blitzers... Kaden Elliss is unique in the way he aligns and attacks the offense, which is why he is a perfect fit in New Orleans. Last season, the Falcons had Kaden align in the B-gap on 34 of his rushes, the most in the NFL. ...
130
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 11h
See other Low Red Zone "robber" concepts, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/red-zone-d... --
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The "Low Red" Solution: Adjusting Stubbie to Stump
How the Rams Convert Match Coverage to Stop 3x1 Formations in the Red Zone
010
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 11h
LA is playing man underneath on all five receivers with a Flush stunt that will attempt to get Allen going to his left. As Allen turns to his right, both the Middle Safety and Hash Safety cut to his vision. Away, the Hash Safety maintains his presence over his "unit". ...
120
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 11h
Under Minter, the Chargers used a 3-Safety system on 3rd & XL downs, but this is a great way to play 2-Man with what is essentially a vision "post" player. The 3rd Down versions still use a four-man rush. ...
160
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
Classic!
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
"I passed the TE off to Jesus to cover him." - Talanoa Hufanga (9) 🙏😂 --
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
See how other NFL defenses are using open-to-open coverage rotations, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/minter-spl... --
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Jesse Minter’s Split-Safety Tampa 2
Disrupting Second-and-Long Passing Concepts Without Sacrificing the Split-Safety Shell
040
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
Using open-post alignments and then rotating into Cover 2 can keep the Safeties relatively static. That can be unnerving for a QB who is trying to figure out where the space is going to open up as the pass rush closes in. Buffalo adds a nice Boss Front Ton stunt to apply pressure. ...
120
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
Last year, the Chargers were one of the few teams that used open-post alignments to rotate into Cover 2 schemes. Against LA in Week 3, the Bills used an open-post contour to "rotate" into an Inverted Cover 2. Most QB's are now accustomed to seeing closed-post to Cover 2 rotations (NTTs). ...
150
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
See how other NFL defenses are implementing pick pressures, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/seahawks-c... --
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How the Seahawks Manufactured the NFL’s Most Efficient Pressures
The 2025 Seahawks leveraged their Stunt and Blitz duality along with modular pressure paths to generate elite efficiency.
010
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
Once the blitzer makes contact, the D-lineman will wrap inside. The scheme creates an open lane directly to the QB's face. Though this clip doesn't show it, the "pick-man" is often the one who comes free. ...
120
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
Pick pressures are a great way to use the RB in pass protection against the offense. Instead of attacking the back directly with pressure, the Panthers use his block to help set a "pick" on the Browns' LG. Post-snap, the blitzer will aim for the hip of the LG, bringing the RB with him. ...
130
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
Run-down pressures should match the RB's path, & under-center is a vertical track. Even against Wide Zone, these pressures place a LB in the cutback lane. Learn more about how NFL defenses are attacking early-down under-center runs, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/early-down... --
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Early-Down Run Pressures: Building System Rules
Why exceeding a 25% run-blitz rate kills defensive efficiency. Coordinated four-man pressure rules to stop heavy 12-personnel concepts.
020
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
The blitz acts as a cut-off to the RB's path, making it impossible for him to get vertical. Against under-center runs, the defense's ability to force the RB to go horizontal or change direction is vital to stopping the play. ...
120
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
If looking for a pressure that kills under-center runs, these A-gap punctures are a best-practice path. Clip 1 hits the field-side A-gap against a weak-side run, while Clip 2 attacks the boundary against a strong-side Counter GF. ...
120
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
Pressure doesn’t need a sack to kill early-down efficiency; it just needs to get the offense behind the chains. Not all hybrid off-ball LBs are used as Edges. See how Brandon Staley unleashes his hybrid LB only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/brandon-st... --
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How Brandon Staley Is Weaponizing Kaden Elliss
Meet the NFL’s Best Interior Blitzer
000
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
Elliss attacks the A-gap to the run-action side, beats the Center with leverage, and is in Lamar Jackson's face immediately out of his blind fake. Elliss flushes the mobile QB to the boundary, eliminating the primary read and forcing an incompletion. ...
210
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 29/09/2026
Vertical "Dog" blitzes usually attack the B-gap against under-center offenses. Brandon Staley attacks the A-gap instead. From a Nickel Bench (boundary) Front, the Saints use LB Kaden Elliss on weak-side "plugs" against play-action. ...
111
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Atlanta takes this simple game and amplifies it by running it as an off-ball pressure. The design stays the same, but the pre-snap presentation changes. Learn more about this popular game, only on MatchQuarters. www.matchquarters.com/p/vegas-raid... --
000
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
The two interior defenders work to the face of the Guard and Tackle, allowing the edge defender to wrap back inside. When used with a 5-O alignment, the opposite Guard and Tackle are occupied with their own defenders. The scheme creates an alley directly in front of the QB. ...
100
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
The "Wrap" stunt, a three-man game, is a best-practice option for defenses that want to force protections wide and then attack the interior gap. Most often, the path starts from a Boss or Load alignment. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Learn more about Hot Blitzes and other paths, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/falcons-ho... --
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Anatomy of a Pressure: The Falcons' Hot Blitz
A deep dive into the Week 1 "Hot Blitz" that shows how the Falcons are finally scheming up pressure.
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
With Green Bay inside their 15, Atlanta decides to bring a 6-man blitz. The Packers RG takes on the rush of 92, and the RB picks up Bates (3), which keeps Divine Deablo (0) free to the face of Jordan Love. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Ulbrich added Hot Blitzes to the mix last season in Atlanta to leverage his aggressive front. Those have shown up early in the '26 season. Typically, defenses want to run Hot Blitzes when an offense is backed up and on 3rd & Long. ...
120
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Against the Broncos, he used one to make Denver's All-Pro Guard wrong in protection. Learn more about Campanile's unique system, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/campanile-... --
000
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Last season, Jacksonville's defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile was an unknown commodity. This year, everyone is looking to see if he can repeat his top-10 defensive performance from '25. One feature of his defense is the use of Quarters Pressures. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Once he comes back, McKinney triggers on the in-breaking route. Learn more about Gannon's ability to design unique systems, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/arizona-ca... --
020
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Though considered a Fangio-adjacent coach, he's unique in the way he implements his coverage system compared to others in the tree. Xavier McKinney (29) does an excellent job of nailing down on the Post for the interception. Penix looks to the top side first, then comes back to his Dig. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
The Packers sit 7th in Quarters usage through three weeks (21%) and sit right at 49% open-post usage for the season. Since his time in Philadelphia, Jonathan Gannon has used Quarters as a primary coverage tool rather than opting for more Cover 6. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Full front philosophy, internal paths, and pick-pressure rules are up now on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/brandon-st... --
000
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
When the offense slides away from the weak-side Elliss, the RB is forced to handle a downhill blitz with no help. Entering Week 3, Elliss ranked 4th in Pass Rush Win Rate (21%) among off-ball LBs. Staley consistently isolates Guards instead of fighting better blocking Tackles on the outside. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Against Baltimore, the Saints leaned on their Base 3-4 front (37% usage) to shape early-down pass-protection rules. A five-man surface forces man blocking, leaving the back responsible for an off-ball blitz. ...
100
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 28/09/2026
Most NFL defenses use hybrid off-ball LBs off the edge. Brandon Staley attacks through the interior. Kaden Elliss generated a ~32% Pressure Rate over the first two weeks by lining up over the Guard. ...
122
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 27/09/2026
“G-Read” schemes have become a popular complement to traditional double A-gap alignments that target the Center/RB communication link. Learn more about how to attack the Guard and utilize double-mug presentations, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/campanile-... --
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Campanile’s G-Read: Breaking Pass Protection With Double-Mugs
How Jacksonville isolates the interior slide and pairs wrap paths with split-field coverage to generate a current league-best -0.628 EPA per blitz.
010
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 27/09/2026
Anthony Campanile’s Guard-Read Scheme: Breaking Pass Protection With Double-Mugs Against Denver in Week 2, Campanile used a Guard-Read mugged pressure to attack one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 27/09/2026
Learn Brian Flores's early-down philosophy, as well as find other resources on his system, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/flores-bas... --
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How Brian Flores Uses Pressure to Kill the Run
The Mechanics Behind the Vikings' 80%+ Early-Down Blitz Rate
010
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 27/09/2026
How Brian Flores Uses Pressure to Kill the Run The Mechanics Behind the Vikings' 80%+ Early-Down Blitz Rate The defense’s main goal is to apply pressure on every down and in every gap to create a “flinch effect.” It’s an extreme fight to constrain space. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 27/09/2026
Appreciate it!
010
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 27/09/2026
Gregg Williams named it after Jon Gruden. 😂
010
Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 26/09/2026
Learn more about this pressure, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/chucky-sam... --
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Chucky & SamCat: Blitzing Condensed Formations
A Film Breakdown of the Vikings' Strategy to Shut Down Condensed Sets
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 26/09/2026
The Vikings' Brian Flores loves to attack the edges against condensed under-center (UTC) runs, a strategy that showed up multiple times against the Chargers. "Chucky," or a double-CB blitz, is a great way to attack traditional UTC run games with non-traditional blitzers. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 26/09/2026
Over two weeks, the Raiders' defense ranks 8th in DVOA (FTN). DC Rob Leonard has a diverse defensive background, having coached under Flores, Macdonald, and Graham. Las Vegas's defense has schemes and structures that pull from all these playbooks. ...
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Cody Alexander @matchquarters.com · 26/09/2026
Learn more about how Seattle attacks under-center runs, only on MatchQuarters: www.matchquarters.com/p/mike-macdo... --
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Mike Macdonald’s Pressure Masterclass at Super Bowl LX
How the Seahawks utilized "Passive Pressure," B-gap "Stabs," and "Stride" paths to dismantle the Patriots' offense.
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