2019 Offensive and Defensive Playbooks and Schemes

[jose21crisis]

This is my research for the 2019-2020 NFL Season. Basically, here I'll post what I consider the offensive and defensive playbooks that most closely resembles what that team could run during the 2019 season. Feel free to comment about what you think about each selection.

Note: Compared to the last year's version, I will be including playbooks that have the Wildcat. Yes, it is not used much (Or by some teams, at all) but the schemes featured in those books are pretty appropriate to just pass them up because they have 3 plays that aren't that used in the NFL. Additionally to that, I will list play books that have the Gun formation. There are 2 playbooks that don't have the Gun, and they won't be included in this selection. The only other playbook that I won't use is the Atlanta's Offensive playbook. That one is broken beyond belief.

Note 2: About defensive schemes, only 2 teams (Denver, which only ran the 3-4, and Indianapolis, which only ran the 4-3) ran a single, specific "Base" formation. The rest was divided in 2 categories: Those who predominantly ran a specific set (70+% of their "Base" formation plays) with a few plays in the other set thrown in, and 7 teams that flipped back and forth between both 3-4 and 4-3 (Less than 70% of their "Base" formation plays in either set). Those 7 teams will have a "Hybrid" playbooks assigned to them, the other 25 will have a playbook with the set they ran the most. Of course, everything would be simpler if we could make the AI stop using "Base" sets and focus more on Nickel/Dime. Facing Arizona or New England and seeing them run a 3-4/4-3 would be all kinds of wrong because of how rarely they ran them (Arizona pretty much NEVER ran "Base", mostly Nickel. Same with New England, although they flipped between Nickel and Dime).

Note 3: While I'll mention the type of formation the team had on the field most of the time defensively, this is somewhat useless because the AI, as mentioned above, will use mostly use "Base" sets, even against 11 personnel.

2019 Coach Philosophies and Playbooks:
Bears:
Matt Nagy (3-4, All-Nickel):
Offensive Playbook: Eagles (Has Empty sets, Trips/Bunch and multiple QB Rollouts. Also. a fair amount of trick plays involving reverses.)
Defensive Playbook: Ravens (3-4 book with a 4-3 Under set and 46 Bear and Normal. Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5 and 1-5-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Bengals:
Zac Taylor (4-3, Nickel-Based, could need need mid season adjustments):
Offensive Playbook: Trick Plays (Bunch/Trips sets, Sluggo routes, a few Empty sets, some QB Runs) or Redskins (no empty/5WR sets, Stack Double Weak formation (Tighter version of Indy's 4WR Stack), plus a HB Direct Snap, Pro sets, flea flicker)
Defensive Playbook: Vikings (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Bills:
Sean McDermott (4-3, All-Nickel, No Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Balanced (A few Empty sets, Full House featuring an H-Back. Decent amount of trick plays, featuring HB Pass and Flea Flickers)
Defensive Playbook: Vikings (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Broncos:
Vic Fangio (3-4, All-Nickel or Nickel-Based):
Offensive Playbook: Vikings (A 5WR set, a few Bunch/Trips sets, a WR Pass Play, Split sets with 2 HBs and healthy amount of trick plays)
Defensive Playbook: Ravens (3-4 book with a 4-3 Under set and 46 Bear and Normal. Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5 and 1-5-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Browns:
Freddie Kitchens (Multiple Front/Hybrid, Nickel-Based, No Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Arizona (no 5WR sets; 3TE and twin-TE sets; a split-back Shotgun set)
Defensive Playbook: Cover 2 (4-3/3-4 Hybrid with Nickel 4-2-5, 2-4-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6 and Quarter 3-1-7. Playbook is Cover 2 heavy) or Balanced (4-3/3-4 Hybrid with a 46 Bear and Normal, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Buccaneers:
Bruce Arians (Multiple Front/Hybrid. All-Nickel):
Offensive Playbook: Steelers (good amount of power runs, more I formations, WR Reverse Pass) or Buccaneers (Some Empty Singleback sets, Trips/Bunch sets, some QB Rolls, some Slant-n-Go plays)
Defensive Playbook: Cardinals (3-4 with a 4-3 Under, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Quarter 3-1-7). Alternatively, if they ditch the 4-3 looks, Jets (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Cardinals:
Kliff Kingsbury (Ugh ... setting an offensive book for this guy will be tough. I'll use my generic "Spread" book. Anyway, Pure 3-4. Base-Dime-Nickel.):
Offensive Playbook: Patriots (multiple 4/5 WR Empties, also 3TE, multiple twin-TE, and HB pass/QB run/reverse/flicker)
Defensive Playbook: 3-4 (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Chargers:
Anthony Lynn (4-3, All-Dime.):
Offensive Playbook: Cardinals (no Empty/no 5WR, HB pass)
Defensive Playbook: Seahawks (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Chiefs: (Credit to MikeWest502 for his info on the Chiefs' scheme)
Andy Reid (4-3, Nickel-Based):
Offensive Playbook: Eagles (two 5WR sets, plus WR Handoff and QB run/flea flicker/HB pass)
Defensive Playbook: Eagles (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Colts:
Frank Reich (Pure 4-3, Nickel-Base-Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Colts (no Empty sets, plus HB pass/flicker/reverse, the very rare 4WR Stack. HB Direct Snap)
Defensive Playbook: Colts (4-3 with mostly Cover 2 concepts. Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Cowboys:
Jason Garrett (4-3, Nickel-Based):
Offensive Playbook: Cowboys.
Defensive Playbook: Buccaneers or Colts (4-3 with Tampa 2 Concepts (Linebacker cover the middle of the field). Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Dolphins: (Credit to DOLPHINSKINGS1 for his info on the Dolphins' scheme)
Brian Flores (Multiple Front/Hybrid, Nickel-Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Patriots (multiple 4/5 WR Empties, also 3TE, multiple twin-TE, and HB pass/QB run/reverse/flicker)
Defensive Playbook: Ravens (3-4 book with a 4-3 Under set and 46 Bear and Normal. Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5 and 1-5-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7) or Balanced (4-3/3-4 Hybrid with a 46 Bear and Normal, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Eagles:
Doug Pederson (4-3, Nickel-Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Eagles (two 5WR sets, plus WR Handoff and QB run/flea flicker/HB pass)
Defensive Playbook: Eagles (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Falcons:
Dan Quinn (Multiple Front/Hybrid, All-Nickel):
Offensive Playbook: Pass Balanced (two 5WR sets, a 4WR Empty, and flea flicker/reverse/QB runs)
Defensive Playbook: Cover 2 (4-3/3-4 Hybrid with Nickel 4-2-5, 2-4-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6 and Quarter 3-1-7. Playbook is Cover 2 heavy) or Balanced (4-3/3-4 Hybrid with a 46 Bear and Normal, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

49ers:
Kyle Shanahan (4-3, Nickel-Based):
Offensive Playbook: Texans (no 5WR (a 4WR Empty) plus two HB pass plays and Reverse).
Defensive Playbook: Texans (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Giants:
Pat Shurmur (Multiple Front/Hybrid, Nickel-Based):
Offensive Playbook: Giants (Full House H-Back, no 5WR sets, also WR handoff, End Around). Alternatively, Rams (two 5WR sets, multiple split-back sets, plus an HB pass and Reverse).
Defensive Playbook: Cardinals (3-4 with a 4-3 Under, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Quarter 3-1-7) or Balanced (4-3/3-4 Hybrid with a 46 Bear and Normal, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Jaguars:
Doug Marrone (4-3, All-Nickel, No Dime.):
Offensive Playbook: Saints (Full House Normal H-Back playbook, multiple 4/5WR Empties including 5WR Bunch formation, no Trips, WR Handoff, QB run)
Defensive Playbook: Colts (4-3 with mostly Cover 2 concepts. Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Jets:
Adam Gase (Multiple Front/Hybrid, Nickel-Base (no typo), No Dime. Will need to check later in the season.):
Offensive Playbook: Lions (no Empty sets, plus two HB pass plays and Reverse).
Defensive Playbook: Jets (3-4 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7) or Cardinals (3-4 with a 4-3 Under, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Lions:
Matt Patricia (4-3, Nickel-Dime.):
Offensive Playbook: Colts (no Empty sets, plus HB pass/flicker/reverse, the very rare 4WR Stack. HB Direct Snap)
Defensive Playbook: Titans (4-3 with 46 Bear "Wide 9". Nickel 4-2-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Dime 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Packers:
Matt LaFleur (3-4, Dime-Nickel-Base):
Offensive Playbook: Redskins (no empty/5WR sets, Stack Double Weak formation (Tighter version of Indy's 4WR Stack), plus a HB Direct Snap, Pro sets, flea flicker) or Packers (some Empty, some Bunch/Trips formations, "Short Snap Shotgun", or Pistol, multiple twin-TE, plus some Sluggo, Reverse, QB run, flea flicker)
Defensive Playbook: Jets (3-4 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl. Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Panthers:
Ron Rivera (4-3, Nickel-Based. Absolutely NO Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Balanced (two 5WR sets, Full House Normal H-Back, HB pass, Reverse, flea flicker)
Defensive Playbook: Panthers (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Patriots:
Bill Belichick (Multiple Front/Hybrid, Nickel-Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Patriots (multiple 4/5 WR Empties, also 3TE, multiple twin-TE, and HB pass/QB run/reverse/flicker)
Defensive Playbook: Ravens (3-4 book with a 4-3 Under set and 46 Bear and Normal. Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5 and 1-5-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7) or Balanced (4-3/3-4 Hybrid with a 46 Bear and Normal, Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 1-5-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Raiders:
Jon Gruden (4-3, Nickel-Based):
Offensive Playbook: Buccaneers (multiple 4/5WR Empties and a huge amount of unique Bunch and Trips, Slant-N-Go routes)
Defensive Playbook: Vikings (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Rams:
Sean McVay (3-4, Base-Nickel-Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Redskins (no empty/5WR sets, Stack Double Weak formation (Tighter version of Indy's 4WR Stack), plus a HB Direct Snap, Pro sets, flea flicker)
Defensive Playbook: Cowboys (3-4 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Ravens:
John Harbaugh (Multiple Front/Hybrid, Nickel-Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Ravens (no Empty sets, some 3TE/twin-TE, multiple Trips, a flea flicker, End Around, Reverse)
Defensive Playbook: Ravens (3-4 book with a 4-3 Under set and 46 Bear and Normal. Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5 and 1-5-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 1-5-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Redskins:
Jay Gruden (3-4, Nickel-Based):
Offensive Playbook: Jets (no Empty sets, flicker/HB pass/reverse)
Defensive Playbook: 49ers (3-4 book with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Saints:
Sean Payton (4-3, All-Nickel):
Offensive Playbook: Saints (Full House Normal H-Back, multiple 4/5WR Empties including unique Bunch formation, no Trips, WR Handoff, QB run)
Defensive Playbook: Saints (4-3 book with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Nickel 3-3-5 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

Seahawks:
Pete Carroll (4-3, Nickel-Base (Again, no typo)):
Offensive Playbook: Jets (no Empty sets, flicker/HB pass/reverse)
Defensive Playbook: Seahawks (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 4-2-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Steelers:
Mike Tomlin (3-4, Balanced Dime-Nickel-Base):
Offensive Playbook: Steelers (good amount of power runs, more I formations, WR Reverse Pass)
Defensive Playbook: 3-4 (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7).
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Texans:
Bill O'Brien (3-4, Nickel-Base-Dime):
Offensive Playbook: Patriots (multiple 5WR sets, plus HB pass/QB run/reverse/flicker).
Defensive Playbook: Chiefs (3-4 with Nickel 4-2-5, 3-3-5, Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Titans:
Mike Vrabel (3-4, Nickel-Base):
Offensive Playbook: Texans (no 5WR (a 4WR Empty) plus two HB pass plays and Reverse).
Defensive Playbook: Patriots (3-4 with Nickel 2-4-5, 1-5-5, 1-5-5 Prowl, Dime 4-1-6 and Dollar 3-2-6. Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 50% (Nickel 2-4-5 and Dime 4-1-6 should be favored)

Vikings:
Mike Zimmer (4-3, Nickel-Base):
Offensive Playbook: Titans (3TE sets, H-Back sets using the I Formation. Gun Trips set).
Defensive Playbook: Vikings (4-3 with Nickel 4-2-5, Dime 4-1-6, Dollar 3-2-6, Quarter 3-1-7)
Pass/Run Defense Ratio: 51% (Dollar 3-2-6 and Quarter 3-1-7 should be favored)

[Austinmario13]

I feel the falcons playbook would best suit the Ravens. It has a lot QB runs.

[jose21crisis]

I feel the falcons playbook would best suit the Ravens. It has a lot QB runs.

The thing that scares me about that book is that the AI doesn't know how to use it correctly. It has plenty of QB Runs (The Michael Vick Effect), but also has plenty of trick plays and the AI tends to use those a lot. Makes them either look dumb (When the plays fail to work) or overpowered (When they work).

[BUS36]

Here is a note that i found from Steelers first practice day.........

ILBs Barron/Vince/Bush in a hybrid rotation. Seems like lots of “subpackages” this year.

For the first team-drill snap of the 2019 camp, in fact, only one was on the field. And that was rookie Devin Bush.

The No. 10 overall pick from Michigan was roaming the middle of the field when the Steelers went “dime” on the first snap of the practice-opening Seven Shots 2-point conversation-style plays (the offense went with a four-wide receiver package).

For the second play, the defense was in nickel, and veteran Vince Williams came on to join Bush.

On the third snap, Barron came in for Williams.

To start the first 11-on-11 drill about 10 minutes later, it was Williams and Bush together.

A few snaps later, Barron and Williams.

But in the next set of team drills, Barron and Bush.

You get the idea.

It’s clear the Steelers are still working through how to deploy their three starting-caliber inside linebackers. Bush played dime, indicating he might be seen as most adept against the pass.

[DOLPHINSKINGS1]

I believe O'Shea will play a similar style as the Patriots. So the Offensive Scheme and Playbook should be NE- Bill Belichick. Patrick Graham is running a 3-4 base and 4-3 base. But we have been in nickel and dime 59% of time this PRE-SEASON. More like the Ravens Defense so it should be BAL - John Harbaugh. So the Miami Dolphins for this (MIAMI DOLPHINS fan will be - NE Offense and BAL Defense. That is my take so far. I believe that's how the playbook in the FF/FI Mod should look like.

[MikeWest502]

Hi guys, I'm new here. This is really good info. I am a Chiefs Fan. We have Steve Spagnuolo as the new Defensive coordinator. Sutton is out and so goes his 3-4 defense and it's last place ranking! I'm hoping Spag's can tighten up the defense. So with that in mind...Copied from his Wiki page!

Spagnuolo learned under Philadelphia coach Jim Johnson, and shares the same aggressive, blitz-heavy approach as his mentor. Spagnuolo uses a 4–3 base defense with a heavy emphasis on multiple blitz packages, including corner and safety blitzes. While defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, he often used a smaller defensive line, with three or even four defensive ends to further pressure the quarterback.

I'm not sure which 4-3 defense to use for the new scheme in KC. For 3 weeks now, the Chiefs have not lined up in any 3-4 sets. They been using 4-3, Base Nickel, Nickel 3-3-5, Big Nickel and Big Dime Sets! Any ideas would be nice!

[jose21crisis]

Updated the Chiefs' and Dolphins' schemes.

[MikeWest502]

Updated the Chiefs' and Dolphins' schemes.

Eagles huh? Interesting, I'ma give it a whirl later. Jose21crisis I'm going to make new books based off Madden 20. Can you recommend base formations
for each team? I got started on the 49ers this morning. I used 6 of the formations that I saw them use against the Chiefs in the week 3 preseason game.