Hazard's Huddle: Run Adjustments vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Redskins did a pretty good job halting the Vikings run game in the first half this past Sunday. In the second half though, the Vikings run game started to get going. While the Redskins were indeed getting gassed by the end of the game, we still managed to do them some favors. The Redskins are obviously the best at stopping the run when they're in their base 3-4 and we've seen them do it to a fault, getting burned by some unfavorable match-ups in coverage. Let's take a look at what the Vikings did with pass formations to gain an advantage.

1. Redskins are in their base defense here (3 DL, 2 OLB on line). The Vikings put a receiver in the slot to the left that brings Trent Murphy out of his traditional rush position and now flexed out over receiver. The Redskins DL doesn't shift at all basically giving up leverage to the strong side from the start. All the TE has to do is block down on Keenan Robinson and there will be a huge lane.

The RB gets the hand off (might be read-option but with Murphy out of the screen on receiver, there is no one to read), and the OT blocks Stephen Bowen down. All that is left is for the TE to block Keenan Robinson.

The Redskins eventually chase him down but not before a big gain.

2. Look familiar? This time the receiver in slot takes Ryan Kerrigan off the edge leaving 4 defenders on the line but again they're shaded over the weak side, giving the Vikings strong side leverage before the snap. TE only has to block Keenan Robinson.

Because of leverage, it's easy for the OT to seal Jarvis Jenkins inside meanwhile the TE runs Keenan Robinson off with a faux route.

The RB gets down to the one yard line before he is tackled.

3. This time Teddy Bridgewater is under center. A slot receiver again brings Trent Murphy out of the screen and the OT has outside leverage on Stephen Bowen.

The play was designed to go strength side but when the RB gets the ball he sees that same hole that has been there as the OT seals Bowen inside and cuts back immediately.

Because Bridgewater was under center, it took the run play a little longer to develop and Murphy was able to come back in the screen and make the tackle but still a decent gain.

4. COUNTER ADJUSTMENT! Trent Murphy originally lines up over the slot receiver this time as he had been.

But Murphy comes up to his normal OLB rush spot before the snap as Brandon Meriweather moves up on the slot receiver.

This time the RB has no where to go as the Redskins had 5 guys up on the line with no preconceived leverage and the RB is taken down for minimal gain.

5. Then again maybe it's not a good idea......Ryan Kerrigan lines up over the slot receiver originally.

Before the snap, he moves to his rush OLB spot forming a 5 man line.

The Vikings leave Kerrigan unblocked and run the read-option off him while the TE runs Keenan Robinson off again. Kerrigan stays with Bridewater so he hands it off.

The RB cuts inside Kerrigan and runs it in for a touchdown.

The bye week is coming at a good time. I need it. You need it. They need it. Hopefully, I'll have two positive reviews for next week so that we may enjoy it......or maybe draft profiles.