OC Tendencies for Each NFL Team

Throughout my research for the 2019 Fantasy Football Draft, I searched everywhere in order to find more about the strategies that offenses use in order to get a feel for how they stack up against each other, and how they will utilize their players this year.

So, I decided to do a mountain of research in order to learn about the entire history of offensive strategies in the NFL, and how it translates into today’s game.

The Main 5 Offensive Systems in the NFL

Obviously, offensive coordinators in the NFL are a lot more complex than just 5 strategies. However, these 5 strategies have been developed over time, and been handed down through generations of NFL coaches and offensive coordinators. Some offenses utilize a mix of each strategy, with an implementation of their own unique styles. Others stick pretty close to the script and play a more disciplined game.

1. Air Coryell System 

This system is defined by:

• Timing routes
• Having QB throw “to a spot”
• TE’s more involved in route trees
• More than just hitches and digs

Lots of deep routes from outside receivers, flys and posts. First reads are often the deep shots, then RBs/TEs are running intermediate routes as check down options.

Receivers and TE’s run a lot of option routes depending on what defense gives them. Between the tackles power running game. Lots of pre-snap motion to avoid CB press-jams at LOS.

2. Erhardt-Perkins Offense 

The system is designed to simplify things for the quarterback by eliminating the lengthy play-calls used in West Coast and Air Coryell offenses, instead, using one-or-two word names for passing plays that are based on route combinations, or ‘concepts.’ These concepts typically feature two-or-three man route combinations on each side of the formation and these packaged concepts are each given names that are easy for the offense to digest.

The lack of verbiage makes it easier for an offense to use tempo and go no-huddle, as the passer can simply call out the name of a given concept, rather than an entire play. This system also stresses defenses by running a small number of plays out of a variety of formations. Often run the same play from multiple different formations to emphasize mismatches.

3. West Coast Offense

Focuses mainly on zone blocking runs and quick timing passes. This combo stretches opposing defenses horizontally and uses short passing attack as an extension of the run game. This entails extensive verbiage in the huddle and at the LOS for quarterbacks, tougher for young quarterbacks to master.

4. Spread Offense

The Spread offense has a goal that is explained in the name, spreading the defense out, by putting the QB in shotgun, often having 4+ receivers. You’ll often notice that the spacing between offensive linemen is even larger in this to further emphasize the spread.

You’ll see a lot of quick hitting pass plays and no huddle from spread offenses. This is where you’ll see a majority of RPO’s, and read option plays from the quarterback.

5. Air Raid Offense

This system is set in shotgun, featuring 2 wide outs and 2 slot receivers, 4 in total. The formations are a variation of the run and shoot offense. A lot of trips will be run out of the air raid to attack one side of the field, leaving a true “X” receiver, by himself on the opposite side of the field.

Offensive Coordinator Strategies for All 32 NFL Teams 

Now, that I have elaborated on and explained the 5 main offensive coordinator strategies in the NFL, it is time to show how each team fits into the puzzle:

Head Coach	Jason Garrett
Offensive Coordinator	Kellen Moore
Pass Play % 2018	56.7%
Projection / Tendencies	“Air Coryell” System

Head Coach	Sean McDermott
Offensive Coordinator	Brian Daboll
Pass Play % 2018	53.5%
Projection / Tendencies	“Erhardt-Perkins Offense”

Head Coach	Brian Flores
Offensive Coordinator	Chad O’Shea
Pass Play % 2018	57.7%
Projection / Tendencies	“Erhardt-Perkins Offense”

Head Coach	Bill Belichick
Offensive Coordinator	Josh McDaniels
Pass Play % 2018	55%
Projection / Tendencies	“Erhardt-Perkins Offense”

Head Coach	Adam Gase
Offensive Coordinator	Dowell Loggains
Pass Play % 2018	57.8%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	John Harbaugh
Offensive Coordinator	Greg Roman
Pass Play % 2018	47%
Projection / Tendencies	With Lamar Jackson? Power run game. Lots of pulling tackles and guards

Head Coach	Zac Taylor
Offensive Coordinator	Brian Callahan
Pass Play % 2018	61.7%
Projection / Tendencies	Run multiple plays out of the same look, don’t create tendencies, West Coast-esque

Head Coach	Freddie Kitchens
Offensive Coordinator	Todd Monken
Pass Play % 2018	60%
Projection / Tendencies	Goal is Big Plays, Air Coryell

Head Coach	Mike Tomlin
Offensive Coordinator	Randy Fitchner
Pass Play % 2018	67.4%
Projection / Tendencies	Air Coryell

Head Coach	Bill O’Brian
Offensive Coordinator	Tim Kelly
Pass Play % 2018	56%
Projection / Tendencies	“Erhardt-Perkins Offense”

Head Coach	Doug Marrone
Offensive Coordinator	John DeFilippo
Pass Play % 2018	58.6%
Projection / Tendencies	“Erhardt-Perkins Offense”

Head Coach	Mike Vrabel
Offensive Coordinator	Arthur Smith
Pass Play % 2018	51.5%
Projection / Tendencies	“Erhardt-Perkins Offense”

Head Coach	Vic Fangio
Offensive Coordinator	Rich Scangarello
Pass Play % 2018	61.2%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	Andy Reid
Offensive Coordinator	Eric Bieniemy
Pass Play % 2018	61.5%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	Anthony Lynn
Offensive Coordinator	Ken Whisenhunt
Pass Play % 2018	58.8%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	Jon Gruden
Offensive Coordinator	Greg Olsen
Pass Play % 2018	61.1%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	Pat Shurmur
Offensive Coordinator	Mike Shula
Pass Play % 2018	64%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast w/heavy play action emphasis

Head Coach	Doug Pederson
Offensive Coordinator	Mike Groh
Pass Play % 2018	61.7%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	Jay Gruden
Offensive Coordinator	Kevin O’Connell
Pass Play % 2018	57.1%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast, with more downfield shots

Head Coach	Matt Nagy
Offensive Coordinator	Mark Helfrich
Pass Play % 2018	54.8%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast + RPO’s

Head Coach	Matt Patricia
Offensive Coordinator	Darrell Bevell
Pass Play % 2018	60.3%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	Matt LaFleur
Offensive Coordinator	Nathaniel Hackett
Pass Play % 2018	67.5%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	Mike Zimmer
Offensive Coordinator	Kevin Stefanski
Pass Play % 2018	52% – over last 3 games with new OC
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	Dan Quinn
Offensive Coordinator	Dirk Koetter
Pass Play % 2018	65.2%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

Head Coach	Ron Rivera
Offensive Coordinator	Norv Turner
Pass Play % 2018	58.8%
Projection / Tendencies	“Air Coryell” System

Head Coach	Sean Payton
Offensive Coordinator	Pete Carmichael Jr.
Pass Play % 2018	54.3%
Projection / Tendencies	“Erhardt-Perkins Offense”

Head Coach	Bruce Arians
Offensive Coordinator	Byron Leftwich
Pass Play % 2018	63.1%
Projection / Tendencies	Aggressive, pass-first Air Coryell

Head Coach	Kliff Kingsbury
Offensive Coordinator	Tom Clements
Pass Play % 2018	60.6%
Projection / Tendencies	Air Raid Offense

Head Coach	Sean McVay
Offensive Coordinator	Aaron Kromer / Shane Waldron
Pass Play % 2018	56.4%
Projection / Tendencies	Run multiple plays out of the same look, don’t create tendencies, West Coast-esque

Head Coach	Kyle Shanahan
Offensive Coordinator	Kyle Shanahan
Pass Play % 2018	67.8%
Projection / Tendencies	Run multiple plays out of the same look, don’t create tendencies, West Coast – esque

Head Coach	Pete Carroll
Offensive Coordinator	Brian Schottenheimer
Pass Play % 2018	47.5%
Projection / Tendencies	“Air Coryell” System

Head Coach	Frank Reich
Offensive Coordinator	Nick Sirianni
Pass Play % 2018	61.6%
Projection / Tendencies	West Coast

 

Questions? Looking for More Fantasy Insight?

If you are looking for more insight into the 2019 NFL Fantasy Draft, such as what players to pick, what strategies to use, and more, check out some of these helpful resources:

• RB Drafting Strategies 
• WR Drafting Strategies 
• QB Drafting Strategies 
• Top QB Fantasy Draft Prospects 2019
• Top Value Picks for the 2019 Draft 
• Top Rookie NFL Prospects 2019 

You can also follow us on Twitter for live updates @hydeandzeke, or check out our blog for more awesome fantasy football strategies!