Blitz

A defensive call that sends more pass-rushers than the offense has blockers to account for, usually by bringing a linebacker or defensive back who wouldn't normally rush the passer. The goal is simple: get to the quarterback before the play develops, even if it means leaving fewer defenders in coverage behind it. That trade-off is the entire point of the concept. A blitz that gets home is one of the most disruptive plays in football — a sack, a hurried throw, sometimes a turnover. A blitz that doesn't get home leaves whoever it left uncovered wide open, which is exactly what good offenses are trained to identify pre-snap and attack. Reading whether a blitz is coming, and getting the ball out before it arrives, is one of the clearest markers of an elite quarterback. NFL.com has ongoing coverage of blitz rates and defensive scheme trends.