The toss sweep is one of the most basic plays in football. In Cordarelle Patterson, Arthur Smith and the Falcons have a 6’2 227 pound hybrid running back/receiver who is perfect for the outside running and power needed when running the sweep.
Trailing Tampa Bay 14-0 in the second quarter, facing a 2nd and 6, the Falcons call toss sweep. The Falcons are using 22 personnel, two backs and two tight ends.
Matt Ryan is under center, Patterson is aligned seven yards in the backfield. Lee Smith is the left tight end and Kyle Pitts is the right tight end. FB Keith Smith motions to a wing position between RT Kaleb McGary and Pitts.
Play Design
The key blocks for this play are at the edge. Kyle Pitts blocks down on the linebacker, allowing right tackle Kaleb McGary to pull around end. McGary blocks the playside linebacker. Right guard Chris Lindstrom reaches the defensive tackle. Lindstrom and Pitts’ blocks cause a pile at the edge.
Center Matt Hennessy snaps the ball and then goes second level to block the backside linebacker. Left guard Jaylen Mayfield blocks down on the nose tackle. Left tackle Jake Matthews climbs to the second level, then hinges back to seal the backside defensive end. Tight end Lee Smith keeps an arm on the backside outside linebacker to seal the backside of the play.
At the snap, Matt Ryan pivots and tosses the ball to Patterson, then bootlegs backside. Patterson takes the ball, cuts outside McGary’s block, and weaves through traffic to the end zone.
The Execution
The result of the play is an 11 yard gain and a touchdown.
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