NFL Zone

nfl zone

nfl zone is the NFL’s premiere touchdown-focused channel that airs every Sunday afternoon during the regular season. It is hosted by Scott Hanson and cuts from stadium to stadium showcasing the best of each game’s scoring plays. It is available to watch via most major cable, satellite, telco and streaming pay TV providers. The channel features up to eight games simultaneously and has no commercials or regional blackouts.

In addition to touchdown highlights, nfl zone sometimes shows other important play calls and key player actions in the game. This may include big turnovers, deep pass completions, very long runs from scrimmage, and kickoff/punt return touchdowns. The channel also often shows a quick replay of field goal attempts in the late going, especially if they are potentially game-changing.

Every team teaches their zone blocking slightly differently and will have a different double team call, numbering system or rely on a filled/unfilled (covered/uncovered) system. However, most of the blocking assignments for running backs and offensive linemen are similar. Essentially, the offensive linemen attack downfield at a 45-degree angle and run straight to their next man, without taking any vertical steps backside.

Some defensive coordinators use a zone coverage scheme to make it harder for opposing quarterbacks to complete passes. In these schemes, the linebackers are responsible for covering short and midrange areas in front of the safeties. Depending on the defense, some of the linebackers will blitz, forcing the quarterback to cover an extra receiver or more and thus making it more difficult for him to complete a pass.

The most common zone coverage in the NFL is cover 4. In this coverage, the corner and safety have a quarter of the field each to work for depth in their zones, while the strong side middle backer covers the flats and the weak side middle backer will cover either hook to curl or blitz from that side, depending on the defense.

This coverage is effective because the safety and corner will typically both cover wide receivers in man coverage, while the middle backer stays home and focuses on a single outlet receiver (like the tight end or fullback). This gives offenses fewer targets to worry about and more opportunities to exploit a mismatch between the safety and the outlet receiver. In addition, the middle backer will blitz from one side and will often focus on an unblocked rusher in order to disrupt the pass protection.