The big aspect of what head coach Matt LaFleur’s system brings to the table is what he calls “illusion of complexity.” You make plays look the same before the snap, but the results are completely different. It’s easier for the offensive players to learn, but it’s hard for the opposing defenses to understand what comes.
Part of that approach is under the center formation. With Jordan Love being healthier and healthier, it’s possible to see how much it matters for the structure of the offense.
If you go back to the roots of Mike Shanahan’s system with the Denver Broncos in the 90s, the formation is absolutely relevant. Even though some quarterbacks don’t like to turn their backs to the defense while dropping back, being under the center allows more running game and playaction options, and it has a cascade effect in the passing game as well.
When Gary Kubiak took over as the Broncos head coach in 2015, they had an adjustment period trying to marry that philosophy with what Peyton Manning could physically do at that point of his career. They ended up using more pistol — the Los Angeles Rams are now using a lot of pistol with Matthew Stafford too.
Packers reality
Jordan Love is a fairly mobile quarterback in the pocket, so playing under the center for him is comfortable. It wasn’t, though, while he was getting back from his MCL injury.
Because of that, the Packers played only 5.4% of their offensive snaps under the center against the Minnesota Vikings in week 4. Obviously being down early affected that number as well, and shotgun was prevalent. In week 5 against the Rams, with Love feeling clearly better, the UTC share went up to 22.4%. Against the Arizona Cardinals in week 6, it was 35.7%.
And results followed. The Packers were 21st in rush EPA in week 4, 13th in week 5, 11th in week 6. In the last two weeks, Green Bay’s offense was top 10 in success rate rushing the ball. It’s clear how a good quarterback affects the run game, and a healthy version of Jordan Love is proving that.
“He looks great. I think his play has been better and better and better,” head coach Matt LaFleur said after the Cardinals game. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence, and I thought we threw the ball pretty well. That’s definitely a good thing for us.”
Against the Houston Texans in week 7, being efficient running the ball will be a huge component of the plan. Under head coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans’ defense is 2nd in DVOA, 6th in success rate, and 7th in EPA/play this season. However, the unit falls a little bit trying to stop the run — 11th in rush EPA and rush success rate. It’s still a solid unit, but it’s an area for the Packers to attack considering the alternatives.