The Chiefs have been the most dynamic offense in the NFL, in part because of Andy Reid’s creativity and play calling. The Chiefs have scored huge touchdowns in the past two weeks from a formation that is both interesting to study and particularly difficult to defend: From 12 personnel, Kareem Hunt (#27) and Tyreek Hill (#10) in the backfield, tight end Travis Kelce (#87) in a condensed split with wide receiver Sammy Watkins (#14) inside of him, and tight end Demetrius Harris (#84) wide left. In the following examples, Hill is on the right and Hunt to the left.

In week 8, the Chiefs faked an outside toss to Tyreek Hilll with a shovel pass to Hunt underneath. Kelce and Watkins arc blocked to sell the outside pitch, and the line blocked like power with a pulling guard:

The end zone angle shows one potential issue on defense. Because Broncos DB Bradley Roby (#29) is in man coverage on Hill, he lines up in the box, which is unusual for him. Roby goes out wide with the fake to Hill, giving Hunt just the crease he needs:

[gfycat data_id="PleasedMindlessBuffalo" data_autoplay=false data_controls=true data_title=false data_expand=true]

In week 9 against the Browns, the Chiefs come out in the same formation and show the same pitch action to Hill. This time, Kelce and Watkins run routes. Meanwhile, both guards and the center pass set before releasing for a screen away from the pitch fake:

As seen from the end zone angle, the flow from the pitch fake moves both Browns linebackers enough to create great angles for the Chiefs to block downfield after Kareem Hunt catches the screen:

[gfycat data_id="UnpleasantWealthyBedbug" data_autoplay=false data_controls=true data_title=false data_expand=true]

The Chiefs have also shown other runs to Tyreek Hill with other reads from this set. Here, Sammy Watkins motions from outside to inside Kelce, and Kareem Hunt arc blocks:

[gfycat data_id="NextJealousAlbertosaurus" data_autoplay=false data_controls=true data_title=false data_expand=true]

The end zone angle also shows the weakside guard pulling and Sammy Watkins taking a shovel path. Because the Chiefs leave the end man on the line of scrimmage unblocked, they almost certainly have a read element in this play as well:

[gfycat data_id="LittleImpeccableLaughingthrush" data_autoplay=false data_controls=true data_title=false data_expand=true]

 

The play essentially ends up like the shovel power read the Chiefs have run over the last few years. Overall, this formation presents a variety of problems for defenses. From a personnel standpoint, the defense has to be ready to defend the run with two tight ends on the field. With respect to the formation, because the Chiefs line up both tight ends to the outsides, the defense will often give strong coverage indicators pre-snap. For example, a linebacker lined up across from a TE out wide is a strong man coverage indicator, as is a DB lined up in the box across from Tyreek Hill.

The Chiefs have several plays they haven’t shown yet from this formation. First, the outside pitch to Tyreek Hill. Next, a fake pitch outside to Hill with a route combination similar to that of the screen touchdown. Finally, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a tight end screen to Kelce as well.