There’s a fine line between success and failure on any given football play. A perfect example of that truism was on display during the opening drive of last week’s Bears-Broncos game.
The Broncos were facing a third-and-9 situation at the Bears’ 32-yard line. In this area of the field, defensive coordinators often dial up a blitz in hopes of either putting a team out of field goal range or ideally creating a turnover.
Armed with two speedy new inside linebackers who stay on the field for third down — Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman — defensive coordinator Vic Fangio dialed up a seven-man pressure package, sending both inside backers (called a “bullets” blitz) along with free safety Adrian Amos.