In his pregame speech to the team, Drew Brees talked about being “lethal.” Front and center for the pep-talk was Michael Thomas, who was completely zoned in.
Thomas would in fact be lethal against the Philadelphia Eagles, setting the new franchise post-season single game receiving yards record, gaining 171 yards on 12 receptions.
The offense used multiple formations and alignments in order to get him open, with seven of the twelve receptions coming from a trips alignment that helped the Saints flood the Eagles’ zone defense.
| Down & Distance | Formation | Personnel | Route | Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down & Distance | Formation | Personnel | Route | Alignment |
| 2nd and 19 | Shotgun | 11 | quick-in | 2x2 |
| 3rd and 10 | Shotgun | 11 | dig | 2x2 |
| 1st and 10 | Singleback | 11 | 15 yard dig | 2x2 |
| 2nd and 13 | Shotgun | 11 | drag | 3x1 |
| 3rd and 9 | Shotgun | 11 | quick-in | 3x2 |
| 2nd and 7 | Shotgun | 11 | dig | 3x2 |
| 2nd and 9 | Shotgun | 11 | quick-in | 3x1 |
| 2nd and 20 | Shotgun | 11 | dig | 3x1 |
| 3rd and 16 | Shotgun | 11 | curl | 3x1 |
| 1st and goal | Singleback | 12 | fade | 2x1 |
| 1st and 10 | Singleback | 12 | quick-out | 2x2 |
| 3rd and 13 | Shotgun | 11 | dig | 3x1 |
Playing against zone defenses, receivers need to be able to identify the holes in coverage in order to get open.