Credit: NFL Game Rewind
Khalil Mack exhibits a very impressive display of speed and strength on this pass attempt by New England in the third quarter. Against New England’s 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) Oakland moves DE Justin Tuck inside and surrounds him with versatile DL pass rusher Antonio Smith on the right and DE Benson Mayowa on the left. LBs Miles Burris and Khalil Mack also position themselves on the line of scrimmage to rush the QB. In the secondary Oakland has 3 safeties and 3 cornerbacks to combine with the defensive line for a NASCAR/dime-like hybrid defense in man-free coverage (one deep safety and man coverage underneath). Khalil Mack lined up in a wide-9 technique (nearly two yards outside the nearest offensive linemen) looks like an absolute stud as be blows by New England left tackle Nate Solider for the big hit on Brady. This is the exact type of play that made Mack so dangerous in college, and now it’s embarrassing NFL linemen.