The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL The strongest analytic and schematic trends of 2025, with Sam Schwartzstein
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Dec 18, 2025 Sam Schwartzstein, an analytics expert from Prime Video, dives into the innovative trends shaping the NFL. He discusses the interconnectedness of modern scheming and the surprising return of under-center play action, emphasizing how disguise amplifies effectiveness. Schwartzstein also explores the evolving mentality around fourth-down decisions and the creative potential of analytics in play design. He shares insights on pocket health metrics, quarterback development, and previews the crucial Rams-Seahawks matchup, showcasing McVay's strategic brilliance.
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Under‑Center Play Action Returns
- Many teams are returning to under-center and play-action concepts to create unpredictability against modern disguised coverages.
- Sam Schwartzstein highlights that disguises forced spread/Gun football, but bringing back under-center play action unsettles defenses in 2025.
Fourth‑Down Meta Has Evolved
- Fourth‑down decision‑making has shifted leaguewide as teams embrace analytics and new scoring calculus.
- Schwartzstein notes teams increasingly go for it, using analytics plus confidence in specific play designs to win high‑leverage moments.
Let Analytics Guide Play Design
- Use analytics to shape play design and exploit unique team strengths rather than blindly following numbers.
- Schwartzstein advises teams to marry analytics with the plays and personnel they actually practice and trust in-game.