NFL Offensive Formations Guide 2025: Strategies, Advantages, and Modern Usage

In the 2025 NFL season, where offences are averaging 225 passing yards per game amid a league-wide emphasis on versatility (down slightly from 229 in 2024, per NFL Next Gen Stats), formations serve as the foundation for tactical innovation.

With shotgun snaps dominating at over 70% league-wide – a trend led by teams like the Los Angeles Rams (62.4% shotgun rate) and Chicago Bears (59%) – coordinators blend traditional power sets with spread concepts to exploit defences. Heavy use of 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) – seen in 74.57% of Tennessee Titans' snaps – underscores the shift to balanced attacks. At For The 3, we've compiled this guide drawing from Sharp Football Analysis and Pro-Football-Reference data, exploring nine key formations with their advantages, historical roots, and current applications. Let's dissect how these setups drive success on the gridiron.

Why Formations Matter in the Modern NFL

Offensive formations dictate personnel, alignment, and play options, forcing defences to react. In 2025, with run-pass options (RPOs) and motion on 62% of snaps, formations like the shotgun enable quick decisions, while power sets like jumbo crush short-yardage. Teams topping offence charts – such as the Indianapolis Colts with 49.48% 2x2 spreads – leverage these to average 4.5 yards per carry league-wide. Understanding them reveals why the Baltimore Ravens thrive in pistol (mobile QB Lamar Jackson's keeper threats) or why the San Francisco 49ers dominate single back in their West Coast scheme.

Here's a quick overview table of the formations, their core advantages, and 2025 usage trends.

Stats sourced from SumerSports and Sharp Football Analysis, highlighting shotgun's dominance and single back's ubiquity.

Detailed Breakdown: Each Formation's Strategy and Edge

I-Formation: The Classic Power Runner's Delight

In I-formation, the quarterback lines up under centre, with a fullback 4 yards back and tailback another 4, forming a straight "I". The advantage? Power football – the fullback blasts holes for the tailback, creating downhill lanes that defences struggle to plug without loading the box.

Historically, it powered dynasties like the 1990s Cowboys (Emmitt Smith's 18,355 career yards) and 1970s Steelers. In 2025, it's situational for short yardage, where teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers deploy it to counter stacked fronts, opening play-action for chunk passes. Weakness: Predictable, countered by eight-man boxes.

Single Back: Balanced Versatility for Modern Attacks

Removing the fullback, single back places one running back 5 yards behind the QB, spreading receivers (often with a slot). The edge: Balance – run inside/outside, pass quick/deep, or use the back as a receiver, creating linebacker mismatches.

Bill Walsh's West Coast offence perfected it with the 1980s 49ers, emphasising short passes as extensions of the run. Now nearly half of NFL plays, per Sharp Football, it's the Bengals' staple for Joe Burrow's quick game (649 snaps in 11 personnel). Advantage: Keeps defences honest; drawback: Lighter protection vs. blitzes.

Pro Set: Split Backs for Disguise and Multi-Threats

Two running backs split either side behind the QB, offering flexibility – either can run, block, or release for passes, disguising intentions.

Joe Gibbs' Washington teams in the 1980s-90s dominated with it, winning three Super Bowls. Faded in modern NFL due to fewer receivers challenging coverages, but used situationally by the Jaguars for Trevor Lawrence's pressure relief (18 TDs). Edge: Versatility; con: Limited aerial threats.

Shotgun: QB Vision and Tempo in the Spread Era

QB 5-7 yards back for direct snap, starting in throwing stance. Advantage: Enhanced field vision, quicker reads, and tempo – perfect for zone reads forcing defensive dilemmas.

Emerged in 1960s Cowboys, exploded with RPOs. At 70%+ of snaps in 2025, it's the Rams' base (62.4% rate) for Stafford's scans, enabling 112.4 QBR. Weakness: Longer snap risks fumbles in run game.

Pistol: Hybrid Power and Protection for Mobile QBs

QB 3-4 yards back, RB directly behind – blending shotgun vision with downhill runs.

Chris Ault's Nevada innovation, NFL breakout with Colin Kaepernick's 49ers. Ideal for RPOs with runners like Lamar Jackson (Ravens), pairing pressure with keepers. In 2025, mobile QBs thrive; con: Limited in pure dropback scenarios.

Spread: Stretching Defences Horizontally

Four wideouts, one RB – forcing defences to spread thin, lightening the box for runs.

College air raids like Texas Tech popularised it. Situational in NFL (third/long, hurry-up), Colts lead with 49.48% 2x2 sets for chunk plays. Advantage: Mismatches; drawback: Weaker blocking invites pressure.

Wildcat: Direct Snap Surprise for Extra Blockers

Snap to non-QB (usually RB), turning QB into blocker for 10-on-11 edge.

2008 Dolphins' shock tactic with Ronnie Brown. Now niche gadget (declined as defences adapted); minimal 2025 usage, but surprise value remains. Con: Limited passing threat.

Empty Backfield: All-Out Pass for Mismatches

Five receivers, QB alone – maximising pass options, forcing defences to cover everyone without extra rushers.

Tom Brady's Patriots staple for hurry-up. Chiefs use for Mahomes' quick throws (112.8 clutch QBR); edge: Overloads coverage; weakness: Poor protection demands fast releases.

Jumbo/Goal Line: Brute Force for Short Yards

Extra TEs/OL (sometimes six linemen), multiple backs – overwhelming at the point of attack.

Iconic like William "Refrigerator" Perry's Bears scores. Eagles' tush push (85% success) exemplifies; 2025 goal-line staple. Advantage: Power; con: No pass threat.

2025 Trends: Hybrids and Versatility Dominate

Shotgun and single back rule (nearly 50% plays), with 11 personnel at 72.57% for Bengals. Hybrids like pistol rise for dual-threat QBs, while jumbo persists for red zone (teams convert 62% inside 5-yard line). West Coast schemes (23 teams) favour single back, per strategy breakdowns.

Formations evolve, but the edge lies in adaptability. At For The 3, we're about those insights to bet smarter, your call.