I have recently seen some posts/comments about Defensive Rally. I decided the best way to determine what information is accurate would be to thoroughly test it myself.
Here are my findings:
- When Defensive Rally activates it will restore one pass rush point to all players that are lined up as a DE/DT in the formation. (In the playbooks this position will be shown as a SQUARE shape on the D-line)
- It makes ZERO difference if it’s a DE/DT/OLB. It only matters where they are lined up in the formation for that play.
- Having multiple players on the field with Defensive Rally equipped on 3rd/4th down will result in multiple pass rush points restored for each player lined up at DE/DT. (one pass rush point restored per Defensive Rally equipped)
Examples for reference:
- If you have Jeffery Simmons at DT with Defensive Rally in Dime 14 ONLY Jeffery Simmons will receive ONE restored pass rush point on 3rd/4th down.
- If you have Jeffery Simmons at DT with Defensive Rally in 52 Normal ALL FIVE players lined up at DE/DT will receive ONE restored pass rush point on 3rd/4th down.
- If you have Jeffery Simmons and Richard Seymour at DT, Matthew Judon at RE, and Mario Williams at LE ALL FOUR with Defensive Rally in Nickel Over ALL FOUR will receive FOUR restored pass rush points on 3rd/4th down.
Side notes I learned from testing:
- A pass rush point is restored to each pass rusher after the first play on each defensive drive.
- At least one pass rush point is restored to each pass rusher after calling a timeout or a two minute warning.
About my testing:
Testing was done by usering several different players on the D-line in several different formations. I was constantly using the Bull Rush Move to drain the pass rush points of the player I was usering so that I could monitor the changes when Defensive Rally activated on 3rd/4th down.
Formations Tested:
Ravens Playbook-44 Split, Nickel 24, 33 Cub, Dime 14, Dime 23, Dime 23 Will
49ers Playbook-43 Even 61, 52 Normal, Nickel Over, Nickel Wide, Dollar 32
*All tests were done on PS4. This is the only console I have to test on, so I can’t guarantee the results will be the same on other consoles.