"46" defense

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"46" defense is an American football defensive formation popularized by Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan who later became head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. The formation is comprised of four down-lineman, four linebackers, and three defensive backs.

The name "46" originally came from the jersey number of Doug Plank, who was a starting safety for the Bears when Ryan originally developed the defense, and typically played in that formation as a surrogate linebacker. It also refers to the idea that the cornerbacks often play bump and run coverage and blitz, acting almost like two extra linebackers.

The formation was very effective in the 1980s NFL because it often eliminated a team's running game and forced them to throw the ball. This was difficult for many teams at the time because most offensive passing games centered around the play action. The "46" is rarely used in modern professional and college football due to the emergence of the West Coast Offense popularized by San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh which is predicated on short passes. A variation of the "46" defense is more often used in the modern game by bringing a fourth defensive back (usually the strong safety) up closer to the line of scrimmage.