SB Key Matchup

[ivanvamp]

I see the most important matchup in the Super Bowl being Thuney/Andrews/Mason vs. Donald/Suh. Three on two.

Suh has the potential to be a wrecking ball. Big, fast, quick, and strong. But it feels like his actual production has never matched his physical ability. Career-wise, he's been an underachiever. That said, he still has the potential to be a devastating force. Donald, of course, is the best defensive lineman in the game - able to disrupt running plays and sack the quarterback (leading the league in sacks). He's impossibly quick for an interior defensive lineman, he makes for an incredibly difficult matchup.

The Patriots will employ three high quality interior offensive linemen against Suh and Donald: Joe Thuney, David Andrews, and Shaq Mason. All three are good at run blocking and are stout in pass protection. This is probably New England's best OL interior that they've had during this run - maybe the best since the Hannah-Brock days.

I think the tackles will be on their own - maybe getting help from the TE or RB - which puts NE's three interior O-linemen against Suh and Donald. All it takes is one or two big plays by the defenders to make a huge difference in the game. Thuney/Andrews/Mason will need to bring their very best game in order to keep these two monsters from wreaking havoc.

I believe this is the key matchup in the game.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I see the most important matchup in the Super Bowl being Thuney/Andrews/Mason vs. Donald/Suh. Three on two.

Suh has the potential to be a wrecking ball. Big, fast, quick, and strong. But it feels like his actual production has never matched his physical ability. Career-wise, he's been an underachiever. That said, he still has the potential to be a devastating force. Donald, of course, is the best defensive lineman in the game - able to disrupt running plays and sack the quarterback (leading the league in sacks). He's impossibly quick for an interior defensive lineman, he makes for an incredibly difficult matchup.

The Patriots will employ three high quality interior offensive linemen against Suh and Donald: Joe Thuney, David Andrews, and Shaq Mason. All three are good at run blocking and are stout in pass protection. This is probably New England's best OL interior that they've had during this run - maybe the best since the Hannah-Brock days.

I think the tackles will be on their own - maybe getting help from the TE or RB - which puts NE's three interior O-linemen against Suh and Donald. All it takes is one or two big plays by the defenders to make a huge difference in the game. Thuney/Andrews/Mason will need to bring their very best game in order to keep these two monsters from wreaking havoc.

I believe this is the key matchup in the game.

I totaly agree. I wonder of Wade is going to move Donald around?

 

[IllegalContact]

I think they'll try to move Donald outside a bit more to try to get him up against the tackles......the guards mason and thuney have the optimal size and mobility combo to neutralize donald or at least slow him down.

more death by 1000 razor cuts......against the saints, the Rams had 11 defenders play 80% of the snaps....suh and donald over 90%........gas 'em with ball control as they nobody behind them

 

[everlong]

This game is all about the lines. If the Pats OL and DL play like they have in the playoffs they're going to dominate. If they play like they did earlier in the year and the Rams are averaging 5/ypc and the Pats can't run or protect Brady it's going to be ugly in the other direction.

 

[jah]

I think they'll try to move Donald outside a bit more to try to get him up against the tackles......the guards mason and thuney have the optimal size and mobility combo to neutralize donald or at least slow him down.

more death by 1000 razor cuts......against the saints, the Rams had 11 defenders play 80% of the snaps....suh and donald over 90%........gas 'em with ball control as they nobody behind them

I think that would be playing right into our hands. You don't stop Brady by rushing from outside, only inside.

 

[maust]

Key matchup you say?

VS

I like our chances

 

[VectorPrime]

Did Suh accomplish anything against us when he was on the Dolphins and played against us twice a year?

 

[IllegalContact]

I think that would be playing right into our hands. You don't stop Brady by rushing from outside, only inside.

true.....but it is very apparent that interior pass pro has been a year long emphasis that's paid off....and I think the Rams see that

 

[Sicilian]

For the X's and O's guys here, are there plays, formations, or other tactics that an offense can use that allow TEs, WRs, and RBs to help out against interior pressure? Obviously we don't want a situation where James White is trying to block Donald or anything, is there a subsection of plays that would allow them to chip an interior D-Lineman similar to when a TE chips the DE on his way out to a pass pattern?

I ask because I feel like the blocking ability of ALL of our skill players is above average, and if there's a way to utilize that talent it could go a long way to neutralizing the Rams most disruptive players.