Rams defensive line - how much disruption will it cause?

[Huckleberry1]

I think the offensive game plan will be similar to the Seattle Super Bowl, take what they can get and keep getting first downs and control the clock. Brady will get the ball out so quick they won’t be able to get to him, they won’t give Donald the chance to beat them. Defensively I thin the guy they will take away is Goff, because running backs never beat the Patriots. Even if Gurley is effective he can’t beat Brady, Goff has to make the plays to beat the Patriots.

 

[SamusAranX]

Not enough to win. The Pats O-Line took the Chiefs D-Line to the woodshed

 

[zoostation]

They bring pressure up the middle (unlike the Chargers and KC). This type of D has historically given TB12 a hard time. The hope is the run in the outside gaps can keep them off balance. And TB12 plays like.........ummm TB12

 

[zoostation]

Running game is key. In 2007 our offense was crazy good but very one dimensional which made it difficult to tire out the giants D line. In 07 we had Maroney, 11 was BGE and 15 was the ghost of Steven Jackson. Now we have sony who is a beast. I’ve watched him since he was in college and I know what he’s capable of.

Yeah Lagarrette went down with a hip injury late in 15. LMFAO @ ghost of SJ

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Rams line is in for a long day... Didn't realize they play a 3-4... Very light.. both Ilbs are around 230... They are gonna wear down... I can see karras coming in at times... This is gonna be some old time smash mouth

They play a 3-4???? I had no idea and just assumed it was a 4-3. That seems kind of nuts to play a 3-4 when that extra lineman would cause enormous mismatches. I’m sure they have plenty of situations with a fourth rusher, but I’m surprised. Doesn’t seem like Wade Phillips is the ideal choice with his one size fits all strategy.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

You're looking for some tangible clarity regarding an unanswerable question. I'd like it too but we are both to be disappointed. These two lines haven't faced each other before in 2018 so everything is going to be stats and conjecture.

We just played what is likely a better offense in a very hostile fan and weather environment. And our D cut the legs out from this very potent offense for almost the entire first half -- allowing the Patriots the ability to dictate much of the second half. The first half D performance meant the worst scenario probably would be the Patriots down/even/up a score in the last few minutes of the game. Never an awful position to be in when playing in an AFCCG on the road, and I can live with a SB where the ball in Brady's hands with 2 minutes to go down by less than 7.

Consider, the Rams scored 23 in 4 quarters against a team that has a defense statistically inferior to the Patriots (and the Patriots have recently found a higher gear on pass rush. A big plus if it stays in high gear one more game). Goff has hardly lit up the air in his last 2 games (though he hasn't necessarily needed to - that 2 min O score at half was a difference maker). They beat the Cowboys, in LA, living almost exclusively by the run game (the Cowboys being 10% on third down conversion was the other half of the rams success). My takeaway from these last 2 games of the Rams(based only on these 2 games):
-if the Patriots stop the run then things are looking up for at minimum keeping the Rams scoring in 'decent' territory.
- The rushing production may be a tough road to travel, but whatever happens at first with the Pats OL vs the Rams DL, the next most important questions is, what adjustment does BB and staff have ready and the OL prepared for? Keeping Brady upright and with some time usually means, at minimum, the Patriots will have their shot to win the game in the last few minutes. Again not a bad spot to be in when playing a SB.

 

[supafly]

I can live with a SB where the ball in Brady's hands with 2 minutes to go down by less than 7.

 

[TommyD4207]

I'm starting to feel a little better about this, because of the job they did on Chris Jones. He's not Aaron Donald, no one is, but he's pretty damned good, and was a non-factor.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Everyone is worried about Donald, but he has help in Suh and Brockers. They are the ones that worry me. In the past we mostly had Suh to worry about in the middle. They can just rush with 4 and I don't know if we have an answer for that type of defense yet.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Everyone is worried about Donald, but he has help in Suh and Brockers. They are the ones that worry me. In the past we mostly had Suh to worry about in the middle. They can just rush with 4 and I don't know if we have an answer for that type of defense yet.

Running the ball is the answer

 

[Snooky97]

Run the ball down their ****ing throat until they can stop it. Devlin, Gronk, Allen, Sony. Control the line of scrimmage and beat them up.

I’ve read somewhere the rams are playing a lot of zone defence... if Brady has the protection we know he will pick them apart.

If we can do the two above on offensive I’m not going to be worried as much... I just don’t think this is a game where we can ask Brady to drop back 60 times and sling it, as that rams pass rush is unbelievable

 

[RayClay]

I'm thinking Fowler will be completely neutralized... What's the weight difference

Trent has supposedly kept it down to a trim 365, so it's about a hundred pounds, give or take a plate of cheeseburgers.

 

[letekro]

Running the ball is the answer

Just to play devils advocate, that’s what the Cowboys probably thought too, and Ezekiel ran 20 times for 47 yards. Ditto the Saints. I wouldn’t be surprised if the game plan is to spread them out and then run more late when they are worn down.

 

[mosi]

Running game is key. In 2007 our offense was crazy good but very one dimensional which made it difficult to tire out the giants D line. In 07 we had Maroney, 11 was BGE and 15 was the ghost of Steven Jackson. Now we have sony who is a beast. I’ve watched him since he was in college and I know what he’s capable of.

Yeah, but they had Faulk that year. In 2001, 03 and 04 the O-line played great. In 2007 , 2011 and 2016 the O-line played poorly. Last year was good for the most part.

To me, it will all come down to how well the Pats -ie. Brady - deals with the pressure. If I were the Rams, I would flood the line and middle of the field and challenge the Pats to beat them with the long ball. Keep Peters and Talib one and one and make Brady hold the ball for 3+ seconds. The Ram D-line will get to Brady. The Pats are going to have to trust Ghost this game and he has to deliver.

 

[Kontradiction]

If this is the Pats' OL that has shown up the last two games, it shouldn't cause much disruption at all.

 

[IllegalContact]

Donald’s one weakness has to be that he’s relatively small, I would hope our OL can get push on him in the run game.

Shaq Mason is exactly the physical build that neutralizes what someone of Donald's size does.......leverage and 1st step. Donald gets his first step, he's a human highlight film......blocker locks on, he gets blown out

As for Suh, I am not as worried because the pats have seen him plenty of times.....that kind of leopard doesn't change it's spots

size is still an issue, and if the Pats use the 21 or 22 formation, they will move the pile

 

[Kontradiction]

Shaq Mason is exactly the physical build that neutralizes what someone of Donald's size does.......leverage and 1st step. Donald gets his first step, he's a human highlight film......blocker locks on, he gets blown out

As for Suh, I am not as worried because the pats have seen him plenty of times.....that kind of leopard doesn't change it's spots

size is still an issue, and if the Pats use the 21 or 22 formation, they will move the pile

The key match-up there is obviously whomever is assigned to block Donald. After that, I'd say it's Brown vs. Fowler. Fowler has actually put together a pretty solid postseason.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Just to play devils advocate, that’s what the Cowboys probably thought too, and Ezekiel ran 20 times for 47 yards. Ditto the Saints. I wouldn’t be surprised if the game plan is to spread them out and then run more late when they are worn down.

Focusing on stopping Zeke and making Dak beat you was the obvious play. Phillips can cook up a D to do that. Saints OL was dinged up. Pats OL is in much better shape.

Pats should be able to run on them. Any given Sunday, though, yadda yadda.

Regards,
Chris

 

[IllegalContact]

The key match-up there is obviously whomever is assigned to block Donald. After that, I'd say it's Brown vs. Fowler. Fowler has actually put together a pretty solid postseason.

I have more confidence in our OL than any other group on the team.......combination of athletcism on the inside and size on the outside and they are peaking at just the right time.....add to the Gronk and a healthy Allen, and it actually forces the Rams DL to have to think about the Pats execution.....it's not going to be a matter of Donald just dominating......he is going to have to decide and they are going to have to read and decide what they are doing.

The Rams problem is that the Pats seems prepared to run it down their throats even if they see it coming....the Chiefs were 31st in ypc rushing defense......guess who's 32nd.....right, the Rams

 

[SHOWTIME15]

As for Suh, I am not as worried because the pats have seen him plenty of times.....that kind of leopard doesn't change it's spots

Watch out for Suh stepping on someone...