Opinion
Recreation plan for Rams-Bengals: How every staff can win, Tremendous Bowl game-breakers, extra
One final matchup, one final sport plan for victory. And that is the massive one. On Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals will meet in Tremendous Bowl LVI. How can every staff win the ultimate sport of the 2021 NFL season and hoist the Lombardi trophy?
How can offensive and defensive coordinators or playcallers on every staff exploit matchups? And which gamers and schemes might have the largest influence on who does find yourself champion? Can the Rams calm down the Joe Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase connection? Will the Bengals be capable of comprise Von Miller and Co. coming off the sting? Let’s scheme up some victories.
We took a more in-depth take a look at the Tremendous Bowl matchup and picked out game-plan keys — three for every staff — that may create edges and a path to victory. Plus, we recognized game-breakers and under-the-radar influence gamers for each the Rams and Bengals, solved a problem for every staff with scheme fixes, identified essential pass-game matchups and broke down an important factor for each quarterbacks. And, in fact, I closed with my choose for the profitable staff.
Need extra perception into the X’s and O’s for this nice Tremendous Bowl matchup? Take a look at Sunday’s version of NFL Matchup on ESPN2 at 8:30 a.m. ET. However for now, right here’s how every staff can win on Sunday.
Bounce to:
Bengals’ sport plan | Rams’ sport plan
Schematic solutions | Cross-game matchups
Recreation-breakers | Underneath-the-radar X components
Quarterbacking keys | Bowen’s choose
How the Bengals can beat the Rams
1. Defend quarterback Joe Burrow with first-down play-action throws
Burrow was sacked 9 occasions within the divisional-round win over the Titans, after which the Chiefs’ protection produced a strain charge of 35.7% in opposition to Cincinnati within the AFC Championship Recreation. We all know Cincinnati has pass-protection points, particularly on the inside of the offensive line. Nothing new there. And with Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Leonard Floyd and Greg Gaines, the Rams can warmth up the pocket and scheme one-on-one rushes underneath coordinator Raheem Morris.
That’s why I’m searching for Bengals coach Zac Taylor to make the most of extra play-action for Burrow from underneath heart and out of 11 and 12 personnel. That creates outlined throws and open protection voids in opposition to the Rams’ zone-heavy protection. However extra importantly, it permits Cincinnati to make use of seven-man safety and inside double-teams on Donald, whereas giving Burrow a clear platform.
Burrow has accomplished 68.3% of his throws on under-center play-action, whereas averaging greater than 10 yards per try (together with playoffs). Cincinnati ought to scheme it up right here, be aggressive with early-down play-action and provides Burrow time to learn it out — like we noticed on this explosive-play throw to large receiver Tee Higgins within the AFC Championship Recreation.
Burrow and Higgins connection is powerful at present. #NFLPlayoffs #RuleTheJungle
📺: #CINvsKC on CBS
📱: https://t.co/dKNUFkxkbU pic.twitter.com/VteZjpnbNd— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2022
2. Have protection solutions for the Rams’ empty units
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has tried 189 passes out of empty units, together with the playoffs — probably the most within the NFL. You’ll see the fast sport right here, but additionally loads of full-field route ideas, with the Rams utilizing their working again and tight finish in diminished splits to chip on the perimeters in opposition to Bengals pass-rushers Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.
My sense right here is that Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will present his two-high zone shells but additionally deploy security Vonn Bell as a robber/middle-hole defender in each Cowl 1 and Cowl 3. Bell might then not solely lower the deep crossers and in-breakers focusing on receiver Cooper Kupp, but additionally drop from depth as a boundary defender to muddy the throwing window to wideout Odell Beckham Jr. on the bottom of three×1 units.
Restrict Stafford’s skill to throw leveled ideas inside right here and spin the secondary late to make him work post-snap.
3. Use formation and alignment to isolate receiver Ja’Marr Chase
Chase posted 22 explosive-play receptions within the common season (20 or extra yards), and he logged one other 4 within the Bengals’ postseason run. And Burrow is great at figuring out and throwing the one-on-ones when he has the matchup with Chase. We’ll begin there, as a result of the Bengals can isolate the rookie because the boundary receiver to the bottom of each 3×1 and even 4×1 units. Throw the fade balls.
Relying on down and distance, we might see Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey locked in protection or taking part in excessive of Chase in zone approach. However the Bengals will use their base passing ideas to get Chase free on rhythm throws for Burrow. Which means aligning him large in 2×2 units to run the fast slants or shallows in opposition to zone protection, the place you possibly can hit the window and go. It means bumping him to the slot and clearing out the coverages with a vertical shot, creating room for Chase to work on out-breakers. And it means setting him up because the No. 1 to the journeys facet of the formation and throwing the screens to him.
Keep in mind, Chase averaged 8.1 yards after the catch through the common season. He performs with straightforward juice in house, whereas displaying the catch-and-run traits to push by contact. The vertical one-on-ones are a key a part of the Bengals’ go sport with Chase, however Cincy will open up second-level zone home windows for him, too.
Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow have been in sync. Right here, @MattBowen41 highlights Burrow’s ball placement, timing, and belief when focusing on Chase in opposition to Man and Zone protection. They face the #Browns in Week 9. #NFL #RuleTheJungle | @GregCosell | @PlaybooKFoley pic.twitter.com/JfnJj9MyEk
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) November 6, 2021
How the Rams can beat the Bengals
1. Give receiver Cooper Kupp free entry off the ball on third down
Within the NFC Championship Recreation win over the 49ers, Kupp performed lights out on third down, catching seven of eight targets for 108 yards and two scores. Through the common season, the Rams’ high receiver transformed 26 of 31 third-down receptions to maneuver the sticks. With the expectation that the Bengals proceed to play man protection in money-down conditions, search for Los Angeles coach Sean McVay to get Kupp free entry off the ball utilizing each diminished formations and alignment.
Whether or not McVay places Kupp ready to run away from man protection, or units him up in an isolation matchup to win beneath possibility routes, it begins together with his alignment. With Kupp in diminished formations (near the core of the formation) or off the ball in stack/bunch units, you possibly can’t get palms on him from a defensive perspective. He’ll get into the discharge clear, and that’s the place we see Kupp’s nuanced and detailed route-running traits that assist him separate from protection. Count on crossers, possibility routes and velocity outs. It’s powerful to comprise Kupp when he has a two-way-go (break inside or exterior) for those who can’t get right into a place to problem the discharge due to his alignment.
2. Scheme Aaron Donald and Von Miller out of a number of fronts
The Rams can create battle for the Bengals’ safety schemes on Sunday. Out of their five-man fronts or surfaces — the place L.A. can play three-deep, three-under zone protection within the secondary or match in man — Raheem Morris will get outlined one-on-ones for Miller and Donald. However we wish to control the Rams’ four-man sub-package fronts, too, with Miller and Donald lined-up on the identical facet of the formation.
In these conditions, Donald will align on the within fringe of the offensive deal with, whereas Miller will play as a “Extensive-9” edge rusher. The Rams can then scheme the two-man stunts, with Donald penetrating up the sector and Miller looping inside.
Each Donald and Miller registered go rush win charges north of 20% this season. And Morris can put them each ready to win one-on-ones or disrupt Burrow within the pocket.
.@VonMiller strip sack! What a PLAY. #RamsHouse
📺: #LARvsTB on NBC
📱: https://t.co/6Hz1DjFj3t pic.twitter.com/Yvyf7XbZGw— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2022
3. Discover large receiver affect within the run sport
Operating backs Cam Akers and Sony Michel have mixed for 23 or extra carries in all three playoff video games. And whereas I don’t see high-end effectivity within the run sport with Los Angeles proper now, the quantity is actually there, and McVay’s skill to make the most of his receivers as “extras” can result in extra productive alternatives on the bottom.
With Kupp, Van Jefferson and 6-foot-3, 224-pound Ben Skowronek, the Rams can deploy their staple misdirection jets and insert or wrap a receiver to the play facet. This offers the Rams numbers on the level of assault. And it’s not restricted to at least one scheme, as a result of the large receivers will block. It’s on the tape. You’ll see them crack inside to dig out the protection on Duo schemes, tackle defensive backs in house or safe an edge.
So far as the working backs go, I’d roll with extra quantity for Akers. He brings the downhill juice and the physicality to complete with low-pad degree.
Scheming up solutions to issues
Fixing the Bengals’ third-down go safety
When the Bengals get into third-down dropback conditions (suppose third-and-7 and longer), don’t be shocked if Cincinnati makes use of each the tight finish and the working again in safety. Aligned in a split-back set, the Bengals can get to seven-man safety to maintain Burrow off the turf. Look ahead to them to make use of the display sport on third downs, too, to counter the Rams’ go rush.
Fixing the Rams’ one-on-one protection in opposition to Ja’Marr Chase
If Chase is profitable the skin one-on-ones early, I’d roll up a cornerback and play “cloud” protection to his facet of the sector. That is Cowl 2 approach, with a nook jamming on the line and a deep-half security sitting excessive. It forces Burrow to make a shot throw right into a smaller window if he nonetheless desires to problem vertically.
Key pass-game matchups
Rams WR Cooper Kupp vs. Bengals CB Mike Hilton
If we embody the playoff numbers, Kupp has 170 receptions — and 132 come from a slot alignment. When the Bengals play man, Hilton is the matchup right here for Kupp. And Cincinnati will want a solution for the large receiver when the ball advances to the low pink zone space of the sector. Seize some security assist inside with alignment or go along with a devoted double to restrict Kupp when the Rams are in scoring place.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase vs. Rams CB Jalen Ramsey
Given the Rams are in zone protection 67.7% of the time, we don’t know what number of true Chase-Ramsey matchups we are going to see. However as I stated above, L.A. can lock Ramsey onto Chase on the bottom of journeys, and Ramsey can nonetheless “journey” as a zone nook in split-safety or single-high to play over the Bengals’ receiver. This may very well be a matchup predicated on down and distance or discipline place, given what number of snaps Ramsey has performed inside as a slot defender this season. And I feel it is a harder one for Ramsey, given Chase’s short-area velocity and lateral quicks.
Recreation-breakers to observe
Jessie Bates III, S, Bengals
Bates has generated on-the-ball manufacturing for the Bengals this postseason, with 4 passes damaged up and an interception. With straightforward vary excessive and the playmaking traits to find and end, Bates shall be a key issue as a publish or split-field defender in opposition to Stafford and the Rams’ go sport.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Rams
Beckham has caught 19 of 23 targets for the Rams within the playoffs. Extraordinarily savvy as a route runner, he shall be deployed because the bottom X, the place he can create separation to the ball on in-breakers, curls and comebacks. And McVay additionally will look to isolate Beckham within the low pink zone space of the sector on slant or fade routes.
2:05
Sam Acho and Dan Graziano dissect Odell Beckham Jr.’s run to the Tremendous Bowl and the way that has modified the notion of his profession.
Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
Mixon has logged at the least 14 carries in every of the Bengals’ three playoff video games, and he has been featured as a ball service on first down. Within the AFC Championship Recreation, Mixon totaled 21 carries, with 16 approaching first down. Cincinnati makes use of 11 personnel as their base package deal (one working again, one tight finish), however I feel we might see extra zone runs for Mixon with two or three tight ends on the sector.
Leonard Floyd, OLB, Rams
We hit on Donald and Miller already, however don’t neglect about Floyd as a pass-rusher. Together with the playoffs, the previous first-round choose has notched 10.5 sacks this season. We all know Floyd has short-area closing velocity, and he shall be in place to scrub up when Donald forces Burrow to climb within the pocket.
Trey Hendrickson, DE, Bengals
Hendrickson recorded 14 sacks through the common season and a couple of.5 extra within the playoffs. He’s a high-energy pass-rusher who can win with speed-to-power or use his palms/approach to create a tender edge in opposition to offensive tackles. The Bengals will sprinkle in some strain schemes on Sunday evening, however Hendrickson — and fellow defensive finish Sam Hubbard — should generate some warmth on Stafford when Cincinnati performs protection.
Van Jefferson, WR, Rams
When McVay dials up his deep play-action throws for Stafford, search for Jefferson as a vertical stretch goal. Together with the playoffs, Jefferson has produced 13 explosive-play receptions, with eight of these catches approaching throws of 20 or extra air yards. The Rams can promote the run faux, max shield and let Stafford take a shot excessive of the secondary.
Underneath-the-radar X components
Logan Wilson, ILB, Bengals
Wilson has three-down traits with the second-level vary to trace the ball, however he shall be examined by the misdirection within the Rams’ run sport, with all the pre- and post-snap motion. Let’s see if Wilson can get to depth as a hook defender, too. He has to shut the intermediate home windows in opposition to McVay’s zone beaters.
Darious Williams, CB, Rams
I actually like Williams’ protection traits on tape. He’s aggressive and sticky. He’ll problem. And if the Rams do bump Ramsey exterior to journey/match with Chase, we might see Williams in protection in opposition to Tee Higgins. That’s an intriguing matchup, given Williams’ 5-foot-9 body.
What I’m looking ahead to at quarterback
Joe Burrow, Bengals
Burrow might want to use his motion traits on this sport, contemplating the Rams’ go rush. However I’m extra targeted on his aggressive mindset as a thrower. Burrow can beat protection with exact ball location, and he’ll problem defensive backs. He’s stone chilly in large moments, too. I would like that man on my staff if I’m a coach.
1:39
Ryan Clark discusses how Joe Burrow is unfazed taking part in in these high-level playoff video games.
Matthew Stafford, Rams
I wish to see Stafford drive the ball down the sector on Sunday. Sure, the veteran quarterback can nonetheless make the second-reaction, off-platform throws, and he’ll assault tight home windows when dealing with the Bengals’ zone coverages. However the Rams additionally traded for Stafford due to the vertical factor he brings to McVay’s offense. He has upper-tier arm expertise. Go lower it free on the Tremendous Bowl stage.
My choose to win Tremendous Bowl LVI: Rams
McVay’s offensive construction presents some schematic benefits for the Rams, however I imagine this sport shall be dictated by the Los Angeles go rush. And the inside matchups are there for Donald to take over in vital moments on Sunday evening at So-Fi Stadium.
