Which team will stick with the run?

[Kupped]

The tough sledding against the Bucs’ and 49ers’ run defenses could be something of a “batting weight” for the less stout Bengals’ run D.

Exactly my thought.

The Bengals were not bad against the run, by any means.. but I still think the Rams can and should attack hard there. Avoiding "and long" situations... whether it's by hitting them with the pass on first down or having an effective run game.. is going to be critical to the Rams success in this game.
I can't remember who said it this week... but he said first down is the most important down. It sets everything else up on both sides of the ball.

 

[AZRams]

Greg Cosell (on The Herd) thinks that McVay will be pass-heavy early to get a lead and force the Bengals out of the run where the D can then focus on the pass rush.

Says he thinks McVay wants to make it a "2 1/2, 3 qtr game and the Bengals want it to be a 4 qtr game."

 

[OldSchool]

I think McVay will come out early with an attacking pass game and try to put pressure on the bungholes and burrow to stick to their run game. Because if McVay can make Taylor abandon the run and let our pass rush pin their ears back it’s trouble for the. The bungholes are the ones that need to stick to the run game more.

 

[OntarioRam]

If McVay does not get overly pass happy against the Bengals and abandon the run game at all of the wrong times, he will win me over at long last. I am not saying don't pass. With Stafford cooking, and depending on game flow and what the Bengals give us, attacking through the air might even end up being the ticket. But don't give your great RBs almost no carries... which did happen with Gurley a number of times in mind boggling fashion, in key games, even though the run game was working, prompting TGIII to even comment, "I don't call the plays", when asked about his almost non-existent usage. A Gurley was a league MVP level RB with a good run-blocking offensive line in front of him. If you won't run with that set up, when will you run?!

This is the final frontier. The ultimate test. The Super Bowl. A chance for redemption for Sean McVay and all of the other Rams that were on the offensive side of the football in 2018, and will remember that pathetic offensive showing vs. the Patriots.

If McVay can execute a strong offensive game plan on Sunday, for all the marbles, that will be all the evidence I need to conclude that he has finally learned. The other side gets paid too. A loss would be bitterly disappointing but would not, necessarily, be a reflection on McVay. I just want McVay to stop the arguable fatal flaws - so far, this post-season, after years of repeating the same mistakes, he has generally delivered! A few crazy calls IMO, but no coach is perfect, and who is to say my assessment of those calls was/is even correct. Scheme it up, Boy Wonder!

 

[FarNorth]

I think McVay will come out early with an attacking pass game and try to put pressure on the bungholes and burrow to stick to their run game. Because if McVay can make Taylor abandon the run and let our pass rush pin their ears back it’s trouble for the. The bungholes are the ones that need to stick to the run game more.

Agree that McVay will want to do that. But I hope he is strategic and patient in his approach. There's more than one way to get an early lead than just a downfield passing attack into the teeth of a defense dropping 8 in coverage. And an early turnover could give the Bengals the advantage instead. That is what the Rams most need to avoid.

 

[Jacobarch]

Pound the ball amd keep the kittens offense off the field

 

[LouisvilleRam]

Agreed and the triumphant of Akers, Michel & Henderson.
View attachment 51990

3 headed monster

 

[Merlin]

I don't think so at all. I feel like it's gonna be the same script against Tampa and SF. Chuck that ball to Cooper Kupp and friends. That is the Rams' strength and what's gotten them to this point.

Get that lead. Don't blow it damnit. Then allow that front 7 to get after Joe Burrow like they did Tommy and Yimmy. Run the ball in the 3rd and 4th with a fresh Cam/Sony.

The Tampa and SF games both saw McVay stick with the run in spite of lack of returns. All three games have been mid-20s in carries or better. SF in particular he kept it up on early downs and then we passed to cover the extra yard or two on third down.

This game IF McVay sticks with the mid-20s approach the difference is one or more of our RBs will probably have a fine day. I doubt Cincy can stuff our run game for a full 60 and if they can't the middle will be open for Stafford which is bad for them.

That's not to say Burrow won't keep them in it. He might. But if we run that ball I think Cincy is gonna give up some points in this one.

 

[Merlin]

3 headed monster View attachment 52009

Watch Hendy go for 200 now.

 

[Riverumbbq]

If the Rams are able to stick with the run, I believe we win going away. I can envision something similar to our play-off game with Arizona.
jmo.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Is this the Akers breakout game?
Game one.. just get a feel for the game.
2.. a lot of touches.. and some uncharacteristic mistakes.
3... a grind.. tough yards that were important to the scheme's success.

Game 4? Enough touches in previous games to be back? A full week of rest and recovery?

I'm thinking we see last year's playoff Akers.

Wouldn't be surprised if Akers comes away SB MVP. I think that's our most dominating win scenario.

 

[AZRams]

3 headed monster View attachment 52009

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vDMroK7kMY

 

[Angry Ram]

The Tampa and SF games both saw McVay stick with the run in spite of lack of returns. All three games have been mid-20s in carries or better. SF in particular he kept it up on early downs and then we passed to cover the extra yard or two on third down.

This game IF McVay sticks with the mid-20s approach the difference is one or more of our RBs will probably have a fine day. I doubt Cincy can stuff our run game for a full 60 and if they can't the middle will be open for Stafford which is bad for them.

That's not to say Burrow won't keep them in it. He might. But if we run that ball I think Cincy is gonna give up some points in this one.

Well in the 1st half v Tampa they ran 13 times (including 2 QB scrambles) out of 45 total plays. But yes they ran it (or tried to) late and it WAS working w/o those stupid fumbles. Against SF they had 17 rush attempts (including non-RB rushes) out of 42 total plays.

That's the script I'm clamoring for them to continue. Get a lead early and expose their weakness. Plus, there's this guy:

I just really wanted to post this picture.

 

[PhillyRam]

Greg Cosell was on the Herd, not sure if that was mentioned here, but I agree with what he believes McVay will do.

He said he sees him coming out aggressive, pushing the ball down the field, up tempo, empty sets... All in an attempt to jump out to a two score lead and put pressure on Taylor to abandon the run. And also to shorten the game so to speak. Not that they won't run it at all, but he sees them being aggressive in the passing game and trying to jump on them early.

In other words, Cincy needs this to be a 4 qtr game, where they remain in the game and can be patient with the run. That keeps pressure on the Rams as well. However, if the Rams can get up 17-3 or 14-0 and heading to half, they will be forced to throw it against our rush and it takes Mixon out of it to some extent. Also Creates more chances for Cincy mistakes.

BTW, he mentioned about why they go empty sets. He says it prevents the defense from disguising their coverage, because they are so spread out and thus it makes it easy to pick out your targets and see the field.

And Cincy doesn't blitz much so I could see that being done alot.

Then with the lead you pound the ball more.

 

[PhillyRam]

If the Rams can keep Stafford clean, they should be in good shape. Then he is less likely to kill you with an early turnover and can get rolling and in a rythem... And he seems to be a rythem passer, which is why he excells in the 4th quarter.

 

[Ballhawk]

I think that they will have trouble running against us so they will try to throw short to Mixon and the Tight end. Our LBs and safeties
will have to make that tough on them to do if we are to have success in stopping there offense.

Of course that means that they won't be able to score quickly if we tackle well.

 

[Kupped]

I think that they will have trouble running against us so they will try to throw short to Mixon and the Tight end. Our LBs and safeties
will have to make that tough on them to do if we are to have success in stopping there offense.

Of course that means that they won't be able to score quickly if we tackle well.

I could see a lot of 4-2-5 in this game... with Howard and Jones having big games.

 

[Ramhusker]

Cam Akers is barely being mentioned. He just might steal the show!