Rams vs Patriots-Rams use of 12,21 personnel to beat Pats at their own game

Please take note. The Rams are for real! They dominated last night against the Patriots on both sides of the football, showing the NFl that they have what it takes to be a Super Bowl Contender.  

The Rams beat the Patriots at their own game. The Patriots are notorious for running the football out of 12 and 21 personnel and pounding teams running the ball and running play action off it.

Lets also be clear, the Rams have run 12 personnel on 24% of their snaps this year, which is a major game changer since their Super Bowl year in which they just ran it 8% of the time. McVay has adjusted and realizes the best teams rushing, run the ball out of 12/21 personnel.

The Rams surprised the Patriots by running the football out of 12 and 21 formations (they don't sub) and really caught the Patriots off guard with this strategy. They were 27/172 yards running the football out of 12 and 21 personnel. In the first quarter , their first 9 runs were out of 12 and 21 formation sets. They ran the ball 9 times for 86 yards in the first quarter, giving them an unsurmountable 17-0 lead.

They went up early but surprisingly in the 2nd quarter only ran the ball twice from that formation and went to more 11 and didn't really move the ball in the 2nd quarter. 

Mcvay at half time put on his thinking cap and went back to what worked.

In the 2nd half opening drive,  the Rams started on their 10 yard line. 

They ran 17 plays and sealed the  game.

14/17 were out of 12 personnel. The Patriots mixed up some fronts but didn't deviate from their nickel base package too often. 

Here's what the Rams did in that 2nd half drive out of 12.

11 runs for 66 yards 

3 passes for 15 yards but was 3 for 3 and kept the chains moving .

The Patriots stayed with their nickel personnel with #35 Kyle Dugger as a LB or #21 Philips at times in their nickel stuff. They are undersized lb's playing the role of lb. 

The ability to run out of 12 personnel also set up their play action game off it as they started the game in attack mode. They  ran some tempo stuff which really caught the Patriots off guard. They ran the ball effectively, played solid defense and handily beat New England 24-3. 

The star of the night and really workhorse was Cam Akers.

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Akers ran for 171 yards on 29 carries. He ran hard, broke tackles and really gave them a downhill style that will give them an edge going into the playoffs.

Lets get to some clips and highlights.

The 1st play set the tone. The Rams came out in 12 personnel and hit the Patriots with a Boot right out of the gate.

Patriots go cover 2 and the boot is wide open.

Video clips of the 1st 2 plays of the game!

On the very next play, The Rams went 12 personnel and went zone ,off tackle to the left side. The Patriots stayed cover 2 not bringing the extra run defender into the box.

Akers finds a crease and is able to get 35 yards. Tight end seals, wr makes a great block on the run support cb and the safety takes a bad angle which helps make this play go.

Up 7-0, The next series, on 1st and 10 the Patriots bring the safety down into the box and go bear.

The Rams still in 12, run counter away from the wing. They get a great block from the left guard and tackle and the de #58 just runs up field, doesn't squeeze. (thinking boot)? The Rams hit it for 14 yards.

The next play they come out with 21 personnel and run iso for 9 yards. The Patriots stay 2 high. They get a good push and great cutback from Akers.

On a key 3rd and 12 in the first half up 7-0 the Rams use tempo to catch the Patriots off guard.

They snap the ball quick and the Patriots aren't set. They hit Woods for a key 14 yard gain.

On the next play the Rams run mid zone at the tackle out of 12 personnel. The Patriots stay with their base defensive personnel with 21 as a lb. They line up in the bear front out of the 4-2 pers group. The Rams  do a nice job getting the ball to Akers deep.

The really difference in the game was the 1st quarter with 9 rushes for 86 yards out of 12 personnel 

and the 3rd quarter drive of 10 rushes for 66 yards on the 17 play drive to open the half.

 

3rd quarter highlights:

A nice design and 6 yard gain

Another variation and the Rams kick out the de with the te. Pats 2 high so the wr blocks the cb who is the run support.

Here are the first 4 runs of the 2nd half

The Rams won this game because of their  12 run game and lack of answers the Patriots inability to stop the run game.