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. 

NY Jets O Line Coach Keith Carter, What to expect in the run Game

By Jim Jackson

The Jets have a new o line coach, the energetic and demanding Keith Carter.

This article will look at some of the schemes he used while with the Titans. They were every effecient over the years but struggled in 2022 due to injuries to every starter.

The thing about the Tenn offense is that it was predicated on downhill runs with super back Derrick Henry. They were very good at attacking downhill and playing to his strengths.

They liked to run these 4 plays often:

1. Toss Crack

2. Inside Zone

3. Duo

4. Wide Zone

The TEN Titans had great success with Derrick Henry, and he is the primary reason that they were  a top 5  rushing offense in the NFL for years. But what about the OL blocking for him? This article will focus on the strength of the interior offensive line for the Titans. Throughout the season this group is playing at an elite level and paving the way for their success. Nick Hardwick (Pro Bowl Center and 9 year NFL vet) once told me, "If you want to protect the passer, get good Tackles. If you want to run the ball, get good Centers and Guards." The Titans are lived  that in the 2020 season as well as other years.

Center = Ben Jones - 9 year NFL vet. Good technician. Tough to fool him. Anticipates very well. Plays hard and finishes in run game.

LG = Rodger Saffold = 11 year NFL vet. Playing an elite level right now. Is extremely quick and violent of DL. Has been injured some, but playing great.

RG = Nate Davis = 2 year NFL vet. Athletic, quick, and playing fast. Once he gets hands on defenders, it turn into a knockdown. He plays with great pad level.

Sub = Aaron Brewer = Rookie. Has been solid in a reserve role at RG and LG. Does not look lost like most rookies and is usually initiating contact. He moves fluid and bends well. He is undersized but it has not shown to be a weakness. 

You will see all four of these OL highlighted. 

The first play is a Toss Crack (My Favorite!) for a 12 yard gain. Both Guards take great angles and have huge blocks to spring the play. Watch the finish by the LG. Great technique and violence!

Crack and get the tackle on the perimeter

Wr  block and they seal the interior.

Expect the Jets to run duo. 

Play two is Duo in Week 11 vs. BAL. The result is an 8 yard gain, but this is violent run. When Henry gets his shoulders downhill, he is extremely hard to tackle.

The center works opposite the RB in duo which you see here. 

Nice double team with the guard and tackle. 

Good running lane as the guard and tackle double to the LB and the center finishes his block!

Wide Zone

Wide zone was another staple in the Titans offense. They did it from numerous sets.  
The third play is a wide zone in Week 8 vs the CIN. The Center and the RG do a great job of using the DL leverage and momentum against them to finish blocks. OL job is put defense players on the ground.

Inside Zone Windback!

The last play, well this one is mostly Henry. HOU runs a run stopping blitz and have two unblocked defenders in the hole. When defenders are on the move, it makes it harder to square up and tackle Henry.  Great job by the RG of sealing the ILB and creating the hole on IZ Windback.

All block zone and the h comes across. Similar to slice.

Nice job sealing the backside and he makes the LB miss.

In conclusion, Their run game was designed to get Henry downhill, and this is a tough tackle for anyone in the NFL. The interior OL played  at a high level, even with the injuries they have sustained. Excellent work by Coach Carter and the Titans' staff and we shall see how it transcends to the Jets.