How 49ers game plan Aaron Donald during their 6-0 win streak vs the Rams

 One of the best aspects of the Rams is the domination by the 49ers the past 2 seasons. More importantly, they've done it holding Aaron Donald, the best DT in the game to zero sacks. It doesn't happen by accident and has so much to do with great game planning and execution. This has led to great success on 3rd down which has kept drives alive and put them in great position to win games.

In 2021, Raheim Morris has taken over and their are some noticeable differences with how Staley ran things in 2020 and how he does things in 2021. That being said, both are excellent coordinators.

The one thing I did notice in the Rams vs 49ers games is that they aren't getting Donald into 1x1 situations and that is something the Rams must look to do to get the win this Sunday in the NFC Championship game 

But the bottom line is the 49ers are 6-0 vs the Rams and much has had to do with neutralizing Aaron Donald. 

Last 3 years Results

2021 Week 10.    49ers 31-10  2 tackles 0 sacks      3rd down efficiency 8/14   QB Garappolo

          Week 18   49ers 27-24    4tackles 0 sacks        3rd down efficiency 9/14    QB Garappolo

2020  Week 6   49ers 24-16     1 tackle  O sacks     3rd down efficiency 5/14   QB Garappolo

           Week 12  49ers  23-20    4 tackles 1 sack        3rd down efficiency 3/14  QB Mullens

2019    Week 6   49ers  20-7     2 sacks   4 tfl            3rd down efficiency 8/17   QB Garappalo

           Week 16 49ers 34-31     3 tackles, 1.5 sacks   3rd down efficiency  4/10 QB Garappalo

The most concerning statistic from the Rams point of view is they only sacked Garappolo 4 times this season in 2 games, with Donald getting none of them. The other stat is the 3rd down efficiency from the 49ers. They are 17/28 vs the Rams. That's 61% which isn't very good if you are the Rams defense.

One of the major problems is the Rams like to run a ton of load front or 4-2 fronts and don't blitz a lot.. That's great if you are running games and bringing 5 man pressures but it actually has been helpful to the 49ers. 

The reason is it allows the 49ers to double Darnold often when they slide protect. If you watch the games, when they get a load front, they always have a 4-3 situation, and the 49ers are always sliding to Darnold and often doubling him. They have all pro tackles in Trent Williams and Compton. If they have to help on Vonn Miller, they can keep a tight end in and help which they have done occasionally.

I understand why the Rams run the load front, but if teams are just going to slide and you don't get your safeties and LB's involved with pressure, it actually helps the offensive line with protection. You are inviting the double team and its hard to free Donald up without blitzing the LB or a DB.

The other thing that the 49ers do is take a shallow drop with Jimmy G. That really shortens the edge and takes away the Rams speed rush on the edge. If you watch Garappolo he takes short drops, and often gets a clean pocket because of the inside help on Donald. Very effective strategy. 

Here's some examples (MY Youtube video on the bottom has many clips)

Example #2 

load front-This time they keep Kittle in but that doesn't change anything inside. Notice the slide protection and again giving them a chance to double Donald. They come out in empty and double him again. The Rams are not getting him into those 1x1 situations.

Here's a traditional 4-1 front. Easy for the 49ers to see it and sort it out. They pick it up easy and send the center to Donald

Example #3 

Example #4 

Example #5

If it ain't broke why fix it!!!

One of the few times they don't slide and free release the RB, they almost get Garappalo knocked out by Aaron. They decide to change the protection and free release the back. Luckily ,Garrapolo gets it off!

Late in the game the Rams adjust and get smart. Well if you are going to slide to Donald lets, bring the LB opposite and drop Miller into coverage. The Rams get paid too. It is also a great call because the 49ers go empty so that's a problem and they basically ignore the LB until it's too late.

Center is fixated on Donald he forgets he has the mike in empty protection!!!

As you can see, the 49ers have a nice plan in place for Donald, The YouTube video gets into the run game as well. The Rams made a few nice adjustments so I m curious to see how the Rams defend it this game.

My Youtube video explains it all!

Here is the 1st game's meeting in which the 49ers won 31-10. You saw a similar game plan with their 4-2 front.  Always slide to Donald and block the other side tackle 1x1. 

Here they do it on 1st and goal on the 8. Easy pickup, give Jimmy G time and he executes again.They did a tremendous job in their scheme and it was easy yet effective.

The 1st game had the same tendencies as shown in the touchdown above. Clean pocket easy throw. Speed rush is neutralized with the shallow drop. 

3rd down defense- Bear Front 5-1 Penny Pressures and Coverage

 3rd down defenses-How teams use the bear front to get advantages vs  protection

Teams use the bear front in passing situations and often send the mike in their bear scheme. Why do teams like to use the Bear front? It changes protection schemes  and can sometimes give you an advantage in protection.

Here are the most common without getting into matchups based on personnel:

1. Big on Big with the running back on the off the ball linebacker

2. Full slide protection leaving the rb on the defensive end

Here's an example of the Rams vs the 49ers. They put the RB on the outside LB as the whole line slides to the right.

3. 4 man slide protections. De on the rb on the LB or free releasing

Allows 1x1 matchups across the board.

3rd and 7 Giants vs the Vikings. Vikings run a game with the olb and defensive tackle. The issue is that the RG turns to help on the defensive tackle and can't flatten out to take the looper.

The OLB Loops inside as the right guard turns to help on the defensive tackle

The LB is by him and gets the sack.

Bengals vs Raiders

Bengals bring what looks like  6 and play man free, in reality 5 man pressure with LB adding in.

Mike and LDE run a nice 2 man game. LB comes free for the sack. RG is slow to pickup the looper.

Colts vs The Bills

Colts caused havoc running 2 under 3 deep with a 6 man pressure scheme. 

49ers defense vs Cowboys

On 3rd and 4 they go man free out of bear front, send the mike and drop the 2 de to be rat defenders. The one lb has the back if he releases. More man free concepts from the 49ers.

Vs Oklahoma, SD State runs a nice bear front pressure vs empty.

3rd and 8 the Rams are in a 5-1 look odd front. 

They run a nice 3 man game with the LB and Nickel Safety off the edge. The RG turns and takes the LB and the RB stays outside, thus no-one to take the looping Safety. They play man free with the concept as you can see on the film. Nice Design

3rd and 3 vs the Jets

Love what they did on the next 2 plays vs the Jets on 3rd and 3.

On both looks they show their odd  bear look. Not truly bear because you have a 4i and a bear but is identified the same way. They are in  dime personnel. The first time out of the odd look, they bring the mike.and peel the outside lb to take the  back.

Tennessee defense

Bear front 

de/mike game

peal the olb on the rb

Coverage Man Free

The lb is 2nd from the top in the b gap.

Runs a stunt with the de 3 tech to that side. Nice game and gets home as they free release the rb.

You see the olb take the RB and they are in man free coverage

The Jaguars go bear with the LB lined up over the center. He engages the center and makes the center block him before dropping into coverage.

From there, they get a mismatch with the rb in protection against the blitzing LB

The blitz gets home but Mahomes is Mahomes and he. gets it off on 3rd and 5 for the first down.

Force 1x1 with Mckinnon.

Here's a nice job by Marshall as they send only 3 and drop the olb into coverage. They are rat defenders and the left defensive end gets the interception. A nice job with man free on the outside and 3 LB's helping underneath in coverage.

Both OLB drop into coverage, mike has the rb but he blocks

Good job playing on the perimeter by the Marshall Defense.

These are just some 5-1 bear/penny package blitzes you may see.