Unimportant in the Playoffs, but the Key to 2022?

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AvengerRam

Benevolent Troublemaker
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May 9, 2018
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5,390
A funny thing happened to the run game on the way to the Rams' Super Bowl win.

The Rams' offense, which had averaged 99 yards/game and a 4.0 ypc on the ground during the regular season, continued to commit to the run in the playoffs (30 attempts/game) but found little success (81.5 yards/game, 2.7 ypc).

The run defense, on the other hand, became more stout. During the regular season, the Rams allowed 103 yards/game on the ground and a 4.0 ypc. In the playoffs, the run defense allowed a mere 60.3 yards/game and 3.4 ypc.

Is this just the modern NFL, in which QBs and passing games decide most playoff contests, while the running game is reduced to supporting player? Perhaps.

Nonetheless, I believe that the Rams could be poised to show considerable improvement in the running game on offense and defense in 2022.

On offense, the Rams will have a healthy Cam Akers to start the season and, hopefully, Darrell Henderson, Kyren Williams and Jake Funk providing strong support.

On defense, the addition of Bobby Wagner should produce immediate dividends and bolster an already strong run defense.

So, maybe, in the end, chicks will still dig the passers and the pass rushers. But its the runners who keep the QBs clean and receivers in single coverage, and its the run stoppers that allow the pass rushers to pin their ears back 2nd and 3rd and long.

Maybe the run game/D will be the key this year.
 

oldnotdead

Legend
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May 16, 2019
Messages
5,406
You can't run a power blocking scheme effectively without a real FB. Why do you think the 49ers have one. Carberry better get that across to McVay. If you aren't going to play with a legit lead blocker (a skinny WR is a joke lead blocker) then stick to inside and outside zone and a simple man blocking (gap) scheme inside. Edwards is a poor run blocker because he's so inconsistent, especially on the second level.

The problem in the run game is two fold IMO. Poorly executed scheme (power with no FB) and OL missing blocks on the second level. In other words, it's not the RBs it's the way the OL is played.
 

VegasRam

Give your dog a hug.
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Sep 7, 2011
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3,931
Name
Doug
I know.
That Havenstien guy - sheesh!
Dude - we lost our fucking running back day one.
 

Merlin

Damn the torpedoes
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ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
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Is this just the modern NFL, in which QBs and passing games decide most playoff contests, while the running game is reduced to supporting player? Perhaps.
I think teams with veteran defenses can be misleading vs the run during the regular season. Those types tend to get serious when the chips are down and play balls out, leaving it all on the field and all of a sudden you see what they can do.

Stopping the run is a key for sure. No defense has any sort of swag when they're getting run on. Getting run on in today's NFL is how you get 40+ hung on your ass in a given week because all these QBs can hit a WR when play action is working.

What's funny is McVay has been prioritizing run defense for years now. Since the Super Bowl loss he's been adding that element and it all came together last year. Though that said his defenses have trended well vs the run...

Regular season

2021: 3.9 ypc allowed (T-4th)
2020: 4.0 ypc allowed (T-5th)
2019: 4.1 ypc allowed (T-8th)
2018: 4.8 ypc allowed (T-26th)
2017: 4.6 ypc allowed (30th)