The Pats D-linemen in run D would go straight up the field rather than moving laterally and they were getting frequent penetration. That is the best way
to defeat the Rams zone blocking scheme. The counter to this is to "gap and trap", but he didn't see a lot of that. The Rams stuck with the Zone scheme.
Surprised the Rams weren't able to adjust better at halftime...but that's sometimes easier said than done.
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The Rams D did a phenomenal job...holding a team to 17 or less equals victory about 90% of the time....the Rams D delivered a winning performance in a dominant fashion. The only thing they didn't do was shut down Edelman...the only thing you could criticize them for was not doubling Edelman...but if you do that you're probably getting Gronk one on one.....that you don't want either....if Edelman is going to beat you....I'll take those odds most of the time...even with Brady. The did a terrific job of pressuring Brady....Brady had a very average game...bottom line....the Rams D deserves a lot of credit...it was an outstanding job by Wade and the players....the Pats were 3 of 12 on 3rd down.
The Pats augmented their defense with phenomenal kicking game execution...backing the Rams up deep in their own territory many times.
Excluding special teams plays...the Pats ran 20 more plays than the Rams in the first half: 42-22. Fatigue finally caught up with the Rams in that final TD drive for the Pats.
The Pats D-Line punched out the Rams O-Line
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/05/2019 05:39AM by RamBill.
