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theramswire.usatoday.com] Jalen Ramsey explains how offenses are 'doing their homework' to beat Rams' defense
Cameron DaSilva
November 29, 2021 12:28 pm PT
When Brandon Staley, Troy Hill, John Johnson and Morgan Fox all left the Rams this offseason, a regression was to be expected. Few people believed the Rams would have the No. 1 defense in the NFL again after suffering those losses, and now 11 weeks into the season, it’s clear that this isn’t the same unit that carried the team last year.
Opposing offenses are figuring out ways to attack the Rams’ weaker players rather than going at guys like Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald, Von Miller and Leonard Floyd. They’re getting the ball out quickly and targeting linebackers and safeties in coverage, which is something Aaron Rodgers and the Packers did quite often on Sunday afternoon.
Ramsey and Davante Adams was supposed to be the marquee matchup at Lambeau Field but when they were lined up across from each other, Rodgers only targeted Adams five times – completing five passes for 41 yards – the most yards allowed by Ramsey to a single receiver since Amari Cooper in Week 1 of the 2020 season.
After the Rams’ 36-28 loss, Ramsey shared some insight on how offenses are attacking Raheem Morris’ defense by picking and choosing their matchups strategically.
“Offenses are definitely trying to get matchups where they think may be best for them. They’re definitely trying to scheme up certain little things a little bit differently to have us potentially playing things a little bit differently. I mean, they’re doing their homework. They’re being an offense,” Ramsey said. “And then when you have a guy like Aaron Rodgers who, Hall of Fame guy, one of the best to do it, he also has a command with his offense to be able to even at times have communication with his receivers and they just go out and make it happen. So it is tough but it’s NFL football, it is what it is.”
The Packers used a lot of pre-snap motion to keep Adams away from Ramsey in coverage, which worked in their favor. On a key third down in the first half, Adams lined up across from Troy Reeder, who was in zone coverage and didn’t get outside quick enough to prevent the reception. Later in the first half, Ramsey was lined up across from Adams in the slot, but the Packers motioned Josiah Deguara to that side of the field and split him outside. That caused Ramsey to follow him to the perimeter, keeping Dont’e Deayon in the slot on Adams, one-on-one.
The result was a 43-yard catch over the top with Deayon trailing Adams from behind, setting up the Packers’ second touchdown of the game to go up 20-10.
DEEP BALL TO @tae15adams!#LARvsGB #GoPackGo
