Rams should find success with empty backfields vs. Bengals
[
theramswire.usatoday.com]
Cameron DaSilva
When the Rams come out with an empty backfield on third-and-short, fans immediately roll their eyes and await the inevitable sack or turnover. But contrary to public perception, the Rams are actually great when going empty.
And it just so happens that their opponent in Super Bowl LVI, the Bengals, are awful at defending plays out of empty formations.
According to Football Outsiders, the Rams ranked third in yards per attempt (7.4) and fourth in DVOA (45.6%) out of empty sets this season. And it’s not a small sample size. The Rams ran more empty sets than any team in the NFL, using them on 18% of their plays.
Defensively, the Bengals ranked 30th in yards per attempt allowed (7.7) against empty backfields and 23rd in DVOA (22.3%). They only pressured the quarterback on 20.2% of their plays against empty, which ranked 28th in the NFL this season.
That’s a clear and obvious mismatch that favors the Rams. The Bengals don’t necessarily have the personnel in the secondary to counter the Rams offense when they spread their receivers out in obvious passing situations. Mike Hilton, Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates are solid players, but Eli Apple is vulnerable to big plays and completions in coverage.
The Rams shouldn’t go empty on most of their plays just because the Bengals struggle to defend it, but don’t be surprised if you see Matthew Stafford alone in the backfield more than usual on Sunday. The Rams have the offensive line to keep him upright and their receivers get open quickly to prevent pressure from getting home.
