[AvengerRam]

I think one of the big strategic factors in this Monday's game will be the use of the blitz.

Minnesota is the most blitz-happy team in the NFL. They blitzed on 39% of passing plays, producing 49 sacks (tied for 4th in the league).

In their first matchup against the Rams, though, they were a bit more conservative, blitzing only 11 times in 34 pass attempts. It didn't work, as Matthew Stafford finished with 279 yards passing, 4 TDs, a passer rating of 124.5, 0 sacks, and only 3 "bad throws."

So, for Brian Flores, the questions is... did they blitz too much, or not enough? Stafford is very good against the blitz (he posted a season-high 142.7 passer rating against New England, for example, despite facing a season high 16 blitzes). So... will Flores bring the heat?

The Rams are much more conservative when it comes to blitz usage, blitzing only 23% of the time (20th in NFL). Consistent with this approach, they only blitzed Sam Darnold 6 times in 25 pass attempts. The results were mixed, as Darnold did post a 128.7 passer rating, but he was sacked 3 times and had 7 "bad throws."

When Chris Shula devises his blitz package, will he use a similar approach, or will he be influenced by Detroit's success with the blitz last Sunday? In that pivotal matchup, the Lions blitzed a whopping 23 times and, while they only produced 2 sacks, Darnold had a season high 13 "bad throws" and a passer rating of 55.5.

Of course, the question of "when" is equally important, if not more so, than "how often" when it comes to blitz usage.

This will be an interesting chess match.

[actionjack]

[actionjack]

I think one of the big strategic factors in this Monday's game will be the use of the blitz.

Minnesota is the most blitz-happy team in the NFL. They blitzed on 39% of passing plays, producing 49 sacks (tied for 4th in the league).

In their first matchup against the Rams, though, they were a bit more conservative, blitzing only 11 times in 34 pass attempts. It didn't work, as Matthew Stafford finished with 279 yards passing, 4 TDs, a passer rating of 124.5, 0 sacks, and only 3 "bad throws."

So, for Brian Flores, the questions is... did they blitz too much, or not enough? Stafford is very good against the blitz (he posted a season-high 142.7 passer rating against New England, for example, despite facing a season high 16 blitzes). So... will Flores bring the heat?

The Rams are much more conservative when it comes to blitz usage, blitzing only 23% of the time (20th in NFL). Consistent with this approach, they only blitzed Sam Darnold 6 times in 25 pass attempts. The results were mixed, as Darnold did post a 128.7 passer rating, but he was sacked 3 times and had 7 "bad throws."

When Chris Shula devises his blitz package, will he use a similar approach, or will he be influenced by Detroit's success with the blitz last Sunday? In that pivotal matchup, the Lions blitzed a whopping 23 times and, while they only produced 2 sacks, Darnold had a season high 13 "bad throws" and a passer rating of 55.5.

Of course, the question of "when" is equally important, if not more so, than "how often" when it comes to blitz usage.

This will be an interesting chess match.

One main difference between Detroit and the Rams is that the Lions have bigger physical corners to play the suffocating (refs let them play) coverage in the back end. Also have to believe Rams have a better pass rush overall so hopefully dont need to blitz as much.

[AvengerRam]

Clearly shows that Stafford is effective against the blitz.

Darnold... a bit less so and certainly less tested.

[AvengerRam]

One main difference between Detroit and the Rams is that the Lions have bigger physical corners to play the suffocating (refs let them play) coverage in the back end. Also have to believe Rams have a better pass rush overall so hopefully dont need to blitz as much.

I definitely would not advocate for blitzing as much as the Lions for the reasons you list. Notably, 33 of the Rams 38 sacks came from "non-blitzers" (DL/EDGE rushers, as opposed to ILB and DBs), so they are pretty good at generating pressure without selling out.

Still... Darnold's performance last week does suggest that situational blitzes (particularly in Red Zone) should be utilized.

[actionjack]

I definitely would not advocate for blitzing as much as the Lions for the reasons you list. Notably, 33 of the Rams 38 sacks came from "non-blitzers" (DL/EDGE rushers, as opposed to ILB and DBs), so they are pretty good at generating pressure without selling out.

Still... Darnold's performance last week does suggest that situational blitzes (particularly in Red Zone) should be utilized.

I agree, I would def try and keep Darnold uncomfortable all game. If our front can cause problems on their own great! If not, I would send an extra guy or two.

[snackdaddy]

Not sure how effective or ineffective the blitz was in the first game. But they made some nice adjustments after the first quarter. Vikings scored touchdowns on their first two drives. Managed only two field goals the rest of the way.

[ramsman34]

I think one of the big strategic factors in this Monday's game will be the use of the blitz.

Minnesota is the most blitz-happy team in the NFL. They blitzed on 39% of passing plays, producing 49 sacks (tied for 4th in the league).

In their first matchup against the Rams, though, they were a bit more conservative, blitzing only 11 times in 34 pass attempts. It didn't work, as Matthew Stafford finished with 279 yards passing, 4 TDs, a passer rating of 124.5, 0 sacks, and only 3 "bad throws."

So, for Brian Flores, the questions is... did they blitz too much, or not enough? Stafford is very good against the blitz (he posted a season-high 142.7 passer rating against New England, for example, despite facing a season high 16 blitzes). So... will Flores bring the heat?

The Rams are much more conservative when it comes to blitz usage, blitzing only 23% of the time (20th in NFL). Consistent with this approach, they only blitzed Sam Darnold 6 times in 25 pass attempts. The results were mixed, as Darnold did post a 128.7 passer rating, but he was sacked 3 times and had 7 "bad throws."

When Chris Shula devises his blitz package, will he use a similar approach, or will he be influenced by Detroit's success with the blitz last Sunday? In that pivotal matchup, the Lions blitzed a whopping 23 times and, while they only produced 2 sacks, Darnold had a season high 13 "bad throws" and a passer rating of 55.5.

Of course, the question of "when" is equally important, if not more so, than "how often" when it comes to blitz usage.

This will be an interesting chess match.

Great points. I also think it is how they marry the coverage behind the blitz and when they fool the Vikings with simulated blitz looks. There are many ways to blitz - not just when in man or when in zone. There are ways to match certain coverages on sides or areas of the field to coincide with where the blitz comes from up front.

It will be a great chess match indeed. I think Shula has some special things in his bag he will unleash situationally. Things we haven’t seen before.

[ramsman34]

I definitely would not advocate for blitzing as much as the Lions for the reasons you list. Notably, 33 of the Rams 38 sacks came from "non-blitzers" (DL/EDGE rushers, as opposed to ILB and DBs), so they are pretty good at generating pressure without selling out.

Still... Darnold's performance last week does suggest that situational blitzes (particularly in Red Zone) should be utilized.

Shula def blitzes more in the Redzone. Which makes sense. Not a lot of field to cover and everything is compressed. Get to the QB fast and unexpectedly and good things tend to happen.

[Dare]

I think Flores tries early and if they get home he will keep it up. But if it burns them with Stafford's rested arm he might back off. The key will be the Ram OL will be at full complement.

I think we will see a lot of Kupp, Nacua and Whittington which will put a whole lot of pressure on the secondary if Flores blitzes a lot. I say fine blitz and when the OL give Stafford a chance to throw they will get burned big. The OL just has to slow them enough for Stafford to get the pass off. Completions vs a zone coverage is something Stafford and the WRs can beat.

Conversely, I think the Rams can get home with their top 4 rushers on obvious passing downs. If I were the Vikings I'd worry more about stopping the Ram pass rush if they get behind the sticks. Still feels strange saying that after all the sit back and hope the offense messes up the defense played under Morris. Speaking of whom I hear he's taking heat for waiting too long to start Penix. His conservative nature is what got him fired in Tampa. In that regard, he hasn't changed.

I'm very happy with Shula as DC the improvement is night and day.