Why:
This is a scheme win by the Rams.
It's not a lack of physical ability by the Cowboys defense.
The Cowboy didn't do anything different than other
defenses would from this defensive formation.
They didn't get gashed because they were stunting.
They were not getting dominated in 1-on-1 match-ups per se.
Key Issue
LBs got boxed out.
The Rams run blocking is designed to get defenders
moving horizontally then block their path.
Nice work X...
The loss to the rams began in the days leading up to the game in Sean McVey’s film room. We got completely out prepped by the 33 year old offensive boy wonder. We ran our defense just as we had all season, and it had certainly been effective in most situations.
But this is where NFL coaching is ultimately exposed- in the playoffs. Garrett runs this team like a 1965 Vince Lombardi packers team. “Here is what we do, we’re going to it over and over, because that’s what we do, and we are going to out physical you with it”. The problem with that theory is multi-faceted. In today’s NFL that doesn’t work, and here’s why:
- In today’s game, scheme is just as important as physical skill. Why? Because the talent level in today’s game is much closer. You can’t physically dominate people consistently.
- In today’s game, it is critical to have multiple looks on both sides of the ball because it gives you an advantage beyond talent matchups. If you can out fox your opponent with different looks, you put them on their heels just as much as whipping them. It frustrates the opponent.
- In today’s game, there is a premium placed on coaching being able to adapt to changing situations with an opponent- in game and in season. If your scheme is getting torched, screaming at your players to “fight harder” isn’t enough.
That last bullet IMO is Garrett’s Achilles heel as a HC. He does several things well but his inability to adapt is an absolute killer in the playoffs. Which is where coaching matters most. If Garrett doesn’t correct this bad habit, he will continue to be a decent reg season coach who sucks in the playoffs.
Good work on this topic X. IMO, we got beat by the rams because they out coached us. It wasn’t as much physical as it was mental prep.