Quote:
Originally Posted by ThyKingdomCome15
Spags have the formula to beat the Ravens and the Bills defense struggled for much of the season. I'd rather play the Raven if I were to choose.
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The 'formula' vs the Ravens (and the Bills 6 OL stuff they did against Denver) isn't a formula as much as it's personnel.
Pennell, Bolton and Chenal are one hell of a nasty box to try to run against. And with Reid, Cook, Hicks, McDuffie, Williams and Watson, the back end ain't a dream to run against either. Even a heavy dime group with Hicks likely in the place of Tranquill is going to bring some punch.
Jones has become more disciplined against the run and is a large large man. Karlaftis is stout at the point of attack as is Omenihu (if he's not being too aggressive, just like Jones in that regard).
I mean when we think about our run defense, the only real weakness is Tranquill (and our DT2 when Pennell needs a break). And make no mistake, changing from Gay to Tranquill in that weakside role DOES represent a downgrade. Gay was a guided missile in the run game often going straight into the chest of the lead blocker on a play.
But it shouldn't beat us up too much.
The personnel on this team SHOULD do a lot to bottle up the run game. It's an awfully physical group that never gets the credit it should for being willing to mix it up in the trenches.