BDL 2021 Bizzbowl Championship - #7 Berlin Blitzkrieg vs #6 Death Valley Nightmare

[VigilantZombie]

And there it is folks. It's officially over.  Thank God.

Edited December 30, 2021 by wwhickok

[bcb1213]

I'm going with the Valley here.  Rodgers is going to pick apart a zone early when only blitzing four, gonna get out to a lead but I think the DV line is good enough to allow receivers to work open downfield and Knox is going to go nuts against Edmunds for some deep shots to hit as the defense toughens up.  The Berlin interior line is a little rough with Daniels at center and Newman at LG.  With the edges DV has, it's gonna cause issues one on one with DV interior .  DV 27-24

[VigilantZombie]

I appreciate those who voted for me but it doesn't matter at this point. 9 was the magic #.

[rackcs]

I think both sides gameplanned really well but I think Berlin did a good job ultimately of planning for the focal point of the DV offense with Kamara. He committed extra resources to him in both the run and passing game without ultimately screwing over the rest of the defense. 

I concur with the others who said Henry would've drastically changed this game. It's a shame when you build a backfield like that to carry the offense and then half goes down. Great effort by both teams both in this game and throughout the season. 

[SirA1]

Congrats @Ragnarok

[RuskieTitan]

I think both teams did a phenomenal job preparing for this championship, and came in with good gameplans. I like the Nascar package from Berlin, and I think there could be a couple opportunities for big plays for the Blitzkrieg defense, and I think that while DV's line will be able to sustain Stafford the majority of the time, all it takes is one or two plays to swing momentum. I think it's a one-score game going into halftime, but Goedert comes up big against Chinn a few times in the second half and Berlin takes it, 34-24.

[VigilantZombie]

28 minutes ago, SirA1 said:

Congrats @Ragnarok

You're so predictable. 

[WFLukic]

On 12/27/2021 at 5:20 AM, Whicker said:

Eleven Years

Offense

Overview - Attack on the second level, attack the edges, let Rodgers be Rodgers. 

Strategy - We want to attack the second level of the DV defense.  We think we have a decided advantage with our OTs, RBs, and TEs against the linebackers of DV with Bush gone.  That said, we are going to do what we do best and not overthink it. Good idea.

Like last week, we will trust Rodgers to fluctuate the tempo as he sees fit.  If he wants to slow it down and move the slot from one side to the other and flip the play, we are fine with that.  If he wants to get to the line and go faster, we are fine with that as well.  We want to 1. keep the DV DL off balance and 2. let Rodgers attempt to catch them with an extra guy on the field for a couple free shots downfield. 

Offensive Line - As we have done all year, we will trust our OTs to keep Rodgers clean.  With a bit of a reshuffling of our OL, we are going to move the pocket a bit more this week.  We will use a fair amount of playaction and use some rollouts and boots. 

Tight Ends - We are going to target both tight ends a lot this week.  We want to use Henry to help seal those edges before scraping up to their LBers as well as using him on short-to-intermediate routes.  Goedert will be moved around the formation depending on who DV uses on him.  If they double Goedert, we are going to split him out wide to remove two bodies from the play with our WR to that side moving into the slot.  If they single Goedert with a LBer or safety, he will more commonly go to the slot and run the full route tree and be targeted heavily.  On running plays, he will either block the smaller player in front of him or block back into the formation.  Either way, we like it.  If they put a corner on him, we are going to move him more in-line and run a little more as we will have a blocking advantage.  We will also occasionally line up Henry in the backfield, put both TEs on the same side, and split both out. Goedert's good but I don't think you can expect him to be doubled in any circumstance. That's reserved for Kelce and Kittle at this stage. Good observation re: moving him inside if a corner gets it, but that perhaps plays into DV's hands given their interior DL. 

Running Backs - With Jones looking back to 100%, we want to ensure he gets 20-25 touches both on the ground and through the air.  We are going to attack the edges of the DV defense using tosses, stretches, and later on, counters.  We want to build a playaction look off of this to hold the second level of the DV defense.  We will also use Jones on draws, flares, and screens to force the defensive front of DV to stay honest.  Foreman will get some short yardage and goalline snaps, but Carter and Gainwell will be used more as subs this week as they are better in the passing game and we want to use this RB passing game as an extension of the run game to get those LBers of DV isolated in coverage. Could've mentioned running at Burns - I think that was something you could've looked to take advanage of. Don't really see why you would use Foreman over Jones in short yardage. Would've also liked to see Henry or Goedert used as a fullback - interior line reshuffle means there's a good chance a free player will get through often. Last line of defence for the runner better than an additional guy on an edge where the play isn't going. 

Wide Receivers - With our top 5 WRs healthy and active, we are going to rotate them in and out throughout the game.  They all have varying skillsets, but we are confident in all of them running a full route tree.  Rodgers is going to dictate a lot of their use at the LOS.  If DV plays off, we will get the ball out quickly to let them rack up YAC.  If DV is playing more press coverage, we are going to let them win off the line and let Rodgers drop some balls in as well as hit some back shoulder throws. 

Formations
The above strategies will hold true regardless of formation, but we will utilize different personnel grouping through the game.

2 TE - 50% - As stated above, this is a main set for the game.  We will use our tight ends and Jones heavily while allowing Rodgers to move players around to find the matchup he likes best.  We will rotate our WRs, but we will allow them all the chance to make plays underneath and down field.

2 RB - 15% - Like last week, we will use some 2 RB sets with Jones and one of Carter or Gainwell to get those linebackers and safeties isolated in coverage.

Goedert would be used as dictated above.

Jones and Carter have both shown the ability to run, catch, and block.  In this formation we will typically put one in motion to the Goedert side to get into trips.  This will allow for quick screens to the RB with blockers out front as well as rub routes to get someone open quickly.  The solo-WR side will run a deep route to see if he can get single coverage.

The remaining RB will stay in the backfield and help chip before releasing into a check down option.  We will run the remaining RB a few times to keep the defense honest.

3 WR - 15% - 3 WRs and Goedert with Jones.  We will use a lot of jet motion from the set with handoffs to the WRs included.  Each will probably get a chance of a jet sweep or two to see if they can get the edge.  We will run counters and stretches away from this motion to try and get the linebackers moving one direction with the play going another.

We will throw to the WR going in jet motion as getting all the way across is difficult for any DB.  Our other weapons will run combo routes to let Rodgers read and find the open man.

4 WR - 20% - Rodgers in shotgun and Jones next to him.

This will be 100% Rodgers backyard do-what-he-does-best football.  Get to the line quick, let Rodgers hard count, see if someone jumps, put someone in motion, hard count again, see if someone jumps, let him read and react.

Jones will be used on a couple standard handoffs, but more draws to try and suck up the pass rush before letting him find a hole.  He will also be used as the other check down through screens, flares, and RB option routes.

Defense
Overview - Limit Kamara, match up in coverage, make Stafford beat us. Ideal week for this strategy lol. 

Defensive Line - While Sewell is playing better as of late, Hendrickson beat up on him earlier in the year so we will repeat that.  Unlike last time, we have DLaw back who is going to line up across from Morse.  We think both our edges will keep the heat on Stafford.  We are going to incorporate a Nascar package this week on obvious passing downs(3rd and 8 or more or hurry up) with Hendrickson and YGM inside and Wonnum and DLaw outside to really put the heat on Stafford.  This will also allow our big boys inside a few extra rest snaps.  With Brown back, we want to rotate our interior guys to keep them fresh so they can hold up on the inside. Nascar is a good idea against a QB who isn't too mobile and an RB who isn't a punishing runner, I like it. 

Kamara -  Baron at MLB and Kyzir as SS/OLB will be primarily focused on Kamara.  Their first job is to fill gaps in the run game and limit Kamara on the ground.  If Kamara releases into a pass route to one side of the field, the player to that side will follow with the backside player moving over in more of a trail position so he stays bracketed.  If he splits out and clears out the backfield, both players will follow him and treat him like a gunner. Pretty good idea. 

Man Coverage
Tremaine - Tremaine will have Knox everywhere he goes. You homer Edmunds but Knox wins this. Problem is, Knox is very drop prone. I think Knox gets a few big gains and maybe a 4/80 yard statline. 

Corners - Kendall has Gallup.  Stokes has Parker.  Byron has Kirk.  All 3 of our top corners have been playing very well as of late, and we are going to put a lot on them this week. Good matchups for Berlin across the board here. The lack of a true WR1 really hurts as none of these CBs are elite, but good enough to hang with each DV WR. 

Free Safety - Thornhill is going to be sitting deep.  As the last line of defense, he is going to move around on the back end.  He might line up middle and move to one side, line up to a hash on one side and move to the other side, line up on one side and move to the middle, or line up in any of those spots and stay.

Zone Coverage
We are going to use more man coverage this week, but we will incorporate a fair amount of Cover 3 with Kamara on the field as it will look the most similar to our Cover 1 man.

Various Personnel
2 TE - If they go with 2 TEs, we are going to bring in an extra DT and play with a 5 man front, our 3 linebackers behind, and shut down the run game.  Our LBers would have 2 two TEs and RB in man coverage.

2 RB - We would keep our personnel the same with Byron taking the other RB and everything else staying the same.

4 WR - White comes out, Tremaine and Baron would have Kamara, Witherspoon takes the 4th WR.

No Kamara - Kamara can’t play every snap.  When he is forced to rotate out, Needham will come in for White and play safety next to Thornhill.  We will play Cover 2, either man or zone, remove the deep ball, and dare them to run with anyone but Kamara.  If this is due to a 5 WR look, we will have 4 CBs, Needham at S, Tremaine at MLB, and play zone coverage.

All in all, a pretty tidy GP. Conservative, no loose ends and playing the matchup. When you've got Rodgers at QB and a team that has no glaring weaknesses, it's just about the best thing you could do in this situation. 

 

Motivation

Our entire focus going into last years offseason was putting together a team capable of winning a Bizz Bowl. We made some crazy free agent Signings, some crazier trades, all targeted toward making the team better and more efficient. Everything, absolutely every moment has led us to this point and we are hyper focused on seeing it through until the end with success.

Coach' Pre-Game Speech

For three years this team has been changed, molding, and perfected; all with the set goal of winning a Bizz Bowl Championship. We have seen a lot of good people come and go in various ways, all of their efforts have helped lead us here, but it is the men that stand before me now; the men that stand in this locker room who have laid it all on the line for the last 14 games to get to this point who ARE why we are here.

There is no time to celebrate, our journey is not over. We have one more game, the Bizz Bowl Championship. The goal we set out as a team together to achieve, now we must finish! We must leave it all on the field, no mistakes, no regrets. How you answer the call of this moment will be remembered for the rest of your lives. So now we stand together, we have the opportunity to make history. Now I task you all to have as much faith in each other when you go through that tunnel as I've had in you all season.

No Excuses! When the dust settles everyone shall know why they call us Nightmare! We may be the underdog in this fight but that did not stop David from slaying the Giant. NOW IS YOUR TIME. RISE AND GET PREPARED TO UNLEASH HELL!!! You're the 6 seed and Berlin is the 7 seed... this is more like a donkey fighting a goat on Noah's Ark.


Offensive Gameplan

Our game plan is first premised on the idea of getting Kamara out in space as both a receiver and runner. We are going to use him in a lot of different ways for this game. Well, now we are here but this is not where our story ends. Our team has gotten here because of the faith we have shown in each other and the faith others have shown in us. Now it is time to repay that debt by focusing all of our energy on Berlin and winning the Bizz Bowl Championship.  The challenger has been presented, the task is tall, but so was Goliath and we all know how that worked out! 

Running Game

We are going to run a mixture of sweeps, pitches, off-tackle runs with Gentry as a blocker on the directional side of the run, and we are going to use a few TE Fake - HB Toss plays (essentially a PA type fake throw and toss to the RB in the backfield to the opposite direction). 

In addition to those we plan to use counter/misdirection runs, traps, draws, and a few slant runs. Kamara will get the bulk of all of these runs. We will supplement him to keep him fresh with a periodic snap with Darrell Williams.

We will also use Anthony Schwartz on reverses and Jet sweeps as an additional offensive weapon.

We will use multiple formations to run out of.  4WR, 3WR, 2TE  .

*Should Quinnen Williams & Derrick Brown both be absent from this game, then we will shift our primary running attack to 3WR and 2 TE and run more in the middle of the defensive line to take advantage of a weaker interior DL.


Passing Game

Berlin will once again be without S Antoine Winfield Jr, likely meaning Nik Needham will play Safety again for them, (CB irl for Miami) . We feel confident this is a matchup we can take advantage both on the ground and through the air. Needham, while experienced is a significant step down from Winfield. I feel this needs to be more specific - you can't just say you're taking advantage of a player without any particular strategy as to what you're going to do. 

An element of our routes we will use is double moves, especially against Stokes to create separation and create open opportunities for big plays and possible scores downfield. 

In 4WR when passing we will mix between 3 different variations. Variation one will have Kamara split outside with Williams in the backfield. Williams will provide a security blanket in this situation as a check down. Parker and Gallup will draw coverage on deep routes Kirk will use immediate slants, post and Corner Routes and levels routes and Kamara will use wheel routes, slants, and mesh routes to get into the open pockets of the defense. This could kinda work, especially if Kamara drags two linebackers out and leaves the middle open for Kirk & Knox. 

Variation 2 will have Kamara in the backfield, both as a runner and as a receiver (again play call dependent). As a receiver we will use him on screens and wheel routes. In this situation also, Knox will split out wide. We will use the above formations for the other receivers and for Knox we will use hitch routes, In and out routes, shallow curls and if we see an opening, run him on a seam down field to get a big play.

The last variation will be to use KJ Osborn as the 4th WR (still using Kamara as described in variation 2).

In 3WR Parker & Gallup will be on the outside and Kirk in the slot and a a TE to either provide Pass Pro or run a route (play call dependent).

In 2TE sets, we will use one TE (Knox) to run intermediate to deep routes and use Conklin or Gentry to run shallow routes. We want to attack the middle of the defense in all said passing scenarios but take opportunities to the outside when they present themselves. We will have Parker and Gallup to the outside in 2TE sets and Kamara in the backfield.

We will use some no huddle to tire the defense. We will also, if we get a lead, chew the clock with long methodical drives. Regardless we want to control T.O.P. in this game while being effective on offense. What is the strategy for these long, methodical drives or the no huddle? I get why you'd want to do it, but I'm just not sure the team is built for this. It's a pop it down field and hope Kamara can make plays with the ball in hand. Perhaps need a better guy working the underneath levels out wide and a better between the tackles runner (Henry obviously being out is a major blow). 

Another element of our gameplan, something we have rarely used this season is Play Action. We intend to use this in both the run game and passing game. We will use the run to set up play action passes to the Tight End and to try to get guys open in separation down field.

We will also use the Play Action, moreso pass fakes with guys running routes to open up lanes for HB Toss plays to the outside of the defense.

Defensive Gameplan 

*If Campbell doesn't play, Hargrave will slide to DE and Davis will slot in at NT.

In this game, the biggest threats are Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Dallas Goedert. That however is not remotely the entirety of their threats. Fortunately for us, we have a really good defense that I believe has been grossly underrated all season.

Our defense may helped a bit by the absence of Michael Carter this week who is down with  Covid, as well as C Corey Linsley however they will still have D'onta Foreman & Kenneth Gainwell as runners. The absence of Corey Linsley will bring in  irl Bears RG James Daniels who'll be forced to play out of position against a very good pass rush; is he susceptible to getting pushed back by superior DL as well as committing holding and false starts.

Against the Run

Obviously Aaron Jones is the man to pay attention to but that is not a suggestion we can over look Kenneth Gainwell or D'onta Foreman.

Additionally we expect Kadarius Toney & Brandon Aiyuk to be involved in the running game.  We are even anticipating the possibility of some wildcat.

The run game is going to, no doubt, be a supplement to their passing game like as it was last week. We expect somewhere in the ball park of 15-30 touches (we are not ignoring the possibility of them using a run heavy offense instead of a supplemental attack). Jones is their best runner no doubt and it'll be extremely important throughout the game that we have sound tackling and maintain our assignments and gap integrity. However he is also dealing with a knee injury, so gang tackles are in order, we want him to feel the weight of every tackle on that knee.

Against Heavy, run based formations such as 2TE/2WR and goal line formations we will bring Holland up into the box to help defend the run.

We are expecting similar runs to what they used last week, stretches, draws, counters, etc. If they choose to continually run up the gut, well, it's their funeral, we have a very good Defensive line.

Against the Pass

First and foremost we expect Toney back however Robison will remain on theCovid list. Our expectation is that Goedert and/Toney is the likely slot guy.

We are going to run a lot of zone in this game to keep eyes forward on Rodgers.  We anticipate Rodgers sending his Wide Receivers and TEs deep often to test us deep, when he isn't playing against the run as listed above, Holland and McKinney will play deep in coverage to protect from getting beat over the top. Ahh Berlin wanted the intermediate level and with the safeties deep, Rodgers can exploit this. 

A few of things we did in practice this week. 

We pumped in a ton of noise and worked on hard counts with Stafford to prepare our defense against it if/when Rodgers attempts to do it.

To counter this however we also practiced having our LBs come up toward the LOS and try to instigate false starts.

Secondly we worked on the DBs holding their position rather than jumping routes, we want them to maintain solid coverage, only taking an opportunity if it comes to them, we don't want any missed chances leading to big plays because of a blown coverage.

Jeremy Chinns primary role from the ILB position in this game will be to contain and limit Dallas Goedert (or Hunter Henry if only 1 TE is in on the formation). Given his coverage ability this does mean following him into the intermediate zone. If he goes beyond that we will allow the NB to continue deep coverage and Chinn to maintain a presence in the intermediate zone to ensure no zone is left completely open.

We will match DBs to Receivers (in terms of #s in formations). We expect that Berlin is going to run a ton of different looks from 2 RB, 3WR, 2 TE, 4WR, and 5WR. We are certain the running backs will be used in the flat on screens, flares and possibly on wheel routes to extend the passing games. We are also prepared for both TEs and  maybe an occasional RB being split out wide.

With the health issues of our normal Cab depth, when we need 5 CBs on the field (ideally) we will use Xavier Woods as a 3rd Safety with coverage responsibilities. 

Now one thing they did against us in week 9 was to try to attack our edges and stay away from our DTs. We are prepared for this, we will occasionally shift the DEs outward to occupy the OTs and free up the Edges, when we do this, the inside linebackers will cover the Running lanes in the middle of the D-line. The idea is to keep the opposing offense guessing as to how we will attack them.

Because none of Berlins receivers have been what we would call standout receivers this season, we will not be shadowing anyone other than Chinns assignment of Goedert as mentioned above. While they all have talent and some have good speed, none of them are consistent enough to allow them to dictate our defensive response.

We will use just 4 guys early to get pressure. We will periodically blitz with extra pressure from both sides. Another way we will apply blitzes is by shifting the Dline toward Wirfs, putting Heyward right up in his face and overloading the blindside. Who comes off the field for 4 guy pressures? Crosby or Burns in coverage? One of the INTs goes out? 

With Rodgers dealing with a toe injury he could be slowed in his attempts to take off and run but using zone coverage and keeping our eyes toward the LOS will help us react quickly to any QB runs.

Deep safeties and zone coverage which isn't very aggressive doesn't seem the best strategy against Rodgers of all people. I think he has a good day flicking the ball around to Henry and Jones in particular. 

 

Obviously commend both teams on making it to the bizzbowl. Only two can make it and only one can win. I'm going to go with Berlin in this one. 

I wouldn't say Death Valley's defense has been underrated given it did make the bizzbowl, but in any case, it is a very good unit with a great pass-rush. Against a reshuffled Berlin offensive line, there is definitely some success and I don't think Rodgers is able to burn them deep at all against a pocket which may collapse frequently. However Rags came in with a very clear intention to work the intermediate level and let Rodgers do what he does best which is spreading the ball around with his freakishly quick flick of the wrist. You can just tell it would be one of those games where Jones or a TE is getting catches like 2 yards after the LOS on an out route and turning them up field for consistent 7-8 yard gains to move the chains. I do think DV gets plenty of stops in the redzone though. Bunch of field goals and a touchdown or two. 

On the otherside of the ball, I really like how Berlin matches up with DV. The DL and CBs are strong and will get their wins and while I don't love the LB group, two of them together is enough to handle Kamara and while Edmunds sucks in coverage, Knox isn't consistent enough to truly make Berlin pay. Stafford being more bust than boom this week didn't help and I think that after falling behind, DV is able to score a few times to keep the game in reach but Rodgers orchestrates a few long drives to keep the game out of reach.

Berlin 19 (4 FG, 1 TD) def. DV 13 (1 TD, 2 FG)

[The Orca]

[The Orca]

[Ragnarok]

@wwhickok awesome match up and you were a classy, tough match up as always.  I fully expect you back here next year.  You have a hell of a team.  I don't know many other teams who could have made it to the finals without their top RB, WR, and TE.

[RuskieTitan]

18 hours ago, Ragnarok said:

@wwhickok awesome match up and you were a classy, tough match up as always.  I fully expect you back here next year.  You have a hell of a team.  I don't know many other teams who could have made it to the finals without their top RB, WR, and TE.

Congratulations!

[VigilantZombie]

This goes down as the biggest blowout in Bizz Bowl history; wasn't remotely competitive. I think if another team had made it in my place, maybe Camden or Singapore, the score would've been closer.