BDL 2024 Week 3: New Orleans Jazz @ Las Vegas Bangers

[RedGold]

BDL 2024 Week  3

Match:  New Orleans Jazz @ Las Vegas Bangers

Away Owner:    @WFLukic

Home Owner:    @InjuredReserve @BodyBurner

Vote for who you think would win the game.

Rules:
One vote per person, duplicate accounts will be banned and action taken against those attempting to rig the results.

One vote per team involved in the match. Co-owners may vote in every match up except their own.

For members, who have been following along, and wish to vote.  Please join the conversation and maybe give a reason you voted as you did. This will alleviate any suspicions of unusual voting and will promote discussion.

Note: Players that have a (D) next to their name indicate that they are doubtful or unlikely to play. Players with (Q) are game-time decisions.

Good luck to you both

[RedGold]

New Orleans

Offense:

QB: Josh Allen
RB: Josh Jacobs
WR: D.J. Moore
WR: Brian Thomas Jr.
Slot WR: Rashee Rice
TE: Jake Ferguson
LT: Jake Matthews
LG: Joel Bitonio
OC: Connor McGovern
RG: Mike Onwenu
RT: Rob Havenstein

Bench:

RB2: Derrick Henry
RB3/WR4: Wan”Dale Robinson
WR5: Allen Lazard
WR6: Michael Wilson
TE2: Luke Schoonmaker
TE3: Juwan Johnson
OL6: Cam Robinson
OL7: Cesar Ruiz

Defense:

DE: Za’Darius Smith
DT: Jeffrey Simmons
DT: Javon Hargrave
DE: Arik Armstead
LB: DeMarvion Overshown
LB: DeMario Davis
LB: Daiyan Henley
CB: Cam Taylor-Britt
CB: Rasul Douglas
SS: Derwin James
FS: Julian Love

Bench:

DE3: Yaya Diaby
DE4: Preston Smith
INT3: Byron Murphy II
INT4: Sheldon Rankins
CB3: Stephon Gilmore
CB4: Kristian Fulton
CB5: Jonathan Jones
S3: Taylor Rapp

 

 

 

 

 

Las Vegas

Offensive Line-up:

QB: Lamar Jackson
RB: Brian Robinson Jr.
WR: Mike Evans
WR: Josh Downs
TE: Isaiah Likely
TE: Will Dissly
LT: Alaric Jackson
LG: Joe Thuney
OC: Erik McCoy
RG: Quenton Nelson
RT: Penei Sewell

 

Bench: Jauan Jennings, WR
Bench: Jalen Tolbert, WR
Bench: Jaylen Warren, RB
Bench: Zamir White, RB
Bench: Greg Dulcich, TE
Bench: Will Hernandez, OG
Bench: Evan Brown, OC
Bench: Kingsley Suamataia

 

Defensive Line-up:

EDGE: Brian Burns (Q)
DT: Leonard Williams
DT: Michael Pierce
EDGE: Kwity Paye
LB: Robert Spillane
LB: Leo Chenal
CB: Jaycee Horn
CB: Chidobe Awuzie
SLOT CB: Michael Carter II
S: Jevon Holland
S: Xavier Woods

Bench: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE
Bench: Quan Martin, S
Bench: Jeremy Chinn, S
Bench: Michael Jackson, CB
Bench: Braden Fiske, INT
Bench: Larry Ogunjobi, INT
Bench: Payton Wilson, LB
Bench: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE

Edited Sunday at 05:15 PM by RedGold

[RedGold]

New Orleans

Motivation:

Vegas/Baltimore blew us out in our last meeting in New Orleans, so we're ready to return the favour. We want to come into Vegas, control the clock and leave with a smash and grab victory to keep us atop the BDL standings.

Offense:

70% - 3 WR 1 TE 1 RB
10% - 4 WR 1 RB
5% - 2 RB 2 WR 1 TE
7.5% - 4WR 1 TE
7.5% - 5WR

Ball Control Offense: We remain committed to our ball control offense, with once again as many as 40-50% of our plays as runs, between Allen, Jacobs and Henry. We know that if we can win the TOP, that's as good as winning the game against a Vegas offense that isn't going to put up points fast.
Our aim is to have Henry and Jacobs combine for over 30 carries, along with the occasional Allen designed run or scramble. Also included in this split will be Jacobs getting the passing downs, while Henry gets the short yardage and goal line carries. 
With Brian Burns banged up, our plan is to target his edge in particular and really put a large workload on him in the run game to lessen his effectiveness as a rusher.

Passing game: Moore will be our number 1 and given the full route tree, while Rice will work out of the slot primarily with the aim of being our YAC guy and finding soft spots in the zone when Quebec line-up that way. Thomas Jr. will be our deep threat. In this match we'll look to target Awuzie, who we see as the weakest link of Vegas’ starters and if Moore draws single coverage, we'll look to him against Awuzie or a deep toss to Thomas Jr.
We’ll also frequently use rub routes in man coverage with Rice and Moore lining up alongside each other, with the idea that if we can execute one effectively and get one of them free, there should be plenty of ground to gain as Thomas stretches the defense. 
We plan to go empty backfield on around 15% of our snaps (approximately ~10 total) either with 4 wide and 1 TE or 5 WRs. Vegas doesn't have the deepest CB group so we feel we can really stretch them there, while not sacrificing too much in the running game as Josh serves as a threat both on designed runs or scrambles.

Defense:

Crowd the LOS - With Samuel out and a thin WR room as is, Vegas isn't the team to beat you through the air and put up a huge score on. They can win by playing a smart, ball control oriented offense. So our plan is to take the running and underneath passing game away, keep Lamar in check and have him heave it downfield and hope for the best with what is a largely underwhelming weapon group outside of Mike Evans.
Heavy DL Rotation: While our DL this season may not have the same star power that it has had in years gone by, it is deeper than it’s ever been. Given our focus on getting after the QB,  it will be necessary to ensure our guys on the DL are as fresh as possible. Therefore we’ll see our players rotating with the aim that no one on the DL plays any more than 70% of the snaps.
Coverage:
Primarily cover 1 man, with James playing up nearer the line to help provide support against what will generally be heavier fronts we see from Vegas. Love will be our deep safety and lean towards Evans who we see as the greatest threat as a pass catcher downfield. While Likely is a talented player, we're confident James can handle him.
In terms of coverage, it will be as follows:
Evans - Douglas
Downs - Taylor-Britt 
Jennings - Gilmore (if Las Vegas are in 2 WR and Jennings is on the field instead of Downs, then Taylor-Britt will cover Jennings).
Davis - Dissly
James - Likely
Overshown / Henley - RB or Spy Lamar (they’ll rotate doing this)

 

 

 

 

 

Las Vegas

BDL Week 3 Write-up:

New Orleans Jazz at Las Vegas Bangers

 

Chapter 3: The Home Opener

BB wearily tugs the sweat soaked wig off his head as he wipes the grease from his Cubano onto his blood stained Quenton Nelson t-shirt. The battlefield arrayed before him paints a grim picture of a Cuba roster that had great honor and fought with true zeal. Shame what happened to them.

“We must inform IR of our victory, bring my carrier pigeons. Only the fleetest of foot will do,” BB cried.

“But sir, carrier pigeons fly,” the Soldier pleaded.

“Mine run,” BB growled already walking away.

An eerie smile played across BB’s face as he finished writing his note on the tiny parchment and outfitted the pigeon for its perilous journey. “Off with you, bring news of my feats.” The carrier pigeon trotted and then broke into a run across the field of war. It set a blistering pace to arrive not 20 yards from where BB stood.

“Oh you are already here………………………………………..how much did you see,” BB said through a suspiciously apprehensive stare.

IR grabbed the pigeon and explained that “I have been here the entire time. You just ran around screaming at the Cubans that they were lacbeef intolerant, and I think it needs to be said, what you did to the survivors is a war-crime.”

BB glared, “I was SENDING A MESSAGE………..anyway who’s next?”

“New Orleans”

“Truly excellent, back to the boats my beefy men! We are headed to the Big Easy!” BB yells as he slaps the powdered wig back on his head and finishes his motivational speech with “Jambalaya and Beignets for everyone tonight!”

As the boats launched IR yelled after him “The game is in Vegas”. “Eh he’ll figure it out”, IR mumbled as he finally got around to opening the pigeon’s message. Written in crayon with grease stains obscuring it read, “Bring snacks”.

IR looked out on the dawn that would bring their latest conquest. The Las Vegas quest for glory and BB’s side mission for Beefy Awareness were only just beginning.

 

Offensive Game Plan:

Base Formation (~60%): 12 Personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, and 2 WR)

Secondary Formation (~40%): 11 Personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR)\

Play mix: 50% Run, 50% Pass

Las Vegas enters this battle with a plan set to attack the Cover 1 Man defense that we expect New Orleans to deploy against us.

·        We will be utilizing the speed of our receivers to create space with quick routes to move the ball consistently down the field.

·        To further create separation, and to disrupt their man coverage. We’ll being running designed pick plays with Isaiah Likely to get him open with intermediate and short passes.

·        Plan for Mike Evans and Josh Downs is to have them sent frequently on simultaneous deep routes that will force the single high safety to make a choice on who to double. We trust Lamar to make the right read to exploit the WR who ends up in mismatched single coverage deep.

o   This will provide us with splash plays and draw defensive holding penalties. Putting us in a position where NO can’t focus on the run game that is our biggest strength

o   It will also open up opportunities for our underneath crossers as the defense is being stretched deep (PHRASING).

·        Our Elite Offensive Line supports this strategy as our starting unit enters Week 3 having given up 0 total sacks. New Orleans’ edges are going to have a long day eating pancakes and dreaming of their Week 1 and 2 matchups.

o   We will NOT be using our TEs to chip. We want them getting clean releases to do damage in the intermediate passing game where we anticipate New Orleans struggling to defend.

o   We know our OL doesn’t need help from the TEs since they face a New Orleans DL filled with depth, but not a soul among them who is going to challenge our unit in the pass rush or when they with tears in their eyes attempt to stop the run.

·        Other passing attack keys:

o   Frequent use of pre-snap motion to create defensive assignment confusion and to help Lamar identify the defensive assignments.

o   Heavy use of play action to challenge the defense and take advantage of their fear of our run game.

o   Mixing in a small number of screens to keep the defense honest and challenge them with our RBs out of the backfield.

·        Lamar Jackson X Factor element: We give Lamar the freedom to create against this defense. Our OL will give him plenty of time and against tough coverages we want him to be opportunistic with his legs and get some stolen 1^st downs on the ground (rather than throwing into any double coverage).

This targeted plan of attack through the air against New Orleans is going to be supported via our brutal rushing attack. Keys to the rushing attack:

·        Heavy deployment of 12 personnel, keeping the extra strong blocking TE on the field (Will Dissly’s assignment), and then deploying our OL as follows:

o   LT (Alaric Jackson), LG (Jue Thuney), C (Erik McCoy), RG (Quenton Nelson), and RT (Penei Sewell).

·        This OL group gives us massive interior rushing advantage against an interior New Orleans defensive line and LB core that is ill equipped to stop it.

·        60% of rushes will be attacking the New Orleans DL on the inside by hitting the A and B gaps behind the wall of beef that is Erik McCoy, Joe Thuney and Quenton Nelson. We want to challenge this mid quality unit and make his LB’s need to make tough tackles at the second level.

·        40% of rushes to the right side of our OL into either the C gap or Off tackle. This has 3 major benefits:

o   Lets us take advantage of Penei Sewell’s elite run blocking.

o   In 12 personnel, our TEs are poised to present additional challenges on these runs.

o   Finally, Jauan Jennings is our new arrival that gives us a WR we plan to stack to the right who has great run blocking traits. This will allow us to deploy this strategy not just in 12 personnel, but also in 11 personnel with Jennings on the field.

 

Key Personnel notes:

·        Our offense moves as far as the beef train can take us. And this beef train just got a brand new caboose it can’t wait to deploy. Alaric Jackson returns and the final gem drops into our Thanos gauntlet (did I get that right you Marvel nerds?).

o   This elite beef has been assembled on the field of battle.

o   They will provide a day of glory in the run game and a clean pocket to pass from that will make Lamar Jackson literally too big to fail (able to carve that sweet man coverage up).

·        We are ecstatic to have famed offseason Josh Downs finally suit up for us. His arrival, along with newly traded for Jauan Jennings, gives Mike Evans new support in our 11 personnel attack.

·        Isaiah Likely is starting TE1 and barely leaves the field.

·        Will Dissly is TE2 (heavy blocking assignments).

·        Jauan Jennings in as WR3 (replacing Dissly when we deploy 11 personnel)

·        Brian Robinson Jr. was buoyed by our faith in him and spearheaded our rushing attack plan by carving up foes IRL for us. It has earned him the full-time starting RB role and a guaranteed ~60% of the teams touches this week. Jaylen Warren and Zamir White split the remaining carries.

 

Defensive Game Plan:

Base Defense: Nickel (4 DL, 2 LB, 3 CBs, 2 S)

Secondary Defensive Alignment: ~25% Cover 3 (primarily zone)

 

New Orleans offense is one to be respected. Many would start their defensive game plan discussing Josh Allen’s passing attack, but we start where it is needed and focus on the run. With Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry we expect them to try to deploy a balanced gameplan that sees a heavy dose of interior runs (utilizing their interior OL and power backs). To address this we are doing the following:

·        Michael Pierce assumes the starting role. We move Braden Fiske to the bench (who will only be on the field in 3^rd and long situations in this match-up). Moving Pierce into the starting line-up puts a strong run-defender next to our mainstay in Leonard Williams and will make this an interior battle.

·        Robert Spillane will never leave the field. He is having a breakout season and is our ace in the hole when it comes to rush defense. He knows what he needs to do this week. Make Jazz RBs pay dearly for every inch of ground they want between the tackles.

·        Respect and contain Josh Allen:

o   Josh Allen is a magician when it comes to his scrambling ability. We respect that and are tasking Leo Chenal (our speediest LB) to act in the spy role this week.

o   We want Josh Allen to air it out where our CBs can challenge the Jazz WRs and Jevon Holland can hunt for INTs. What we don’t want is to lose to Josh Allen running rampant. As such, Chenal is a heat seeking missile of anger starting straight at Allen all game and where he moves Leo follows.

 

Coverage Plan:

·        NO has solid WRs, but no one who presents a significant mismatch. This allows us to play primarily man coverage out of our Nickel base package. We will mix in 25% zone just to provide some different looks for Josh Allen to read.

o   When we deploy in zone we will be primarily working out of the Cover 3 alignment.

o   When in this alignment we don’t give up on the QB spy plan though. Quan Martin comes in for Leo Chenal and takes Spy duties and additional run support assistance (strongest part of his game).

 

Coverage Assignments:

·        Jaycee Horn on DJ Moore

·        Michael Carter Jr on Rashee Rice

·        Chidobe Awuzie on Brian Thomas Jr

·        Jevon Holland is in the ballhawk role this week.

o   We trust our CBs this week against these WRs and are going to give the freedom to Jevon Holland to roam the field as our X factor. We want big plays and are hunting for turnovers that shift the game.

 

Our Defensive Line and LB approach is as follows:

-         Brian Burns and Kwity Paye: Starting edges are tasked with going to war this week versus New Orleans’ OTs that are abuseable. We want them pressuring Allen and forcing him to make quick throws.

o   Brian Burns looks good to go this week, but Marshawn Kneeland is our 3^rd Edge who is already planned to spell him and

-         Interior DL combos:

o   Starting DL: Leonard Williams / Michael Pierce are starting and provide us our strongest interior run defense duo.

o   3^rd and Long: Braden Fiske subbing in for Michael Pierce .

-         Blitz percentage: We want to deploy Robert Spillane frequently in LB blitzes throughout the game (30% LB blitz approach to assist our edges in getting pressure on Josh Allen). When not blitzing he is our primary run defender.

-         Leo Chenal is our QB spy and his speedy body that BB hates is perfect for the role.

 

We end as all things should with a prayer. A prayer that Lukic screenshotted his +/- before he faces the Las Vegas. We plan to muddy those waters and hand NO their first loss. A loss that will be long remembered (at least until they get to Week 4).

Edited Sunday at 05:17 PM by RedGold

[InjuredReserve]

The Bangers couldn't be more proud to welcome Jauan Jennings to Vegas. We appreciate your immediate contributions.

[Scoundrel]

Vegas really called what NOLA wanted to do on both sides of the ball. The question will be do they have the personnel to execute. 

[InjuredReserve]

17 minutes ago, Scoundrel said:

Vegas really called what NOLA wanted to do on both sides of the ball. The question will be do they have the personnel to execute. 

To answer your question: Yes, we do.

[BodyBurner]

We have the men, and the ships to make anything possible 

[EaglesPeteC]

Vegas with the Russian novel game plan…….where can I buy the Cliff’s Notes? 

[Scoundrel]

21 minutes ago, EaglesPeteC said:

Vegas with the Russian novel game plan…….where can I buy the Cliff’s Notes? 

[InjuredReserve]

42 minutes ago, EaglesPeteC said:

Vegas with the Russian novel game plan…….where can I buy the Cliff’s Notes? 

No one checked on us. We were writing like Mad-men. 

[BodyBurner]

3 hours ago, EaglesPeteC said:

Vegas with the Russian novel game plan…….where can I buy the Cliff’s Notes? 

I mean you can skip the exciting tale of conquest and glory. I don’t recommend it. It’s pretty great. Romance, comedy, thrills and drama, it really has it all. You can skip it though. You know, if you don’t want your life to change forever 

[Malfatron]

Gut feel

NO gets close but ultimately doesnt play henry enough and lv squeaks one out.

 

 

[InjuredReserve]

6 hours ago, BodyBurner said:

I mean you can skip the exciting tale of conquest and glory. I don’t recommend it. It’s pretty great. Romance, comedy, thrills and drama, it really has it all. You can skip it though. You know, if you don’t want your life to change forever 

It's like a 90 second anime TV intro. You can skip it. But it's a blast.

[Scoundrel]

I just think the Bangers out gameplanned. It was a long game plan but it was just fluff (except the intro but that’s entertainment) it had really solid strategy. Well done. Definitely a close one but Vegas gets the edge at home this week.

[InjuredReserve]

5 minutes ago, Scoundrel said:

I just think the Bangers out gameplanned. It was a long game plan but it was just fluff (except the intro but that’s entertainment) it had really solid strategy. Well done. Definitely a close one but Vegas gets the edge at home this week.

Appreciate that. Assuming you mean "wasn't fluff". It did get longer than I wanted and will focus a bit more on brevity in the future. But, I do like to make it clear how we expect to execute (I think I can do that in maybe 65% the length going forward).