“Keep chopping wood” – Sam Hubbard reveals what Cincinnati Bengals defense aims to do to stop Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford

“Keep chopping wood” – Sam Hubbard reveals what Cincinnati Bengals defense aims to do to stop Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford

Sam Hubbard and Cincinnati Bengals' defense

The Cincinnati Bengals defense has really stepped up in the playoff as they have managed to oppress the opponent’s offense in the second half of the games. All of the Bengals’ playoff wins have occurred after their defense has made interceptions towards the end of the game.

The Bengals’ colossal AFC Championship victory was all thanks to their defense who stopped Patrick Mahomes in overtime to turn the ball over that led to their victory.

“We all rise to the occasion on defense” – Sam Hubbard confident the Bengals’ defense can stop the Rams’ stellar offense

Sam Hubbard
Sam Hubbard

“It’s just football. You’re just going to keep chopping wood, we always say that,” Sam Hubbard said Friday at the team’s final availability ahead of the Super Bowl. “First- and second-quarter sacks are cool, but the ones in the third and fourth quarter are legendary and change the outcomes of games. A lot of times, you don’t have success early in games as far as getting to quarterbacks, but you keep going for four quarters. Guys are going to wear down, opportunities are going to come. And those plays you make at the end of the game really matter.”

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“I think we all rise to the occasion on defense as far as making plays when we need to. We have a really good understanding of the defense,” Hubbard said. “There are defenses that might be not in the game plan that might benefit us depending on how the game is going, and we’ll call those, and we have very smart players on defense and go out and execute them.”

One of the main keys to Cincinnati’s defense has been the front four, which has allowed the Bengals to cause more pressure without sending extra men on the field. The Bengals’ 21.1% blitz rate this season is fifth-lowest in the NFL, and their 27.6% QB pressure rate when sending four or fewer rushers is seventh-highest (including playoffs), per Next Gen Stats.

Cincy’s front four is led by Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, D.J. Reader and B.J. Hill, the Bengals have shown they have the horses to get pressure without additional rushers. Hubbard (11 pressures), Hendrickson (nine), and Hill (nine) all rank top-seven in the NFL in QB pressures this postseason.

The key to beating Matthew Stafford is pressure with only four. The Rams QB has eaten the blitz alive this season. His 138.4 passer rating versus the blitz this season (minimum 75 attempts) is the highest by any QB in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016). Los Angeles always looks to establish a run game as soon as possible. So, the main task of the Bengals’ defense will be to stop the run game.

“Just as important as every week,” Hubbard said. “Stopping the run, getting them to drop back, pass the ball — that’s our game plan.”

The Super Bowl is just a day away as the Rams and the Bengals get ready to fight it all out for the ultimate glory — Super Bowl LVI.

Also Read: Super Bowl LVI: Cincinnati Bengals vs Los Angeles Rams Preview, Prediction, Live stream details