It is finally that time of the year! We are just two days away from the greatest day of football, Super Bowl Sunday. This year, it features, the Patriots(again) and the Rams. The teams will kick off at 6:30 PM from Atlanta, with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo getting the call. The Patriots will look to get their sixth Super Bowl of the millennia while the Rams have an opportunity to launch a potential dynasty. This game proves to be an exciting one. Today, we will break down the matchups of the game, and see who will come out on top.
Before we dive in to the comparisons, let's take a moment to see how both teams got here. the Patriots started the season 2-2, and lost to the Lions and Jaguars. After going on a winning streak, they were embarrassed in Tennessee. After heart crushing losses to the Dolphins and Steelers, the Pats finished 11-5, with the second seed in the AFC. They then proceeded to destroy the Chargers in the divisional round, and held off Patrick Mahomes in the title game to clinch their third straight Super Bowl.
The Rams started off the season red-hot, and were the NFL's last undefeated team left at 8-0. They then went to New Orleans, and were defeated by the Saints. A few weeks later, their flaws were exposed by the Chicago Bears, who held the Rams to almost zero offense. They were then made victims of Nick Foles' magic, and finished the season 13-3, good for the second seed in the NFC. They beat the Cowboys behind their excellent run game, and overcame a deficit to beat the Saints in the Title game. Now, let's take a look at some of the key questions that will change the game.
#1 - Can the Rams get to Brady?
In the postseason, the Patriots scrappy offensive line as been incredible. They did not get allow a sack to players like Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa, Chris Jones, and Dee Ford. A clean pocket allowed Brady to read the defense, ad then surgically pick it apart. However, the Rams have the best defensive player in football, Aaron Donald, on their side. Donald has 20.5 sacks in the regular season, and has terrorized quarterbacks. Hitting Brady has been the key to beating the Pats, as Von Miller, Michael Strahan, and Brandon Graham have ben key to postseason eliminations for Brady. If the Pats can restrict Donald, they have a very good shot at winning.
#2 - Can the Pats run game get going?
Unlike nearly every season of the Brady-Belichick era, running has been the key to success. behind Sony Michel, the Pats have killed high flying offensive teams by taking time off the clock, and preventing opposing playmakers to get the ball. Much of this success has been fueled by James Develin. The fullback is having an outstanding season, and might be the key to the Pats holding the ball. The more they run, the less time Todd Gurley has to cause trouble.
#3 - How will the Pats attack the Rams' defensive weaknesses?
The Rams secondary is not bad. Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib do a good job covering the outsides, while Nickell Robey-Coleman can(perhaps illegally) cover the slot well. However, their linebackers are an issue. Given that the Rams excel at getting to the quarterback, Brady will have to throw the ball quickly. That will mean the linebackers will be responsible for making sure no outlets are available. In particular, the Rams have to watch out for James White. The dual-threat running back has been insanely good receiving, tallying 87 receptions this season. If a linebacker does not pay attention to him, it likely will result in a Patriots first down.
#4 - Can Todd Gurley and CJ Anderson get going?
Two weeks ago, all-pro running back Todd Gurley essentially disappeared for the NFC Championship, with 4 carries for 10 yards. CJ Anderson picked up his slack, and played well. However, the Patriots are the best team in the league when it comes to eliminating the opposing teams biggest threat. If they game plan to take away the run game, the Rams will be in trouble. If the Pats can restrict Gurley and Anderson, it will likely throw the whole Rams offensive game plan off-course.
#5 - Can the Pats hold the Rams big-play receivers?
The Patriots secondary will have to be at its best on Sunday. Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods are among the best receiver tandems in the league. Both of them are extremely fast, and can change the course of the game with a quick screen or a deep pass. The way the Patriots matchup on the two of them is important. In the AFC title game, the Pats put Johnathon Jones on Tyreek Hill, with Devin McCourty giving help overtop. They will likely use a similar recipe, as Cooks is extremely fast, like Hill. Robert Woods will be shadowed by all-pro Stephon Gilmore. If the Patriots cannot contain Woods and Cooks, it will likely spell disaster.
#6 - Will Jared Goff be accurate?
Perhaps the most inconsistent part of the Rams offense is the quarterback Jared Goff. Particularly, when under pressure Goff has been horrendous. Goff gets scared of the pressure, and sometimes forces throws that are intercepted. However, he is extremely good in the play-action, and fools defenses with it. The key player for the Pats might be Trey Flowers. The underrated defensive end will not only have to get to Goff, but also make sure he does not rollout and make a play with either his arms or his legs.
The Pick:
On paper, these two teams are extremely evenly matched. The offensive genius of Tom Brady matches the stardom of the Rams defense, and the explosive Rams offensive is even with the crafty Pats D. This game will likely come down to coaching. In that case, Bill Belichick has the clear edge. Already, Sean McVay has had two potentially disastrous decisions pan out, as he kicked field goals twice despite being at the one yard line. Bill Belichick's experience and time-management will be better than McVay's offensive wizardry, and the will march on to their sixth Super Bowl in franchise history.
Score - 31 to 27, Patriots
Super Bowl MVP - James White(4 carries, 30 yards, 17 catches, 125 yds, 1 TD)
Bold Prediction - The Brady-White connection will be so good that White will surpass his own NFL record with more than 15 catches in a postseason game.
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