Media days have concluded and we now shift the focus to kickoff from Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. Let’s keep this short. Here is the position-by-position breakdown of the big game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots.
Quarterbacks
New versus old. Goff versus Brady. The Rams have used Goff efficiently all season long, but it is going to be tough to face off with Brady in this one. Once again, he is playing at an exceptionally high level. I think four letters will be sufficient here – GOAT.
Advantage – Patriots
Running Backs
The case here is a little more interesting. Both teams like to use the run game to open things up down the field. On one side, Sony Michel has come on as the main option for the Patriots. In the AFC Championship Game, he ran for 113 yards on 29 carries and found pay dirt twice. He has emerged as a game-changing back in his first season. Rex Burkhead added two scores against the Chiefs and James White is one of the best pass-catching running backs in the league.
On the opposite side, the Rams are headlined by Todd Gurley, but he only touched the ball five times in the NFC Championship Game. Expect Gurley to get some more touches on Sunday than two weeks ago. One of the bigger storylines coming into Sunday, has been the emergence of C.J. Anderson in the backfield for the Los Angeles Rams. Anderson was exceptional in the divisional round versus the Cowboys rushing for 123 yards and two scores on 23 carries.
Advantage – Rams
Wide Receivers and Tight End
The Rams have arguably the more talented group of wide receivers with Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, but the Patriots receivers fit their scheme extremely well. Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan have been in usual form throughout the playoffs and I expect nothing less on Sunday.
The tight ends for both sides is a little more interesting. Most would give the Patriots the advantage because of Rob Gronkowski, but he has not been his usual self in these playoffs. On the opposite side, Los Angeles has provided some solid stats from the tight end position. This could be a toss-up come Sunday.
Advantage – Close, but Patriots
Offensive Line
Both teams have a solid presence on the offensive line and this could be one of the closest matchups to breakdown in this game. Both are considered to be in the top three in the league for run blocking and in the top ten in pass protection by Football Outsiders, and for the sake of a good ending…
…Advantage – Rams
Defensive Line
While the Patriots have a solid defensive line that can get to the quarterback, they do not have Aaron Donald on their side. Donald has been one of, if not, the best players in the NFL this season. And that’s not even mentioning the rest of the defensive line.
Advantage – Rams
Linebackers
The Los Angeles Rams have two of the top ten linebackers in tackling during the postseason – Cory Littleton and Mark Barron. Littleton has recorded 19 tackles in the two games this postseason while Barron has 14.
The Patriots’ linebackers have recorded 2.5 sacks in their two postseason games. Kyle Van Noy has put together a very nice postseason recording 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. This is one is almost too close to call.
Advantage – Patriots
Defensive Backs
A ton of notable names at the defensive back position on Sunday. The McCourty twins, Stephon Gilmore, Patrick Chung for New England. While Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Nickell Robey-Coleman, and Lamarcus Joyner will line up on for the Rams. There was a lot of attention on the defensive backs in the conference championships. This is another close call, but…
…Advantage – Patriots
Special Teams
This may be the decider of the game, so of course we have to take a look at the special teams unit. This one could go either way, but I give the Rams an edge: they could run a fake at any point in the game.
Advantage – Rams
Coaching
This could be the most intriguing matchup to look at; the matchup between David, Sean McVay, and Goliath, Bill Belichick. You could give the advantage to McVay for his aggressive, gun-slinging style of coaching, but I am not betting against Belichick in the Super Bowl.
Advantage – Patriots
Now time for the best part of the game preview – the prediction. The Rams will jump out to an early two score lead, but then Tom Brady will do what he does best and get this team back into the game. The game will be close toward the end, but Sony Michel is going to put the game away with a late touchdown. Brady gets Super Bowl number six and the dynasty of the New England Patriots continues another year.
Prediction: Patriots – 35, Rams – 20