By Jordan Long
Super Bowl LIII is this Sunday. The New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl for the 3rd time in 4 seasons. They will go up against the L.A. Rams who are hoping to win it for the 1st time since Super Bowl 35. New England is favored by 2.5 points.
The Rams are going to run the football to open the passing game. C.J. Anderson and Todd Gurley will be the key on the ground for the Rams. Anderson has rushed for 167 yards in the playoffs, averaging 4.3 yards per rush. Anderson added 2 touchdowns. Gurley, on the other hand, hasn’t been as successful in the postseason with 125 yards on the ground but averages 6.3 per carry. He has found the end zone 2 times. Both of them are difficult to bring down in the open field. A missed tackle and it is a 4 or 5 yard gain which makes 2nd and 3rd downs easier to convert.
If the Rams run the football, it takes pressure off of quarterback Jared Goff. Running the football will make New England off balance and they will have to decide to stop the run or the pass. Those could help Goff with large chunks of yards through the air.
The offensive line of the Rams must give Goff time to throw the football. The Patriots will try to put pressure on Goff to sack him or to throw the ball sooner than he wants to which could equal turnovers. The Rams’ line has given up 1 sack in the postseason. This must continue against the Patriots. The Patriots have sacked the quarterback 6 times in the playoffs. If the Rams aren’t careful, New England will sack Goff, which may flip field position.
When the Rams have the football they need to control the clock. They have to convert 3rd downs and keep the clock ticking. The New England Patriots offense can’t score if they are on the sideline. Once L.A. marches into the red zone they must score touchdowns. A field goal won’t cut it in this game.
The New England Patriots are a scary team because of their quarterback, Tom Brady. Brady is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. He uses his hurry up style to tire out the defense and not allow them to substitute. He has a quick release throwing the football. The Patriots offensive line has not allowed a sack on Brady this postseason.
The Rams must figure out a way to disrupt the passing game. They have to create a blitz on Brady but can’t rush more than 4 or 5 defenders. If they bring more than 5, Brady will find the open receiver for large chunks of yards spelling trouble for the Rams. The Rams also can’t play zone defense. Covering a spot on the field won’t do much because Brady finds the open man. Man to man defense is better because the ball can be tipped away easily.
This game really comes down to which offense controls the line of scrimmage and the red zone. There may not be a lot of turnovers, but sacks will change the field position. It could force teams into punting rather than field goals. Whoever can score more in the red zone will win.
This is going to be a close game. The New England Patriots and the L.A. Rams are really even going into the Super Bowl. New England has more experience in the big game. That may end up helping them win yet another Lombardi Trophy. I think the winner will be New England by the score of 35-28. fff
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