Throughout this week, I've been breaking down all the that will affect the outcome of LIII, which on CBSSports.com or . The and the are two of the most dynamic, versatile teams in the league, and they also each happen to be on both sides of the ball. That makes for a fascinating tactical battle, which should in turn lead to a wildly compelling football game.Patriots -2.5 vs. RamsRunning through the 15 different matchups spotlighted in those two posts, it's extremely difficult to see either of these two teams blowing the other out of the water. Most of the battles feature players and/or coaches who are at or near the top of their profe sion, matching strength vs. strength. vs. Wade PhillipsThe Patriots' offensive line vs. , , , and Jr. vs. and vs. and vs. , III, and Aqib Talib
Johnny Moore Jersey vs. Corey Littleton and and vs. The Rams' front seven vs. Bill BelichickThe Rams' offensive line vs. and company up front and vs. , J.C. Jackson, and vs. and C.J. Anderson vs. The Patriots' front sevenThe Rams' personnel groupings vs. Their regular-season tendenciesBill Belichick vs. Sean McVayWade Phillips vs. Josh McDanielsLooking through that list of matchups, there are very few obvious major advantages for either team. The closest we come is probably these two: James White vs. Corey Littleton and Mark Barron; and Robert Woods vs. Jason McCourty. Those are not exactly the marquee matchups most people think will decide the outcome of this contest, but they could end up being wildly important, given the construction of each team's roster.The more I think about it, though, I can't get over the advantages the Patriots have
Davis Bertans Jersey at coach and quarterback. It just seems like Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels, and Tom Brady are more likely to win their respective mind-game matchups against Sean McVay
Dennis Rodman Jersey and Jared Goff (Belichick), and Wade Phillips (McDaniels and Brady) than to be on the losing end. Belichick excels at taking away what an opposing offense does best. He especially excels at confusing young quarterbacks and forcing them to beat him by making uncomfortable throws. McDaniels crafts his game-plan specifically to defeat that week's opponent, zeroing in on the one thing they do not do well and ruthle sly attacking that weakne s. Brady excels at neutralizing pa s rushers by identifying where they're coming from, changing protections, and getting the ball out as quickly as po sible to the receiver who will be the most open, the soonest after the snap. He especially excels at doing this by hitting receivers in the slot and out of the backfield, which is where the Patriots happen to have the biggest personnel advantages in this game.McVay is perhaps the most creative offensive coach in the league, and the design of his offense -- with all the cro sing patterns and mesh concepts -- is almost perfectly constructed to defeat a team that plays as much man coverage as these Patriots. His willingne s to force defenses into light personnel (by using three wide receivers to get them into nickel and dime packages) and run the ball down their throats differentiates him from Mike Martz, whom Belichick dared to throw the ball in the first Super Bowl matchup between these two teams 17 years ago. Goff's
Keita Bates-Diop Jersey play-action prowe s makes him a specific kind of dangerous against a New England pa s rush that often is slowed down by play-fakes. His accuracy during the second half of the NFC title game is the kind of thing he'll need to win in this matchup. And Phillips has proven in the past that when he has the right personnel, he can and will get to Brady and force him into uncomfortable throws. And the Rams do have that personnel. (Hello
Luka Samanic Jersey , Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh.)If I were to be which of those trios would prevail on Sunday, though, I'd have to go with the Pats. Even though I'm of the belief that the Rams probably have the better overall roster (as evidenced by their advantages at running back, wide receiver, and especially defensive line), it just doesn't seem like that matters quite as much as having advantages at coach and quarterback. That's just the reality of the in 2018. I wouldn't be shocked if the Rams pull off a win. They're damn good and they've got the right kind of makeup to beat a Patriots team in the Super Bowl, just as the and have in previous seasons. I just don't think that's the most likely outcome.Prediction: Patriots 30, Rams 26Pick: Patriots -2.5
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