BROOKLYNWORM’S SUPER BOWL 53 NEW ENGLAND VERSUS LA RAMS
I always check out the early action, on games of this magnitude. The opening line, was LA Rams favorites by -1. The Sharps (guys in the know), immediately jumped on the Patriots, and pounded the line, until the line switched and made New England the favorites by – 2 ½. Since the opening line, the line has stayed steady at -2 ½ during the last two weeks. With this in mind, my wager will be on the Patriots. Keep your eye on the line until game time, and act accordingly. As for this contest, each team has explosive players on offense, and match up pretty evenly. The running backs, Todd Gurley, and Anderson, matchup up with the Patriot’s four headed rushing attack (White, Burkhead, Michel, and Devilin). Expect both teams, to spread the defenses, and throw short passes out to the sideline. Watch the screens from the Patriots, when they line up with an empty backfield. This will allow the Patriot, and Ram receivers to find their way in open spaces underneath. These teams have equal offensive talent, however, the Quarterback edge goes to Tom Brady. LA Ram quarterback Jared Goff, has a good arm, and is a good signal caller. However, I noted that Goff waits to pass until after his receiver has created space. The Pats cornerbacks, are good enough to jump the route, and come up with an interception. The difference with the experienced Tom Brady is, he anticipates when a receiver will get open, and will throw ahead of time. Simple, he drops back three steps, and releases the throw, just as his receiver makes his break. Brady’s quick release, enables him to avoid the pass rush, and gets help from his outstanding offensive line. Keep in mind, that Goff, struggled the second half protecting the football, and avoid turnovers.Gott, has thrown 7 interceptions, in his last 7 games. After Gott lost his number one receiver, Cooper Kupp, Goff hasn’t been the same. The Patriots defensively ranked third in the NFL in interceptions. As for Tight End, Gronkowski has the edge. He is healthy enough this game, to show up and possibly play like the old dominating Gronk. Gronk has done an outstanding job, pass, and run blocking, and the Pats will need his services, against Suh, and Donald. Watch Gronkowski, when he lines up as a wide receiver, next to the sidelines. Recall, the Patriots usually get mismatches in favor of Gronk, and they love to shoot him vertically deep down the sideline. That was a big play that helped the Pats beat KC. Another observation, is WR Patterson. Did you know that the Patriots ran the end around sweep with him 42 times, and twice as much as any other wide receiver running the football? Rams Tight End, Tyler Higbee, may draw a favorable match up against the Pats. Higbee could become the Rams sleeper on offense, if Gurley continues to struggle. Regarding Kickers, both teams have the capability to convert field goals over 50 yards, especially inside a dome. Coaching, you have possibly two of the best, old school, verses new school. They will both go into their bag of tricks. I expect the Pats, and Rams, run at least one gadget play. Defensively, let’s go back to last season’s Super Bowl. The Patriots defense was suspect that entire season. They bailed themselves out of bad situations, by stopping their opponents in the Red Zone, or held them to only a field goal. The Pats defensive efficiency ranked 31[SUP]st[/SUP]. Going into the 2018 season, New England showed improvement, and ranked 16[SUP]th[/SUP] defensively. However by season’s end, the Pats improved even more during the closing games of the regular season, leading into the post season. Defensive efficiency wise, they now rank 13[SUP]th[/SUP], a big jump from last season. So, as for the LA Rams defense by comparison, in 2017, the Rams ranked 6[SUP]th[/SUP] in defensive efficiency. The Rams slumped in the 2018 season, ranking 19[SUP]th[/SUP], and closed the regular season, into the playoffs, 15[SUP]th[/SUP]. Both teams showed extreme improvement stopping the run. As you can see, defensively, both teams have almost come full circle. Looking at the game plans, and intangibles. New England, will look to establish the pass first, and dink and dunk, in the first quarter. This will cool the Ram’s front seven heels, when blitzing, or pressuring Brady. Once the pass is established, this should allow them to run block, and gain yardage on the ground. Pass rushers, aren’t usually good run stoppers on defense, because they vacate their lane concentrating on tackling the QB, and get trapped. Brady, unlike the Last Super Bowl, will have healthy receivers, who can get open in the slot, and can catch outside the hash marks. LA Rams, game plan, will almost take the same approach as Belichick. The difference, they may go more to their running game, with Gurley, and Anderson. Like I mentioned previously, Gott, has been struggling passing the rock, and the Rams don’t want his inexperience to cost them. As you can see, both teams match up evenly, and should be a close one. With that in mind, I will choose the New England Patriots, to win by at least 3 points. I have listed my reasons, why the Pats, should be victorious. (1) The Rams routine schedule, has been altered these last two weeks. The players become creatures of habit during the regular season, and making that adjustment may be difficult. The Patriots on the other hand, have been there many times, and done that. (2) Tom Brady’s experience, and thirst to revenge last season’s Super bowl loss to Philadelphia. Tom wants that ring. (3) QB Jared Gott’s inexperience, in a huge game such as this one, may make mistakes, and turnover the football. (4) The health or reason why RB Todd Gurley has struggled in the post season. If Gurley isn’t 100%, this will badly cripple the Rams offense. (5) Smack talk from the LA Ram Corner, harping on Tom Brady. (6) LA Rams cornerback Peters. He has been beaten like a drum all season, and has lost his edge. This will be an area the Patriots will exploit. (7) Post season play. The Rams were given a gift by the Cowboys. The Coaching staff didn’t have their players prepared by kick off, The Rams somehow, stole the defensive signs from Dallas, and shredded them in the trenches, The field’s turf, known to be a very slick surface, the Cowboy players , didn’t wear the correct cleats , and slipped, lost traction, and couldn’t get leverage at the line of scrimmage. (8) Next, another LA Ram gift, the “non-call”, allowing the Rams to advance to the Super Bowl. (9) The Patriots are the most hated team, due to their success. Many touted, that the Pats would lose to the mighty Chargers in Foxborough. Next, it was onto Kansas City, were the Vegas line, made them underdogs. Yet, the Pats managed to beat the best NFL QB for a second time. (10) Lastly, there are no distractions this Super Bowl. Recall the Bill Belichick – Butler controversy, that occurred when Belichick bench Butler at game time. This may have cost the Patriots the Super Bowl. The Patriots, will come out aggressively, and play physical against the Rams. Tom Brady, will do the rest. Predicted Score: New England 31 LA Rams 27, New England (-2 ½), Over (56 ½).
I always check out the early action, on games of this magnitude. The opening line, was LA Rams favorites by -1. The Sharps (guys in the know), immediately jumped on the Patriots, and pounded the line, until the line switched and made New England the favorites by – 2 ½. Since the opening line, the line has stayed steady at -2 ½ during the last two weeks. With this in mind, my wager will be on the Patriots. Keep your eye on the line until game time, and act accordingly. As for this contest, each team has explosive players on offense, and match up pretty evenly. The running backs, Todd Gurley, and Anderson, matchup up with the Patriot’s four headed rushing attack (White, Burkhead, Michel, and Devilin). Expect both teams, to spread the defenses, and throw short passes out to the sideline. Watch the screens from the Patriots, when they line up with an empty backfield. This will allow the Patriot, and Ram receivers to find their way in open spaces underneath. These teams have equal offensive talent, however, the Quarterback edge goes to Tom Brady. LA Ram quarterback Jared Goff, has a good arm, and is a good signal caller. However, I noted that Goff waits to pass until after his receiver has created space. The Pats cornerbacks, are good enough to jump the route, and come up with an interception. The difference with the experienced Tom Brady is, he anticipates when a receiver will get open, and will throw ahead of time. Simple, he drops back three steps, and releases the throw, just as his receiver makes his break. Brady’s quick release, enables him to avoid the pass rush, and gets help from his outstanding offensive line. Keep in mind, that Goff, struggled the second half protecting the football, and avoid turnovers.Gott, has thrown 7 interceptions, in his last 7 games. After Gott lost his number one receiver, Cooper Kupp, Goff hasn’t been the same. The Patriots defensively ranked third in the NFL in interceptions. As for Tight End, Gronkowski has the edge. He is healthy enough this game, to show up and possibly play like the old dominating Gronk. Gronk has done an outstanding job, pass, and run blocking, and the Pats will need his services, against Suh, and Donald. Watch Gronkowski, when he lines up as a wide receiver, next to the sidelines. Recall, the Patriots usually get mismatches in favor of Gronk, and they love to shoot him vertically deep down the sideline. That was a big play that helped the Pats beat KC. Another observation, is WR Patterson. Did you know that the Patriots ran the end around sweep with him 42 times, and twice as much as any other wide receiver running the football? Rams Tight End, Tyler Higbee, may draw a favorable match up against the Pats. Higbee could become the Rams sleeper on offense, if Gurley continues to struggle. Regarding Kickers, both teams have the capability to convert field goals over 50 yards, especially inside a dome. Coaching, you have possibly two of the best, old school, verses new school. They will both go into their bag of tricks. I expect the Pats, and Rams, run at least one gadget play. Defensively, let’s go back to last season’s Super Bowl. The Patriots defense was suspect that entire season. They bailed themselves out of bad situations, by stopping their opponents in the Red Zone, or held them to only a field goal. The Pats defensive efficiency ranked 31[SUP]st[/SUP]. Going into the 2018 season, New England showed improvement, and ranked 16[SUP]th[/SUP] defensively. However by season’s end, the Pats improved even more during the closing games of the regular season, leading into the post season. Defensive efficiency wise, they now rank 13[SUP]th[/SUP], a big jump from last season. So, as for the LA Rams defense by comparison, in 2017, the Rams ranked 6[SUP]th[/SUP] in defensive efficiency. The Rams slumped in the 2018 season, ranking 19[SUP]th[/SUP], and closed the regular season, into the playoffs, 15[SUP]th[/SUP]. Both teams showed extreme improvement stopping the run. As you can see, defensively, both teams have almost come full circle. Looking at the game plans, and intangibles. New England, will look to establish the pass first, and dink and dunk, in the first quarter. This will cool the Ram’s front seven heels, when blitzing, or pressuring Brady. Once the pass is established, this should allow them to run block, and gain yardage on the ground. Pass rushers, aren’t usually good run stoppers on defense, because they vacate their lane concentrating on tackling the QB, and get trapped. Brady, unlike the Last Super Bowl, will have healthy receivers, who can get open in the slot, and can catch outside the hash marks. LA Rams, game plan, will almost take the same approach as Belichick. The difference, they may go more to their running game, with Gurley, and Anderson. Like I mentioned previously, Gott, has been struggling passing the rock, and the Rams don’t want his inexperience to cost them. As you can see, both teams match up evenly, and should be a close one. With that in mind, I will choose the New England Patriots, to win by at least 3 points. I have listed my reasons, why the Pats, should be victorious. (1) The Rams routine schedule, has been altered these last two weeks. The players become creatures of habit during the regular season, and making that adjustment may be difficult. The Patriots on the other hand, have been there many times, and done that. (2) Tom Brady’s experience, and thirst to revenge last season’s Super bowl loss to Philadelphia. Tom wants that ring. (3) QB Jared Gott’s inexperience, in a huge game such as this one, may make mistakes, and turnover the football. (4) The health or reason why RB Todd Gurley has struggled in the post season. If Gurley isn’t 100%, this will badly cripple the Rams offense. (5) Smack talk from the LA Ram Corner, harping on Tom Brady. (6) LA Rams cornerback Peters. He has been beaten like a drum all season, and has lost his edge. This will be an area the Patriots will exploit. (7) Post season play. The Rams were given a gift by the Cowboys. The Coaching staff didn’t have their players prepared by kick off, The Rams somehow, stole the defensive signs from Dallas, and shredded them in the trenches, The field’s turf, known to be a very slick surface, the Cowboy players , didn’t wear the correct cleats , and slipped, lost traction, and couldn’t get leverage at the line of scrimmage. (8) Next, another LA Ram gift, the “non-call”, allowing the Rams to advance to the Super Bowl. (9) The Patriots are the most hated team, due to their success. Many touted, that the Pats would lose to the mighty Chargers in Foxborough. Next, it was onto Kansas City, were the Vegas line, made them underdogs. Yet, the Pats managed to beat the best NFL QB for a second time. (10) Lastly, there are no distractions this Super Bowl. Recall the Bill Belichick – Butler controversy, that occurred when Belichick bench Butler at game time. This may have cost the Patriots the Super Bowl. The Patriots, will come out aggressively, and play physical against the Rams. Tom Brady, will do the rest. Predicted Score: New England 31 LA Rams 27, New England (-2 ½), Over (56 ½).
