Instant Analysis: What Rams must do to Defeat Pats in SB LIII...

Instant analysis: What Rams need to do to beat Patriots in Super Bowl LIII

Andrew Ortenberg

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

The matchup is set. The Los Angeles Rams will play the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta on Feb. 3. For a while, it looked like we’d be getting a rematch of the game of the year between the Rams and Chiefs, but Tom Brady and Co. ended up gutting out an overtime win.

It’ll be two of the best coaches in the league as Sean McVay does battle with Bill Belichick. The innovative young offensive guru versus the grizzled defensive mastermind. The last time these two teams played, way back in the 2016 season, the Rams looked nothing like they do now.

Jeff Fisher was still coaching the team, and Jared Goff was struggling mightily as a rookie. The film will be of no use to either side, as both look radically different.

The Patriots faced their first meaningful adversity in a long time this season, and for the first time in seemingly forever, had to play a road playoff game. The Rams are catching them as they’re playing their best ball of the season, though. The Patriots’ ground game has been great the past few weeks, and it’ll be very interesting to see how the Rams’ resurgent defensive line and run defense will hold up here.

The real key here will be getting pressure on Brady. New England’s offensive line has been playing lights out, and the Chargers and Chiefs barely laid a finger on Brady the last two weeks. Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, and Dante Fowler Jr. will need to keep up their recent strong play, and then some.

On offense, the Rams will need to air it out. The Patriots’ run defense has completely shut down Melvin Gordon and Damien Williams in the last two games, but their secondary has been exploitable for big plays down the field. Patrick Mahomes averaged 9.5 yards per attempt against New England’s secondary, and there should be some deep-ball opportunities for Goff. If he can connect on a couple of big plays to Brandin Cooks, the Rams’ offense should have no trouble putting up points.

The key to winning will be generating pressure on defense and a vertical passing game on offense. The Rams’ pass rush was the difference in the game against the Saints, and their rushers will need to be difference-makers in the Super Bowl, as well.

If Suh can notch more than one sack like he did on Sunday, the Rams will have a very good chance of becoming Super Bowl champions.