5 pivotal Ram players in SB LIII...

5 pivotal players for the Rams in Super Bowl LIII

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

The Los Angeles Rams have arguably more star power than any team in the NFL with guys like Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks and Aaron Donald headlining the roster. However, they also have a bunch of key role players who don’t get nearly as much attention.

These five players could play a big role in Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, possibly being unsung heroes for the Rams. They’re what we call pivotal players heading into the big game.

Johnny Hekker

Bill Belichick didn’t call him a “weapon” multiple times for no reason. Hekker is more than just an elite punter, and while the Rams would prefer if he didn’t punt it once on Sunday, he’ll ultimately be called upon at some point. The field position battle will be key for both teams and there aren’t many better when it comes to pinning teams deep.

Not to mention, he’s dangerous on fakes, as the Saints learned in the NFC championship when his pass to Sam Shields provided a spark for L.A. He can help flip the field with booming punts against New England.

Josh Reynolds

Much of the attention will be on Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, but Reynolds could be in for a big game. He’ll likely draw Jason McCourty in coverage and can beat him with clean route running and being physical at the line. Reynolds had two games this season with multiple touchdowns and posted at least 42 yards six times.

He’s not someone who will go off for 100 yards, but as a red zone weapon and someone who feasts on crossing routes, Reynolds could see a substantial share of targets against the Patriots’ man coverage. Jared Goff threw seven passes his way in the NFC championship.

Nickell Robey-Coleman

Julian Edelman is Tom Brady’s favorite target and the guy covering him for most of the game will be Robey-Coleman, whose name has been mentioned a lot since the NFC championship. That’s a huge matchup because as we saw in the Patriots’ win over the Chiefs, Brady-to-Edelman is almost automatic on third down.

Robey-Coleman will be picked on a lot by the Patriots, not because he isn’t a good player (he is), but because Brady loves throwing over the middle to his slot receivers. Robey-Coleman could also be asked to cover James White when he comes out of the backfield, too.

John Johnson

The Chiefs allowed Rob Gronkowski to go off for six catches and 79 yards, including a key third-down reception on the Patriots’ final drive. The Rams can’t allow Gronkowski to have another big game and much of that will fall on the shoulders of Johnson.

He has the size and athleticism to match up with Gronk as he’s turned into one of the best young safeties in football. Expect Johnson to make at least a handful of big plays in coverage, be it by knocking a pass away or picking one off.

Mark Barron

No team has attempted more runs in the playoffs than the Patriots, who averaged 41 per game in their first two wins against the Chargers and Chiefs. While the Rams have shut down opposing rushing attacks the last two games, they have a challenge on their hands with New England in Super Bowl LIII.

Barron has played his best football in the last month and will play a big role in the middle of the Rams’ defense. He’s only come off the field for three plays the last two games and consistently made plays against the run against Dallas and New Orleans.