From the past to now…A Super Breakdown of Super Bowl LIII

By: Robb Johnson 

Headline Image from NFL.com

 When we talk about a dynasty the New England Patriots automatically pop into your mind. Many things have been written and or talked about when it comes to this franchise. Patriots are without a doubt the most loved, hated franchise since the 1990s Duke, Dallas, and Yankee dynasties.

One thing is for sure, everything must start somewhere. On February 3, 2019, things will come full circle. We must put this in perspective when it comes to the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams. 

First, this is not the same matchup as last time, that Rams team from 2002 had living playing Hall of Famers at quarterback, running back, and receiver. They were the greatest show on turf, this team would be lucky to get booked at the run-down Richmond Coliseum. 

Second, do not insult the great people of St. Louis who were robbed of their football team to be relocated to Los Angeles where football is good sometimes, but never last long term. St. Louis deserves better, this should be their Super Bowl. 

Third, this rematch is seventeen years in the making. It’s been 204 months, 887 weeks and more than 6,209 days since we saw perhaps one of the biggest upsets in sports history. On that day the St. Louis Rams were 14 point favorites. 

Here are some more interesting facts from that game, Pat Summerall and John Madden called that game for Fox. The game was played in the Louisiana Superdome. Which is funny because the game this time will be in the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in Atlanta. The game was meant to be played January 27, 2001. However because of the tragic 9/11 events and postponement of games. The game was moved up a week after in-season games were canceled for a week.  

Additionally, Kurt Warner had a then-record of 365 yards in the game, Tom Brady broke the record with wit 462 yards in Super Bowl LI. Then he broke his own record in last year’s game with 505 passing yards. This was also the first championship for the Massachusetts area since the Boston Celtics 1986 championship. We know since then that Boston has dominated the sports scene. 

In that game, the Rams comeback of fourteen points was the largest in Super Bowl history, until the Patriots shattered this feat by coming back from 25 points down to beat the Atlanta Falcons. This is ironic knowing that the game is in Atlanta, playing in the home stadium of the team that choked away the biggest lead in Super Bowl history.

Here are some final stats from the game as well.

Leading rushers, Rams: Marshall Faulk 17 carries for 76 yards, 0 TDs. Patriots:  Antowian Smith 18 carries for 92 yards, 0 TDS.  

Receivers, Rams Az-Zahir Hakim 5 rec for 90 yards, 0 TDs. Patriots: Troy Brown 6 rec, 89 yards, 0 TDS. 

In this game, it should be noted that Tom Brady was only 16/27 for 145 yards, but he had a touchdown and led the game-winning drive. The Patriots defense was the shining star in the game, intercepting Kurt Warner twice.

Now with all that being said, you have the history of that game and what makes it so significant. We now get into the keys of the game for this Super Bowl between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots. 

We will start with the Patriots. Here are the facts, the Patriots have only allowed 60 yards rushing on 22 carriers. On the other end, the Patriots have scored eight rushing touchdowns on the ground. 

The Patriots have not allowed a sack of Tom Brady even though they have played against two great pass rushing teams in LA Chargers and Kansas City. 

When it comes to the LA Rams, they have some interesting stats on their end as well. 

Rams have given up 22.5 points in their two games against dynamic offenses in Dallas and New Orleans. 

CJ Anderson is averaging 83.5 on the ground, while Todd Gurley is averaging 57.5. Despite many feeling he injured, he did have 115 yards in the divisional round. He had to deal with a strong defense in New Orleans. 

LA Rams have two forced fumbles in the playoffs which is the most by any team, so the Patriots must hold on to the football. 

Now we get to the final part of this piece, which are the predictions and what must happen for each team to win. 

The Rams are up first if you are the Rams this Super Bowl has that feeling of Super Bowl XXXIII where it matched the Atlanta Falcons against the Denver Broncos. Many people wondered if it would be John Elway’s last game, the same sentiment came be said for Tom Brady. The Rams cannot get caught up in the moment, the Falcons looked like they were just there. The Rams must compartmentalize, the coaches must use something to fuel this team. Just saying they are it is not good enough.

This Super Bowl is not just a Super Bowl, this game means so much for the history of the game going forward. Rams franchise changed on a dime after they went down to the Patriots seventeen years ago. This is the most important, pressure-packed games of their lives. 

This game also cannot be won on the arm of Jared Goff, until the fourth quarter. Meaning that the running game must be strong, the defense has got to come to play against the many dynamic underrated weapons in the Patriots arsenal. Goff must rely on his team to use ball control and cause turnovers. He must have the ball last to complete the final drive, sound familiar?

Rams must shut down the Patriots running game if they don’t then they have a better chance of convincing Democrats to the build the Wall on the Southern Border. It’s imperative that the Rams get penetration. 

Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald will have to show up even more than they ever have. I am talking that when this game is over they are dehydrated and need therapy for their bodies for the next two months. 

If the Patriots control the line of scrimmage it will be a blowout and no one will remember anything about the Rams season. 

My last point to the Rams, this is for Sean McVay do not become Mike Martz. You do not need to overthink this. Beating Bill Belichick is not hard if you don’t beat yourself first and that can be harder said than done. But if you are truly the next great God of the NFL, then you will get this done no excuses come Super Bowl Sunday. 

Now for the New England Patriots, for me it’s simple. Force turnovers get on the Rams early hit some big plays with Brady and run the ball. The Patriots in my eyes are clearly the favorites in the game. The Rams are good, but they don’t have the secondary to deal with these weapons that the Patriots have. The Patriots running game is on fire, and for me the Rams offense has cooled off tremendously. 

Rams are dealing with the stink from the Saints pass interference fiasco, will the pressure get to them from so many fans who feel that this team’s appearance has an asterisk next to it? I feel that this team is just not good enough coming down the stretch to deal with a Patriots team that wants peoples to respect with a statement victory. 

The Patriots have never won a Super Bowl by more than six points. However this year that changes. The Patriots will not only win big, but they will break the Record from Super Bowl XXIV when the San Francisco 49ers demolished the Denver Broncos 55-10. San Francisco holds the record for Points and margin. That game was played in the Louisiana Superdome, same place these two teams played last time. 

My final prediction for Super Bowl LVIII is Patriots 56-10, Tom Brady goes 20-25 for 200 yards, two touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Sony Michel continues to dominate in the playoffs this time going for 250 yards rushing with four touchdowns on the ground. He will break Timmy Smiths record of 204 yards in Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos. 

Michel will win the MVP joining Franco Harris (Pitt) John Riggins (Was) Marcus Allen (LA Raiders) Otis Anderson (NYG) Emmitt Smith (Dallas) Terrell Davis (Den) as the only running backs to ever win the Super Bowl MVP. 

Thank you for reading my name is Robb Johnson you can find me on Youtube at Robbs Sports Zone. Instagram, Twitter at RJ_Media_ also look up my photos by searching #robbjohnsonphotos. Now check out the LegacyMaker Sports Network Teams Predictions, scores for the game and records so far in the playoffs!

James Brown-Patriots 24 Rams 23

Darrell Owens-Patriots 33 Rams 28

Jay Quimby- Rams 29 Patriots 27

Robb Johnson-Patriots 56 Rams 10

Drew Willingham- Rams 31 Patriots 27

Paul Scofield- Patriots 31 Rams 28

Tyrone Montgomery Jr.- Patriots 28 Rams 13

Becca Cottingham- Patriots 28 Rams 24

Russ “Statman” Taliaferro- Patriots 35 Rams 17

Lamonte Thomas- Patriots 27 Rams 21

Joshua Staats- Patriots 34 Rams 21

Candice Bullock- Patriots 28 Rams 24

Ryan Fowler- Patriots 21 Rams 17

Combined Prediction Picks 

(13 Members Made Picks)

Patriots win 11-2

Playoff Records After Championship Sunday

1.Becca 7-3

2.Jay 6-4

2.James 6-4

2. Candice 6-4

5. Darrell 5-5

5. Drew 5-5

5. Paul 5-5

5. Lamonte 5-5

5. Ryan 5-5

5. Ty 5-5

11. Robb 4-6

11. Josh 4-6

11. Russ 4-6

14. Adam 2-8