Alex Alarcon
NFL
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Surprisingly, people have doubted this Patriots team all season long. They were proclaimed over the hill frequently during the regular season, but they’ve taken things to a new level in the postseason. The offense has been dominant through two games, and the pass-rush has come alive as well. The Rams are a trendy pick to win the Super Bowl, but they’re playing the most impressive dynasty in the history of sports. For the following three reasons, here are why the New England Patriots will beat the Rams.
1. Their pass-rush
The Patriots’ don’t have any elite talents along the defensive line, but they’ve all collectively stepped up to take their game to a new level in the playoffs. They were relentless getting after Philip Rivers in the divisional round, and I thought it might be a fluke. But then they went on the road, and replicated the performance against the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes was running for his life most of the game, and I think New England will be able to get after Jared Goff here. Goff often struggles heavily when pressure gets in his face, but he’s been kept mostly clean in the playoffs so far. That will change against the Patriots, and Goff will wilt under the pressure. Bill Belichick will have plenty of blitzes schemed up to confuse
2. The Rams’ lack of a pass-rush
Conversely, I think the Rams’ lack of a consistent pass-rush will hurt them here. Los Angeles’ defensive front has played much better the past two weeks, but they still weren’t able to get much pressure on Dak Prescott in the divisional round. The Patriots’ offensive line has been playing at an all-time level in the playoffs, barely allowing Tom Brady to get touched. He hasn’t been sacked through two playoff games, and the Chiefs landed only one hit on him the entire game. He’ll likely have all day to throw here, and if the Rams can’t get pressure on him, he’ll be able to pick apart the Rams’ secondary. Ndamukong Suh and Dante Fowler have had good games the past couple of weeks, but legendary Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia will be plenty prepared with a plan to neutralize them.
3. James White
I think White will be the X-factor here. The Rams’ biggest weakness on defense is their linebackers, and Belichick and Josh McDaniels will have a bunch of stuff cooked up to get the matchups they want. Sean Payton and the Saints shredded the Rams’ linebackers with Alvin Kamara in the passing game last week, and you can expect the Patriots to do something similar with White. White had ten catches in the first half alone against the Chargers, an NFL playoff record, and has consistently shown up in big games. The Rams will have their hands full covering Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, and White will be able to slip out of the backfield for chunk gains repeatedly. White was the key to victory over the Chargers in the divisional round, and I think he’ll be the key to a Patriots victory again here.
