Most sportsbooks have the New England Patriots listed as 2.5 point favorites over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. The New England Patriots enter this game with a record of 13-5 and have won four of their last five games including a win on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game by a score of 37-31. The Los Angeles Rams enter this game with a record of 15-3 and have won four of their last five games including a road win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game by a score of 26-23. Let’s take a closer look at these two teams as we dive into the Super Bowl Rams vs Patriots.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams made it to the Super Bowl as the 2 seed in the NFC after finishing the regular season with a record of 13-3 and winning the NFC West. They defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round by a score of 30-22 and the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship by a score of 26-23. Los Angeles is 9-8-1 ATS overall, 7-6-1 ATS after a win, 1-0 ATS as an underdog and 2-0 ATS in the playoffs. Jared Goff leads the team in passing in the playoffs with 483 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. C.J. Anderson leads the team in rushing in the playoffs with 167 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Brandin Cooks leads the team in receiving in the playoffs with 11 receptions for 172 yards and no touchdowns. Los Angeles is averaging 32.39 points per game which ranks 2nd in the NFL. They are averaging 143.39 rushing yards per game which ranks 3rd in the NFL. They are averaging 277.33 passing yards per game which ranks 5th in the NFL. The Rams are allowing 23.83 points per game which ranks 19th in the NFL. They are allowing 114.17 rushing yards per game which ranks 15th in the NFL. They are allowing 237.78 passing yards per game which ranks 16th in the NFL.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots made it to the Super Bowl as the 2 seed in the AFC after finishing the regular season with a record of 11-5 and winning the AFC East. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the divisional round of the playoff at home by a score of 41-28 and then going on the road for the AFC Championship game and defeating the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 37-31. Tom Brady leads the team in passing in the playoffs with 691 yards for 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Sony Michel leads the team in rushing in the playoffs with 242 yards and 5 touchdowns. Julian Edelman leads the team in receiving in the playoffs with 16 receptions for 247 yards and no touchdowns.
New England is 11-7 ATS overall, 8-4 ATS after a win, 10-7 ATS as a favorite and 2-0 ATS in the playoffs. New England is averaging 28.56 points per game which ranks 4th in the NFL. They are averaging 131.56 rushing yards per game which ranks 5th in the NFL. They are averaging 274.94 passing yards per game which ranks 5th in the NFL. The Patriots are allowing 21.33 points per game which ranks 10th in the NFL. They are allowing 103.56 rushing yards per game which ranks 8th in the NFL. They are allowing 250.5 passing yards per game which ranks 22nd in the NFL.
Rams win with MVP performance of Goff
The Patriots always take one key player out of the game plan and the Rams have one of the most explosive players in the NFL in Todd Gurley, so I see New England focusing on taking him out of the game and forcing Goff to beat them. Goff’s last few games have been unspectacular to say the least, but in the Saints game when the team needed him to make key throws he came through for them.
New England also has a below average pass defense allowing 250.5 passing yards per game and have given up 331 and 295 passing yards in their two playoff games this year as well as three passing touchdowns in both games. The Rams are on the verge of starting a dynasty while the Patriots are edging closer to the edge of the end of theirs. 17 years ago the dynasty started for the Patriots against the “Greatest Show on Turf” and I see the Rams beginning the start of theirs in Super Bowl 53. Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 31 New England Patriots 28 with Jared Goff winning the MVP.