THERE's a sense of déjà vu about February football.
For the third time in three seasons, and the eighth time in sixteen, the New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl.
Same team, different opponent.
The Los Angeles Rams, led by 32-year old Sean McVay, got to Atlanta in controversial circumstances but their exciting brand of football and 13-3 regular season record earned them the right to challenge Belichick, Brady and company for the Lombardi Trophy.
NFL Network analyst @WillieMcGinest wants a new name on the Super Bowl trophy. pic.twitter.com/Qq7nliNLcN
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 30, 2019
This week the Patriots legend Willie McGinest said the league should rename the trophy the Belichick Trophy because of the coach’s unrivalled leadership of the dynasty he’s built in New England.
Only one franchise has won six titles. A win this weekend will give Belichick and Brady as many rings as that whole Steelers franchise. The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, the team Tom Brady supported as a kid, have as many rings as this quarterback/head coach duo.
The Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars have never even been to the Super Bowl!
The Super Bowl Rings from the past decade
Which is your favourite? pic.twitter.com/g1DH1GhMKP
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 31, 2019
Super Bowl LIII is more than about just one player, but Tom Brady’s triumph over Father Time is nothing short of exceptional. He’s putting forth one of the two best statistical seasons for a quarterback aged 40+-or-older in NFL history – topped only by himself.
He is the only player to throw for 4000+ yards in multiple seasons after turning 40.
Unsurprisingly, Brady holds the Super Bowl record for passing yards, passing touchdowns and passes completed.
TOM BRADY TO THROW +2.5 PASSING TOUCHDOWNS – 6/4 Those stats will improve on Sunday and I’m backing him to find the endzone with his arm on multiple occasions.
FULL GRONK MODE @RobGronkowski#SBOpeningNight pic.twitter.com/c2WgcQWhQE
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2019
New England’s Rob Gronkowski is the 15th player and first tight end with 1000+ receiving yards in the playoffs. He needs one receiving touchdown to break a tie for the second-most in postseason play.
ROB GRONKOWSKI TO SCORE ANYTIME TOUCHDOWN – 6/4 Gronk said he’s not looking past Sunday amid all the retirement talk this week. Expect the Patriots’ offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, to scheme something up this weekend for No.87 to find the endzone.
The last three teams to advance to the Super Bowl by an overtime field goal – as the Rams did – have gone on to lift the Lombardi.
Los Angeles are averaging a league-best 175.0 rushing yards per game in the postseason. Only one team since 2005 has averaged more in a single postseason.
If you want to be bold and fancy going for a Hail Mary of a bet then back former Patriot Brandin Cooks to score the first touchdown.
.@brandincooks with 107 yards on Championship Sunday.
All-22: Breaking down The Archer's two key catches late in the first half. pic.twitter.com/lKYuHb6Jps
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 24, 2019
BRANDIN COOKS TO SCORE FIRST TOUCHDOWN – 10/1 Sean McVay is a schemer and, if the Rams get the ball first, I think he’ll look to lift the top off the New England defense early on.
Los Angeles will be expected to run the ball like they’ve done all postseason, but they just might catch New England cold with a deep play to their former receiver.
Cooks is one of two players to record a 100+ yard receiving game in each of the last two postseasons. He also did so last year as a Patriot. His trade from New England came as a shock last year and he’ll be up for this one.
PATRIOTS TO WIN BY -3.5 POINTS – 7/5 So how’s it going to end? The Patriots are in familiar territory and they’ve looked relaxed all week.
I don’t think they’ll lose back-to-back Super Bowls and expect an MVP performance from TB12. Their Super Bowls are tight affairs but if they get ahead early they’ll maintain their lead by cutting out the errors.
This game will be won on fine margins and the slightest mistake could be costly. The Pats are primed and they’ll take it by more than a field goal.
