Patriots and Rams compete for the Lombardi Trophy
Super Bowl 53
New England Patriots (13-5) vs. Los Angeles Rams (15-3)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 71,000
5:30 PM CT
CBS
Jim, Tony, Trace, Evan Washburn, Jay Feely, Gene Steratore, Officiating Analyst
Refs: John Parry, After a disastrous NFC Championship, hoping Parry and his crew don’t mess this game up.
Patriots by 2 1/2
Sean McVay, Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald have had a spectacular season though there is an asterisk by it after the blown pass interference call in the Saints game by Bill Vinovich’s “All Star” crew . Not only did the California side judge and California back judge blow the pass interference penalty, there were also numerous holding and a couple of other interference penalties not called by the Vinovich crew. It was a catastrophe in officiating.
But the Rams are a solid outfit and Gurley, if he shows up this time after not performing in the NFC Divisional or Championship rounds, can be a difference maker.
With that said, I’m not going against Brady, Belichick, Gronk, Sony Michel and Julian Edelman. The offensive line is not talked about, but they’re a stellar group. I see them holding Donald and company in check. I like Brady and Belichick to hoist their 6th Lombardi Trophy Sunday Night.