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.
7 Responses
Nice preview to the game DW! Agree with your pick. Belichick and his LOGICAL game plan will prevail.
I agree with your selection DW. I do not think the zebras will favor the Rams. Brady is tough to beat as well.
Thanks guys.
Like your pick DW. The key as you noted is eliminating the pressure up the middle.
Thanks, Walter. Yes, I like this Patriots interior offensive line. Like them to contain Donald and Suh pretty well and give Brady and his receivers time to operate. Also like Michel to have a good game.
Plan on a tight game as you have predicted. I’m curious- what five teams beat the Patriots? My point is they are beatable! Quite often the zebra’s have let the players play in the Super Bowl ( not a lot of interference flags), but after that embarrassing group of refs with the Rams and Saints, perhaps an ass chewing from the league may change this. Only builds more anticipation.
Yes, Spike, I should have written this in the piece. They are talking about instituting coaching challenges for missed judgment calls. Coaches have 2 challenges per game and 3 if they get the first 2 right. My proposal is to give them 2 for judgment call challenges. If they don’t get the first "judgment" challenge right they lose the second challenge, get penalized 15 yards and lose a timeout, so the coaches know they can’t challenge it unless they are completely certain they’re right. It won’t slow up the game really since there is a limited number and the coaches will know there is risk involved if they lose the challenge. They are proposing something along those lines right now as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but this is my version of it. Thanks.