NFL Live Thread: Super Bowl LIII

1-30-2019

[CaliforniaCraftBeer]

[zzeeman]

Gotta go with the experience...

Pats

[Impy]

Bengay seems to have helped.

That heartburn was nasty, lasted like 12 hours, tums and Pepto did nothing.

[big'ol_freeper]

https://aaf.com/nfl-network-to-televise-19-alliance-of-american-football

[big'ol_freeper]

Try bitters. They seem to eat of the heartburn quickly.

[campaignPete R-CT]

"First, I am not young enough to be a chick. Though, the girls always tell me to give them some room. The boys say, "God, I hope she comes back soon. " And congratulations , imp, on the end of your frigidity."

" Second, my Rams will be the first team to lose the Conference Championship game and win the Super Bowl. "

[campaignPete R-CT]

1953, Lions champs.

1951, Rams

[Impy]

THanks for the tip. Digestive bitters in particular?

[atc23]

Thanks pete

[big'ol_freeper]

Here's my pick:

Since this guy has run out of fingers to put rings on for his left hand...

...and he can't throw a football with a ring on his right hand...

I predict the Rams will win the Super Bowl 38-31

*although I really think the Patriots will win, picking the Rams it guarantees me the post season win

[Impy]

Well you've won already, it's just a question of whether you'll have to share whatever picture of a trophy I dig up. 😅

[big'ol_freeper]

Only in Boston. Wicked funny!

[Jim W N]

Here’s my take...

The Rams’ #3 ranking in the NFL for net scoring makes them the favorite over the #5 Pats.

However, in order to win, the Rams ware going to have to do what NFL playoff teams rarely do - run the ball at least as much if not more than pass. So the Rams are going to have to be more than tough, they’re going to have to be smart. They need to realize that the Pats have the 5th best pass defense in the NFL, but the 5th WORST run defense. So the Rams’ best game plan is to run the ball – a lot.

This Super Bowl, we have one top-notch offense, one strong offense, and two lousy defenses except in one category. The Rams’ offense is a juggernaut in both scoring and yardage. Their only challenge is the Pats strong pass defense. If the Rams run enough, they should win.

The Pats offense lead by a legend, is top notch in scoring (4th) which is the overriding stat. But in yardage, they are mediocre. They can be stopped. However, the Rams have a terrible defense, #20 in the NFL and the WORST run defense in the NFL. The Pats should and almost certainly will, run a balanced attack.

Whoever scores early and often and gets a significant early lead may be the key to this game. The need for the Rams to run a lot cannot be overemphasized. If the Rams use the run to establish their passing game, I think they should score early and often. However, if the Rams’ brain trust doesn’t do their homework and instead try to pass a lot, especially early, my guess is they will not score much early.

Meanwhile, the Pats have very good chances of scoring early. There’s not much to stop them. If the Rams don’t play smartball, the Pats could get a big, early lead which would put more pressure on the Rams to “just pass the ball” so they can “catch up”. But as the old joke says, if they do that, they’ll probably end up as “ketchup”.

Having said all of that, I have to make special mention of the N.E. Patriots, a truly amazing team and dynasty. A lot people seem to hate the Pats but I think it’s because of jealousy and envy – small thinking. IMO the Pats should be admired and copied as a perennial contender.

So what is it about the Pats? They may be the best sports dynasty ever. What makes the Pats perennial contenders and champions? In short, what I’ve seen is the Pats have basically incorporated the keys to the Championship 49ers of Bill Walsh – the Team of the 80’s. The reason the Niners didn’t go past the 80’s is Walsh’s weakness of being WAY too emotional and he burnt himself out early. Belichick obviously doesn’t have that problem. So what is it about the Pats?

1. The Pats have incorporated Bill Walsh’s sort-pass, ball control “West Coast Offense”.
2. The Pats put a top priority on protecting the QB.
3. The Pats, like the Niners of old, run well executed play-action fakes on almost every pass play. It is such an effective play design that freezes the linebackers and frees up the receiver. Why more teams don’t run it is a mystery to me.
4. The Pats, like the Niners of old, are smart, not just tough. Brains AND brawn. They prepare for their games by focusing on their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses and prepare a game plan that capitalizes on their opponents’ weakness.

As I said, if the Rams prepare likewise and run enough, they should win. Otherwise, probably another feather in the cap of Belichick, Brady, and the Patriots who deserve all the credit for their amazingly long-term, effective organization.

Close game and it could end up at the mercy of the sad NFL OT rules - whoever wins the coin toss wins - or hopefully not some game-changing bad ref call.

[RedMonqey]

Yep, if Rams run the ball and control the clock, they will win. Run it down Belichick’s throat!

[Kudsman]

The Rams need to put Brady on his kiester early or the Rams D will tire chasing fresh Patriots all over the field.

[big'ol_freeper]

You, my FRiend, have hit upon the key for the Rams to be able to beat the Pats. If they don’t pressure Tom, he’ll pick them apart all day. To pressure him they first need to take away the slants and the swing out passes. Make him have to look down field.

[Jim W N]

[Jim W N]

I also see the need for the Rams to score early (by establishing the run to open up the passing game) and not let the Pats get too far ahead early or else the Rams could go into panic mode and throw themselves into interceptions, turnovers, QB sacks, and defeat.

[Jim W N]

In a nutshell, here's what the Rams have to do to win which they are favored to do.

1. Establish the run game to open up the passing game. The Rams must score early. Their key is use the run to open up the pass but STAY with the run a lot. If the Pats get too far ahead early the Rams could go into panic mode and throw themselves into interceptions, turnovers, QB sacks, and defeat.

2. Control the clock by running the ball (as RedMonquey pointed out), especially in the second half and fourth quarter.

Some are saying the key to the Rams win is their defense and pounding Brady, etc. But that is asking the Rams to do something their lousy defense hasn't done all season. The Rams' chances for success will be much better if they capitalize on the Pats' weaknesses (QB protection is a Pats' strength, run defense is their weakness) with their own strengths (their running game is one of the best in the NFL, their pass defense is pretty weak).

IMO, the Rams playing to their strengths and the Pats' weaknesses are more likely to succeed than asking for some kind of "best-game performance" they haven't done all year. Sure, hope for the best from the Rams weak defense, but rely on a smart strategy to win.

[RedMonqey]

True that.