For the Rams, the real question is how?
Todd Gurley (photo, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
As sure as water is wet, Bill Belichick takes away the opposition’s biggest threat. Next Sunday, Todd Gurley is that threat. Gurley, one of the best offensive players in the league, missed the final two games of the regular season, but came back with authority in the first playoff game against the Cowboys, running for 115 yards, scoring a TD, and catching a couple of passes.
If Belichick focuses on Gurley, which I think he’ll do, that means the Ram’ offense will rely heavily on Jared Goff’s arm.
Is that a fair exchange for the Pats?
The 3rd-year quarterback can sling the rock to receivers capable of making significant YAC. Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, excellent route runners both, can take advantage of one-on-one coverage. Josh Reynolds has emerged as a reliable receiver in critical situations.
All of that is true. What’s uncertain is whether Goff will stay poised and calm during the biggest game of his life.
Let’s face it: football players are human beings. They get butterflies just like everyone else–perhaps with the exception of Tom Brady, who’s playing in his mind-boggling 9th Super Bowl.
It helps that Head Coach Sean McVay is a master play-caller. The addition of C.J. Anderson has been tremendous, too, because it gives McVay another weapon to utilize.
CJ Anderson (Rams Wire-USA Today)
Yes, the Rams can beat you in a variety of ways. That’s why the Pats’ defense will need to feel out how L.A. is attacking and then make defensive adjustments.
The Rams’ defense will have to be on its toes, too. Brady and longtime Pats’ OC Josh McDaniels are in sync. McDaniels knows what his QB likes to run and how well he can run it. And as opposing D-coordinators have learned this year, Brady is as accurate as ever, still has a quick release, and is a master at running a ball-control offense.
And while New England may not have a stable of All-Pro receivers, guys like Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Phillip Dorsett, and Chris Hogan will get open. They do that by executing, often to near perfection.
To make matters more complicated, the Pats’ offense isn’t all about Brady and those receivers. NE also has a formidable running attack. With slippery James White, rookie Sony Michel, and bruiser Rex Burkhead, the Pats have the luxury of rotating backs and using specific schemes and package plays.
So just what are the Rams’ defensive keys? Here are five.
First, Los Angeles must play press man-coverage and disrupt short pass plays. Second, the Rams need to stop Brady from moving the ball methodically down the field. Third, because the Patriots’ offense is about timing and rhythm, LAR must disrupt Brady and the passing game.
Aaron Donald is a force (photo, SB Nation)
Fourth, LAR must stifle New England’s running game. Thankfully for the Rams, the run defense has improved during the playoffs. How so? LAR wasn’t beaten by star runners Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas) and Alvin Kamara, and Mark Ingram (Saints).
Finally, there’s the line of scrimmage. Los Angeles beat Dallas and the Saints because it controlled the line of scrimmage. Can Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh control the line against the Pats?
If they can, then the Patriots will have a tough time moving the ball consistently. And, to win, the Pats have to do just that.
