{"id":31566,"date":"2019-02-01T16:14:31","date_gmt":"2019-02-01T16:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=31566"},"modified":"2019-02-01T16:14:31","modified_gmt":"2019-02-01T16:14:31","slug":"how-to-bluff-your-way-through-super-bowl-lii-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/02\/01\/how-to-bluff-your-way-through-super-bowl-lii-showdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Here is your bluffer's guide to the Super Bowl LIII showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"

The conversation starter<\/h3>\n

Sport has a funny way of coming full circle. In 2002, Tom Brady truly announced himself. Just two years into his career and at his first Super Bowl, the unfancied quarter-back conspired with New England Patriots\u2019 head-coach Bill Belichick to upset the favourites \u2013 the St. Louis Rams.
\nA dynasty was born: Brady lifted The Lombardi Trophy five times in eight Super Bowl appearances.
\nThe Patriots soared, but the Rams buckled. In the 15 years since, they have become serial under-performers. A move back to Los Angeles in 2016 initially failed to inspire, but a radical appointment in Sean McVay \u2013 then 30 years old \u2013 provided a drastic change in fortune.
\nNow, the Rams are back in the big time with third-year quarter-back Jarred Goff against a Patriots team jam-packed with experience of winning on the biggest stage.
\nThe prologue fits the bill; but will the denouement mirror history and kick-start a new dynasty?<\/p>\n

New England Patriots \u2013 Team debrief<\/h3>\n

Like the greatest teams in sport, the Patriots know when to come alive and shift gear. The greatest illustration being Super Bowl LI \u2013 two years ago \u2013 when the Patriots overhauled a 25-point deficit with just 23 minutes left in regulation time. The closest comparison with soccer would be Liverpool\u2019s monumental fight back against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final.
\nAfter averaging 27 points during the season, the Patriots have averaged a massive 39 points in the post-season. Their Divisional Round clash with the LA Chargers was over before the third quarter. The AFC Conference Title match-up with the Kansas City Chiefs saw them quiet a fervent home crowd and win in over-time \u2013 as soon as the Patriots won the toss for first possession in over-time, it was never really in doubt.<\/p>\n

Key players<\/h3>\n

At 41, Brady has been accused of being past it, but you only have to watch the way he commanded and led the Patriots\u2019 over-time drive in the AFC Conference game to know how wrong this is. Yet a quarter-back is nothing without potent weapons. Sony Michael, running back, has five rushing touch-downs in the play-offs and has relieved the pressure on Brady\u2019s passing game. Taking 16 catches for 247 yards in the post-season, wide-receiver Julian Edelman has been Brady\u2019s main outlet and won\u2019t be fazed by a Rams\u2019 defence known for their aggressiveness. Goff\u2019s effectiveness when under pressure weakens and so defensive end Trey Flowers has the power to diminish the Rams\u2019 attack.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Rams \u2013 Team debrief<\/h3>\n

Swashbuckling, daring and exciting, the Rams\u2019 offense has lit up the NFL.
\nThe brains behind the Rams revival is the ebullient McVay; a fiercely intelligent head-coach who devises play-schemes in his sleep. The Rams spent big this summer and it paid off. They bought in old heads \u2013 Ndamukong Suh and John Sullivan \u2013 to complement the youthful verve throughout their team.
\nThe play-offs are unfamiliar territory for McVay and the Rams and they haven\u2019t quite cut the same purposeful unit as they did in in regulation season. Still, a 30-22 win against the Dallas Cowboys shouldn\u2019t be dismissed; more so, their dramatic NFC Title win against the Saints, which was mired in controversy. The Saints hadn\u2019t lost in 10 play-off games at home.
\nDespite the influx of experience, there\u2019s a stark difference with the Patriots: just four Rams have played in the Super Bowl before, whereas the Patriots boast 38.<\/p>\n

\n

The arduous journey to perfection will be pursued by many. But only one will prevail.<\/p>\n

The Road to the Super Bowl. <\/p>\n

Narrated by Dick Vermeil. pic.twitter.com\/IQVnYuUwzi<\/a><\/p>\n

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 31, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n